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FC Koln aims for an upset against Bayern Munich in the upcoming Bundesliga clash. A win for Bayern could propel them to the top of the table, seizing the opportunity as league leaders Bayer Leverkusen don't play until Saturday.
Koln, despite a challenging start this season, lifted themselves from the bottom of the table before the international break by securing a 1-1 draw against VfL Bochum in their recent match. David Selke's goal in the second half helped them salvage a point after Lukas Daschner's opener, despite Bochum's frustration from registering 25 shots without securing a win.
For Koln, avoiding defeat and withstanding such pressure would mark a significant step in turning their season around. Under Steffen Baumgart's management, they've had two decent seasons, and the 51-year-old aims to steer clear of a prolonged relegation battle this time.
However, facing the reigning champions poses a significant challenge for Koln. Their best chance might lie in catching Bayern Munich off-guard after a busy international break for most of the Bavarians' players.
Undoubtedly, Thomas Tuchel might not have welcomed the timing of the final international break of 2023, considering his team's five consecutive wins in the Bundesliga. In their recent match, Bayern experienced a close call against Heidenheim as the newly promoted team managed to equalize from a two-goal deficit with only 20 minutes left at the Allianz Arena. However, crucial goals from substitutes Raphael Guerreiro and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting made the difference.
Despite Bayern's impressive winning streak, they haven't been able to surpass league leaders Leverkusen, who have dropped points only in a draw at the Allianz Arena back in September. With five more league games in Germany before the winter break, Tuchel is hopeful for a change in their league standing before Christmas.
However, considering last season's intense title race with Borussia Dortmund, Bayern's expertise, skill, and winning mentality make them a formidable team in any situation. They're currently on track to win all six group games in the Champions League for the third consecutive season, yet their unexpected loss to Saarbrucken in the DFB-Pokal remains a setback.
That being said, Tuchel's success will largely be measured by how close he can bring the Bavarians to their 34th Bundesliga title and seventh European Cup triumph. Their progress in the Bundesliga is anticipated to improve if they can secure a win against struggling Koln on Friday.
After enduring the recent international break, club football is set to resume, marking the kickoff of Matchday 12 in the 2023/24 Bundesliga season. FC Koln is slated to host Bayern Munich at the RheinEnergieStadion on Friday, marking a clash between teams at opposite ends of the table.
FC Koln finds themselves second from the bottom after a single victory in their initial 11 games, securing a mere six points so far. However, their recent form indicates a potential turnaround, having suffered only one loss in their last four Bundesliga fixtures under Steffen Baumgart's leadership.
Despite this positive trend, Koln faces a challenging task against Bayern Munich, the reigning champions currently sitting second in the Bundesliga standings. Bayern remains one of two teams yet to suffer a defeat in the German top-flight this season. Their earlier sluggish start has evolved into an impressive streak, triumphing in their last five league matches with a consistent record of scoring at least three goals per game.
Steffen Baumgart faces additional hurdles in preparing his team for the upcoming fixture. Three key players will be absent for Koln against Bayern Munich. Philipp Pentke and Jacob Christensen continue to recover from knee injuries, while Mark Uth joins the sidelined players due to a recent muscle injury sustained ahead of the international break against VfL Bochum.
However, there is some positive news as Damion Downs (recovering from illness) and Dejan Ljubicic (overcoming a knock) are likely to return, potentially partnering in a defensive-minded midfield duo alongside Eric Marter.
The primary objective for this pair will be to contain Bayern Munich's creative core. In goal, Marvin Schwabe is expected to feature for Koln, supported by a defensive lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation consisting of Timo Hubers, Jeff Chabot, Dominique Heintz, and Rasmus Carstensen.
