Reds overcome Köln to seal first league win

FC Bayern beat FC Köln 3-2 in their first Bundesliga home match this season. Robert Lewandowski put Bayern ahead after the restart, Serge Gnabry doubling the lead, only for Köln to level the scores through Anthony Modeste and Mark Uth within two minutes. Gnabry restored Bayern's lead with 20 minutes to go to hand Julian Nagelsmann a successful competitive home debut as FCB coach. It was the 74th consecutive competitive match in which Bayern found the net, a new record in Europe's top five leagues.

The Bavarians started with Manuel Neuer in goal and Tanguy Nianzou, Dayot Upamecano, Niklas Süle and Alphonso Davies in a back four. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka anchored a midfield featuring Leroy Sané, Thomas Müller and Gnabry, with Lewandowski as sole striker. Josip Stanišić and Jamal Musiala took over from Nianzou and Sané at half-time, Corentin Tolisso, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Chris Richards coming on for Goretzka, Gnabry and Davies in the second half.

No goals

After Herbert Hainer and Uli Hoeneß paid tribute to the late Gerd Müller with moving speeches, the 22,000 crowd at the Allianz Arena saw a first half long on aggression but short on gilt-edged chances. The match got off to a lively start with both sides looking to attack, Bayern asserting their authority after ten minutes. Müller and Sané miscued their efforts before Gnabry saw a shot blocked.

Süle shone with a roulette turn before letting fly but keeper Timo Horn tipped it over. Bayern kept attacking but lacked inspiration in the final third or saw their moves spoiled by stray passing. Sané fired a free-kick into the wall before Kimmich's lobbed pass was a little too long for Gnabry, and the contest was goalless at half-time.

Scorching second half

The game sprang to life after the restart. Musiala fired over before a Gnabry effort was blocked, but Lewandowski opened the scoring when Musiala charged past two defenders, his cutback inviting the striker to tap in. Bayern doubled the lead before the hour mark, a deflected Müller cross finding Gnabry, who smashed home.

But Köln bounced back immediately, Modeste heading in a Hector cross. The Billy Goats levelled the scores only two minutes later, Uth turning an Ehizibue cross past Neuer. Munich restored their lead when Horn punched a cross clear, Kimmich heading the loose ball to Gnabry, who blasted home from 18 yards. Lewandowski soon shaved the crossbar from close range. Bayern engaged cruise control now but were always a step quicker than their opponents, Horn parrying against Müller and proving equal to Lewandowski's rebound before match official Martin Petersen blew for full-time.

Bayern will be back in action in just three days, when they take on fifth-division side Bremer SV in the DFB Cup.

Live match report for fcbayern.com by Greg Salmen