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Initial Observations and Reactions
- Bayern left the door open for most of the first half. After scoring early, Bayern didn’t put the game away until arguably the red card and penalty in the second half. Bayern has squandered early leads time and time again after scoring early against sub-par teams. Köln played strong today, and had chances to level the match throughout the first half. With tough competition in the Bundesliga this year, Bayern can’t afford to drop points to the bottom of the table teams. Luckily today, Bayern was able to slam the door shut and take all three points at home.
- Bayern took advantage of Köln’s mistakes. First of all, who doesn’t mark one of the best number nines in the world on a corner kick. Lewandowski found a bit of space on the corner and punished Köln early in the second half to make it 2-0. Bayern also capitalized on the penalty and red card in the 60th minute. Coutinho scored on the ensuing penalty kick to seal the game for Bayern. The man advantage also allowed Bayern to keep total control of the rest of the match.
- Bayern’s newcomers impacted the game greatly. Coutinho and Perisic were fantastic today. Both played the full 90 minutes and their presence was felt often. Both also got of the score sheet. Even Cuisance was able to impact the game positively, creating chances in his short time on as a sub. Although, he did pick up a yellow card for what looked like persistent infringement after only being on the field for ten minutes.
90’ +1 — Final Whistle! Bayern 4, Köln 0.
90’ — Neuer is forced to make a save after a final Köln run produces a shot from the top of the box. The ball was spilled out, but the ensuing shot was put into the outside of the net.
87’ — Gnabry whips in a cross into the box from distance for Perisic, who barely misses it with his head.
83’ — Yellow Card. Cuisance is shown yellow for persistent infringement.
80’— Bayern is still pressing high and getting into the box often. Clever passes have led to shots, but nothing too threatening has come since the last goal.
78’ — Substitution. Bader replaces Höger for FC Köln.
74’ — Yellow Card. Javi Martinez is shown yellow for a tactical foul right outside the box.
73’ —GOAL! Perisic slots it past the keeper to make it 4-0. Assisted by Coutinho
70’ — Double sub for Bayern. Lewandowski departs for Thomas Muller while Cuisance comes on for Kimmich
67’ — Yellow Card. Lucas Hernandez is shown yellow for a hard foul.
65’ — Kimmich puts a dipping shot off of the crossbar, Keeper, Horn gathers easily.
65’ — Substitution. Mere replaces Kainz for FC Köln.
60’ — PK GOAL! Coutihno scores the initial PK, but the ref calls for the pk to be taken again because Bayern players were in the box early. Coutinho scores again from the spot to make it 3-0
59’ — PENALTY/RED CARD - Ehzibue is shown a red after pushing Coutinho down in the box
59’ — Substituion. Javi Martinez replaces Boateng, who was on a yellow.
57’ — Both teams are searching for an opening. Nothing promising comes for either team as the defensive pressure form both sides has been sound.
48’ — GOAL! Lewandowski scores on a header from the ensuing corner kick.
47’ — Bayern wins a corner kick after Boateng’s shot from distance is deflected out for a corner.
46’ — We are underway again at the Allianz Arena.
Halftime reactions and observations
- Bayern got the start they wanted. After getting forward a few times early, Bayern got the goal they deserved in the third minute. Lewy’s eighth goal of the young season put Bayern up. Unfortunately this was the only goal so far.
- This is the type of game that Bayern needs to put away soon. This game feels like the game against Hetha in matchday 1. Over the last couple of seasons, Bayern has often scored early against sub-par teams, but conceded goals and dropped points because they can’t score more.
- Köln is able to play their style. After the opening goal, the game has been fairly open. Both teams have had chances to get forward fairly easy. Köln has had multiple good chances after keeping possession and winning set pieces in dangerous positions.
Halftime — Bayern 1, Köln 0
45’ +1 — Bayern gets forward one more time in the half. Coutinho worked the ball to Lewy, who got around the keeper. With the keeper on the ground and two defenders back, Lewy chips the ball just over the bar.
45’ — 1 minute of stoppage time to come.
41’ — Köln wins a freekick from about 40 yards out. Kainz takes a shot on goal, which is spilled by Neuer. Shaky Bayern cleared their lines.
39’ — FCK gets forward again and wins a corner kick. Ensuing corner is defended well by Lewandowski, but not cleared well. Ball was crossed back in, but eventually goes wide.
37’ — Cordoba finds a bit of space in the box for FCK and shoots for the far top corner. The shot goes past an out-stretched Neuer, but goes wide of goal.
33’ — After some fancy footwork by Coutihno, Perisic gets the ball at the top of the box, who switches feet and tries to put it in the near post. Ball goes just wide.
30’ — Yellow Card. Jerome Boateng for a hard foul.
27’ — Köln wins a freekick in wings after Süle takes their fowards down. Ensuing cross is good, but Bayern wins a foul in the box.
13’ — Perisic wins a free-kick from the top corer of the box. Coutinho puts it off the near post. Bayern wins a corner kick, but FCK clears their lines.
12’ — Both teams have had half chances. Perisic has been called offsides twice after getting in dangerous spots.
3’ — GOAL! Robert Lewandowski, assisted by Kimmich
Kickoff — The ball is rolling in Munich!
One hour until kickoff: We have lineups!
Und so spui ma heit!#packmas #Wiesnspuidog #FCBKOE pic.twitter.com/E0YWr2d7ma
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) September 21, 2019
The Bundesliga is back! This week, Bayern Munich take on a potentially tricky opponent in Koln. Niko Kovac and his men will be expected to take all three points from this fixture, but the Billy Goats may have other plans.
The Bavarians will miss the services of Leon Goretzka and David Alaba, both of whom have been ruled out with thigh injuries. Lucas Hernandez, who was considered doubtful for the game following a knock to his ankle, participated in the final training session before the game and should be fit to start.
Given what we know, Niko Kovac will probably line up his team in a 4-2-3-1 with Robert Lewandowski leading the line, and Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman on the flanks. However, there are plenty of question marks over who will play in midfield — namely, whether Thomas Muller or Philippe Coutinho will start behind the striker, and whether Joshua Kimmich will continue playing at right back. In any case, no matter what happens, this promises to be a good game.
It’s Bayern time.
Match Info
Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
Time: 4:30 pm local time, 9:30 am EST
TV/streaming: Fubo.tv, Find Your Country
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