This archive report was first published on 17 May 2020.
Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski scored his 26th league goal of the season as the team resumed their Bundesliga title chase with a 2-0 win at Union Berlin behind closed doors on May 17, 2020.
The match, which was the first top European league to restart during the coronavirus pandemic, saw Lewandowski net a first-half penalty and defender Benjamin Pavard score a late header for Bayern in Berlin.
Bayern's win restored their four-point lead over Borussia Dortmund, who thrashed Schalke 4-0 in the Ruhr derby on Saturday.
“I have to say, each minute is very long when there are no fans and no noise,” said Bayern captain Manuel Neuer.
“It was a different atmosphere to what you would expect at the Alten Forsterei, but, okay, it’s about motivation and attitude. We still have a bit of work to do, but are happy to have dominated the game and can head home with the three points,” Neuer added.
Union had shocked previous leaders Dortmund and Borussia Moenchengladbach earlier in the season, backed by passionate home support at their Alten Forsterei stadium.
However, Bayern eventually broke through when Union defender Neven Subotic fouled Leon Goretzka in the area on 38 minutes, with Lewandowski stepping up to slot home the resulting penalty.
Bayern coach Hansi Flick brought on French winger Kingsley Coman for his 100th Bundesliga appearance as the visitors sought to make the points safe.
It was Coman’s countryman Pavard who grabbed the second goal on 80 minutes when he headed a Joshua Kimmich corner inside the far post.
On Saturday, Augsburg fans left a banner inside their team’s ground which read “Football gives life — your business is sick”.
Second-division St Pauli meanwhile published a picture on Twitter of a banner that read “Football lives through its fans! Without you, it’s all nothing!”
