Bayern Munich are absolutely flying this season, and they're not planning to slow down anytime soon. Vincent Kompany's men have won all 13 matches they've played so far, and they're hoping to make it 14 when they face Cologne in Wednesday's German Cup second round.
The Bavarian giants have been simply unstoppable. They've matched a record that only AC Milan had achieved back in 1992-93 – the best start to a season across Europe's top five leagues with 13 consecutive victories.
"We are doing a lot of things right at the moment and we have to take this into the next game," Kompany told reporters. The Belgian coach isn't taking anything for granted despite Bayern's red-hot form.
Cologne Presents Tough Cup Challenge
Kompany was quick to praise their upcoming opponents. "Until now Cologne have done it well. You have to give them credit for what they do in defence. They operate with a lot of urgency."
Playing away from home adds another layer of difficulty. "They play at home so they have every right to believe in their chances. But we are very hungry for this Cup," Kompany added.
Bayern's last appearance in a German Cup final was back in 2020. This drought seems to be fueling their determination, with sports director Christoph Freund emphasizing: "The hunger for tomorrow is big. It's a knockout match. Everyone has the great wish to go back to Berlin."
Packed Schedule Ahead for Bayern
The cup clash is just the first of three massive matches in a seven-day span for Bayern. After Cologne, they'll host defending champions Bayer Leverkusen in a top-of-the-table Bundesliga clash on Saturday.
Then comes a Champions League showdown against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. This run of fixtures could define Bayern's season across all competitions.
For bettors, Bayern's perfect record makes them overwhelming favorites against Cologne. However, cup competitions often produce surprises, and Cologne's defensive organization could make this tighter than expected.
Bayern's dominance in the Bundesliga has been equally impressive. Their 3-0 win against Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday kept them perfect with 24 points from eight matches.
The combination of Kompany's tactical approach and the team's hunger for silverware makes Bayern look unstoppable right now. But Cologne will be motivated to end this historic streak and create a cup upset of their own.
For anyone considering a wager, Bayern's form can't be ignored. Yet the quick turnaround between matches and potential rotation ahead of the Leverkusen clash might just give Cologne a glimmer of hope in this knockout tie.
