Bayern Munich continued their unbeaten run in the Bundesliga on Wednesday with a comfortable 3-1 win against FC Koln. The Bavarian club had to come from 1-0 down to clinch the victory as the hosts scored first late in the first half.
Courtesy of the win on Wednesday, Bayern remain top of the Bundesliga with a lead of 11 points. After beating FC Koln, Vincent Kompany’s men broke an impressive Bundesliga record. This current squad now holds the record for the best record at the midway point of the German league. Die Roten matched their previous record of 47 points in 17 games from 2013/14, but the current side has a superior goal difference of 53.
Vincent Kompany made a few critical changes to the starting lineup as Kim Min-Jae replaced Dayot Upamecano in the heart of defense, while Hiroki Ito came in for injured Josip Stanisic. Leon Goretzka also got his first start of Ruckrunde as he replaced Tom Bischof in the center of the park. Serge Gnabry returned to the lineup, taking the place of Lennart Karl.
FC Koln made a promising start to the game as they had a big chance to score inside five minutes. Bayern eventually gained control of the game and created chances to open the scoring. Hiroki Ito came close to scoring in the 22nd minute after a neat bit of link-up play with Luis Diaz on the left flank.
Best first halves of a season in Bundesliga history [@Transfermarkt] pic.twitter.com/SMoBF4Da0q
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) January 15, 2026
Die Roten looked largely untroubled for the first 35 minutes of the game, but the hosts managed to spring a surprise with a piece of brilliance from Linton Maina. After Gnabry lost the ball in the final third, Maina carried the ball on the counter and hammered it past Manuel Neuer.
Due to the interruption in the game caused by smoke, the referee added a lot of extra time at the end of the first half. The visitors piled on the pressure with several chances. Gnabry eventually managed to equalize for Bayern through a scruffy but accurate goal. The German forward showed great awareness with an innovative finish to beat the goalkeeper from a tight angle after a good bit of wing play from Michael Olise.
Bayern show character in the second half
The first 25 minutes of the second half were well-contested. Bayern were in complete control as they dominated the possession. However, Koln were astute defensively, giving the visitors no space in the final third.
The crucial second goal for Die Roten came in the 71st minute through a set-piece. Luis Diaz delivered an inviting cross at the far post to find Hiroki Ito. The Japanese headed the ball from where it came to find Kim Min-jae in front of the goal. Kim did the rest by heading the ball past the goalkeeper to help Bayern take the lead for the first time in the game.
The defending Bundesliga champions controlled the game thoroughly after going ahead. They put the icing on the cake by scoring the third goal in the 84th minute. Luis Diaz came inside from the left flank. Instead of pulling the trigger, the Colombian passed the ball to Lennart Karl on the right flank. The youngster expertly finished the move by placing the shot in the far corner.
Bayern showed great resilience and their strong mentality in the game away to FC Koln. It will take some effort to stop them in the Bundesliga this season.