Die Folgen: Bayern’s 4-1 win over FC Köln (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich hit the road to take on FC Köln in the DFB-Pokal in what would turn out to be a very intense affair.
The Bavarians would ultimately walk out with a 4-1 victory, but the home side had no intention
of going away quietly. Let’s dig into all of the details of the match as Vincent Kompany once again led his squad to a hard-fought victory. Here are some quick hitters on the match:
- As always, let’s begin with a look at the starting XI:
- Kompany went chalk with his attack, midfield, and his entire backline. The base starting XI got the nod with Josip Stanišić at left-back and Aleksandar Pavlović returning to a starting spot in the central midfield. We had already known about Jonas Urbig starting at goalkeeper, so all of this made it extremely clear that Bayern Munich was not going to dilly-dally around with FC Köln.
- However, FC Köln was extremely intense and played with a ton of vitriol. The Billy Goats were determined not to get embarrassed on their home turf.
- Urbig made an incredibly acrobatic save in the 11th minute to keep the match scoreless. That was an amazing stop for Urbig.
- In the 19th minute, Luis Díaz and Harry Kane both missed on good chances, but it was starting to be clear that the Bavarians were getting more dangerous.
- Kane missed another great chance in the 21st minute as he could not get a good piece of a header attempt.
- FC Köln would not go away, though, and in the 31st minute Ragnar Ache beat Dayot Upamecano for a header on a corner and it would be a 1-0 lead for the Billy Goats. The goal came after some sustained pressure and it gave FC Köln even more energy than it already had.
- The bad for Bayern Munich was that the 1-0 lead allowed FC Köln some flexibility with this defensive structure. Compact while defending, FC Köln was often able to quickly counterattack and gets its players into space.
- Bayern Munich would not stay down long, though, and it was Konrad Laimer — who else? — who got the play start with a strong drive up the pitch. The Austrian sent a wide pass to Josip Stanišić, who hit a low shot that was saved. The rebound would go directly to Díaz, who put it home in the 36th minute to make 1-1.
- Two minutes later, Michael Olise slid a pass to Kane that initially was touched away by an FC Köln defender. Kane would win the ball back, though, and hit a low-percentage chance that somehow found its way into the net from a weird angle. Kane truly is remarkable.
- FC Köln wunderkind Said El Mala had a rough first half and was not any better in the second half. The kid has a way to go.
- In the 52nd minute, Kane sent Díaz in all alone for a breakaway and he….airmailed it. Yikes.
- Luckily for Díaz, he already scored or there would have mass unraveling. Is he the best bad finisher or the worst good finisher?
- Urbig had a nervy moment in the 60th minute when he aggressively charged out to make a play way outside the box, but then mishit the clearance. Luckily, the FC Köln shot attempt was way off.
- In the 64th minute, Kane stayed red hot as he headed home a corner from Kimmich…WITH AUTHORITY. That made it 3-1 and Bayern Munich would exhale a bit.
- In the 66th minute, Tah let one rip that was saved, but he gave it a good charge.
- The play of the match, though, came in the 72nd minute. Pavlović was streaking down the right side and sent a beautiful ball across the field to Díaz, who could have shot, but instead tapped a pass to Olise for the easy goal.
- Urbig got bailed out by the post in the 86th minute, but it still would have only cut the deficit to 4-2. There really was not anything he could have done about it anyway.
- Overall, Bayern Munich showed great resilience, creativity, and relentlessness – just like every other game the team has played this season. FC Köln rode the wave of momentum and energy early, but faded against the overpowering Bavarians.
If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, give them a look or a listen:
Vinícius Júnior discontent an opening for Haaland move? (ESPN)
Vinícius Júnior is rumored to be unhappy at Real Madrid and could unintentionally pave the way for a big name to take his place in Spain:
Real Madrid are interested in signing Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, according to Sport. Los Blancos are reported to have placed the 25-year-old at the top of their shortlist should they decide to move on from winger Vinícius Júnior, with uncertainty continuing to surround his future at the club. It is reported that Haaland and his representatives haven’t closed the door on a potential switch to the Bernabeu, despite the Norway international recently signing a 9½-year contract at the Etihad Stadium until 2034.
Haaland is going to be in the transfer rumor mill perpetually. In a way, he will continue to take the “NCAA Football coach route” of being able to get new, bigger contracts just by having his name bandied about in transfer rumors.
Anyway, after sensing that he came across very poorly after pouting earlier in the week when removed from El Clásico by Xabi Alonso, Vinícius Júnior hit X to apologize:
Today I want to apologize to all the Madridistas for my reaction when I was substituted in the Clásico.
Just as I have already done in person during today’s training, I also want to apologize again to my teammates, the club, and the president.
Sometimes passion gets the better of me because I always want to win and help my team. My competitive character stems from the love I feel for this club and everything it represents.
