In a gripping Bundesliga encounter at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, Union Berlin managed to secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw against league leaders Bayern Munich on Saturday afternoon. The match, part of Matchday 26, showcased resilience from the hosts and highlighted Bayern’s ongoing struggles to convert dominance into victories.
The game kicked off with Bayern Munich, riding high after a midweek Champions League triumph over Bayer Leverkusen, looking to extend their eight-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga table. Union Berlin, meanwhile, entered the match just six points above the relegation zone, desperate for points to bolster their survival bid.
Bayern asserted their dominance early, controlling possession and pressing Union’s defense relentlessly. Their efforts paid off in the 35th minute when Leroy Sané broke the deadlock. The winger latched onto a precise cross from Joshua Kimmich, firing a clinical shot past Union goalkeeper Frederik Rønnow to make it 1-0. Sané’s goal, his sixth of the season, underscored Bayern’s attacking prowess, with the visitors enjoying nearly 80% possession in the first half.
Despite Bayern’s control, Union Berlin remained disciplined, frustrating their opponents with a compact defensive shape. The hosts struggled to create clear chances, with Josip Juranović coming closest in the first half with a long-range effort that forced Bayern’s stand-in goalkeeper Jonas Urbig into a diving save.
The second half saw Union Berlin grow into the game, buoyed by a raucous home crowd. Bayern, while still dominant in possession, slowed their tempo, allowing Union to reset and regain composure. The turning point came in the 83rd minute when a defensive lapse from Bayern handed Union a lifeline. A poorly cleared cross fell to substitute Benedict Hollerbach, who calmly slotted the ball past Urbig to level the score at 1-1. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Union faithful, who sensed a rare point against the Bavarian giants.
Bayern pushed for a late winner, with Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise testing Rønnow, but Union’s defense held firm. The hosts nearly snatched all three points in stoppage time when Tom Rothe’s header sailed narrowly wide, leaving Bayern’s defense scrambling.
The final whistle confirmed a 1-1 draw, a result that left Bayern Munich frustrated despite their statistical dominance. The visitors recorded 22 shots compared to Union’s 8, but their inability to convert chances highlighted a recurring issue this season. For Union Berlin, the point was a vital boost in their fight against relegation, moving them seven points clear of the drop zone with eight matches remaining.
Player performances stood out on both sides. Sané was Bayern’s standout attacker, while Kimmich’s distribution kept Union on the back foot for much of the game. For Union, Hollerbach’s late strike proved decisive, and Rønnow’s key saves ensured the hosts stayed in contention. Bayern’s Harry Kane, despite his 21 goals this season, was kept quiet by Union’s resolute defending.
The draw leaves Bayern Munich with a slightly reduced lead at the top of the Bundesliga, while Union Berlin will take confidence from holding the league leaders. As the season enters its decisive phase, both teams will look to build on this result—Bayern to maintain their title charge and Union to secure their top-flight status.
The two sides will not meet again this season unless drawn together in the DFB-Pokal, but this result ensures Union Berlin’s name remains etched in Bayern’s memory as a stubborn adversary. For now, the Stadion An der Alten Försterei celebrates a hard-earned point against one of Europe’s footballing powerhouses.