Bayern Munich overturned an early deficit to claim a 3–1 Bundesliga victory over Köln, extending their unbeaten head-to-head run against Die Geißböcke to 22 matches — a sequence that now dates back to February 2011.

Despite being clear underdogs, Köln started with confidence and almost took the lead inside two minutes when Saïd El Mala forced Manuel Neuer into an early save. Play was briefly halted soon after due to smoke from flares in the stands, but once action resumed, the hosts maintained their intensity, with Linton Maina delivering a dangerous cross that caused problems in the Bayern defence.

Bayern responded with chances of their own, as Marvin Schwäbe produced a string of saves to deny Hiroki Ito and Michael Olise before tipping a fierce Serge Gnabry effort wide. A moment of fortune followed for Köln when Schwäbe completely missed a backpass from Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, only for the ball to roll narrowly past the post.

That escape proved crucial, as Maina punished Bayern in the 41st minute. Winning possession near Köln’s penalty area, he surged the length of the pitch and finished past Neuer, who got both hands to the shot but could not keep it out.

Köln’s advantage was short-lived, however. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Gnabry produced a clever touch and delicate finish that looped over Schwäbe to restore parity before the interval.

Bayern asserted greater control after the restart, though clear chances initially failed to materialise. Olise’s free-kick and an improvised Gnabry effort were comfortably saved, while Jakub Kamiński briefly threatened at the other end before being outmuscled by Kim Min-jae.

The breakthrough eventually arrived from a set piece. After successive corners, the ball was worked to Luis Díaz, whose delivery was nodded down by Ito for Kim to turn in and give Bayern the lead.

Díaz later capped an impressive performance by weaving through the Köln defence and squaring for Lennart Karl, who finished calmly to seal the victory.

The win saw Bayern surpass their own record for the strongest start to a Bundesliga season, taking their points tally to 47 and opening an 11-point gap over second-placed Borussia Dortmund. Köln can draw some positives from a spirited display, though they have now suffered three defeats in their last four league outings.