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Robert Lewandowski – once again following in the footsteps of Gerd Müller
Photo:
Ulrich Hufnagel / imago images / Ulrich Hufnagel
Scene of the game:
For nine minutes, Cologne attacked early as usual, trying to chase Bayern.
Then Bayern countered, Thomas Müller played Robert Lewandowski free and the 33-year-old overcame Cologne goalkeeper Marvin Schwäbe from the inside right.
The 21st goal of the season by "Poland's sportsman of the year" wiped away any uncertainties after the defeat against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Good for Bayern, bad for the tension.
Result:
FC Bayern Munich won its away game at 1. FC Köln 4-0 (2-0).
Here is the match report.
First half:
After Lewandowski's opening goal, Bayern Munich had the game firmly under control and made it 2-0 (25 ') with a wonderful left-footed shot by Corentin Tolisso in the corner.
Shortly afterwards, Müller failed from close range at the brilliantly reacting Schwäbe (28th), on the other side the Cologne team cheered about the supposed goal from Mark Uth, but the pass by Florian Kainz was an offside position (31st).
Shortly before the break, FC twice approached Manuel Neuer's goal dangerously (44th and 45th + 1), but the approach stayed the same.
Müller hangs up:
Thanks to the two assists in the first half, Müller now has 150 assists in the Bundesliga – since this data was recorded, no one has collected more.
Second half:
In the first leg, Cologne managed to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 2-2 lead (before losing 3-2 after all) – should they be able to do the same in the second leg? The FC struggled, pushed forward, but had no effect. Both coaches changed, with a transfer having an immediate impact on the game: Leroy Sané came on for Jamal Musiala in the 61st minute, a minute later he played a great pass from deep, Lewandowski kept the upper hand in a one-on-one against Schwäbe and scored to make it 3-0 (62nd). Twelve minutes later, the two repeated this successful combination: Sané passed, Lewandowski completed – goal number 23 of the season. The best opportunity for a consolation goal had previously been missed by Timo Hübers, who only hit the crossbar with a header (72nd).
300:
Lewandowski scored goals 21, 22 and 23 of the season. The third goal was also his 300th Bundesliga goal.
Of course, only Gerd Müller achieved more.
His best value of 365 seemed unattainable, but now Lewandowski himself is capable of this record.
Serial offender:
For the ninth time in a row, the winner of the duel between FC and FCB came from Munich, in the last 16 meetings Bayern have won 15 times in a draw.
Cologne's excellent season home record so far could not save anything, who had lost at home before the game, more rarely than any other team in the league.
Speaking of series: Bayern Munich have now scored in their 66th Bundesliga game in a row.
This has never happened before.
Souvenirs, souvenirs:
After the final whistle, Cologne coach Steffen Baumgart secured Manuel Neuer's jersey as a souvenir.
However, the national goalkeeper wanted something in return: Baumgart's hat, which has become the 50-year-old's trademark in recent months.
Both ended the afternoon with a coveted trophy – a win-win situation!
Stay brave:
Baumgart has given FC a footballing identity that will last even after bankruptcy.
As offensive as possible, always brave.
The hosts didn't give up even a minute against the Munich team, even when the first defeat after three wins in a row was certain.
So the path of the Cologne team could lead back to Europe after a five-year absence.
Corona remains an issue:
With Neuer and Tolisso, two of the corona infected returned to the starting XI of FC Bayern, others were at least fit enough for the substitute bench. However, the club has to do without Alphonso Davies for “at least four weeks”, as coach Julian Nagelsmann announced before the game. The Canadian was diagnosed with heart muscle inflammation after his corona disease. Coupled with Leon Goretzka's protracted injury, this opens up two tricky construction sites for the coach.
Break for Bayern, cup for FC:
Unusual prospects for FC Bayern, because during the week they can follow the round of 16 in the DFB Cup on the couch after the second round in Mönchengladbach.
There you can also review 1. FC Köln, who play at Hamburger SV on Tuesday evening (6.30 p.m., TV: Sport1 and Sky).
At HSV, the four-time title holder can make it through to the quarter-finals for the first time since the 2009/2010 season.
