1. FC Cologne
“They’ll breathe you away”: FC still wants to defeat Bayern
Updated 10/28/2025 – 5:05 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
It should be a big DFB Cup evening for 1. FC Köln: Can the billy goats crack the almost unbeatable FC Bayern Munich?
FC Bayern Munich has won all competitive games this season. 13 games, 13 wins, 47:9 goals – a record that can instill fear. Especially since it is a record: never before has a team from Europe’s top leagues won more games in a row in all competitions.
Bayern now hold this record together with AC Milan – and want to hold it alone with 14 wins from late Wednesday evening. However, 1. FC Köln stands in the way in the second round of the DFB Cup. And the billy goats don’t even think about giving in before the game.
“We won’t raise the white flag,” said FC coach Lukas Kwasniok aggressively on Tuesday before the cup clash. The 44-year-old has quickly earned a reputation at FC for not shying away from the big clubs in the league. Although the billy goats were unable to score points against RB Leipzig (1:3), VfB Stuttgart (1:2) and Borussia Dortmund (0:1), they had the chance to score something in all games.
The narrow 0-1 loss in Dortmund last Saturday showed the FC players once again that it is very possible to stand up to a superior opponent. “You need the same willingness to sacrifice as in Dortmund. But we have the team that is ready for the next battle,” said Kwasniok. At BVB, his team noticed early on through several attacks of their own that FC could hurt Borussia. “That gave us the feeling that something was happening. We needed that against Bayern too.”
Kwasniok is aware of the opponent FC is facing. “It’s always difficult against Bayern, but at the moment it’s almost impossible,” said Cologne’s coach. “That’s the truth, because they are simply incredibly good, not only in terms of football content, but also in terms of their willingness. I have rarely seen a top team that is prepared to invest so much.” Kwasniok’s respectful conclusion: “They can completely devour an opponent. They breathe you away.”
Respect yes, fear no – with this motto FC wants to stand up to the great FC Bayern. Also because Kwasniok feels very comfortable in this role and wants to transfer this feeling to his players. “I have rarely coached a team that started the season as favorites. I was always an underdog coach,” said the 44-year-old. “And if you’re an underdog, you have to play like an underdog: If you think you can keep up with Bayern in terms of football, you’re confused. You have to bring Bayern up to your level.”
So the billy goats want to spit in Bayern’s soup and spoil Harry Kane and Co.’s first title of the season. “Bayern are greedy,” enthused Kwasniok. “They have the will to win the treble. That makes it so difficult against them.” Chelsea didn’t succeed, neither did Dortmund, and certainly not Leipzig or Frankfurt: Nevertheless, FC wants to be the first team of the season to achieve the seemingly impossible – a win.