I promise to keep fighting every second for the good of Real Madrid, as I have done since the first day. 🤍
@realmadrid
Bavarian Podcast Works — Edges and Underdogs, a BuLi Action Show: Match Day 9 (Bavarian Football Works)
Welcome to Bavarian Podcast Works — Edges and Underdogs, a BuLi Action Show!
This is not your run-of-the-mill gambling show as we are putting more focus on the ins-and-outs of the actual match day’s showdowns, rather than an odds-driven format (but yes, you will get the odds as well). This podcast is for people who watch the Bundesliga intently and who want to dive into some of the big games for each match day. Through that, we will also provide some information that could help those seeking to make a wager or two.
Each week, we will highlight three matches to talk through and break down who has the edge, who might be hurting, who is susceptible to being upset, who’s getting hot, and more! This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Edges and Underdogs, a BuLi Action Show:
- Catching up on how we did last week.
- A look at this weekend’s match-ups — including win probability, odds, injury updates, trends, AI predictions, and our predictions as well.
The bottom line…it’s time for some action.
Also, be sure to stay tuned to Bavarian Podcast Works for all of your up to date coverage on Bayern Munich and Germany. Check us out on Patreon and follow us on Twitter @BavarianFBWorks, @BavarianPodcast @TheBarrelBlog, @BFWCyler, @2012nonexistent, @TommyAdams71 and more.
Bayern, Spurs chasing winter move for David? (The Hard Tackle)
Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur could be locking horns over Juventus attacker Jonathan David:
Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich are reportedly keen on signing 25-year-old Canadian striker Jonathan David from Serie A club Juventus in the winter transfer window. According to a report by Gazzetta dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich are interested in Jonathan David. The two high-profile clubs are eager to bolster their offensive units by signing a striker in the winter transfer window. So, they have set their sights on the 25-year-old Juventus centre-forward.
Jonathan David has hit a brick wall since completing a Bosman move to Juventus in the summer transfer window. The 25-year-old seemed like a match made in heaven for the Serie A giants after scoring on his Serie A debut against Parma. However, he has yet to find the back of the net since then. The Canadian international has managed only one goal and one assist in ten appearances across all competitions thus far, with his game time reducing due to his struggles.
Tottenham Hotspur wanted to sign Jonathan David in the summer transfer window, but a deal did not materialise. The continued interest makes sense, as Dominic Solanke has struggled to make his mark since arriving from Bournemouth last year. Additionally, Richarlison faces an uncertain future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
As for Bayern Munich, it is unclear why David is a target for the winter transfer window. Harry Kane is in the form of his life, and Nicolas Jackson is a top-notch deputy to the English striker. So, it is unclear how David will fit into the scheme of things at Bayern Munich in the second half of the 2025/26 season.
Rummenigge is not sure exactly when he’ll take a step back from Bayern (Tz via @iMiaSanMia)
Bayern Munich supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is not sure when the right time will be for him to step away from an active role with the club.
“FC Bayern has always been most successful when there was continuity at the top level. The operational side has to run smoothly. With Max Eberl, it’s important that he also engages positively with the advice he occasionally receives from Uli (Hoeneß) or myself. Not everything is done yet, but we’re back on the right track,” said Rummenigge said.
When asked if stepping back would come before he turns 80, Rummenigge sounded…pretty sure of that.
“I assume so. I don’t know whether it’ll come to Uli and me at the same time. But at some point we’ll say: Here are the keys, now someone else has to unlock the door,” Rummenigge said.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show: Season 8 Episode 17 (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich continued its hot streak and now faces another short week ahead of a DFB-Pokal match against FC Köln.
Even with the success, there is a lot to talk about. The Bavarians are magnets for news and we are here to talk about it. Take a look at what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works Show:
- Are you worried about Bayern Munich’s depth? We aren’t, so let us tell you why.
- Even with that, Vincent Kompany has to be more proactive about getting some players rest. Who might need to take a seat?
- It’s about time for a new contract for Konrad Laimer, isn’t it?
- As it turns out, Max Eberl really did want Xavi Simons, but was shot down by the Bayern Munich supervisory board. Was it the right move?
- If Bayern Munich has to add a center-back, who would you rather have? Let’s dig into the two big names linked to Bayern Munich — Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck.
Kimmich earns recognition (WhoScored.com)
Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich was named to WhoScored.com’s Bundesliga Team of the Week:
Barca to reunite former United attackers? (ESPN)
Well…this would be something, we guess:
Barcelona scouts are keeping tabs on Marseille striker Mason Greenwood, which could see the former Manchester United star reunited with loanee Marcus Rashford, says The Sun. Greenwood, 24, has netted four times for Marseille so far this season, adding to the 22 goals and five assists he registered in his first year after signing from Getafe. However, he is reported to be homesick for England and could be tempted to a move that would see him partnered with a friendly face. Should Barcelona get their man, Greenwood’s former club United — who suspended him in January 2022 after he was arrested on suspicion of rape and assault, before the CPS dropped all charges — would be due 50% of any fee paid.
