Cup analysis: How Bayern held off Union Berlin in last 16

You really had to expect anything ahead of this last-16 clash between 1. FC Union Berlin and FC Bayern in the DFB Cup. The Bundesliga leaders, still unbeaten domestically, visited the team 11th in the table, who lost at home to bottom side Heidenheim last time out. “The game a month ago showed us: we don’t need to warn anyone,” said board member for sport Max Eberl, recalling the Berliners’ strength at home and from set pieces, which they showed as the only team to take a point off Bayern in the league this season. Plus Vincent Kompany had not yet tasted victory at the Alten Försterei in two attempts.

Two penalties, two own goals – for the first time ever

And once again, the two sides produced an enthralling battle, not gifting anything to each other. In the end, the crowd of 22,012 in Köpenick saw two penalties, two own goals and a narrow 3-2 win for the record cup winners. “The most important thing is we’re through,” summarised defender Konrad Laimer. And Joshua Kimmich added: “In the last five or six years, we’ve always been out of the DFB Cup before the winter break, so it was very important that we made it today.”

The preceding 90 minutes of last-16 action, however, had been quite eventful. Initially, it seemed as though Bayern wouldn't be thrown off their game again by the hosts' aggressive pressing. Just four weeks earlier in the league, the plucky Unioner had chased their opponents across the entire pitch like guard dogs chasing a postman. This time, the visitors were prepared, played through the Berliners' press and took control of the cup tie.

Bayern needed 30 minutes for their first shot at goal in the league encounter, but this time Michael Olise tested Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow after just 30 seconds. The visitors also headed the Berliners’ first corner clear of danger, having conceded from two set plays previously. The Munich men looked calm and confident, ideally prepared for what awaited them in this knockout match in the capital.

Kimmich quietens the crowd

Just as the Waldseite supporters were about to crank up the volume for the first time after a 12-minute silent protest, Kimmich pulled the plug again. Bayern's first corner kick flew with spin and power towards the Union goal, and Ilyas Ansah unfortunately deflected it off his thigh and into his own net – 1-0. It was Bayern's first own goal in the cup since their 12-0 victory over Bremer SV in 2021/22, and also the fastest own goal since Holger Dieckmann for HSV against Bayern in 1966.

When Harry Kane then headed in another deadly corner from Kimmich for his sixth cup goal of the season in the 24th minute, the contest appeared to be already over. Incidentally, the England captain now has seven goal contributions in this DFB Cup campaign, something only previously achieved by Xherdan Shaqiri (eight) and Franck Ribéry (also seven) since 2008/09. In summary, it was all going to plan for the favourites, who had just over 74 percent possession as well and had turned the much talked-about set-piece vulnerability of recent weeks into a set-piece strength of their own.

Almost goal number 26

Bayern's top scorer almost added a 26th goal to his 25th of the season in all competitions, which would have put him one ahead of Kylian Mbappé in Europe’s top five leagues. However, Kane's delicate chip for 3-0, following a header from Olise, appeared to be offside. Referee Martin Petersen, alerted by VAR, went to the monitor and pointed to the penalty spot – Bayern's, that is. Just minutes earlier, a long throw from Union had hit the arm of Jonathan Tah.

Union goal shifts balance

The penalty that reduced the deficit briefly shifted the balance of play. Roared on by their supporters, Union summoned the courage to use the momentum to force an equaliser. But it was Bayern who were celebrating next, after another own goal. Diogo Leite bundled a free kick from Olise into his own net in stoppage time at the end of the first half – only Werder Bremen in 1975 against Augsburg have previously conceded two own goals in the competition. “We virtually scored three own goals,” bemoaned Union captain Rani Khedira at full time. But Eberl was not complaining: “We maybe didn’t play elegantly at all times today, but we won. That’s what counts.”

Three aerial bulwarks and a Neuer first

And things got even more unusual: Kane, who along with Tah and Dayot Upamecano was something of an aerial bulwark in the Bayern defence from throws, corners and free kicks, inadvertently caught Union defender Diogo Leite in the face with his arm. Another penalty, another goal: 3-2 after 55 minutes. Two penalties and two own goals in one match – that’s never happened before in the cup since the formation of the Bundesliga. It’s also the first time in 782 competitive appearances for Schalke and Bayern that Manuel Neuer has conceded two penalties.

Just like after the first goal back, the hosts pushed for the equaliser again. Bayern hadn’t registered a shot on goal since the 24th minute. With the temperature dropping, Berlin dug deeper and deeper into this cup tie, embroiling FCB in a gruelling midfield battle. “We knew it wouldn’t be easy tonight in Berlin. A lot of high balls, a lot of tackles, a lot of set pieces and long throws – I think we had the full package again tonight," a weary Konrad Laimer summarised. Every player on both sides was now covered in grass and dirt, a testament to the intensity of the match.

“I’m pleased with the first half, I think we did a lot right there. But the second half was a battle,” said head coach Kompany. Union had bad luck in their finishing a number of times – or were denied by the impressive Neuer. Although they also had luck at the other end when Luis Díaz failed to seal the contest one-v-one against Rönnow in the 74th minute. “You have to get through these kind of games, it was a hard fight. These wins give you extra confidence,” added a happy Kane.

As the final whistle finally blew and the visitors danced with delight and relief in front of the away end, Kompany had won the first five away cup matches of his tenure – the first Bayern coach to do so since Niko Kovac in 2018/19. “In the end it’s about going through and I hope we can go through more rounds, and then no one will talk about how the win came about,” commented the Belgian.

‘We want to get back to Berlin’

The 3-2 victory means Bayern are in the quarter-finals of the cup for the first time in three years and can keep dreaming of a first cup success since 2020. “We have our sights set this year on getting back to Berlin,” revealed Kimmich. They’ll discover their next opponents on the road to the Olympiastadion on Sunday.

All the post-match reaction from Berlin: