Bayern Munich Race To Bundesliga Win Over Cologne

Despite having the second best away record in the division, Cologne couldn't grab an unlikely point at the home of Bayern Munich. For the Bavarians, it's another step closer to the championship.

Another four goals for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga takes their recent free-scoring tally to 18 goals in three games as Cologne were dispatched with ease on Friday evening.



Bastian Schweinsteiger, Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben and Robert Lewandowski struck on the night to extend Bayern's lead to 11 points - at least until Wolfsburg play next on Sunday. Schweinsteiger was one of two changes to the Bayern team for Pep Guardiola with Xabi Alonso and Juan Bernat dropping to the bench.



The match was all but over inside 100 seconds: Bayern's devastating start was powered by the dynamic left-side combination of David Alaba and Frenchman Ribery. With the fourth corner kick of the game inside the first three minutes, Robben delivered for captain Schweinsteiger who headed past young Cologne keeper Timo Horn.



The dominance was relentless from the Bavarians who were celebrating their 115th birthday. Alaba charged beyond Ribery on the left-flank, cutting the ball across goal for Robben, who was inches away from scoring a second less than a minute after the goal.



On 11 minutes, Ribery broke free from his markers on the left, dribbling inside and striking the ball low and into the corner of the net. At this point, the floodgates could have opened, but the flow of the home side's attacking came to a brief halt.



Cologne recovery



Whether that was a result of Bayern's complacency, or Cologne settling into the match, is one for debate. The Billy Goats had their first real sight of goal through a misunderstanding between Jerome Boateng and Manuel Neuer, the defender turning the ball back to the German goalie who picked up the back-pass.



A chance was spurned by Lewandowski on the half hour mark, but Cologne would close the deficit with the last kick of the first half - Nigerian forward Ujah pouncing inside the six-yard-box to nod home his eighth league goal of the season.



With Cologne still alive in the game at 2-1, Ujah was at the heart of the key period in the match just before the hour mark. Slawomir Peszko started a rapid counterattack, and his cross was judged beautifully for Ujah, who controlled his finish well but was denied by an outstanding save from Neuer, who would thwart Marcel Risse moments later.



Had the Billy Goats taken those chances, the outcome could have been different. Bayern regained their foothold in the match and on 68 minutes restored a two-goal advantage with Ribery crossing for Robben who headed into the net.



Seven minutes later, the Dutchman turned provider for the second time in the game, clipping the key pass across the face of goal for Lewandowski to notch up his third goal in two matches.



Bayern's form has been domineering of late, with the 0-0 draw at Shakhtar Donestk the only minor blemish for Guardiola's men. But some signs of vulnerability remain - which will be particularly alarming for the Spaniard before the second leg of their Champions League showdown in a fortnight.