"Traveling to Berlin for a prototypical trap game with Union Berlin seemed like it might not be too difficult on paper, but how it played out on the pitch was far different. The Iron Ones were determined and focused, while the Bavarians were flat as a flapjack in a 2-2 draw. Let's get into it, here are some quick hitters on the match:"
"There was not really a surprise in the lineup. Vincent Kompany went with one version of his Champagne XI (Leon Goretzka and Aleksandar Pavlović seem to be interchangeable in that role next Kimmich for the manager). After the intense and draining match-up with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, it was a risk to fully "run it back." That gamble would prove costly and Bayern Munich looked tired and beaten down."
"Union Berlin came out flying and even looked like it took a lead within the first 10 minutes of the game, but the goal was ruled to be just offside. It was very close. There was a clear energy coming from the crowd and Union Berlin's players responded by buzz all over and around Bayern Munich. We often talk about trap games here and it appeared early on that Bayern Munich was falling victim to one."
Vincent Kompany selected a familiar starting XI with Leon Goretzka and Aleksandar Pavlović interchangeable in the midfield role ahead of Kimmich. Bayern Munich showed signs of fatigue after an intense Champions League match with Paris Saint-Germain, making the decision to field a similar lineup risky. Union Berlin began aggressively and nearly scored inside the first ten minutes, but the goal was ruled offside. The home crowd created energy that spurred Union's players to press and swarm Bayern. Union's pace and intensity overwhelmed Bayern at times in the first half. Bayern appeared a step slow, unfocused, and flat, needing an injection of energy.
Read at Bavarian Football Works
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