It’s winter and the wave of illness doesn’t stop at the FC Bayern squad. Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala are also still missing. Nevertheless, the Munich team want to equal Pep Guardiola’s record against 1. FC Köln on Wednesday.
1. FC Köln is an opponent who hasn’t made things easy for FC Bayern so far. The last few games haven’t been particularly good, and it’s an away game. The record champions last met in… DFB Cup for the billy goats and had his problems in Cologne, especially in the first half. In the end, Vincent Kompany’s team won 4-1 and set a new European record with their 14th competitive win in a row.
FC Bayern continues on course for records
Also at the meeting between the two clubs on Wednesday (8.30 p.m./live in the radio report in the BR24Sport Livecenter) A new record awaits FCB in the Bundesliga: with a win in Cologne, the Munich team could have the best first series in the history of the Bundesliga. The team set the current record under Pep Guardiola in 2013/14 with 47 points and plus 35 goals. Kompany-Bayern have 44 points and 51 goals ahead of matchday 17.
But when the reserved Vincent Kompany is asked about a comparison between him and Guardiola, he reacts as we know him: “I can’t compare myself with a coach like Pep. That’s impossible. It’s a losing battle – right from the start.”
Competitive pressure despite failures
The Belgian prefers to focus on his players. After the goal-filled demonstration of power on Sunday against VfL Wolfsburg he only has words of praise: “What they did on Sunday is not normal. You shouldn’t forget that.” Each player currently performs individually. “What we have in the team is the feeling that we can always score goals,” says Kompany, praising his team’s hunger for goals.
The competitive pressure is high. But not all the players are fit yet, which makes the coach’s decisions easier – even if he is looking forward to the phase of choosing from the best of the best: “I want to enjoy this situation. I want it as quickly as possible, but I know it will still take a while.”
National player Musiala and Kimmich are still missing
The Belgian knows he still has to be patient. Jamal Musiala has been on the verge of his comeback since the beginning of the year. But for Kompany it is important not to put pressure on him, but to give him time to get back to his level. “I’m looking forward to this moment. Huge.” On Tuesday he indicated that the 22-year-old could make his comeback next Saturday against Leipzig.
Joshua Kimmich will also not be there against Cologne yet. Musiala’s national team colleague has not yet returned to team training.
Josip Stanisic will not be able to play again until February
On an individual level, Sunday didn’t end well for one player. Josip Stanisic sprained his ankle in stoppage time, had to be treated on the pitch and was unable to continue playing. On Monday, FC Bayern confirmed the rather long-term consequences: capsular ligament injury to the right ankle. According to Kompany, the German-Croatian will no longer be able to play in January and he could also miss a few more weeks in February.
Winter spares that too FC Bayern squad not
In addition to those suffering from injuries, others are not spared from the cold winter weather. Why Serge Gnabry wasn’t substituted at the weekend? He was sick. Why Alphonso Davies isn’t there against Cologne? He is still sick. Sacha Boey won’t be going either.
The match plan for Wednesday – goals, goals, goals
Despite these absences due to illness, Vincent Kompany can’t really complain. With Olise, Diaz, Kane and Co., the Belgian has enough potential goalscorers. Are the unrest at the opposing club and the fact that Cologne hasn’t been able to win since the beginning of November a good sign? “Everything can be an advantage, everything can be a disadvantage. A lot depends on our performance. My greatest confidence is: I know the boys are hungry for goals.”
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Source: BR24Sport on the radio January 13, 2026 – 10:54 a.m
