Bundesliga
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Soon after the start of the second half Manuel had enough for Neuer. When the Berlin Felix Kroos just missed a dangerous cross and the ball flew into the off, Neuer stormed out of his gate and bellowed his front with a rather rare in this intensity rant - a gig for which there were applause applause from the ranks.
Forty minutes later, when the referee finished the game, Neuer tore his hands up, both fists clenched tight.
Two scenes in which the captain showed how great the tension was at Bayern during the match. And how big the relief after the final whistle. For euphoria was after this 2: 1 victory over newly promoted Union Berlin, of course, no reason. At least until the cup match on Tuesday in Bochum, the victory brought some rest - and coach Niko Kovac a short respite, three days to take a breather.
For the first time after five games less than two goals
The home win delivered from Munich view, of course, also positive news. This approximately: For the first time after five competitive games you finally conceded less than two goals! Or: Unlike in the previous week in Augsburg, you did not catch the match in injury time! Also great, phenomenal even: With his goal to 2: 0 shot Robert Lewandowski in each of the first nine Bundesliga games at least one goal, a new record, maybe one for eternity! And on top of that: the temporary first place in the league, or as Thomas Müller said: "We have achieved our goal of waking up as champions in the morning."
As far as the success stories.
That Mönchengladbach and Wolfsburg on Sunday can pass the master again, is still to get over. What the Bayern is likely to vote far more thoughtful, is that they once again could not convert a crushing dominance against a brave, but clearly inferior opponent in a clear victory. Even if Union after the Anschlussvor in the remaining eight minutes including injury time had no chance to score: A standard, a deflected long shot, a successful counterattack of the guests, that would have been enough to bring the Bayern finally into crisis.
"Not easy to relax from the games"
Against Piraeus on Tuesday (3: 2) it was just so, against Union also. "But they've always been close matches with just one goal advantage," Kovac later said, complaining, "It's not easy to get out of the game in a relaxed mood." You could hear his suffering well. And also his desire. After a leisurely Saturday afternoon kick with four goals ahead shortly before the end. Laid back the last ten minutes casually as last five weeks ago in the league in the 4-0 against Cologne.
Thomas Müller said admonishingly: "At the moment we have a knack for making games where we do a lot of good things even more thrilling and we need victory after victory to get back on track and play Bayern-like."
Therefore, this game was not enough for the big clearance, neither for Bayern nor for Kovac itself. Because it still seems as if the Bavarians have not found the right way. Much is nice to look at, but the final consequence is just as lacking as blind understanding. There are still too many voting problems, too many wrong decisions - and star access Philippe Coutinho, as the game against Union revealed, is far from having arrived in his role as a director.
PHILIPP GUELLAND / EPA-EFE / REX
Bayern coach Niko Kovac: "Always close games"
The day before the game Kovac had vehemently resisted criticism. He explained that it was up to the players to implement his rules on the pitch. He complained that everything was always pushed on the coaches. And then he said, "I think the storm is blowing in from outside." What is certainly not true, after all, especially Karl-Heinz Rummenigge also internally repeatedly headwind when he criticized Kovac and took the duty.
Only in July Rummenigge said that the coach has to adapt to the game philosophy of the club, not the other way around. In this context, the board boss spoke of the "Bayern system", of "spectacular football" and said: "It will now be an important task of Niko Kovac to cultivate this culture with our rejuvenated team". Spectacular? Game culture? With the exception of the strangely tall 7-2 in Tottenham, little is known of it this season. Kovac still has a lot of work to do. In itself and his team.
After the cup on Tuesday it goes in the league to Frankfurt, it is followed by a home game against Piraeus, then the hit against Dortmund. Once again, two landmark weeks in which the Bavarians have to come back to their own claim.
Otherwise threatens Niko Kovac more headwind. Then it could be stormy again. From inside.
Bayern Munich - Union Berlin 2: 1 (1: 0)
1: 0 Pavard (13th)
2: 0 Lewandowski (53.)
2: 1 Polter (86th, penalty kick)
Munich: New - Kimmich, Pavard, Boateng, Davies - Thiago - Müller, Coutinho (86th Goretzka) - Coman (65th Gnabry), Lewandowski, Perisic (76th Tolisso). - Coach: Kovac
Union: Gikiewicz - Trimmel, Frederick, Subotic, Lenz - Andrich, Kroos (60 Becker) - Ingvartsen (66th Ujah), Gentner, Bülter - Andersson (66th Polter). - Trainer: Fischer
Referee: Marco Fritz (basket)
Spectators: 75,000 (sold out)
Yellow Cards: - / Andrich (4)
Special incident: New holds hand penalty (according to video evidence) by Andersson (58.)
