
<p>Union Berlin is threatening one of the biggest shocks in <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/bundesliga-tv-schedule/">Bundesliga</a> history as they challenge reigning champions<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/bayern-munich-tv-schedule/"> Bayern Munich</a> for the title. They sit level on points with the Bavarians with just over a third of the season left to play. But the unthinkable happen? Can Union Berlin overthrow Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.</p>



<p>The title race will reach boiling point this weekend when they play Bayern Munich  in a match that could shape the title race and the belief that Union Berlin can lift the trophy.&nbsp;</p>



<h5>The Union Berlin Story</h5>



<p><a href="https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/clubs/1-fc-union-berlin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Union Berlin</a> has had a rollercoaster ride through their history to reach the point of challenging for the Bundesliga title.</p>



<p>The club was established in its current form in 1966 in East Germany, joining the German league structure after reunification in 1990.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The club struggled financially and predominantly competed in regional leagues before becoming one of the founder members of 3. Liga in 2008.</p>



<p>The club won the inaugural season of 3. Liga to win promotion to 2. Bundesliga, where they stayed until promotion during the 2018/2019 season.</p>



<p>Now they are challenging for the title.</p>



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<h5>Bayern dominate German football</h5>



<p>In sports, people like to look at numbers. It’s the same in football. In the all-time Bundesliga table, Bayern Munich is further away from second place than Union is from last.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The last time Bayern didn’t win the Bundesliga was in 2012. </p>



<p>The squad values couldn’t be more different: you can buy the whole team from Köpenick with the value of Bayern’s central defense.&nbsp;</p>



<p>History suggests: Bayern Munich will be the champions. They have the best team, the most experienced players, and the self-belief.</p>



<p>All fans of the Bundesliga have more or less resigned themselves to it. But football shows us repeatedly that there are exceptions to the rule.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As Union Berlin dreams of shocking the Bundesliga, they can look to Leicester City as <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/newly-promoted-union-berlin-is-a-model-club-in-germany-20230207-WST-418976.html">role models</a>.</p>



<p>Leicester City, was in the third tier until 2009, was promoted to the Premier League in 2014 and became champions in 2016.&nbsp;</p>



<p>So given the similarity in their journey’s it is only natural to compare the two sides.</p>



<h5>The quality of Union Berlin</h5>



<p>Union Berlin has built a strong squad in recent years, which has helped them establish themselves in the Bundesliga. A good balance between experienced players and young talents characterizes the squad.</p>



<p>The winter additions Juranovic, Roussillon and Laidouni, seem to have integrated themselves very well. Laidouni particularly has shown hints of great potential during brief playing time.</p>



<p>A three-man defense has found itself to boast the second-best defensive stats in the league.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>Can Union Berlin overthrow Bayern?</h2>



<p>This season Union Berlin plays in the Europa League in addition to the Bundesliga and domestic cup. An additional burden that the club is not used to.&nbsp;</p>



<p>So coach Urs Fischer will have no choice but to rotate.</p>



<p>“The team is always on the limit,” said coach Urs Fischer: “How long will that be fine? At the moment we’re doing it very well. But we can’t give up an inch.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>Nobody should expect that 1. FC Union Berlin will win the championship title this season, as the Bavarians are too experienced and strong.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The Union fans sing about winning the championship because they enjoy it. But behind every joke there is always a spark of seriousness.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It is up to the team and coach Urs Fischer to make this miracle come true. A little support from Bayern could also help; they already dropped a few points in 2023 what is not usual.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This season is the best chance to knock FC Bayern off the throne.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / Matthias Koch</p>


Could Union Berlin overthrow Bayern Munich? If so, it would be one of the biggest shocks in Bundesliga history.

Can Union Berlin overthrow Bayern Munich to win the title? - World Soccer Talk

Can Union Berlin overthrow Bayern Munich to win the title?

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<p>The number one team in the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/bundesliga-tv-schedule/">Bundesliga</a> is in crisis. For a team that is expected to win most games convincingly, <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/bayern-munich-tv-schedule/">FC Bayern Munich</a> only managed a disappointing draw against FC Köln on Tuesday night.</p>



<p>So far, FC Bayern has gotten off to a bad start in the new year. The league leaders only salvaged a fortunate 1-1 draw against a cheeky FC Köln after a powerful shot by Joshua Kimmich went in the net in the 90th minute.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Three weeks before its <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">UEFA Champions League</a> game against Paris St. Germain, coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team are desperately trying to find their form.</p>



<h4>Second 1-1 draw in a row</h4>



<p>Cologne was able to take the momentum from the impressive 7-1 win against Bremen, and took the lead in the fourth minute through Ellyes Skhiri. <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/nations/germany-national-team-tv-schedule/">Germany</a> national team footballer Kimmich equalized late, after a previously unsuccessful attempt. Now, Bayern’s league lead before their clash against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday could be reduced to just three points.</p>



<p>Nagelsmann made no changes to his starting eleven after the 1-1 draw at the start of the year against RB Leipzig. For World champion Thomas Müller, there was only a place on the bench until the 68th minute.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Bayern Munich, who <a href="https:\/\/www.yardbarker.com/soccer/articles/bayern_munich_fire_neuers_personal_coach_amid_leak_claims/s1_17172_38388898" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fired goalkeeper coach Toni Tapalovic</a> on Monday, immediately felt pressure. After a corner from Florian Kainz and Julian Chabot’s header, Skhiri found himself at the far post, completely wide open. New Bayern goalkeeper Yann Sommer was powerless as Skhiri made it one-nil.</p>



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<p>Bayern took more of the initiative, but the wild actions often lacked precision, determination and an idea. As in Leipzig, Joshua Kimmich was not the usual pacesetter. Little came from Jamal Musiala, nor Serge Gnabry. After his controversial short trip to Paris Fashion Week on Sunday, the <em>Nationalelf</em> player was particularly in focus because his trip caused resentment among fans.</p>



<p>Nagelsmann replaced the weak Gnabry and Leon Goretzka with Kingsley Coman and Ryan Gravenberch. Both brought some momentum. But Schwäbe was initially the spoil sport against Matthijs de Ligt, Coman and Thomas Müller (79th), who came on as a substitute.</p>



<p>Cologne defended their narrow lead for 90 minutes and threw themselves into every ball. Especially in the second half, there was no relief at all. Cologne with zero shots on goal in this half. Bayern had 15. And one of them was a hammer blow from Kimmich from long distance, which couldn’t b stopped. </p>



<p>The fact that the goal came in the 90th minute made it a bitter end for Cologne. Nonetheless, taking the point is a great accomplishment. And Bayern will be angry that it wasn’t enough for more.</p>



<p><em>Photo: Imago</em></p>


We take a closer look at the Bayern Munich Köln midweek draw, reflecting on the performance by the German champions against a tough Köln.

Bayern Munich: Kimmich salvages draw against Cologne - World Soccer Talk

Bayern Munich: Kimmich salvages draw against Cologne

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Can Union Berlin overthrow Bayern Munich to win the title?

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Bayern Munich: Kimmich salvages draw against Cologne