FC Bayern secured a dominant 4-0 victory over Union Berlin, temporarily extending their lead at the top of the Bundesliga table to twelve points. Below are the individual critiques and ratings for the FCB players.
Due to injuries and suspensions, coach Vincent Kompany had a limited squad at his disposal. The substitutes’ bench was predominantly filled with academy prospects, including the debut inclusions of Erblin Osmani (16) and Guido Della Rovere (18). However, Kompany still had a sufficient number of prominent stars available for the starting lineup.
Michael Olise (43rd minute) and Serge Gnabry (45+1st minute) gave the Munich side a commanding lead with a quick double-strike just before halftime. After the break, Harry Kane (49th minute) and Gnabry again (67th minute) extended Bayern’s advantage.
FC Bayern — Union Berlin: Player Ratings — Jonas Urbig
Likely made his final appearance replacing first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who is set to return after the international break. Against Union, Urbig was largely untroubled for extended periods until he made a brilliant save to deny Woo-Yeong Jeong in the 77th minute. Rating: 2.5.
FC Bayern — Union Berlin: Player Ratings — Josip Stanisic
Started again at right-back but periodically switched flanks with Laimer in the first half. Stanisic created danger from both sides. In the 29th minute, he brilliantly set up a huge chance for Karl from the left. In the 42nd, he put Goretzka into a promising position from the right. He was also involved in the build-up to the second goal. Following Upamecano’s substitution, Stanisic finally shifted into central defense, marking the end of his positional journey. Rating: 2.
FC Bayern — Union Berlin: Player Ratings — Dayot Upamecano
Upamecano received an early yellow card in the 3rd minute for a tactical foul. Despite this early booking, he defended vigorously until his precautionary substitution in the 61st minute. Rating: 3.
FC Bayern — Union Berlin: Player Ratings — Min-Jae Kim
Impressed in the build-up play with several accurate passes and maintained defensive stability. Rating: 3.
FC Bayern — Union Berlin: Player Ratings — Konrad Laimer
Overall, slightly less noticeable than Stanisic but also contributed effectively. Laimer assisted Kane’s third goal. Rating: 2.5.
FC Bayern — Union Berlin: Player Ratings — Joshua Kimmich
Very influential in central midfield. Kimmich delivered several incisive passes forward and initiated Gnabry’s second goal with a cross from the half-space. Rating: 2.5.
FC Bayern — Union Berlin: Player Ratings — Leon Goretzka
With Aleksandar Pavlovic sidelined due to hip discomfort, Goretzka started again. He initially conceded a dangerous free-kick for Union in the 22nd minute with an impetuous challenge. However, he then provided several good attacking contributions: in the 42nd minute, he narrowly missed a Stanisic cross, and shortly after, he set up Olise’s goal with a powerful aerial pass. Rating: 2.5.
FC Bayern — Union Berlin: Player Ratings — Michael Olise
The most active Munich attacker from the start. Olise repeatedly showcased his exquisite technical skills and caused disruption with dynamic runs. In the 39th minute, his shot was slightly off target, but four minutes later, he scored Bayern’s opener after a superb individual effort. Equally spectacular was his «dancing pirouette» in the build-up to Gnabry’s fourth goal. Only the post denied him a brace in the 78th minute. Rating: 1.5.
FC Bayern — Union Berlin: Player Ratings — Lennart Karl
This time, he was overshadowed by his attacking teammates and proved to be wasteful in front of goal. In the 29th minute, Karl hit the woodwork from a promising position. In the 57th, he mishit the ball from about five meters out. He was substituted shortly after. Rating: 4.
FC Bayern — Union Berlin: Player Ratings — Serge Gnabry
After two consecutive appearances starting on the bench, Gnabry returned to the starting XI – and made a strong case to remain there. He scored to make it 2-0 before halftime and then again for the fourth goal. Overall, very active. Rating: 1.5.
FC Bayern — Union Berlin: Player Ratings — Harry Kane
Scored the third goal but, like Karl, also somewhat lamentably missed two huge chances. In the 40th minute, Kane rounded Union goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow but then shot wide from close range. In the 89th, he chipped the ball wide left when free in front of Rönnow. Rating: 2.5.
FC Bayern — Union Berlin: Player Ratings — Substitutions
Raphael Guerreiro: Came on for Karl in the 61st minute and subsequently had little impact. Rating: 3.5.
Tom Bischof: Replaced the yellow-carded Upamecano and took up a position at left-back. Rating: 3.5.
Hiroki Ito: Substituted for Kim in the 71st minute. No rating.
Maycon Cardozo: Came on for Gnabry shortly before the final whistle. No rating.
Erblin Osmani: Replaced Goretzka and made his competitive debut for FC Bayern at the age of 16. No rating.