Team news
Julian Nagelsmann made two alterations to the team from Tuesday evening, who started in the Supercup victory against Borussia Dortmund. Tanguy Nianzou and Leroy Sané replaced Josip Stanisic and Kingsley Coman.
Steffen Baumgart also opted for two changes to the line-up that started the win against Hertha BSC last weekend. Kingsley Ehizibue and Jorge Meré came into the defence, as Benno Schmitz dropped to the bench and Timo Hübers missed out through injury.
Goalless at the break
The first-half began with both teams going in search of an early opening goal. There were promising moments for Florian Kainz and Mark Uth out wide, yet the final ball was just off the mark as Anthony Modeste lurked in the box. As for Bayern, they were looking dangerous. Leon Goretzka and Thomas Müller both slid shots wide after clever cut-backs from Leroy Sané and Robert Lewandowski.
The hosts cranked up the pressure as the half went on. Jorge Meré had to be alert to put in a timely intervention as he denied the dangerous Sané. Niklas Süle then went on a mazy run before rifling at goal, with Timo Horn sticking out his right palm to tip it over the bar. The game continued to open up towards the latter stages, but no breakthrough was to be seen in the opening 45 minutes.
Five-goal frenzy
Bayern came out and asserted their dominance straight away. Jamal Musiala was immediately causing problems following his introduction and after firing off target, went on a mazy run to tee up Robert Lewandowski to tap in from close range. Serge Gnabry then got on the scoresheet nine minutes later, as he tends to do against FC, after Thomas Müller’s teasing cross to the back post.
Just when they looked down and out, Steffen Baumgart’s men responded. And how. A quick move down the left-hand side saw Jonas Hector deliver into the middle, with Anthony Modeste thundering a header home past the helpless Manuel Neuer. Two minutes later, it was the right-hand side and Kingsley Ehizibue who picked out Mark Uth to fire home an incredible equaliser.
The game was open and there for the taking. Both teams were struggling to find the final pass. However, Bayern’s quality told and as the ball dropped to Serge Gnabry, the Bayern winger’s clean strike flew into the top corner to restore their lead after 71 minutes. Try as they might, FC couldn’t find another equaliser. There were openings at both ends but a fourth goal was not forthcoming.
With positives but no points, FC head back to Köln after a valiant showing against Bayern. Steffen Baumgart’s side welcome VfL Bochum to the RheinEnergieSTADION in the final game before the September international break. Kick-off is at 15:30 CEST on Saturday.
Line-ups
Bayern Munich (3-4-3): Neuer – Nianzou (Stanisic 46’), Upamecano, Süle – Gnabry (Choupo-Moting 76’), Kimmich, Goretzka (Tolisso 66’), Davies (C. Richards 88’) – Müller, Lewandowski, Sané (Musiala 46’).
1. FC Köln (4-1-3-2): T. Horn – Ehizibue, Meré, Czichos, Hector – Skhiri – Thielmann, Ljubicic (Schaub 76’), Kainz (Andersson 69’) – Modeste (Lemperle 76’), Uth (Duda 66’).
Goals: 1:0, Lewandowski 50’. 2:0, Gnabry 59’. 2:1, Modeste 60’. 2:2, Uth 62‘. 3:2, Gnabry 71‘.
Referee: Martin Petersen (Stuttgart).
Booked: Ljubicic (20’), Süle (75’).
Attendance: 20,000 (sold-out).