Bayern Munich edged out 1. FC Union Berlin 3-2 in a frantic and contested DFB-Pokal round of 16 encounter on Wednesday evening, securing their passage to the quarter-finals. The victory, however, exposed underlying vulnerabilities within the Bavarian powerhouse, prompting questions about their defensive resilience and reliance on set-piece dominance.
The match began with a controversial early advantage for Bayern. A Kimmich corner, deflected by Union Berlin’s Ilyas Ansah into his own net, provided a premature lead, raising eyebrows regarding the role of defensive positioning and potential lapses in concentration amongst the home side. This was compounded by a second goal, clinically headed in by Harry Kane following another Kimmich corner, highlighting Bayern’s continued success in exploiting opponents through familiar tactical patterns.
Union Berlin, demonstrably unfazed, clawed their way back into the match before halftime. A penalty, awarded after a Jonathan Tah handball, was confidently converted by Leopold Querfeld, injecting renewed hope into the Berlin faithful. Further bolstering their momentum, a second own-goal – this time a Leite deflection from a Bayern freekick – arrived in added time, leaving the score at 3-1 at the interval. The two own goals underline a systemic issue with defensive organization that coach Tuchel must address.
The second half saw a significant shift in momentum. Union Berlin, displaying a commendable level of courage and tactical flexibility, seized control of the game and pressed for an equalizer. Two further penalties, both calmly dispatched by Querfeld, demonstrated a psychological edge gained over the usually dominant Neuer, revealing a fragility in Bayern’s goalkeeping performance under pressure.
While Bayern ultimately held on for the victory, the match underscored a concerning pattern: a dependence on set-piece routines for goals, coupled with a vulnerability to sustained pressure and an apparent lack of defensive solidity. The victory comes at a time when scrutiny of Bayern’s squad depth and Tuchel’s tactical approach is intensifying, with critics pointing to a potential lack of adaptability beyond predictable strategies. The narrow escape in Berlin will undoubtedly fuel debate surrounding Bayern’s long-term ambitions and the evolving dynamics within German football.
