Bayern Munich came into this game knowing a win was needed to keep them one point clear at the top of the table. They have begun to hit their stride in recent weeks, and look like the one team out of the top four that are least likely to slip up. Under Hansi Flick they have looked rock solid at the back, whilst sturdy yet creative in midfield, thanks to the resurgence of Thiago Alcântara. Going forward, Robert Lewandowski doesn’t look like slowing down, Thomas Müller doesn’t look like growing old, and Kingsley Coman has returned from injury too.
For Köln, it is a very different story as they continue to look to pull themselves away from the relegation battle. Markus Gisdol has done a good job since coming in as Head Coach to replace Achim Beierlorzer and knew a result here would leave them nine points clear of 16th place. It wasn’t to be as Bayern ran out as 4-1 winners on the day, but there were flashes, particularly in the second half, where Köln looked like a side most definitely good enough to stay up, and with a game in hand over their rivals, they will fancy their chances to continue their climb towards mid-table safety.
This tactical analysis gives an in-depth analysis of this Bundesliga fixture.
Lineups
There were no big surprises in either side’s lineups. For Bayern Munich Flick fielded a 4-2-3-1. The front four of Coman, Müller, Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry were particularly devastating in attack, and I will discuss Flick’s tactics with regards to this group later on in more detail.
Having beaten Freiburg 4-0 two weeks ago, Köln kept the same team and fielded a 4-5-1 with Ellyes Skhiri sitting deepest out of the central-midfield three.
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