Before FC Bayern Women host Arsenal at the Allianz Arena in the first leg of their UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final tie, they have another job to do in the FLYERALARM Bundesliga on Saturday when they go to 10th-placed Köln. Victory for Alexander Straus’s team would keep them hot on the heels of leaders Wolfsburg before the sides meet at the FC Bayern Campus next week. The game in Cologne kicks off at 13:00 CET. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the match in our preview.
State of play
Bayern boast a flawless record so far in 2023 with five wins from five, conceding just one goal in the process. Straus and his team have scored 13 times in that run and go into the weekend’s game as favourites against relegation-threatened Köln. The Reds backed up their excellent form last Saturday with a 4-0 win over Duisburg. Another victory in Cologne will ensure Bayern are just two points off leaders Wolfsburg before the sides meet in Munich next weekend.
The opponent
Bayern are clear favourites going into this match when looking at the table. Köln begin the weekend in 10th place with 11 points from their 13 games this season. They recently claimed a point from a goalless draw against Bayer Leverkusen, but have also been beaten 4-0 by both Hoffenheim and Wolfsburg. It leaves the Cologne club only a point above the Bundesliga’s relegation zone.
Match facts
Bayern have been victorious in all nine previous meetings with Köln. It ended 4-0 to FCB in the reverse fixture in Munich.
Player update
Giulia Gwinn (cruciate ligament) and Linda Dallmann (ankle) remain on the sidelines. Carolin Simon is also not yet available against Köln due to muscular problems, while Tainara has picked up an ankle injury and will be out for a few games. The good news for Straus is that Mala Grohs is back in team training after missing last weekend through illness.
Pre-match quotes
Straus: “We had two days off after the Duisburg game and were able to recharge our batteries. We then had several training sessions to prepare well for the Köln game. Good prep is also extremely important since Köln are definitely a better team than the table suggests. They have quality in their squad and it’s dangerous to face them now. We have to be 100 percent focused, can’t get distracted, and want to come home with the three points.”
Lina Magull (captain): “It’s tough to judge Köln. They have a lot of good players. Köln are doing very good work with their women’s section. We think they’ll be best prepared and will obviously want to take points off us. We’re enjoying a good spell right now, where we‘re confident and know opponents will have less of a chance when we’re at 100 percent. So, we’re going to Cologne to get all three points.”
There are still tickets available for the Arsenal game at the Allianz Arena next week:
