FC Bayern: Difficult victory, however Munich’s report hunt is topped in Cologne | EUROtoday

The finest first half of the season in FC Bayern’s historical past is ideal. In the 3-1 (1-1) win, the report champions had lots of hassle towards newly promoted 1. FC Köln, however in the long run they weren’t stopped by a ten-minute pyrotechnic interruption and a mistake by goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Serge Gnabry (forty fifth+5), Min-jae Kim (71st) and Lennart Karl (84th) turned FC’s celebrated lead due to a long-lasting shot from Linton Maina (forty first minute) into Munich’s fifteenth win with two attracts within the first 17 video games of the season.

Three days after the 8-1 win towards VfL Wolfsburg, coach Vincent Kompany’s group ended the primary half of the season as assured half-time champions with 47 factors and plus 53 targets. In the primary half of the 2013/2014 season, FCB additionally had 47 factors and 35 targets.

In order to succeed in the report mark, a rise in efficiency was vital after the break. As within the cup recreation on the finish of October, the duel between the tremendous abilities initially fell flat. At FC, Said El Mala was again within the beginning line-up this time, however Karl was nonetheless on the bench for Bayern and was later substituted on. And like Bayern’s 4-1 cup win, Cologne got here out trumps within the first half. The promoted group repeatedly posed issues for the report champions with their fast and dedicated switching recreation.

After Ultra poster: Cologne coach Kwasniok reacts by way of personnel

Already within the second minute, the nimble El Mala was denied by Manuel Neuer from a good angle. In the 2-2 attract Heidenheim, the 19-year-old saved a degree for FC as a joker. Four days later, the winger was allowed to begin once more from the beginning. “I won’t stop him so that he can show in the first half that he is a great kicker,” stated Cologne coach Lukas Kwasniok earlier than the sport on DAZN.

Criticism of the FC coach, who was initially celebrated, was most likely additionally because of the enjoying instances of Cologne’s finest goalscorer thus far this season (7). In Heidenheim, an Ultras poster with the inscription “Kwasni Yok” induced a stir. The phrase “Yok” might be translated from Turkish to German as “no”. Afterwards there was even a gathering between the FC bosses and the Ultras, who have been notably highly effective in Cologne.

How highly effective this group is was additionally proven on Wednesday. At the beginning of the sport, the Ultras set off a lot pyrotechnics within the south curve that the huge smoke growth led to an nearly ten-minute interruption. That’s why there was a lot replay earlier than the break. During the interruption, the FC supporters proudly celebrated themselves. The membership has already needed to pay fines within the excessive six-figure vary for such habits by some followers prior to now.

Kwasniok not solely responded by bringing in El Mala, but in addition by returning the deserving and fashionable FC veterans Florian Kainz and Luca Waldschmidt to the squad. “I really enjoy being the coach of this team and I’m incredibly proud to be able to represent this club. That gives me a lot of joy. I give the team the belief that we can pull off a surprise,” the Cologne coach informed Sky.

Because Bayern did not play practically as greedily as they did over giant components of the general excellent first half of the season, the shock was really within the air. Maina rewarded the Rhinelanders, who haven’t gained for the reason that starting of November, for his or her brave efficiency to this point. After a listless problem from Gnabry in the course of Cologne’s half, Maina ran to the opponent’s sixteen-yard field and hit the fairly tenable ball over the fingers of the astonished Neuer into the Bayern objective.

The Neuer fake pas wasn’t sufficient for the Cologne group to take the lead at halftime. With a stroke of genius, Gnabry made up for his timid duel habits simply ten minutes earlier. He beat FC keeper Marvin Schwäbe from a good angle with a loopy shot.

After the change, Bayern, as anticipated, grew to become higher and, above all, extra dominant. The stress from the company elevated with each minute. However, there have been no top-class alternatives for a very long time. This made Cologne proceed to imagine within the shock – till the sturdy Kim headed it in to make it 2-1 for Bayern. Karl additionally got here late to his look, which he topped along with his fourth objective of the season.

1899 Hoffenheim – Borussia Mönchengladbach 5:1 (4:0)

Even earlier than the break, Andrej Kramaric triumphantly confirmed off his three targets with three fingers: the star striker and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim have been in gala type as they confirmed Borussia Mönchengladbach the ultimate spherical of the preliminary spherical. In the 5:1 (4:0) in entrance of solely 20,750 spectators in Sinsheim, along with the TSG high scorer (twenty second minute/foul penalty, forty fifth+1/forty fifth+4), Tim Lemperle (twenty fourth) and Max Moerstedt (77th) additionally scored for TSG.

Hoffenheim have solely misplaced one (0-2 in Dortmund) of their final ten league video games. While the Kraichgauer celebrated their fifth dwelling win in a row and stay a scorching candidate for the European Cup, Gladbach skilled a lesson with coach Eugen Polanski at his former place of business. Shuto Machino’s objective to make it 1:4 (68′) did not change that.

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It was a particular return for Polanski. “Actually, they should name the stadium after me,” the 39-year-old joked beforehand. From 2013 he performed for Hoffenheim for 5 and a half years. Today’s nationwide coach Julian Nagelsmann as soon as promoted him to captain.

On the sidelines, Polanski needed to watch with rising despair as his group was hopelessly outnumbered. The Hoffenheim group stormed stuffed with enthusiasm with the younger stars Fisnik Asllani and Lemperle – and naturally Kramaric: The 34-year-old additionally grew to become the only real Croatian report holder in his 302nd Bundesliga recreation, forward of Zvonimir Soldo (301 league video games).

After TSG’s recreation in Bremen was canceled final weekend, the hosts continued the place they left off in 2025. Gladbach celebrated a 4-0 win towards FC Augsburg at the beginning of the 12 months. However, the just lately sturdy protection instantly got here into hassle: Ozan Kabak headed it onto the crossbar within the third minute.

After 20 minutes, Kramaric grabbed the ball and went to the penalty spot – with out ready for the choice on video proof. Referee Christian Dingert then agreed with him over the stadium microphone, Philipp Sander had cleared Wouter Burger. Kramaric safely transformed to make it 1-0.

The dismayed Borussia had not but recovered when the Hoffenheim group struck once more rapidly – after a throw-in from the opponent: Lemperle scored into the far nook on an help from Asllani – his sixth objective of the season.

The two younger stars of TSG and veteran Kramaric have been spinning incessantly, however Haris Tabakovic was nowhere to be seen for a very long time. The striker, who was loaned to Gladbach from Hoffenheim, has just lately been the main focus of consideration. The Bosnian worldwide participant miserably missed his tenth objective of the season shortly earlier than half-time: he shot nicely previous the nationwide goalkeeper Oliver Baumann.

Kramaric did a lot better, utilizing an help from Asllani to make it 3-0 and as soon as once more overcome goalkeeper Moritz Nicolas. His elevate to make it 3-0 was nice. So the TSG star went into the dressing room at half-time with the ball beneath his arm – which he deserved to take dwelling with him that day. The attacker additionally beneficial the extension of his contract, which expires in the summertime.

RB Leipzig – SC Freiburg 2:0 (0:0)

Two requirements, two targets, lastly one other win: RB Leipzig began the brand new 12 months efficiently after a delay and ended its small disaster in ends in time for the Bundesliga hit towards Bayern Munich. The Saxons defeated SC Freiburg 2-0 (0-0) and celebrated one other success after two defeats in a row.

In entrance of simply 30,902 spectators, a double strike made the choice inside three minutes. Defense chief Willi Orban (53rd minute) headed Leipzig into the lead after a free kick. Center ahead Romulo (56th) additionally headed in after a nook. Leipzig thus consolidated third place behind leaders Munich and pursuers Dortmund.

Leipzig coach Ole Werner gave his whiz child Yan Diomande some relaxation. The 19-year-old, who solely returned from the Africa Cup on Sunday by personal jet, was considerably surprisingly not within the beginning line-up. National participant Assan Ouédraogo made his comeback after recovering from a knee harm and moved to the considerably uncommon left wing place.

Freiburg needed to do with out Matthias Ginter for a short while; the veteran was out with an an infection. The rebuilt SC protection did not discover Ginter’s absence at first. The company defended in a disciplined method, made the areas slender and made life extraordinarily troublesome for the Leipzig group on the offensive.

VfL Wolfsburg – FC St. Pauli 2:1 (1:1)

VfL Wolfsburg has recovered nicely from the 8-1 debacle in Munich. Just three days later, the manufacturing facility membership beat FC St. Pauli 2-1 (1-1) within the vital north and basement duel. Christian Eriksen’s first Bundesliga objective (twenty fifth minute/hand penalty) and Dzenan Pejzinovic’s late successful objective (88th) gave Wolfsburg a six-point lead over the relegation place. St. Pauli was an equal opponent for a very long time in entrance of twenty-two,031 spectators, however solely scored to make it 1-1 by way of Eric Smith (fortieth).