Team news
Markus Gisdol made two changes to the side that started the game against Stuttgart last Friday. Dimitris Limnios and Salih Özcan earned a start, with Kingsley Ehizibue and Elvis Rexhbecaj dropping to the bench.
Hansi Flick opted to rotate the Bayern team after their midweek win in Moscow. Bouna Sarr, Jerome Boateng, Javi Martinez, Leroy Sané, Serge Gnabry and Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting replaced David Alaba, Lucas Hernandez, Kingsley Coman (bench), Tolisso (suspended), Leon Goretzka and Robert Lewandowski (both rested).
Bayern ahead at half-time
FC started confidently and doing their best to come forward when the opportunity arose. A superb run from Marius Wolf almost seen him breakthrough, whilst Sebastiaan Bornauw made an important intervention to halt Bayern. That hard work was scuppered after just 12 minutes when Marius Wolf was harshly penalised for handball. Timo Horn guessed the right way, but Thomas Müller converted from the spot to give Bayern the lead.
Markus Gisdol’s men weren’t rattled by the goal and, despite the visitors controlling possession, Ismail Jakobs had the chance to level. He was played in expertly by Ondrej Duda before firing narrowly wide. Timo Horn had to be alert to deny Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting’s header but the FC stopper was powerless as Serge Gnabry curled home right on half-time to double Bayern’s lead.
Drexler almost sparks late comeback
Timo Horn made a good save from Timo Horn to keep out Serge Gnabry’s header at the back post. Rafael Czichos also put in a superb tackle on Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, before Marius Wolf volleyed over at the other end. Ismail Jakobs and Sebastian Andersson both fired off target in what was an increasingly attacking showing.
Ondrej Duda picked out Ismail Jakobs in the box, as his looping header went inches wide of the far post. FC continued to push forward and thought they had found a way back when Dominick Drexler deflected in Jan Thielmann’s shot. However, the goal was given offside. Moments later, though, the goal was indeed given. Tolu Arokodare’s header almost earned a point, but it wasn’t to be. FC are next in action on Friday evening against SV Werder Bremen at the Weserstadion.
Line-ups
1. FC Köln (4-1-4-1): T. Horn – Wolf, Bornauw, Czichos, J. Horn (Katterbach 59’) – Skhiri (Drexler 59’) – Limnios (Thielmann 59’), Duda, Özcan, Jakobs – Andersson (Tolu 79’).
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Neuer – Pavard, Boateng, Süle, Sarr – Martinez (Alaba 79’), Kimmich – Gnabry (Marc Roca (90+4’), Müller, Sané (Douglas Costa 63‘) – Choupo-Moting (Zirkzee 63‘).
Goals: 0:1, Müller PEN 13‘. 0:2, Gnabry 45+1‘. 1:2, Drexler 82’.
Referee: Frank Willenborg (Osnabrück).
Booked: Choupo-Moting (10‘), Pavard (23‘), Wolf (89’).