Vincent Kompany's team matched the record Bayern established under coach Pep Guardiola. When considering additional metrics, Bayern 2025-2026 boasts the best first half in Bundesliga history. They scored 66 goals in 17 matches, the highest for this period in the league's history, and achieved a +53 goal difference, significantly surpassing their +35 from 2013-2014.

17-year-old midfielder Lennart Karl celebrates the winning goal, securing a 3-1 victory, at Rhein Energie stadium, Cologne, Germany on 14/1. Photo: Reuters

The match at Rhein Energie stadium on 14/1 saw an unusual start. Cologne fans threw flares, creating thick smoke that forced the referee to halt play early. Players passed the ball while waiting for the smoke to clear. This interruption seemed to energize the home team, who played with enthusiasm and attacked Bayern directly. Manuel Neuer's quick reflexes were crucial, preventing 19-year-old Said El Mala from scoring for Cologne on a quick counter.

Cologne took the lead before Bayern equalized in stoppage time. Linton Maina put the home side ahead in the 41st minute, stealing the ball from Serge Gnabry on Bayern's half and sprinting the length of the field for a solo goal, capitalizing on Bayern's slow-reacting defense. Gnabry then equalized in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, with a goal special in a different way: a clever finish from a tight angle that bounced over the Cologne goalkeeper's head.

Bayern secured their lead and victory in the second half. After struggling to penetrate Cologne's defense early in the second half, Bayern broke the deadlock with a short corner kick routine. Kim Min-jae headed in the go-ahead goal in the 71st minute. Lennart Karl then sealed the 3-1 victory in the 84th minute with a neat one-touch finish from Luis Diaz's pass.

This victory solidified Bayern's dominant position in the league. Bayern remains unbeaten after the first half of the season with 15 wins and two draws, extending their lead over second-placed Dortmund to 11 points. In contrast, Cologne, after eight matches with only draws and losses, is only 5 points away from the relegation zone.

Vy Anh