Bayern Munich clinch convincing win against FC Koln

After dropping points in two consecutive gameweeks, Bayern Munich got back to winning ways on Saturday with a convincing 5-1 win against FC Koln. Braces from Robert Lewandowski, Serge Gnabry sealed this victory, while Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored his first Bundesliga goal of the season. Ellyes Skhiri scored the goal for the visitors on Saturday.

Hansi Flick made only one change to the team that clinched victory in Rome on Tuesday. Choupo-Moting was back in the lineup in place of Kingsley Coman. The visitors also made one change to the team that suffered defeat to VfB Stuttgart last weekend. \Sikhri started in the midfield for Koln instead of Kingsley Ehizibue.

The last couple of gameweeks has witnessed frantic starts for Die Roten, so they started much more calmly against FC Koln. They retained the possession in the initial exchanges and avoided turnovers in the center of the park.

There were very few clear-cut chances in the first 15 minutes, but the home side was in complete control. The dominance in possession was eventually converted in the 18th minute. Goretzka delivered a delightful cross from half space on the right flank to find Choupo-Moting at the back post. The Cameroon striker made no mistake from close range and headed the goal past Timo Horn to score his first Bundesliga goal in Bavarian colours.

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Koln tried to hurt the home side on the counter after conceding the first goal, but Flick’s team was much better in defending transitions on Saturday. This forced visitors to play the pass quicker, leading to turnovers in dangerous areas. One such turnover helped Die Roten to score the second goal in the 33rd minute.

Goretzka collected a loose ball in the final third before beating the incoming defender with his footwork. He slid the ball to Lewandowski on his right side. The Polish striker completed a very good move by hammering the ball past Horn. The home side was unharmed while managing the rest of the first half.

The German Champions looked much more vulnerable after conceding the goal in the second half. Koln had nothing to lose, so they were setting up deep and picking Bayern on the counter. Before Koln got completely back in the game, Die Roten scored the third goal after the hour mark. Thomas Muller’s first touch on the pitch was a brilliantly weighted pass for Lewandowski. The Polish striker’s shot was deflected in the back of the net.

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Koln didn’t give up and came close to scoring the second goal after a rare moment of misjudgement from Manuel Neuer. In an open goal, Koln hit the post, and the game slipped out of their hands. Few minutes later, the home side put the game to bed after Gnabry slid the ball into the net after Lucas Hernandez’s brilliant cross.

The German winger quickly grabbed another goal through yet another brilliant cross from Goretzka. For the majority of the game, Bayern was comfortable, but they should be looking to emulate first-half performance consistently if they want to retain the Bundesliga and Champions League titles.

"Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1)NeuerSule-Boateng-Alaba-DaviesKimmich-GoretzkaSane-Musiala-MotingLewandowskiSubstitutes: Hoffmann, Gnabry (↓Moting (64′)), Martinez (↓Kimmich (87′)), Sarr, Hernandez (↓Davies (72′)), Roca, Müller (↓Musiala (64′)), Dantas (↓Sane (87′)), ComanFC Koln (3-5-2)HornCestic-Mere-CzichosWolf-Ozcan-Skhiri-Rexhbecaj-JakobsDennis-DudaSubstitutes: Zieler, Schmitz, Katterbach (↓Jakobs (85′)), Meyer (↓Duda (71′)), Limnios, Ehizibue, Horn (↓Czichos (46′)), Drexler (↓Rexhbecaj (71′)), Thielemann (↓Dennis (46′))"