Bayern Munich struck three times in a punishing first half to ease past Union Berlin 3-0 on Sunday, confirming their status as title favourites and leaving the Berliners, after their first league loss of the year, three points behind.
Bayern successfully bounced back from last week’s loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach, delivering a supreme first-half performance that puts them in first place on 46 points, ahead of Borussia Dortmund on goal difference.
Union are third on 43. There was more good news for the Bavarian side with the forward Sadio Mané making his comeback, after more than three months out, as a second-half substitute following his injury in November.
Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Bayern, who host Paris Saint-Germain on 8 March for their Champions League last-16 return leg, delivered punch after punch in a fierce start, giving their opponents no chance to challenge.