Serge Gnabry netted two goals as Bayern Munich bounced back with a commanding 4-0 victory at home against Union Berlin in the Bundesliga, moving closer to clinching their 13th title in 14 seasons.
The hosts took the lead just two minutes before halftime, courtesy of Michael Olise. Gnabry quickly followed up with a second goal, and Harry Kane scored right after the break before Gnabry capped off the scoring.
Bayern maintained a nine-point lead over Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga standings.
“We’re in the position we need to be in and where we want to be,” Kompany remarked regarding the team’s performance ahead of their upcoming Champions League clash with Real Madrid next month.
Jonas Urbig started again in goal for Bayern with Manuel Neuer still sidelined due to a muscle injury, while Aleksandar Pavlovic missed out due to hip issues.
Nicolas Jackson and Luis Díaz were suspended after receiving red cards in last weekend’s intense draw with Bayer Leverkusen, as Kompany’s squad sought to establish a new winning streak.
An early strong run from Olise in the 10th minute was thwarted by a key block from Leopold Querfeld
, while a shot from Lennart Karl was easily saved by Frederik Ronnow.
Derrick Köhn had a free kick deflected behind at the other end, but Bayern dominated the pressure throughout the first half.
Karl-Josef HILDENBRAND / AFP via Getty Images
The hosts came close in the 29th minute when Josip Stanisic charged down the left and set up Karl, who hit the post with his shot.
A diving save from Ronnow in the 39th minute denied Olise, and soon after, Kane missed a great opportunity by rounding the keeper but shooting wide from a sharp angle.
Bayern broke the deadlock three minutes later through a brilliant play by Olise. The Frenchman controlled a pass from Leon Goretzka, outmaneuvered Stanley Nsoki, and curled in a shot from near the far post.
Just before halftime, they added another, with Joshua Kimmich providing the assist with a cross misjudged by Ronnow, allowing Gnabry to finish it off.
Union responded with two substitutions, bringing on Tom Rothe and Andrej Ilic, but Kane quickly made it 3-0. After receiving the ball from Konrad Laimer, he slotted it into the bottom corner.
This marked the England captain’s 31st goal of the Bundesliga season — the same total scored by the entire Union team.
Olise was pivotal in the fourth goal, scored in the 67th minute, as he combined with Laimer, his shot was blocked but fell to Gnabry, who fired it home at the near post.
Jeong Woo-yeong managed to force Urbig into his first save of the match in the 77th minute before Olise almost added a fifth by striking the woodwork again. The last notable action saw Kane shoot wide.
PA and The Associated Press contributed to this report.