FC Bayern travel to 1. FC Köln on Saturday (kick-off 15:30 CET) for their first away outing of 2022. After the 2-1 defeat to Borussia Mönchengladbach, Julian Nagelsmann’s side are bidding to get back to winning ways. Find out what causes for optimism there are and why Serge Gnabry will be particularly looking forward to the clash in our facts and stats ahead of the match.
1. Impressive run against Köln
Bayern have won all of their last eight Bundesliga games against Köln and are unbeaten in 15 league meetings with the Billy Goats (W14 D1). The Munich men don’t have a longer winning streak or unbeaten run against any other current Bundesliga side.
2. Will FCB set a new goal record?
Bayern equalled a record on the last matchday against Gladbach, scoring at least one goal for the 65th consecutive Bundesliga fixture. Only the Bavarians themselves have managed that before between 2012 and 2014, and now they can set a new record with a goal against Köln. Moreover, FCB have found the net in each of their last 42 Bundesliga away matches - another running record. The German record champions have netted 57 goals in total this season, four more than any team have ever scored after the first 18 matchdays.
3. Köln strong at home
The hosts have lost just one of their nine Bundesliga matches at home this season (W5 D3). However, Bayern boast the best away record in the league as the only team to have lost just once on their travels (W6 D1).
4. Gnabry’s favourite opponents
Serge Gnabry scored a brace in each of the last two matches against Köln. Overall, the Bayern winger has netted 11 times in eight Bundesliga meetings with the Billy Goats - more than he has against any other team.
5. New year, same Lewy
Robert Lewandowski is continuing from where he left off before the winter break. The Pole bagged his 20th goal of the season against Borussia Mönchengladbach last Friday, making it the seventh Bundesliga campaign in a row in which he’s scored at least 20 times. Only Gerd Müller has done that in more consecutive seasons in Germany’s top flight (ten from 1968 to 1978). Lewandowski has also been on the scoresheet in his last six Bundesliga appearances against Köln. He’s only netted in more consecutive matches against Schalke (11) and Wolfsburg (eight).
Lewandowski was named Polish Sports Personality of the Year last weekend:
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