Bayern Munich beats FC Köln 0-2 for first away win of season

There were no murderous threats made to any symbolic goats. After all, the champions were coming to town. There was just the slightest hope of a brilliant home result. Köln had been keeping things tight at the back and had started their Bundesliga campaign intelligently.

Bayern though, within the first five minutes, asserted their authority. Arjen Robben fell in the box and claimed a penalty but nobody including Mr Kircher really listened. Soon after, Thomas Müller hit the side netting after setting up the shot quite well. Everybody could foretell that a Bavarian goal was coming.

Just before the 20th minute mark, Mario Götze delightfully hit the back of the net. Prior to the goal, Bayern's play had been largely concentrated on the right wing and the goal came exactly from that wing. Köln, trying to play their way out of trouble, got caught in possession by Arjen Robben who passed to Müller. The lanky forward passed to Robert Lewandowski who set up Götze with a cheeky pass.

Soon after, Müller tested the keeper twice and David Alaba's long range shot warmed Timo Horn's palms. But Bayern would not be Bayern if there was not at least one heart in mouth moment in every match. This came when Matthias Lehmann set up Adam Matuschyk for a point blank shot. Manuel Neuer, though, was having none of it; he blocked the shot and then blocked the second attempt from the rebound by Anthony Ujah. That would be Köln's first and last real chance.

Bayern continued to look for a second goal. In the second half, the Bavarians seemed happy to slow down as they searched for the goal; the exchanges in the final third were still delightful. The interplay between Robben, Müller, Götze and Lewandowski was mouth watering. Müller was substituted early on as was Jerome Boateng; Dante and Mehdi Benatia were introduced.

Bayern got the second they needed to completely secure the win soon. David Alaba forced Daniel Halfar to put the ball into his own net in the 65th minute. Alaba had yet another good game in midfield. Xabi Alonso nearly scored with a neatly placed shot to add a third but was denied by Horn.

Pep Guardiola opted to take off Arjen Robben to bring on Xherdan Shaqiri. Shaqiri had one moment after his introduction where he made three quick turns in an attempt to keep the ball, just showing the fans the skills he possesses. Hopefully, the products of those skills will come. Bayern played the rest of the match out as minds drifted to Russia in midweek.

This match went on to show just how different wins by two goals can be. Bayern were dull against Stuttgart but won by the same score. Today, they were very easy on the eye. Lewandowski may be should have scored but he has not been as heavily involved in a Bayern match (not counting his BVB days) as he was today. Götze and him were both somewhat guilty of trying to walk the ball into the net. What surprised me about the opposition is that many of the old guard are still part of the setup. Miso Brecko and Adam Matuschyk are two names I have always associated with Köln.

Bayern next heads to the Russian pitches for their UEFA Champions League clash against CSKA Moskva.