For love and FC Bayern: What led Janine to Cologne.

FC Bayern fans travel from all over the world to support their team at away matches – even if it takes them hundreds of kilometres through snow and cold. We want to get to know those who spare no effort or expense to see their beloved Bayern away from the Allianz Arena a little better: our away fans with their special stories, their love and their passion for FC Bayern.

The billy goat stands patiently in front of the stadium, posing for photos and blinking at the fans. Hennes IX is just a few metres away from Janine and Tim as they arrive at the stadium early in the evening and mingle with the red and white crowds of fans. Köln are hosting FC Bayern – and for Janine, it's a match that brings together many chapters of her footballing life.

She now lives near Cologne, having moved to the Rhineland for love. She was born and raised in Saarland, in a family where football was always more than just a weekend activity. "When I was a child, I always went to the stadium in Saarbrücken with my dad," she says. Her brother played for 1. FC Saarbrücken himself and even made it into the Germany youth side. "We're a real footballing family – it's always been a part of my life."

Saarbrücken, Kaiserslautern, FC Bayern

In addition to Saarbrücken, the family also regularly went to the Betzenberg. When 1. FC Kaiserslautern played in the Bundesliga in 2010/11 and 2011/12, it was an obvious choice. Janine cheered them on, gathered impressions and emotions – and eventually discovered another club for herself. In 2013, she became a Bayern fan. "The era with Jupp Heynckes, Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Robben and Ribéry – that was just really wonderful. Lots of success, lots of thrills. It completely swept you away."

Janine casually mentions that she used to play football herself. Her boyfriend Tim comments with a laugh from the background: "That's news to me." The two enjoy moments like this – and today especially so. Although Janine has seen FC Bayern play live many times, including at the Allianz Arena, this is her first time seeing the Munich men play against 1. FC Köln. It's also her first time at the stadium in Cologne.

(Fan) love is contagious

Tim is wearing a Bayern scarf this afternoon – borrowed from Janine. His heart actually beats more for motorsport, but his girlfriend's passion has rubbed off on him. "We have all the subscriptions: Sky, DAZN, Prime," he says. "We follow everything and watch lots of games together. I enjoy it too." He now knows the Bayern players, gives tongue-in-cheek comments on moves – "Olise to Kane – goal" – and clearly enjoys it. His favourite player is Joshua Kimmich: "He works hard and battles, which I find impressive."

He gave Janine the tickets for Köln, which he got through a friend from a fan club, as a gift. They won't be sitting right next to each other, but Tim is optimistic: "Maybe a bit of Cologne camaraderie will work its magic, it'll be fine." At work, where there are lots of Köln fans, he wants to post a photo of Hennes the next day – as a souvenir of this special trip.

Ahead of kick-off, the billy goat is still a talking point. An employee of Cologne Zoo, who accompanies Hennes IX to every home game, explains with a smile that the mascot is allowed to stay at 1. FC Köln home games for longer if the match is exciting. "Today, he'll probably have to leave after 60 minutes," he says with a wink. In the end, he was too pessimistic: the Hinrunde finale was evenly matched for a long time – but in the end, FC Bayern deservedly ran out 3-1 winners

Janine watches the game with sparkling eyes. Although her favourite player, Jamal Musiala, isn't playing, she still raves about his "great talent." She also has a soft spot for Sven Ulreich. In Cologne, she knows lots of fans of other clubs, mostly from North Rhine-Westphalia: Cologne, Dortmund, Leverkusen. One acquaintance is a Bayer 04 fan and travels to every away game. "Things got really heated in the last two years in our conversations and WhatsApp group," says Janine and laughs. "It was funny."

One highlight of her Bayern days will remain unforgettable: the DFB Cup semi-final on 16 April 2014 against 1. FC Kaiserslautern. 71,000 spectators in the Allianz Arena, a 5-1 win – and Janine in the sixth row right next to the pitch. "I'll never forget that," she says. A night that has been burned into her memory.

The evening in Cologne is now part of this personal football story. Another new stadium, more special images, that same tingling sensation. For Janine, one thing is clear: whether in Saarbrücken, at the Betzenberg, the Allianz Arena or her new home in Cologne – football has never lost its hold on her. And FC Bayern has long accompanied her everywhere she goes.