Thanks to attacker Harry Kane’s goal, FC Bayern won the away game on matchday 12 of the Bundesliga against 1. FC Köln 1-0 (1-0). This means that coach Thomas Tuchel’s team will overtake leaders Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the table, at least overnight. Meanwhile, Cologne remains stuck deep in the bottom of the table.
It only took five minutes for Munich to have their first opportunity. Timo Hübers saved at the last second with a long leg from Harry Kane, who was ready to shoot. Leroy Sané’s strong cross landed somewhat fortunately on the outside post of FC.
Great Munich presence
Less than two minutes later, Sané appeared alone in front of Cologne goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe, but was unable to overcome him. Bayern started like it was a final. The people of Cologne were barely able to free themselves and almost seemed a little intimidated by the presence of the people of Munich.
However, the longer the game lasted, the more courageously the Rhinelanders acted. They attacked Bayern further up front – in the opponent’s half – and tried to win the ball early. That robbed the Tuchel team of at least a little bit of energy – and their pressure eased a little.
Harry Kane scores again
But this apparent Cologne recovery and security only lasted until the 20th minute. Kane then took the lead to give Bayern the lead after Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s attempt following a counterattack was saved off the line by Hübers. Kane has scored 18 goals after twelve matchdays, setting a new Bundesliga record.
Just two minutes later, Choupo-Moting failed again alone in front of the strongly reacting Swabian. Sané (29th) also failed after a counterattack – alone in front of Schwäbe – and pushed the ball past the goal from close range.
Schwäbe holds almost everything
Bayern should have clearly won the game long ago at this early stage. The Cologne team could no longer gain access and opened the space to the Tuchel team, who were happy to take advantage of it.
It was only subsequently that FC coach Steffen Baumgart’s team withdrew further and primarily tried to limit the damage. However, nothing changed in terms of Bavaria’s superiority and the lack of evaluation of chances – and neither did the performance of the outstanding FC goalkeeper Schwäbe.
Quiet Bavaria, safe Cologne
Little changed in Bayern’s sovereignty in the second half either. But they left Cologne in the game and in the (unfounded) hope that they might somehow be able to equalize. However, the Baumgart team, who fought bravely, still posed almost no threat to score.
Bayern took things much more quietly in the second 45 minutes and still had the game easily under control. They were never in danger of giving up the game.
Cologne with the Lilies, Bayern against Union
1. FC Köln opens the 13th matchday in Darmstadt (Friday, December 1st, 2023 at 8:30 p.m.). One day later, Bayern Munich hosts Union Berlin (3:30 p.m.).