Bayern Munich picked up their first Bundesliga win of the season with a 3-2 victory over FC Koln on Sunday evening.
Result: Bayern Munich 3-2 FC Cologne
Date: 22 August 2021
Venue: Allianz Arena
Julian Nagelsmann made two changes from Bayen's German Supercup win over Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, with Tanguy Nianzou going in for Josip Stanisic and Kingsley Coman removed for Leroy Sane.
Bayern could've been up and running before ten minutes through a cutback on the byline by Robert Lewandowski to Thomas Muller, but the German stalwart drilled wide.
Koln began to feel the brunt of the record-breaking champions as a half-volley from close-range by Niklas Sule four minutes towards the half-hour mark forced Timo Horn to a save.
A double substitution from Nagelsmann at halftime saw Jamal Musiala in for Sane and Nianzou recalled for Stanisic.
The Bavarians made their presence felt within five minutes from halftime as Lewandowski stabbed a cutback from the substitute Musiala past Horn from close-range.
Another goal from the champions came later on after Gnabry reacted first to a loose ball at the back-post from defender Jorge Mere to prod in from close-range following another initiative by Musiala.
Koln responded right on the 60th minute and halved the advantage through a powering close-range header from Anthony Modeste after he attacked a cross from Jonas Hector.
The equaliser followed inside two minutes after a cross from Kingsley Ehzibue following a counter-attack ventured into the area, into the path of Mark Uth who needed no second invitation.
Bayern restored their lead within the last ten minutes with Gnabry going on to complete his brace through a smart finish from a tight angle following a pass by Joshua Kimmich.
Lewandowski looked to add a fourth and a brace to his name too with an audacious lob in the closing stages, but he went over as the Bavarians held on for the win.
