Bayern claim 1-0 victory over Union Berlin

FC Bayern beat Union Berlin 1-0 in Wednesday night's rearranged match after the original meeting in December had been postponed. The Bavarians enjoyed more of the ball but struggled against Union's solid defence, and Raphaël Guerreiro's goal after half-time was all that separated the sides as Bayern returned to winning ways.

Bayern lined up with Manuel Neuer in goal and Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, Matthijs de Ligt and Guerreiro in defence. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Kingsley Coman, Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sané, with Harry Kane up front. New signing Eric Dier came on for his debut in place of Upamecano at half-time, with Thomas Müller, Mathys Tel and Aleksandar Pavlović taking over from Musiala, Coman and Laimer in the second half.

No goals

The 75,000 full house at the Allianz Arena saw Bayern dominate possession, with Union sitting deep and looking to strike on the break. Goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow parried a de Ligt header and saved Upamecano's rebound before denying Coman. De Ligt sent another header wide at a corner and Coman was also unable to beat the Dane in the Union goal.

Munich increasingly resorted to efforts from distance, Goretzka firing wide before Kimmich tested Rönnow. Sané hit one over the bar before Rönnow parried a Goretzka shot and beat Musiala to the loose ball as the contest was goalless at half-time.

Guerreiro seals it

Bayern got off to a perfect start to the second half. Kane hit the post, but Guerreiro was on hand to mop up the rebound. Rönnow only just palmed a Kimmich corner away before Bayern had the ball in the net for a second time, but Kane's goal was chalked off for offside against provider Sané after VAR intervention.

Clear-cut chances were at a premium now before Neuer denied Jérôme Roussillon as Union opened up. Rönnow denied Goretzka and Kane saw an effort deflected behind. Müller was unable to properly get hold of the ball following Rönnow's clearance and capitalise as Bayern sealed a narrow but deserved victory.

The result takes Bayern onto 44 points from 18 matches, four short of Bayer Leverkusen. The Bavarians will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to face Augsburg in the Bundesliga.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen