Despite being behind in Cologne
FC Bayern completes record first half of the season
Updated on January 14, 2026 – 11:06 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
At the end of the first half of the season, FC Bayern had to go to Cologne – and struggled for a long time. But in the end, Kane & Co. completed the best first half of the season in Bundesliga history.
FC Bayern remains the measure of all things in the Bundesliga. The record champions came from behind to win 3-1 at 1. FC Köln on Wednesday evening. The Munich team celebrated their 15th win in their 17th game of the season and finished the first half of the season undefeated in first place with a whopping eleven points lead over their pursuers Dortmund.
Bayern thus ended the first half of the season with 47 points and a significantly better goal difference compared to the old record in the 2013/14 season under star coach Pep Guardiola. The eleven points lead over BVB after the first half of the season is also a league record. “The record feels very good. It was an important win against a difficult opponent. We had to stay patient, at some point the space opens up. We deserved to win,” said national player Serge Gnabry on Sky.
In Cologne, the Kompany team had to be patient three days after the 8-1 win against VfL Wolfsburg. Shortly after kick-off, referee Patrick Ittrich had to interrupt the game for ten minutes. Cologne fans set off a lot of pyrotechnics shortly before the game. The smoke then covered the entire field.
When there was still a clear view, FC even had a great chance to take the lead. But ex-national goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was there against young star Said El Mala (2nd).
But even after the break, the home team was fully in the game and rewarded themselves with the lead with a great counterattack that Linton Maina completed (41′). Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer looked unhappy when the Cologne player took a strong shot.
And like Bayern’s 4-1 cup win, Cologne came out trumps in the first half. The promoted team repeatedly posed problems for the record champions with their quick and committed switching game. But Serge Gnabry equalized in stoppage time in the first half with a technically outstanding goal (45th + 4). From a tight angle, he beat FC keeper Marvin Schwäbe with a remarkable shot.
After the change, the guests took command. After a well-rehearsed corner variation, defender Min-Jae Kim gave Bayern the lead with a header (71′). Joker Lennart Karl made the decision (84th).