Bayern Munich’s bid for a 12th consecutive Bundesliga title was dealt a major blow on Sunday, as the Rekordmeister suffered a first defeat against Werder Bremen since 2008. That leaves Thomas Tuchel’s men seven points adrift of leaders Bayer Leverkusen and under serious pressure ahead of the visit of Union Berlin for what is a rescheduled fixture after December’s original meeting was postponed due to heavy snowfall.
In defeat to Bremen, the Allianz Arena faithful saw their side fail to score in a home league match for the first time in nearly four years, ending their remarkable 65 game scoring run! Further slip-ups are not an option if the defending champions plan on sitting atop the summit again at the end of this season, so it’s just as well they face an opponent they have never lost to (W5, D3), with the last two H2Hs on this ground seeing the Bavarians win by an aggregate of 7-0.
Union Berlin had the weekend off after their encounter against Mainz on Friday was postponed, giving them plenty of time to prepare for another tricky away assignment. Die Eisernen passed their last such test by holding Freiburg to a goalless draw, and as they have lost just once in four Bundesliga outings under new boss Nenad Bjelica (W2, D1), perhaps the corner has been turned for the capital club.
Union sit three points clear of the drop zone and with games in hand on most of their rivals, but they will not be thrilled that the first of those is on the road. A seven-match winless run on their league travels (D1, L6) has tempered any hopes of a revival, and having failed to score in the last four of those (D1, L3), breaking through the Bayern rearguard may be a bridge too far.
Key battle: Bayern Munchen starlet Jamal Musiala has directly contributed to a goal in each of his three home meetings with Union (G2, A1). Wing-back Jérôme Roussillon may be tasked with keeping him quiet, but he’s never emerged victorious against Bayern, having lost a joint career-high seven times to them (D1).
Hot stat: Bayern Munchen have conceded just once before half-time in home league games this term – the best such record in the division.
