Bayern Strikes
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Four Takeaways as Bayern Munich seal victory against FC Koln

By Joshua Bishop

Bayern Munich's French forward Kingsley Coman (3rd L) celebrates scoring with his team-mates German forward Thomas Mueller and Polish forward Robert Lewandowski during the German first division Bundesliga football match 1 FC Cologne v FC Bayern Munich in Cologne, western Germany on February 16, 2020. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP) / RESTRICTIONS: DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)
Bayern Munich's French forward Kingsley Coman (3rd L) celebrates scoring with his team-mates German forward Thomas Mueller and Polish forward Robert Lewandowski during the German first division Bundesliga football match 1 FC Cologne v FC Bayern Munich in Cologne, western Germany on February 16, 2020. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER / AFP) / RESTRICTIONS: DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images) /
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COLOGNE, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 16: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Jhon Cordoba of 1.FC Koeln and Jerome Boateng of FC Bayern Muenchen battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Koeln and FC Bayern Muenchen at RheinEnergieStadion on February 16, 2020 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
COLOGNE, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 16: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) Jhon Cordoba of 1.FC Koeln and Jerome Boateng of FC Bayern Muenchen battle for the ball during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Koeln and FC Bayern Muenchen at RheinEnergieStadion on February 16, 2020 in Cologne, Germany. (Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) /

More defensive questions

During the first half, Bayern’s defensive performance was once again tidy. After bringing on Lucas Hernandez last week as a substitute against Leipzig, many thought that he would get the starting nod this week ahead of Jerome Boateng. Flick decided to stick with the German defender. He was rewarded for this decision as Boateng maintained his good form. He was subbed out at halftime for Hernandez due to getting a yellow card in the first half.

The rest of the defense for the most part also played well. Alphonso Davies continued his hot run of form at left-back, several times getting out of tight situations with his dribbling skills. Benjamin Pavard also continued playing well at right-back, getting up and down the field with ease, contributing crosses in the attack, and making several tackles in defense.

Pavard did pick up his fifth yellow card in this match, ruling him out of the game against Paderborn. It will be interesting to see if Alvaro Odriozola makes his first start for Die Roten in replace for Pavard. David Alaba once again proved how indispensable he is to our entire backline.

The question I have here is who should start at center back opposite David Alaba? Hernandez is our record signing, but he is still coming back to full fitness from a major injury. He contributed to Koln’s goal in the match directly as his marking was poor.

Although Boateng is clearly past his prime, his performances have improved, and he has proven to be a great partner next to David Alaba. This is something to think about when discussing the Chelsea match. We all want Hernandez to be highly successful here, but right now, Boateng is playing better and has way more experience in these kinds of situations. Whatever Hansi Flick chooses to do, let’s hope either player is up to the challenge against a really good Premier League side.