Bayern Munich look to bounce back at in-form Cologne

The Bundesliga leaders could find their advantage cut to just three points by the time they kick-off their second game of the year.

Berlin (dpa) – Bayern Munich started 2022 with a nine-point Bundesliga lead over second-placed Borussia Dortmund but that could be cut to just three when they travel to high-flying Cologne on Saturday.

Dortmund host Freiburg in the Friday fixture knowing a victory will put more pressure on the nine-time champions after a dramatic first weekend of the year.

A Bayern squad decimated by coronavirus infections and other absentees lost 2-1 at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach and Dortmund turned a 2-0 deficit at Eintracht Frankfurt into a late 3-2 win to take advantage.

Bayern have said several players, including goalkeeper captain Manuel Neuer, defender Dayot Upamecano and winger Leroy Sane have resumed training but it is not yet known who will be available for the game.

Coach Julian Nagelsmann previously said, however, he was “not currently expecting many returnees who’ll be in contention for the starting eleven.”

Cologne are on a three-game winning run which has lifted them to sixth in the table but have lost the last eight against Bayern and have not beaten the Munich giants since 2011.

“We go into every game to win it – also against Bayern,” striker Mark Uth told the Express newspaper. “It will naturally be difficult, we have to have a perfect day.”

Uth – unlike most at Cologne – knows what it’s like to beat Bayern having scored a double in Hoffenheim’s 2-0 win over the champions in 2017. He has five goals overall against the Munich outfit.

“Against Bayern it is always easy for me!” he joked. “I don’t know why it works quite well for me against Bayern.

“But I’d like to score fewer goals and win more often.”

Dortmund’s task is not a simple one against fourth-placed Freiburg, who are enjoying a dream season under long-serving coach Christian Streich.

The opportunity to close in on Bayern though is one which cannot be passed up if they are to maintain their outside title hopes.

“On Friday, we have the next chance against Freiburg, and then we will see in which direction we are heading,” said coach Marco Rose.

Saturday also sees a direct European duel when third-placed Hoffenheim visit Union Berlin, seventh, while there is a meeting crisis clubs when Wolfsburg, 14th, host Hertha Berlin, 13th.

VfB Stuttgart v RB Leipzig and Mainz v Bochum are also scheduled before Gladbach v Bayer Leverkusen in the late kick-off.

On Sunday the focus is the battle survival when second-last Arminia Bielefeld welcome bottom side Greuther Fürth and Augsburg, in the play-off place, host Frankfurt.