With a commanding 3-0 home victory over Union Berlin on Sunday, birthday boy Jamal Musiala gave Bayern Munich a boost back to the top of the Bundesliga standings.
Currently, Bayern leads the Bundesliga with 46 points, tied with Borussia Dortmund. Union is three points behind in third place.
Bayern was comfortably ahead of the overachieving Berliners after goals from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Kingsley Coman, and Musiala on his 20th birthday in the first half.
Another plus for Bayern was the return of Sadio Mane, who entered as a substitute after missing nearly four months due to injury.
Did you read this?
Despite the blizzard that occurred before the game, Bayern could move quickly, and in the opening minutes, the home team forced Union into numerous last-ditch saves.
After 31 minutes, Bayern striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting headed a lofted cross from Kingsley Coman to put the home team ahead.
Five minutes later, after a beautiful cross from Sheraldo Becker, Tunisia international Aissa Laidouni narrowly missed the goalpost for Union.
After that, Bayern doubled up, with Thomas Mueller getting by the Union defence while facing the goal to put Coman in a one-on-one situation with Frederik Ronnow. The French attacker slipped the ball into the goal after round Ronnow.
In first-half stoppage time, Mueller again served as the creator, setting up Musiala to give Bayern a 3-0 halftime advantage.
After the break, Bayern softened the game to earn just their third league victory in seven games in 2023 while offering the inferior visitors few opportunities.
Mane replaced Coman from the bench in the 65th minute, marking his first action since suffering a leg injury that prevented him from participating in Senegal's World Cup campaign in Qatar.
Five minutes later, Mueller was given a clear opportunity at goal by Mane, but goalkeeper Ronnow headed the shot over the crossbar.
The "style and method" of the victory, rather than just getting the three points, pleased Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann, he stated.
Azmoun Grabs The Draw.
Sardar Azmoun, an Iranian striker, scored in the second half to help Bayer Leverkusen draw 1-1 with Freiburg earlier on Sunday.
Vincenzo Grifo's free-kick strike had given Freiburg the lead and placed them on track for a crucial three points in their top-four campaign, but Azmoun's maiden goal for Leverkusen had the points shared
You can't always win, but we are pretty content with the point, according to Grifo, who praised the "amazing quality" of the visitors.
Christian Streich, his coach, agreed, stating that "handy and lively Leverkusen were extremely good."
