A superb second-half strike by Raphael Guerreiro helped Bayern Munich to a 2-0 win against Koln and keep the champagne on ice in Leverkusen. (More Football News)
Defeat for Thomas Tuchel’s side would have confirmed Bayer Leverkusen as Bundesliga champions but theꦯ current hol𝄹ders claimed a hard-fought victory.
It had been a difficult period for Bayern, who had lost both league fixtures since the international break, but they battled to a 2-2 draw at Arsenal on Tuesday night in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.
While Bayern’s focus was on more European glory this season, they were determined to return to winning ways domestically and they hit the post twice in the first half, once through Harry Kane.
Kane was unable to add to his tally, but the hosts were eventually indebted to Guerreiro’s outstanding 65th-minute effort before Thomas Muller added a late second to ensure all eyes are now on Leᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚverkusen to see if they can clinch the title with victory at home to We꧑rder Bremen on Sunday.
Tuchel made a raft of changes, with Ba♕yern’s priority being next week’s tie with Arsenal.
Manuel 🌸Neuer and Leroy Sane were not in the squad but Kane did start and helped Munich dominate possession in the opening exch🅘anges.
The first clear-cut chance when to Koln but fortunately for Bayern, Fa꧙ride Alidou fired wide from a tight angle.
It was a sign of things to come, though, as Sven Ulreich, recalled for the rested Neuer, produced a superb saveღ to keep the score goalless wh♒en he clawed away a header by Sargis Adamyan midway through the half.
Bayer๊n had yet to seriously test Koln goalkeeper Marvin Schwabe until he denied Guerreiro on the half-hour mark following an excellent ball by Kane.
Slowly Kane’s influence was beginning to grow and he hit a post shortly afterwards when Muller flicked the ba🍸ll through to the England captain, but his low effort smashed against the woodwork.
Further chaꦏnces went Kane’s way but he drilled one effort wide before diverting another header off ඣtarget.
Koln responded well and should have taken the lead on the strok♕e of half-time when Maz Finkgrafe produced another excellent ball into the area, but Alidou could only head wide.
An action-packed firs🐼t 45 at Allianz Arena concluded with a Mathys Tel curler striking a post to ensure it stayed level at꧙ the break.
Bayern were dealt 🙈a blow early in the second half when Kingsley Coman went off to make him anꦐ immediate doubt for the midweek visit of Arsenal.
Jamal Musiala r🎶eplaced🍰 Coman and his first involvement almost resulted in the breakthrough, but he fired over.
The pressure continued and Tel’s forced Schwabe into an excellent ♍diving save soon after before the opener did arrive in the 65th minute.
A short corner by🌊 Joshua Kimmich found Guerreiro w🍰ho let fly from 25 yards and watched his dipping left-footed effort nestle into the corner.
There was a sense of relief around the stadium, but Koln were not about to roll over and Ulreich had to save a long-range effort from su🃏bstitute Benno Schmi♐tz.
Better was to follow when Ulreich thwarted Steffen Tigges from close range after a poor pass by Bayern defender Da❀yot Upamecano, before the hosts did seal the points when Muller slotted home deep into stoppage time.
