Urs Fischer made three changes to his squad after the 1-1 draw at home to Hertha last weekend. Niko Schlotterbeck, Julian Ryerson and Christian Gentner dropped to the bench, with Christopher Lenz, Keita Endo and Marius Bülter coming in. Meanwhile, Hansi Flick's preparation has dominated the headlines in Germany, a few days after Bayern went down 2-3 at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Josip Stanisic made his top-team debut, while there were starts for Tiago Dantas and 18-year-old Jamal Musiala. The talented attacker, who has committed his international future to Germany, was Bayern's most dangerous threat in the final third, but his end product was a little off target. Union's tight defensive organisation was a huge success in the first 45 minutes as the Berliners restricted Bayern to scraps around the penalty box. The only occasion Bayern did manage to break into the area without control was in the 17th mintue, but Andreas Luthe made two blocks in succession to deny Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. After Musiala shot wide on 22 minutes, Union Berlin created their first serious opportunity of the day. Keita Endo's pace on the break was useful throughout to give the defence some respite, but on 23 minutes, the Japanese winger delivered a delightful cross to the back-post where Marius Bülter straight down the throat of Manuel Neuer. If the Union attacker had headed with a bit more precision, the Köpenick club could have broken the deadlock at the Allianz Arena. Bayern returned to their dominant self, taking charge of ball possession and all the while looking a little out-of-sorts going forward given the absence of Robert Lewandowski, Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry. Luthe was again sharp to deny Choupo-Moting on 38 minutes, but overall the Union number one will have been pleasantly content with little to do in the first half.
After suffering a knock to his knee in the first half, Kingsley Coman's afternoon came to an end and he was replaced by Leroy Sane. Hansi Flick's side are chasing a ninth successive Bundesliga title this season and last week's win in Leipzig created a seven-point lead going into this matchday. The quality in the side was on show in the early stages of the second period as Bayern took control. Jerome Boateng smashed a shot on target, while Leroy Sane came close with a shot from inside. While Max Kruse came close from a volley, the away side struggled to get into promising attacking situations. After 68 minutes, Musiala's quick feet created space in the middle of the penalty box and he poked past Luthe to put Bayern in front. Flick introduced the likes of David Alaba and Benjamin Pavard as he looked to call upon his experienced players to get over the line. On the other side, Urs Fischer introduced Ryerson, Ingvartsen, Pohjanpalo, Teuchert and Gentner before the game went into the last 10 minutes. Quick thinking and creativity came to the fore with six minutes to go as Ryerson's throw-in put Andrich in behind the Bayern defence. The midfielder was quicker than Manuel Neuer and picked out Ingvartsen who bundled over the line to level the scores. Incredibly, the Köpenick club looked the likelier to get the winner in the final few minutes but referee Tobias Stieler called time on an excellent performance from Fischer's side to avoid defeat against Bayern Munich in successive games.
Fischer's team face champions Bayern Munich
Match preview
1. FC Union Berlin will be put to the test on Saturday when Urs Fischer's team head to the league-leaders Bayern Munich.
Review
Union picked up a well-deserved point from last Saturday's city derby against Hertha at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. Robert Andrich fired the Köpenick club into the lead after 10 minutes with a terrific strike from the edge of the penalty box. Union threatened and dominated their counterparts from Charlottenburg, with Julian Ryerson striking against the crossbar three minutes later. Pal Dardai's team grappled their way back into the game and gradually became more dangerous as the first-half wore on. Jordan Torunarigha hit the crossbar and then Matteo Guendouzi was brought down for a penalty kick with 10 minutes of the half to play. Dodi Lukebakio stepped up and equalised the scores. There would be no change to the score for the remainder of the game as both teams cancelled each other out, whilst being unable to find that all-important second goal.
Opposition
Bayern Munich, champions for the past eight years in Germany, are coming off the back of a narrow 2-3 defeat in the UEFA Champions League at home to Paris Saint-Germain. Despite 31 shots on goal to PSG's six, the French side ran out winners on the night with a double for Kylian Mbappe and one for Marquinhos. Hansi Flick's side will turn their attention back to the Bundesliga this weekend, having extended their lead at the top of the league to seven points with a 1-0 win at nearest challengers RB Leipzig. A ninth championship in successive seasons looks almost guaranteed for the Bavarians as they enter the final seven matches of the campaign. But they will need to prepare for Union without Robert Lewandowski, Serge Gnabry, Goretzka and Niklas Süle.
Personnel
Urs Fischer had positive news on the fitness of Niko Gießelmann who took part in team training this week after recovering from injury. "Let's see if this match comes too early for Gießelmann," said the Union coach. Alongside Gießelmann, Christopher Lenz and Julian Ryerson are in contention for the left-back position. However, Union will travel to Munich without Leon Dajaku, Taiwo Awoniyi, Sheraldo Becker and Anthony Ujah.
Service
Saturday's match at the Allianz Arena will be held behind closed doors.
