Bayern Munich cruise to comfortable victory against FC Cologne

Robert Lewandowski scored a brace as Bayern Munich ease past FC Cologne in the fifth gameweek of Bundesliga.

FC Bayern begin their Oktoberfest celebration with an easy victory over FC Cologne. It was a clinical display from Bayern Munich as Die Roten bagged four goals with five shots on target.

Niko Kovac kept a static back-line that was used against RB Leipzig. Operating in a 4-3-3 formation, the French duo of Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez took the full-back positions. Niklas Sule and Jerome Boateng manned the center of the defense line, guarding Manuel Neuer in goal.

Joshua Kimmich and Corentin Tolisso were used as the defensive options in midfield, while Philippe Coutinho started in the number ten position. In the attack, Serge Gnabry started on the right flank with Ivan Perisic replacing Kingsley Coman on the left side of the attack. Robert Lewandowski continued as the sole striker for Bayern.

On the other hand, Achim Beierlorzer opted for an attacking set-up. The visitors were set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Bayern started the game in the best possible way. Three minutes into the half, Robert Lewandowski broke the deadlock. Joshua Kimmich, following a break in the center of the pitch, surged forward and released Lewandowski, who put the ball past Timo Horn following a deflection from Sebastiaan Bornauw.

Die Roten kept pressing high in the opening 15 minutes with Coutinho running the show in the attacking third. The champions came close again in the 14th minute through Coutinho. The Brazilian struck the woodwork following a free-kick from outside the box.

The Bavarians maintained pressure as Gnabry, Coutinho, and Perisic were constantly involved in the final third, searching for the second goal. Four minutes later, Bayern’s high line and fluid passing led to another chance. Kimmich delivered a perfect cross for Ivan Perisic, but his header missed the target by few inches.

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Along with controlling the attacking phase with aplomb, Bayern were calm and composed in the defensive third as well. The hosts were seen sitting in a 4-2-3-1 shape when trying to build-up their game from the back. This is where Gnabry and Perisic pulled back slightly to support Coutinho. Kimmich and Tolisso facilitated the link-up from defense to attack.

With 20 minutes to go, Cologne switched gears. They started to function in a slightly attacking manner, reflecting an unexpected strategy with their revamped lineup. Beierlorzer’s side tried to press high to dispossess Bayern when the champions comfortably kept passing the ball in their half to find space in the transition phase.

This is when the Billy Goats came close to scoring a goal as they kept knocking on Bayern’s door. Cordoba got two brilliant chances with a 37th-minute effort from outside the box that went wide, sniffing the left post of the goal. In another attempt, Florian Kainz tested Neuer from his searing free-kick that was saved by the German goalkeeper.

Bayern were leading by a goal at the break, despite coming close in the dying minutes of the half to double their lead. Robert Lewandowski, following a pass from Coutinho, rounded the keeper only for his effort to dip on the roof of the goal.

Having gained momentum in the closing stages of the first half, Cologne opened the second half with Kingsley Schindler forcing a save from Neuer at the near post. However, three minutes later, Kimmich and Lewandowski combined again. Bayern got a corner kick this time and the Polish striker rose high to head home his second goal for the night.

Cologne started to up their tempo again as they began pressing in Bayern’s half. Constant pressing from Cologne could have earned them a goal as Schindler missed a chance to find Cordoba waiting in the box in the 57th minute as his effort couldn’t find the target.

A while later, Serge Gnabry tried to replicate Schindler’s attempt as he beautifully controlled a long pass inside the box, but his blazing shot couldn’t find the net from an acute angle.

While Bayern continued to camp in Cologne’s half, Kingsley Ehizibue got his team in trouble. The full-back caught Coutinho inside the box to deny him a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The Dutch right-back was sent off for this challenge.

This is when Coutinho got his first Bundesliga goal as he stepped up and sent Timo Horn the wrong way, twice, with his first penalty disallowed for players’ encroachment in the box. Bayern tripled their lead and the game looked beyond Cologne’s reach as they were down to ten men.

Bayern shook Cologne’s woodwork again when Joshua Kimmich took an attempt from 25 yards in the 65th minute. Niko Kovac decided to make his final two changes. While Boateng was swapped for Javi Martinez at the hour mark, Thomas Muller and Michael Cuisance were introduced to replace Lewandowski and Kimmich with 20 minutes left to play.

Die Roten made their intentions clear with no real striker to play upfront. Having taken a comfortable three-goal lead, the German champions aimed to lock the passing channels for Cologne. Fresh legs and fluid passing helped Bayern create another chance.

Coutinho released the ball to Perisic who was making a run in behind the Cologne’s weakened defense from the left. The Brazilian was quick to spot his run and an accurate through-ball was enough for Perisic to finish it clinically in the bottom-right corner of the goal. In the last ten minutes, Bayern took another attempt to make it five on the scoreboard when Thomas Muller’s left-footed volley surged over the crossbar.

It was far from a complete performance from Bayern Munich, but Kovac will be pleased the way his team responded in the last two games. The Bundesliga champions will now have a week to prepare for their Bundesliga game against Paderborn.