Daily Schmankerl: The aftermath of Bayern Munich vs. Union Berlin; Real Madrid, Manchester City making move for Florian Wirtz?; FC Barcelona to let youngster walk?; Eintracht Frankfurt to miss on phenom?; Bayern not interested in Diogo Costa?; and MORE!

In a matchup that was supposed to pit the Bundesliga’s premier attack vs. the stingiest defense, Bayern Munich pounded Union Berlin into submission for a 3-0 victory.

It was yet another impressive blowout of an inferior side for the Bavarians, but fans are already looking toward Wednesday when the Bavarians will take on Benfica in the Champions League.

Another litmus test awaits, but — in the meantime — let’s talk about Bayern Munich’s convincing win over Union Berlin. Here are some quick hitters on the match:

• As always, let’s begin with the starting lineup:

• I think I’m beginning to get a bead on Vincent Kompany’s thought process. It is starting to become clear that he prefers certain combinations with his wingers and that he is completely undecided about his right-backs at the moment. Either way, this lineup sets the stage for who will start Wednesday against Benfica in the Champions League.
• If anything, Raphaël Guerreiro, Michael Olise, and Kingsley Coman all helped themselves with their efforts during the match.
• As expected, Union Berlin was intent on making the game a grind (as they should have). Bayern Munich dominated possession early, but there was a true sense of urgency in defending for Die Eisernen.
• Eventually, though, Bayern Munich would find a way to slither through the low block. Michael Olise drew a foul just inside the box and Harry Kane powered the PK attempt into the corner for a 1-0 lead.
• That goal broke Union Berlin’s resolve and you could almost feel the Bavarians take over complete control of the match. After Bayern Munich scored, it was almost as if Union Berlin knew it had no chance.
• Kane was not done with that PK, though, as he set up Kingsley Coman to make it 2-0 in the 43rd minute.
• Guerreiro got the scoring going in the second half when he sent in a ball from the right side that found Coman on the far post, who headed a ball across the box to Kane, who volleyed it into the net for what would be an insurmountable 3-0 lead for the Bavarians.
• A subplot to the goal was Jamal Musiala almost snaking it from Kane as he ran into Coman’s header. The duo surely had a laugh over it after Kane was awarded the goal.
• It is not anything worth being considered as alarming, but it does feel like Joshua Kimmich and João Palhinha are working on their chemistry in the center of the park. Both had fine individual games, but they will need to be more connected moving forward.
• Regardless, Union Berlin had no answers offensively. Once Union Berlin defensive wall was breached, there was no coming back for Die Eisernen.
• Interestingly, as more stories leak about Bayern Munich waiting to get rid of Leon Goretzka, the more Vincent Kompany keeps playing him. Goretzka, Eric Dier, and Leroy Sané all entered the match in the 69th minute.
• In the 80th minute, Adam Aznou checked in to make his Bundesliga debut. The post-Alphonso Davies contingency planning might be underway.
• Speaking of Davies, the backline — as a whole — was very solid…unchallenged…but very solid. We know that Bayern Munich’s defenders can physically impose their will on weaker opponents, but now they had to work as a unit to try and do the same against the better teams that they will face. That said, great effort nonetheless for the defenders.
• Overall, Bayern Munich dominated from the outset and Union Berlin was just not strong enough or disciplined enough defensively to hold off Kane and the rest of the attackers from Die Roten. As it should have, Bayern Munich easily put away a team that is not quite ready for primetime. How will that translate to Wednesday in the UCL? It is only a few more days until we find out.

If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:

Real Madrid and Manchester City are looking to take advantage of Bayer Leverkusen’s reluctance to sell Florian Wirtz to Bayern Munich. Because there is a rift between the front office of the two clubs, Bayern Munich could — conceivably — be facing an uphill battle to land the Germany international.

In addition to the rumored heat between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid and Manchester offer two other things — more cash in a transfer fee and the possibility that Xabi Alonso could be the head coach could be the next leader for either of those two clubs:

Real Madrid are now serious about pursuing Florian #Wirtz, and #MCFC have also been informed that Real are pushing for the 21y/o ✔️

Discussions between Real Madrid and Wirtz’s camp have already taken place. However, there are currently no negotiations with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Bayer remain hopeful that he will stay or even extend his contract.

Leverkusen would prefer a sale to Real Madrid, as the club want to prevent a transfer of Wirtz to Bayern.

Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich was names to WhoScored.com’s Top 5 Leagues Team of the Month:

Bayern Munich is back and looking powerful, but can it last? A lot of that will depend on how the team continues to come together over the course of this season.

Given that, there are several key issues that could play out in the coming weeks, which could affect some lineup decisions. Let’s talk about all of that and more:

• Jamal Musiala seems more likely to extend his contract than ever. What does this mean for the squad planning process moving forward?
• If Leroy Sané is eventually unhappy at Bayern Munich this season, it looks like he will have the chance to skip town pretty easily.
• Are we witnessing the final months of Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer at Bayern Munich?
• The Entertainment Rundown.

Despite rumors to the contrary, Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg says Bayern Munich is not really interested in Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa after all:

FC Barcelona could be willing to let Ansu Fati (remember the hype around him?) leave the club this summer:

Barcelona are open to letting Ansu Fati leave during the January transfer window, according to Diario Sport.

The report explains that the forward will have the final decision on whether or not he departs.

The offer of a transfer to Saudi Arabia remains open but European clubs, in particular Sevilla, want the 21-year-old on loan, and Barcelona are aware that a successful short-term move could see his transfer value multiply.

Andrija Maksimović is one of the most sought-after prospects in all of Europe, but Eintracht Frankfurt is not going to strongly pursue him this winter:

Eintracht Frankfurt rule out a transfer of Andrija #Maksimovic to SGE in the winter!

Sources confirm that a transfer to Eintracht in the summer is also “rather unlikely.” Nevertheless, the 17-year-old attacking midfielder is being monitored.

Maksimovic is still on the list of #BVB as revealed. The top talent has also a market in the Premier League. Price valuation: €10-15m.