Koln 0 : 1 Bayern Munich - Bayern maintain unbeaten start

Posted Sunday, September 28, 2014 by PA

Bayern Munich extended their lead at the top of the Bundesliga to two points with a 2-0 triumph at Cologne.

Mario Gotze scored the first before sending in the ball which Daniel Halfar put into his own goal in the second half, as Pep Guardiola's men extended their unbeaten start to the season without ever suffering at the RheinEnergieStadion.

The Bayern coach was even able to rotate his team to give players a rest for their trip to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League in midweek as Cologne showed no signs of making a recovery.

Cologne coach Peter Stoger had said his side were not just going to make up the numbers, but that message did not appear to have entirely got through to his team, who started out with a fair few nerves.

Bayern soon sensed this and Thomas Muller attacked them, getting through into a shooting position, but then only finding the side netting in the seventh minute.

Muller then headed an Arjen Robben corner wide before he turned provider for the in-form Gotze to give the visitors the lead in the 19th minute.

Rafinha won possession out wide and his pass to Muller was sent across goal with Gotze happy to see Robert Lewandowski totally miss his shot and let the ball through for him to convert.

Cologne could no longer play such a negative game, unless they were only interested in limiting the damage, and indeed they did come out of their shells as the first half wore on.

Ten minutes before the break, Adam Matuschyk was denied by Manuel Neuer, who got up also to block Anthony Ujah's rebound.

More gaps opened up for Bayern, who wasted good chances to double their lead before the interval gave the hosts 15 minutes to catch their breath.

Cologne emerged refreshed from the break, although they were unable to create any chances.

Guardiola nevertheless reacted to the build-up of pressure, sending Medhi Benatia and Dante on to reinforce his defence, and also to give Muller and Jerome Boateng a rest ahead of the trip to Moscow.

Even when playing a more defensive game, though, Bayern remained dangerous and Gotze coaxed an own goal out of Halfar midway through the second half to decide the game in Bayern's favour.

Cologne were unable to respond and only the sight of Dante taking a knock late on gave Bayern any cause for concern as they picked up their fourth win of the season.