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Relegation into second division

1-4 home loss against Bayern Munich

1. FC Cologne lost their final match of the season against Champions League finalists FC Bayern Munich with 1-4 (0-1). Due to Hertha BSC Berlin's 3-1 victory versus Hoffenheim FC rank seventeen in the final Bundesliga league table and thus have not been able to avoid their relegation into Germany's second division. The goals at the sold-out 'RheinEnergieStadion' of Cologne were scored by Thomas Müller (34', 85') and Arjen Robben (54') scored for the guests. In addition, FC skipper Pedro Geromel hit his own target (52') and Cologne attacker Milivoje Novakovic netted for the home side (63').

Clemens injured, Pezzoni in starting eleven

Due to wide player Christian Clemens's knee injury Cologne caretaker manager Frank Schaefer had to replace the youngster and opted for holding midfielder Kevin Pezzoni who partnered Martin Lanig in central midfield. This afforded another change and Sascha Riether started on the right wing. The FC supporters were glad to say goodbye to Lukas Podolski who was fit to play after his gastric flu after having confirmed his move to Arsenal on Monday.

Promising start

 FC started well into their final Bundesliga home fixture of the season and were in search of early scoring chances. A set piece by central attacking midfielder Mato Jajalo was cleared by Munich's best marksman Mario Gomez in the box (2'). With only six minutes from the clock Lukas Podolski shot on goal from long range but could not hit the target (6'). The guests aimed at controlling the meeting and approached Cologne's goal for the first time in the twelfth minute. Left back Diego Contento crossed the ball into the FC area and Arjen Robben could not control it properly and failed to give the lead to his side. Two minutes later Michael Rensing fisted away a dangerous Ribery delivery just before Gomez could reach it (14').

Chances for FC, a goal for the guests

 When the match was already half through the first episode the hosts came close to scoring for several times. First, Lukas Podolski forced Manuel Neuer between the Bayern posts to save brilliantly (25'). However, this decent effort was made from an offside position. In minute 29 Podolski shot on target again, he tried to hit the bottom right corner and the ball went just wide. Although FC were really performing well, Thomas Müller suddenly blasted the fans' hopes. Frenchman Frank Ribéry crossed into the area and McKenna and Geromel both marked Mario Gomez. Resulting from this Thomas Müller was the beneficiary and made the most of it. At the far post he netted from short range (34'). Three minutes later Frank Ribéry's attempt from the edge of the box missed the right post by inches.

FC reacted well

 But the 50,000 supporters at the 'RheinEnergieStadion' were lucky to see a good reaction from the home side. Martin Lanig passed accurately into the path of Podolski who saw Slawomir Peszko in the box. Unfortunately, the Ukrainian Anatoliy Tymoshchuk cut out the ball watchfully. Then the crowd was enraged when Bayern defender Jerome Boateng touched the ball with his arm in the area in a challenge with Peszko. Referee Florian Meyer saw no need to point at the spot (43'). Only some seconds later Podolski shot on target again but he could not test Neuer. Nevertheless, that first half performance gave hope to the supporters for the second half.

Novakovic for Jajalo

 FC were forced to strengthen the attack and Frank Schaefer brought on a new forward. Milivoje Novakovic replaced Mato Jajalo and Cologne kept the pressure up. Pezzoni played a nice ball into the feet of Peszko who crossed back to Pezzoni, but the midfielder only headed the ball against a defender. Again the crowd demanded a penalty, but referee Meyer had not seen a handball (46'). Cologne did not stop attacking and when Riether played a good ball in Podolski went down in the area. Again to Meyer's mind this was no penalty as well (49'). One minute later Podolski's set piece did not threaten the guests (50'). On the other side of the pitch Pedro Geromel underlined his good marking skills against Mario Gomez.

Two Bayern goals decided the match

 Only some seconds later Cologne was shocked. Munich combined quickly with only three touches to enter the Cologne box. Ribéry crossed dangerously Geromel reacted quicker than Gomez again but unluckily deflected the ball into the back of the net (52'). And this was not enough. FC tried to set their opponents under pressure in the guests' half but Baern were not troubled by this at all. They combined very quickly again. Ribéry saw Gomez in the middle who decisively let it go past for Robben. The Dutch international converted with class into the top left corner (54'). Of course the guests combined dominantly now and were in full control of the game. Gomez failed to convert a good Robben passing when Brecko cleared the ball off the line in the nick of time (60').

Novakovic reduced

 After the one hour mark Cologne were able to reduce. Lukas Podolski turned Tymoshchuk and found Nova with good vision who slot it home (63'). One minute later Manuel Neuer had to leave his penalty area to clear against Podolski. But Bayern Munich were not impressed by these events and went on with their dominant possession. Rensing's brilliant save denied a great shot by Ribéry (68'). On the other side Kevin McKenna reached a cross by Eichner but could not hit the target (72').

Certainty in the remainder

 Five minutes before referee Meyer's final whistle Thomas Müller doubled his tally with a spectacular back-heel goal after another lovely combination (85'). After the match the players sank to the ground of the 'RheinEnergieStadion' in bitter disappointment.

1. FC Cologne: Rensing – Brecko, Mc Kenna, Geromel, Eichner – Riether, Lanig (69' Buchtmann), Pezzoni, Peszko – Jajalo (46' Novakovic) – Podolski FC

Bayern Munich: Neuer – Lahm, Boateng, Tymoshchuk, Contento – Schweinsteiger, Kroos (69. Alaba) – Robben (75' Rafinha), Müller, Ribery (71' Badstuber) - Gomez 

goals: 0-1 T. Müller (34', Ribéry), 0-2 Geromel (52' own goal, Ribéry), 0-3 Robben (54', Kroos), 1-3 Novakovic (63', Podolski), 1-4 T. Müller (85', Rafinha)

yellow cards: Peszko - Schweinsteiger 

referee: Florian Meyer (Burgdorf) 

attendance: 50,000 (sold out)