When FC Bayern München rolled into the RheinEnergieStadion on October 29, 2025, few expected 1. FC Köln to hold them for long — but no one predicted the sheer dominance that followed. Bayern didn’t just win; they rewrote history. A 4-1 thrashing of Köln in the DFB Pokal second round wasn’t just another result — it was the 14th consecutive victory across all competitions, a new record in Europe’s top five leagues. The match, officiated by Tobias Welz, ended with Bayern’s name etched into the record books and Köln left scrambling for answers.
A Comeback Built on Precision
It started with a surprise. 1. FC Köln took the lead in the 31st minute through Ragnar Ache, a rare moment of brilliance in a season defined by injury woes. The home crowd erupted — for a fleeting second, it felt like the underdogs might pull off the impossible. But Bayern, as they so often do, responded with chilling efficiency. Luis Díaz equalized just five minutes later, curling a left-footed shot past Ron-Robert Zieler. Then came Harry Kane. The English striker, calm as ever, pounced on a loose ball in the box and slammed it home in the 38th minute. Half-time: 2-1. The script had flipped. Köln’s early spark had been smothered by Bayern’s clinical machine.
The Second Half: A Masterclass in Control
The second half wasn’t a battle — it was a demonstration. Kane made it 3-1 in the 64th minute, turning a low cross from Michael Olise into a simple tap-in. Olise, the French winger who’d been quiet until then, sealed it three minutes later with a darting run and a low finish that left Zieler rooted. The final whistle blew at 90+0:48, the scoreboard reading 4-1. Bayern’s numbers told the story: 60% possession, 16 shots to Köln’s 13, 4.15 expected goals versus Köln’s 1.51. And yet — zero big chances for Köln. Zero. Not one. The defensive structure, the pressing intensity, the transition speed — it was all textbook Bayern under Julian Nagelsmann.
Harry Kane: The Quiet Captain
Named Player of the Match, Kane didn’t celebrate wildly. He didn’t need to. His two goals took his season tally to 18 in just 14 appearances. What’s more remarkable? He’s doing it without Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, or Hiroki Ito — three of Bayern’s most dynamic players sidelined by injury. “He’s not just a finisher,” said former Bayern captain Lothar Matthäus on TV afterward. “He’s the anchor. He reads the game like a chess grandmaster.” And with his leadership, Bayern’s depth has never looked more formidable.
A Record That Echoes Across Europe
Fourteen wins in a row. No club in the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, or Ligue 1 has matched it this season. The previous record in Europe’s top five leagues? 13 — held by Manchester City in 2020-21 and Real Madrid in 2022-23. Bayern didn’t just break it; they shattered expectations. And they did it without their star left-back, their most creative midfielder, and their most explosive fullback. The implications? This isn’t just a hot streak — it’s a statement. Bayern are building something historic. Their next challenge? The DFB Pokal round of 16, where they’ll face either VfB Stuttgart or SC Freiburg on December 3-4, 2025.
Who Was Missing? The Invisible Absences
Köln’s struggles weren’t just tactical — they were physical. Jan Thielmann, Luca Kilian, Rav van den Berg, and Timo Hübers were all out with injuries, leaving their backline thin and their attack lacking width. Bayern weren’t untouched — Davies, Ito, and Musiala were absent — but their replacements stepped up. Konrad Laimer, Dayot Upamecano, and Aleksandar Pavlović filled gaps seamlessly. The difference? Depth. Bayern’s squad has 24 players capable of starting in the Bundesliga. Köln? Maybe eight.
History Favors the Bavarians
This wasn’t just another win. It was the 39th victory in 56 all-time meetings between the two clubs since their first Bundesliga clash in 1963. Köln’s last win over Bayern? March 2018. Since then, it’s been a parade of Bavarian dominance — 22 wins, 11 draws, just 3 losses. The DFB Pokal, organized by the Deutscher Fußball-Bund, has always been Bayern’s playground. They’ve won it 20 times — more than any other club. This result? Just another chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this win streak compare to other European clubs?
Bayern Munich’s 14-game winning streak is now the longest in Europe’s top five leagues this season. No club in England, Spain, Italy, or France has surpassed 13 consecutive wins — a mark previously held by Manchester City (2020-21) and Real Madrid (2022-23). Bayern’s streak includes Bundesliga, DFB Pokal, and Champions League matches, making it more difficult to sustain than league-only runs.
Why was Harry Kane so effective despite Bayern’s injuries?
With Musiala and Davies out, Bayern shifted to a more direct, possession-heavy system, relying on Kane’s movement and link-up play. He dropped deeper than usual, creating space for Olise and Díaz to exploit. His two goals came from intelligent positioning, not just finishing — he was involved in 70% of Bayern’s key attacks in the second half, according to Opta data.
What’s next for 1. FC Köln after this loss?
Köln’s DFB Pokal campaign is over, and they now face a critical Bundesliga stretch with five matches in 18 days. With four key defenders injured and only 12 points from 11 league games, relegation fears are growing. Manager Steffen Baumgart admitted after the match: “We’re not where we need to be. We need to fix our defense — and fast.”
How did Bayern manage to dominate without their star players?
Bayern’s depth was on full display. Jonas Urbig, their backup goalkeeper, made three crucial saves. Konrad Laimer, usually a midfielder, played as a right-back and logged 12 recoveries. Even Aleksandar Pavlović, often a bench player, controlled the tempo with 92% pass accuracy. This isn’t just talent — it’s culture. Every player knows their role, and no one’s performance drops when a star is out.
When will Bayern face their next DFB Pokal opponent?
Bayern will play either VfB Stuttgart or SC Freiburg in the round of 16, with the match scheduled for December 3–4, 2025. Stuttgart, currently third in the Bundesliga, are favorites to advance after a 3-0 win over Werder Bremen. Freiburg, in 10th, defeated Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-1 in a dramatic match on November 5.
What does this mean for Bayern’s chances in the Champions League?
With 14 straight wins, Bayern are now the favorites in the Champions League knockout stage. Their attacking trio of Kane, Díaz, and Olise has combined for 31 goals this season. Even without Musiala, their midfield control and defensive solidity have improved — they’ve conceded just three goals in their last 11 matches. If they keep this form, they’re the team to beat in Istanbul.
