Overview
Bayern Munich's attack did not play too explosively in the 1-0 victory over Wolfsburg, when Michael Olise scored the only goal in the 56th minute. However, this result is somewhat understandable when the Bavarian team just experienced a tense match with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League just 3 days before that.
Vincent Kompany's season at Bayern can hardly be assessed simply through the domestic arena, because the club has won the Bundesliga 13 out of 14 recent seasons. However, stopping PSG in the Champions League semi-finals still caused their campaign to leave no small regrets.
However, Bayern still shows superior strength in the Bundesliga. Kompany's team has scored 117 goals in the league this season - the highest achievement in club history in the Bundesliga. They can completely break the record further if they win big in the final round.
If they want to go further next season, Bayern certainly needs to improve their defense. The team has conceded 20 goals in just 11 recent matches in all competitions, a statistic showing a significant imbalance.
Despite winning 8 out of 11 matches mentioned above, the victory over Wolfsburg is the first time Bayern has triumphed after a 4-match winless streak in all competitions.
At the Allianz Arena, Bayern is also aiming for a positive ending to the season. A victory will be the 9th time they have won all 3 points in their last 11 home matches, and also close the season with only one defeat after 25 matches here.
On the other side of the battle line, Koln just lost to Heidenheim 1-3, but still officially stayed in the league thanks to Wolfsburg - the team ranked 16th - losing to Bayern Munich and unable to narrow the gap to 6 points.
The away team's form recently has not been really convincing. Koln has only won 1 in the last 13 Bundesliga matches, drawing 6 and losing 6 in this period. The defeat against Heidenheim is also the third consecutive match they have conceded at least 2 goals.
However, it should be remembered that Koln just won promotion last season. Therefore, staying in the Bundesliga can still be seen as completing the team's basic goal.
Interim coach Rene Wagner has not been officially appointed, and the caution from the board is understandable. With only 32 points, Koln should have been relegated or played in the play-offs in 8 of the last 11 Bundesliga seasons.
Although their away form is not too outstanding, Koln is still unbeaten in the last 4 away games, winning 4 points. However, they once lost to Bayern Munich 1-3 in the first leg in January.
Personnel situation
Bayern Munich is not under too much pressure regarding the result in this match, so Kompany is likely to give opportunities to some young players and faces who are rarely played regularly.
Harry Kane is still expected to play to continue improving his impressive scoring record for the club, in the context that the English striker is nurturing ambitions to compete for the Golden Ball.
On Koln's side, the worry before the away trip to Allianz Arena is completely understandable, especially when their defense continues to be seriously damaged by injuries.
Two center-backs Timo Hubers and Luca Kilian are not yet able to return due to knee problems, forcing Wagner to likely continue to use the trio Joel Schmied, Eric Martel and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey in defense.
Expected lineup:
Bayern Munich: Neuer, Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Bischof, Kimmich, Goretzka, Karl, Musiala, Diaz, Kane.
FC Koln: Zieler, Schmied, Martel, Simpson-Pusey, Sebulonsen, Thielmann, Krauss, Kaminski, Castro-Montes, Bulter, El Mala.
The match between Bayern Munich and Cologne takes place at 8:30 PM on May 16 (Vietnam time).
