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Bayern Munich Increase Lead At The Top Of Bundesliga

By Kiran Thakare

(l-r) Arturo Vidal of Bayern Munich, Javi Martinez of Bayern Munichduring the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Koln and Bayern Munich on March 04, 2017 at the RheinEnergie Stadium in Koln, Germany.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
(l-r) Arturo Vidal of Bayern Munich, Javi Martinez of Bayern Munichduring the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Koln and Bayern Munich on March 04, 2017 at the RheinEnergie Stadium in Koln, Germany.(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /
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.Bayern Munich extend their lead at the top of Bundesliga after winning comfortably against FC Koln on Saturday.

The Bavarians continue their good form in Bundesliga as they collected their second win in all competition in a space of four days. Bayern Munich were able to capitalise on RB Leipzig’s slip up on Friday as they open up a seven point lead at the top of the table.

Carlo Ancelotti made numerous changes to the starting eleven which faced Schalke on Wednesday. David Alaba was shifted into centreback role replacing Mats Hummels while Juan Bernat slotted into leftback position. Philipp Lahm returned to lineup replacing Rafinha. Thomas Muller, Kingsley Coman and Douglas Costa replaced Xabi Alonso, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery in the lineup.

The Bavarians started slowly as they looked to get the grip of the game. However Koln looked to hurt them early as they started positively in the final third. Bayern started dominating possession and created the first chance of the game as Costa curled in a shot from outside the box after neat work in the tight situation.

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Manuel Neuer was called into action to make a brilliant save by Yuya Osako. The Japanese forward headed into top corner after a brilliant ball from deep, but the German parried off the ball away from the goal. Koln were trying to break the midfield press of Bayern by feeding the two forwards with long balls from the deep.

However Bayern managed to get their act together in the final third through a setpiece. The first attempt of the setpiece was not successful, but Arturo Vidal then squared the ball for Javi Martinez who tucked it into bottom corner. Thiago was having yet another impressive game. The Spaniard along with Vidal were dictating the tempo of the game.

The away side had couple of half chances before the half time whistle. Bayern were not giving away chances but efficient with their chance creation. Ancelotti’s men maintained the same pattern in the second half and doubled their lead at the start of second half. Muller was at the heart of this move as the German switched the play brilliantly by sliding a ball for Bernat. The Spaniard had some luck as his attempt on goal was deflected past the Koln goalkeeper.

Bayern were delivering a professional display in second half after doubling their lead. The Bavarians were creating less chances but they were very solid at the back. Koln threathened to deplete Bayern’s lead through setpieces, but failed to test Neuer with their attempts.

The defending champions put the game past Koln with a third goal at the end of the game. Thiago initiated the move from the midfield after playing a brilliant through ball for Bernat on left. The leftback squared it for the substitute Franck Ribery who finished the move in an emphatic manner.

Ancelotti will be pleased with this particular performance. The Bavarians have found their best form in the league and are in a very good position to clinch the title once again. They now shift their  focus to the return leg against Arsenal in Champions League on Tuesday. Bayern lead the tie on aggregate after a 5-1 win in February at Allianz Arena.