This five-goal message to the competition was unmistakable.

FC Bayern put away Gladbach's humiliation for the time being, but it has not been forgotten.

And that should be a warning to those pursuing the Bundesliga leaders, who set a record with 38 goals after ten match days.

"We not only lost a game, but a competition that means a lot to us during the season," emphasized Thomas Müller: "We have to continue to deal with it accordingly."

1. FC Union Berlin was the first to feel what that could mean.

21 games and since September 19, 2020, the Köpenickers were unbeaten in the stadium An der Alten Försterei, against angry Bayern after their 5-0 disgrace, the iron in their fortress were already 3-0 down after a good half hour.

"We are happy that we were able to show a reaction after the heavy defeat and that we were able to satisfy our boss," said Dino Toppmöller after the 5: 2 (3: 1).

For the last time for the time being, the co-trainer represented head coach Julian Nagelsmann on Saturday, in whose kitchen it should have been loud with cheers this time.

"That's okay with me"

Three days earlier, the corona-infected Nagelsmann had to let out the frustration about the gossip and the cup in his home office. Now there was great relief for the time being. "We felt the pressure, we felt the pain, but we delivered today," wrote Müller on Instagram later that evening after the victory in Berlin.

The original Bavarian had previously provided the end point and crowned his strong performance. The fact that substitute Dayot Upamecano did the fine preparatory work with a solo fit into the image of a team on the way back to old strengths on their moral reconstruction cure. “When FC Bayern crashes out of the cup with a 5-0 draw, it is clear that there will be a slogan or two that is slightly below the belt. That's okay with me, we're all not made of sugar, "said Müller on Sky broadcaster:" You have to be able to take that too. "

The outstanding individual class helped a lot against a Union team that had wanted to copy a bit from Gladbach, but after two early standard goals conceded more stress with itself in the first half than it caused the Munich team. "We wanted to keep the game open, we didn't succeed," admitted Union captain Christopher Trimmel.

First by trading penalty (15th), then by free kick (23rd), world footballer Robert Lewandowski ensured Bayern's early lead. "We showed from the very first minute that we are here to win," emphasized the Bayern striker. So Leroy Sané (35th), Kingsley Coman (61st) and Müller (79th) followed suit. The height of the victory should not hide the fact that Bayern are still not invulnerable. They have not allowed six shots on their own goal against any other team in the league this season.

Especially after the break, the Munich defense, in which Upamecano was replaced by Niklas Süle and Benjamin Pavard by Josip Stanisic, was under a lot of pressure. Toppmöller then spoke of an “extreme force” from the Berliners and the “little bit of luck” that Manuel Neuer shone in the Bayern goal during the phase. "We then got involved in their game and no longer found inner peace," complained Müller, saying it was the typical Union face. "They never give up."

Just like himself. Once again, the 32-year-old became a symbol and a streaker for Bayern. With his own goal, he has now scored at least one goal against all 17 current Bundesliga clubs. The 2014 world champion was involved in another three hits. With clenched fists and a jubilant grimace between pride, joy and the motto: Look here, we're back, Müller cheered the success.

It was preceded by days of discussion.

In addition to Joshua Kimmich's vaccination concerns, there were concerns about Lucas Hernández's jail sentence, which was ultimately averted.

And then there was the question of whether the clap against Gladbach was just a devastating one-time knockout or a hit with long-term consequences.

The latter may be the case, but with consequences for the competition against Bayern, which is strengthening again.