8 players, 8 stories behind the win over Union Berlin

Bayern’s 4-0 win against Union Berlin provided so many stories. It wasn’t just about the Bundesliga leaders extending their advantage to seven points over night, but also a strong collective performance. “We had a very good game. We played well together, not just in defence but also attack,” enthused goalscorer Kingsley Coman after the game. The Frenchman is just one of the showpieces of this FCB attack that has set a new Bundesliga record after 27 matchdays of 81 goals. The 37,000 in attendance at the Allianz Arena embellished the spectacle with applause and cheered on a team where several players stood out. Here are their eight personal stories from the victory:

Robert Lewandowski

One scores all the time, the other very rarely. But both Robert Lewandowski and Tanguy Nianzou were on the scoresheet on Saturday. Lewandowski bagged a somewhat customary brace in the minute before and then after half-time. It was the 80th time the Polish striker has scored more than one goal in a Bundesliga game. Only Gerd Müller has ever done so more times (87). Lewy is also now on 31 goals for the league campaign, once again smashing through the 30-goal barrier, for the fifth time in his career. Again, LewanGOALski is on the same level as Der Bomber, who also got 30+ in five different seasons.

Tanguy Nianzou

Celebrating a goal is more of a novel experience for Nianzou. The 19-year-old Frenchman was making his 18th appearance for Bayern when he headed in his maiden goal for the club. “I was very pleased with him. He’s got very good character and puts everything into it,” Julian Nagelsmann said in praise after the game, also highlighting the defender’s “outstanding winning mentality”.

Kingsley Coman

“King is currently in top, top form. You can’t leave him out,” Nagelsmann also said at his press conference of the winger whose thunderous shot in the 16th minute opened the scoring. It was the Frenchman’s fifth goal of this Bundesliga campaign.

Jamal Musiala

Watching Jamal Musiala was once again a feast for the eyes for those inside the Allianz Arena on Saturday. The fine young technician produced a number of excellent moments, directed things in midfield alongside Joshua Kimmich and perfectly teed up Lewandowski at the start of the second half for the fourth goal. His fifth Bundesliga assist of 2021/22 once again showed that Musiala’s game isn’t just nice to watch but also clinical.

Joshua Kimmich

The same goes for Nagelsmann’s midfield motor. Kimmich moved the ball all over the field against Union, led the way, threw himself into every challenge and set up Nianzou’s header. No player has more assists in the second half of his Bundesliga season than the 27-year-old’s five. But on top of that, the last 16 goals Bayern have scored from corners have all been taken by our No.6. No player has delivered more corners leading to goals this season than Bayern’s on-field leader, who said in summary: “It was a deserved win.”

Corentin Tolisso

Welcome back, Coco! After missing the last four matches in all competitions due to a muscle strain, the French midfielder made his comeback against Union.

Leon Goretzka

Leon Goretzka might not have got any time on the pitch against the Berliners, but his mere return to the squad was music to the ears of Bayern fans. The Germany international has been missing since early December due to a knee problem.

Josip Stanišić

It’s nearly five months since Josip Stanišić last played a competitive game for Bayern. On 30 October 2021, he featured in a 5-2 away win against the same opponents in Berlin. Following coronavirus and a muscle bundle tear, the Munich-born defender is now back on the pitch and put in a no-nonsense performance, impressing along with the whole team.

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