Bayern Munich lost the first game of the Julian Nagelsmann era after Cologne beat them by an odd goal in five in a very entertaining pre-season meeting in Villingen on Saturday.
Cologne 3-2 Bayern Munich
Goals: 0-1 Sieb (6 ‘), 1-1 Thielmann (20 ‘), 1-2 Uth (27 ‘), 2-2 Zirkzee (35 ‘), 3-2 Uth (56 ‘)
Despite the absence of star striker Robert Lewandowski, Bayern was quick to show why he was nine consecutive Bundesliga champions. Cologne failed to cope with initial pressure from Nagelsmann’s squad, with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting preventing a cross from being fully cleared. This allowed Armindo Sieb to kick the loose ball home from the right of the penalty spot to give Bayern the advantage. Cologne skipper Jonas Hector saw a volley deflected from inside the box before Omar Richards – the former England U21 left-back who was making his Bayern debut with former RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano – not be threatened at the other end. The first half was played out at a breakneck pace in front of 6,000 supporters, and soon Cologne was tied. Hector cut a ball over it for Jan Thielmann to run over and he beat both the offside trap and Bayern goalkeeper Sven Ulreich. Seven minutes later, Cologne hit the front for the first time, with Mark Uth coming home brilliantly on the turn from a cross from Thielmann’s left wing. New Cologne boss Steffen Baumgart would have been delighted with this, but less so than some defenders on his side. When Cologne lost the ball in their own half with 10 minutes to go before half-time, Bayern ruthlessly punished them. Choupo-Moting, American Taylor Booth and Joshua Zirkzee combined quickly to deal damage, Booth landing the ball for Dutch forward Zirkzee to make it 2-2.
Uth quickly saw the goal but shot after barging to the edge of the box early in the second half, but – back for a third stint at his home club – Schalke’s summer signing would soon get another one. . When Florian Kainz moved to the right and whipped a cross, Uth was left unmarked in the box and scored his second goal of the game and made it 3-2 with a firm header down . Considering this was Cologne’s third pre-season game and the first for a young Bayern side, it perhaps came as no surprise that the Billy Goats looked sharper. Half-time replacement Lucas Copado – the nephew of Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic – had a chance to get the champions back on their feet, before Hector and Sebastian Andersson were off target for Cologne. Tim Lemperle moved even closer to a more comfortable victory with 19 minutes left as the Billy Goats finished strong, but substitute Bayern keeper Ron-Thorben Hoffman made just enough contact with the ball to see this effort dribble wide. Bayern will be next in a pre-season friendly on July 24, when Dutch champions Ajax visit the Allianz Arena.
Match statistics
- Nagelsmann was previously in charge of Hoffenheim and Leipzig.
- Lewandowski scored a record 41 Bundesliga goals in 2020/21.
- Ondrej Duda was Cologne’s top scorer with seven goals last season.
- Hector begins his 10th season with the Cologne first team.
- Booth made 15 Austrian Bundesliga appearances on loan at Pölten in the second half of 2020/21, scoring three goals and two assists.
- Baumgart’s three previous encounters with Bayern had ended in a 12-4 loss.
Queues
Cologne: Horn – Ehizibue (Schindler 70 ‘), Mere (Schmitz 46’), Czichos (Hübers 75 ‘), Katterbach (Castrop 46’) – Özcan (Ostrak 72 ‘), Hector (Skhiri 68’) – Thielmann (Andersson 72 ‘) , Schaub, Kainz (Ljubicic 72 ‘) – Modest (Lemperle 46’)
Unused subtitles: –
Outside: Cestic (thigh), J. Horn (hip)
Coach: Steffen Baumgart
Bayern: Ulreich (Hoffmann 46 ‘) – C. Richards (Lawrence 46’), Upamecano (Nianzou 46 ‘), Stanisic (Sarr 46’), O. Richards (Vita 46 ‘) – Rhein, Booth (Copado 46’) – Zirkzee ( Cuisance 46 ‘), Scott (Mosandl 27’), Sieb – Choupo-Moting (Tillman 46 ‘)
Unused subtitles: –
Outside: Davies (ankle), Früchtl (collarbone), Hernandez (knee), Roca (ankle)
Coach: Julien nagelsmann
Watch: Bayern to defend Bundesliga crown for 10th consecutive season in 2021/22
AS IT HAPPENED!
Cologne 3-2 Bayern
Goals: 0-1 Sieb (6 ‘), 1-1 Thielmann (20 ‘), 1-2 Uth (27 ‘), 2-2 Zirkzee (35 ‘), 3-2 Uth (56 ‘)
Cologne: Horn – Ehizibue (Schindler 70 ‘), Mere (Schmitz 46’), Czichos (Hübers 75 ‘), Katterbach (Castrop 46’) – Özcan (Ostrak 72 ‘), Hector (Skhiri 68’) – Thielmann (Andersson 72 ‘) , Schaub, Kainz (Ljubicic 72 ‘) – Modest (Lemperle 46’)
Bayern: Ulreich (Hoffmann 46 ‘) – C. Richards (Lawrence 46’), Upamecano (Nianzou 46 ‘), Stanisic (Sarr 46’), O. Richards (Vita 46 ‘) – Rhein, Booth (Copado 46’) – Zirkzee ( Cuisance 46 ‘), Scott (Mosandl 27’), Sieb – Choupo-Moting (Tillman 46 ‘)
FULL TIME! COLOGNE 3-2 BAYERN
Bayern are rightly beaten by a well-organized Cologne, but that is what pre-season friendlies are all about. Lots of food for thought for Julian Nagelsmann, even if he won’t have too many worries with almost all of his best performers unavailable. Don’t be surprised to see and hear more young Armindo Sieb and Lucas Copado in the near future, mind.
