Bayern’s remarkable win streak ended yesterday as they failed to win a match for the first time in 17 matches this season, drawing against a determined Union Berlin side that took the lead twice in the match. Danilho scored twice, first in the 27th minute that was responded to by Luis Diaz 11 minutes later with a brilliant goal and then he thought he might have won it for them in the 83rd minute but Bayern rallied to equalize in the 93rd minute through Harry Kane.
Kane started up top for Bayern with Luis Diaz and Michael Olise who had a particularly bad game on his left and right respectively and Serge Gnabry in attacking midfield. Union Berlin lined up in a 352 with Oliver Burke and Ilyas Ansah up top, flanked by Tom Rothe and Janik Haberer, the wingbacks.
From minute 1, it was clear that Bayern Munich’s trip to the Stadion An der Alten Försterei would be a fiercely contested battle that would test their flawless start to the season. The early play established the tone, Bayern looked sluggish and struggled to find the fluidity and pace that had defined their 16-game winning streak across all competitions. Union Berlin, conversely, were aggressive, pressed high, and relied heavily on long balls and physicality, successfully keeping Bayern’s threat levels remarkably low.
Union thought they had delivered the first major shock in the 9th minute. Ilyas Ansah, celebrating his 21st birthday, headed the ball into the net from a corner routine, only for the goal to be immediately ruled out for a tight offside after a swift VAR check. The scare, however, failed to awaken a lethargic-looking Bayern.
The escalating physicality saw the first caution of the match in the 15th minute, with Bayern’s Konrad Laimer shown a yellow card for holding an opponent. Union Berlin looked very much the sharper of the two teams and their persistence eventually paid off. In the 27th minute, Danilho Doekhi put the hosts ahead, sweeping the ball past Manuel Neuer after turning Janik Haberer’s low corner towards goal. This significant moment marked the first time Bayern had trailed in the Bundesliga all season.
Bayern’s offensive struggles were highlighted by a shocking statistic, Harry Kane registered Bayern’s first shot on goal of the match in the 33rd minute, the longest it had taken them to get an attempt this season. Union’s Janik Haberer picked up a yellow card for a foul in the 36th minute as the pressure mounted.
It took a moment of individual brilliance to level the scores. In the 38th minute, Luis Díaz equalized for Bayern with an improbable goal. He managed to keep a long pass in play near the touchline, beat a defender on the turn, and fired past goalkeeper Frederik Rönnow from a seemingly impossible, tight angle. The first half ended at 1-1.
The second half was a hard-fought, grinding affair. Bayern tried to seize control but Union Berlin were unyielding and compact, as this continued, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany looked to change the attacking dynamic by introducing Lennart Karl for Serge Gnabry in the 59th minute. The game had an unsettling energy for Bayern, with Josip Stanišić receiving a yellow card in the 63rd minute for dissent.
Union’s manager, Steffen Baumgart, responded with multiple substitutions to maintain their aggressive approach. A double substitution in the 70th minute saw Aljoscha Kemlein and Janik Haberer replaced by Alex Kral and Josip Juranovic. This was followed in the 78th minute by a triple change, Derrick Kohn, Woo-Yeong and Tim Skarke replaced Tom Rothe, Oliver Burke and Ilyas Ansah respectively.
Kompany countered in the 80th minute, bringing on Tom Bischof and Aleksandar Pavlovic for Konrad Laimer and Leon Goretzka in an effort to inject some attacking impetus.
However, it was Union who struck next, once again from a set-piece. In the 82nd minute, Michael Olise was booked for frustration, and a minute later, Danilho Doekhi scored his second of the match. From a Josip Juranovic free-kick, Doekhi blocked Harry Kane’s attempted headed clearance with his thigh before prodding the rebound past Manuel Neuer. Union looked certain to claim a historic victory.
However, with their unbeaten streak hanging in the balance, Bayern threw everything forward. Nicholas Jackson replaced Josip Stanišić in the 88th minute. The goalscorer, Danilho Doekhi, was booked in the 88th minute for unsportsmanlike conduct, a sign of the high tension. As the match entered stoppage time, Joshua Kimmich also received a yellow card in the 90th minute.
The reward for Bayern’s relentless pressure finally arrived in the 90+3rd minute. Tom Bischof delivered a perfect cross into the box, and Harry Kane rose highest to head home the dramatic equalizer, salvaging a point for the Bavarians.
The final whistle confirmed the draw, ending Bayern’s perfect run but demonstrating their formidable mentality in coming back twice from a losing position.
