MUNICH: Raphael Guerreiro scored the only goal as champions Bayern Munich eked out a 1-0 win over visitors Union Berlin in their postponed Bundesliga game on Wednesday to bounce back from last week’s home loss to Werder Bremen and cut the gap to the top to four points.

The game had been postponed in December due to heavy snowfall in Munich at the time.

Bayern, who will be without Dayot Upamecano for some time after he picked up a muscle injury, were eager to make amends for Sunday’s 1-0 defeat and the visitors had to soak up intense early pressure.

Guerreiro broke the deadlock seconds after the restart, drilling in on the rebound after Harry Kane’s shot had bounced off the post and into the Portuguese’s path, to settle the hosts’ nerves.

Union had coach Nenad Bjelica sent off in the 74th for shoving Bayern’s Leroy Sane twice in the face after the player went to get the ball from the Union coach.

The visitors had earlier called for a penalty after Kevin Behrens had charged into the box but was stopped by Bayern’s Konrad Laimer just before taking a shot.

“I don’t want to say anything about it, it’d be dumb to throw oil on the fire, but it doesn’t look good” Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel told Sky after the game.

Bayern, who saw new signing Eric Dier come on as a second half substitute, move up to 44 points in second place, with Leverkusen leading the title race on 48.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2024