FRESH COLOGNE LEGS 75 ‘
MM. Schindler, Hübers, Ostrak and Andersson, as well as new recruit Dejan Ljubicic, are on their way to Cologne. The latter recently left Rapid Vienna.
71 ‘LUCK!
Hoffmann hare from his line as Lemperle passes over Bayern’s goal. The teenager from Cologne passes it between the legs of the goalkeeper, but the slightest touch spreads it.
68 ‘CHANGE OF COLOGNE
Hector makes way, handing the captain’s armband to goalkeeper Timo Horn. Ellyes Skhiri, scorer of seven goals last season, is on the move.
62 ‘HECTOR!
Uth passes a pass to Jonas Hector, but he can’t recreate his teammate’s wonderful goal in the first half.
61 ‘HALF CHANCE!
Sieb – Bayern’s best player so far – opens Cologne’s defense. He passes the ball to Lucas Copado – the nephew of Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic – but he can’t quite hide it.
56 ‘GOAL !!!! COLOGNE 3-2 BAYERN
Mark Uth at the double! It’s an easy finish for the Cologne striker, who is the only player to react to Florian Kainz’s teasing ball in the box. Cool header – no chance for the keeper. Bayern’s defense has just fallen asleep.
YELLOW CARD 53 ‘
Bouna Sarr enters the book for an unnecessary challenge on Salih Özcan.
46 ‘RUST RING
Nianzou’s first touch isn’t great. It’s straight to Lemperle, but the Cologne Sub can’t help luck.
SECOND PART! COLOGNE 2-2 BAYERN
The ball is rolling again in Villingen, with Nagelsmann having made many changes. Rhein and Sieb are the only two Bayern holders to emerge in the second half. Tanguy Nianzou and Michael Cuisance are among the new faces. Bennno Schmitz, Jens Castrop and Tim Lemperle are in Cologne.
HALF TIME! COLOGNE 2-2 BAYERN
Julian Nagelsmann doesn’t look happy. Bayern got off to a perfect start, only to concede quick goals in Cologne. Zirkzee’s leveler leaves the preseason competition in a good position …
35 ‘GOAL !!!! COLOGNE 2-2 BAYERN
Joshua Zirkzee restores parity for record champions. It’s a neat finish from the Dutchman – he’s fair on the line – and hats off to American Taylor Booth, who was the catalyst for the goal with a determined run and pass.
27 ‘GOAL !!!! COLOGNE 2-1 BAYERN
The Billy Goats lead Bayern Nagelsmann, and it’s a magnificent goal. Thielmann turned a cross provider towards Uth, who gave a great boost on the bend after Ulreich. Zidane-esque of the Cologne man!
20 ‘GOAL !!!! COLOGNE 1 – 1 BAYERN
Cologne is level! Bayern try to play Jan Thielmann offside as he recovers a long raked ball from Jonas Hector. They are out of sync, however, and the Cologne youngster calmly converts with only Ulreich to beat. Play!
19 ‘UTH LUCK!
Mark Uth enters Bayern’s box from the left side, but cannot direct his shot past Sven Ulreich. Good opening, that.
10 ‘OMAR AIMS
Omar Richards drifts to the left and aims, but his shot misses Timo Horn’s goal.
6 ‘GOAL !!!! COLOGNE 0-1 BAYERN
Armindo Sieb strikes early for the record champions! Choupo-Moting wins the ball in the box and helps the 18-year-old, who returns home from 13 meters.
START!
The ball is thrown in Villingen!
NEW SHEET IN COLOGNE
Steffen Baumgart is the new dugout man in Cologne after narrowly avoided relegation last season. The Billy Goats secured their top tier status through the play-offs and are hoping for much calmer waters in the next campaign. To this end, the Cologne have signed a permanent agreement with Mark Uth. The former Hoffenheim and Schalke striker also played for the club’s youth and reserves early in his career.
FAITH IN YOUTH
Nagelsmann also gives a start to Joshua Zirkzee, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Parma. Josip Stanisic, Torben Rhein, American Taylor Booth, Christopher Scott and Armindo Sieb complete a rather young line-up, although Erix Maxim Choupo-Moting, 32, is the spearhead.
NEW FACES
Nagelsmann is not the only new face in the Bayern camp. There are also debuts for former RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano and former England U21 international left-back Omar Richards. USMNT defender Chris Richards is back at the club after a loan spell with Hoffenheim, while Sven Ulreich takes over the gloves in Manuel Neuer’s absence after spending the 2020/21 Bundesliga 2 campaign with Hamburg.
WELCOME!
The Julian Nagelsmann era begins here, now for Bayern Munich. Cologne provide the opposition in the 33-year-old’s first outing as head coach of the record champions …
