Bayern Munich faced Union Berlin on March 15, 2025, at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, ending the match with a 1-1 draw. The encounter marked another chapter of rivalry between these two Bundesliga teams and illustrated the high stakes as the season approaches its conclusion.
The match kicked off at 3:30 PM local time (CET) and saw Bayern Munich, seeking to extend their lead at the top of the Bundesliga, going against Union Berlin, who were eager to avoid being dragged back toward the relegation zone. Bayern came off the back of a solid Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen, but the previous league loss to VfL Bochum loomed over their performances.
Bayern began the match with great pressure, dominating possession from the outset. They maintained around 80% possession throughout the game, showcasing their usual aggressive style of play. Bayern's star player, Leroy Sané, opened the scoring for the Bavarians with a powerful finish after receiving the ball from Josip Stanišić, putting Bayern up 1-0 at the 75-minute mark. This appeared to set the stage for what many expected to be yet another victory for the champions-elect, who were eight points clear of Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the table.
Despite Bayern's commanding presence on the pitch, Union Berlin managed to pull off a late surprise. Just when it seemed Bayern had secured the three points, Union forward Benedict Hollerbach leveled the score with just seven minutes left on the clock. The goal came directly from a defensive error by Bayern goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, whose attempted clearance fell to Hollerbach, allowing him to slot it home. This equalizer highlighted Union Berlin's resilience and ability to capitalize on rare opportunities.
The overall performance illustrated Bayern's struggle to convert their dominance on the ball directly to scoring opportunities, as they finished the match with only three shots on target compared to Union's far fewer attempts overall. Union, who had been sitting deep for most of the match, failed to generate many scoring chances early on and seemed content to absorb the pressure until they could launch attacks when opportunities arose.
This match marked Bayern Munich’s 12th consecutive game without loss against Union Berlin, yet the draw was disappointing for them after displaying such solid control of the game. The European champions had hoped to leave the pitch with all three points and perhaps extend their league lead even more. Instead, they faced criticisms over their inability to close out the match after going up late.
Both teams faced challenges, with Bayern missing key players due to injuries, including their mainstay goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who is still recovering from injury. Union Berlin had some injury concerns as well, including their player A. Kemlein, who was sidelined for this match.
Despite the outcome, players on both sides made notable contributions. Alphonso Davies, known for his impressive pace, was clocked at 36.24 km/h during one of his sprints, underscoring his explosive impact during the match. This kind of performance will be something Bayern admires, as they expect high energy and ability across their squad when facing challenging oppositions like Union Berlin.
Following the match, pundits discussed Bayern's lineup decisions, particularly the usage of Serge Gnabry over Leroy Sané, which raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. Gnabry has not shown consistent contributions compared to Sané, who has demonstrated significant skills both on and off the ball throughout the season.
Looking at the Bundesliga standings following this match, Bayern Munich remains firmly at the top, holding onto their eight-point lead over Bayer Leverkusen. Union Berlin, now more comfortably positioned, occupies the 14th spot, still conscious of the proximity of the relegation zone. After this match, the gap between them and potential relegation looms large with only six points separating them from the drop zone.
This upcoming international break will be pivotal for both clubs as they prepare for the remaining fixtures of the Bundesliga season, with Bayern aiming to solidify their lead and Union Berlin seeking to push up the table away from relegation danger.
Next up, Bayern Munich hopes to rebound and find their scoring rhythm as they look to make headway toward wrapping up another Bundesliga title this season, still eyeing the possibility of reclaiming their dominance after the unexpected loss to Bochum.