Bayern Munich vs Cologne

Seeking their first win in the new Bundesliga season, Bayern Munich go up against familiar foes Cologne at sold-out Allianz Arena.

Following a lackluster pre-season campaign (D1, L3), new manager Julian Nagelsmann marked his Bundesliga debut at Bayern Munich with a 1-1 draw away to Borussia Monchengladbach on the opening Bundesliga weekend. Needless to say, the pressure will be on the ex-RB Leipzig boss to kick things off at Bayern’s famous Allianz Arena, where they concluded last season on a run of three consecutive Bundesliga victories by an aggregate score of 13-2. Cologne’s visit could be another day in the office for the perennial German champions, knowing they are unbeaten in 14 consecutive top-flight matches against this opposition (W13, D1), winning the last seven in a row. If they win here – as the odds firmly suggest – it could be a comprehensive triumph, given that eight of Bayern’s nine home league victories so far in 2021 have yielded a winning margin of 2+ goals.

Cologne may not be an easy opposition to push around, though, especially following the visitors’ 3-1 home win over Hertha BSC on Matchday 1. After securing their first comeback victory in the Bundesliga since December 2019, last season’s relegation play-off winners will be keen to extend their two-game unbeaten run in the regular Bundesliga season (W1, D1). If they manage to defy underdog status and walk away from the Allianz Arena with all three points, it will be the first time since 2005/06 that ‘Die Geißböcke’ have won their opening two Bundesliga matches. But before you jump the gun, bear in mind that Cologne’s last top-flight win at Bayern dates back to February 2009, with the traveling side going winless in their subsequent nine Bundesliga trips to Munich (D3, L6).