Bayern Munich come from behind to beat Cologne 3-1 in Bundesliga

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Bayern Munich came from behind to defeat Cologne 3-1 on Wednesday, January 14, capping off a historic first half of the Bundesliga season. The visitors confirmed their top spot with a record 47 points and a goal difference of 66-13.

Cologne nearly shocked Bayern early when Said El Mala broke through in the opening minutes, forcing Manuel Neuer into a sharp save. A stoppage of nearly ten minutes due to pyrotechnic smoke briefly halted the match but did not deter the hosts’ attacking intent.

The home side continued to press aggressively, creating several opportunities before halftime. Linton Maina opened the scoring in the 41st minute with a 16-meter strike that Neuer could not keep out. Bayern struggled to respond in open play, with Hiroki Ito, Michael Olise, and Serge Gnabry all denied by goalkeeper Marvin Schwabe.

Serge Gnabry scored the equalizer to level the game before halftime. [photo credit: FC Bayern Instagram] — Serge Gnabry scored the equalizer to level the game before halftime. [photo credit: FC Bayern
Instagram]

Gnabry levels and Bayern take control

Bayern finally drew level deep into first-half stoppage time when Serge Gnabry converted a tight-angle chance to lift the ball over Schwabe. The equalizer shifted momentum, and the defending champions grew more confident after the break. They dominated possession but initially faced a disciplined Cologne defense that limited clear opportunities.

The breakthrough came in the 71st minute when Kim Min-jae scored from close range after a rehearsed corner routine. The goal put Bayern ahead and forced Cologne to push forward in search of an equalizer. Bayern capitalized on the space left behind, with substitute Lennart Karl sealing the victory six minutes from time, slotting home a Luis Diaz cut-back.

Other Bundesliga action

RB Leipzig stayed third after defeating Freiburg 2-0, while Hoffenheim demolished Borussia Monchengladbach 5-1, highlighted by Andrej Kramaric’s hat-trick. Wolfsburg picked up vital points in their relegation battle with a 2-1 win over St Pauli.

Cologne remains 12th in the table, struggling to maintain consistency despite moments of promise. Bayern, meanwhile, finish the first half of the season in record-breaking fashion, having scored 66 goals and conceded just 13. [Xinhua]