🇩🇪 Late Kimmich stunner saves Bayern but gap closes at the top | OneFootball

A long-range rocket from Joshua Kimmich earned a last-gasp point for Bayern Munich, who remain winless so far in 2023.

Scorers: Kimmich 90‘; Skhiri 4′.

The Allianz Arena welcomed Bundesliga football back for the first time in 2023 but the home faithful were caught cold in the fourth minute when Florian Kainz’s corner was flicked on to the back post for Ellyes Skhiri to force over the line to give Köln the lead.

Bayern almost responded instantly when a well worked move earned some space for a Serge Gnabry shot inside the box but Köln shot-stopper Schwäbe was down to keep out his effort.

The visitors held their lead through the first half with Julian Nagelsmann responding by bringing Kingsley Coman and Ryan Gravenberch from the bench at half time.

The champions dominated proceedings from there on but Schwäbe was on hand to keep Nagelsmann’s side at bay.

His finger-tip save denied Matthijs de Ligt’s powerful long-range effort before he had to be alert to keep out an effort from Coman.

Thomas Müller, another introduction, from the bench was then left bewildered when his header from six-yards out was flicked over the bar by the 27-year-old keeper in the last 10 minutes.

It seemed inevitable that the pressure would inevitably tell and so it did in the last minute of the game when Joshua Kimmich picked the ball up around 30 yards out and blasted into the top corner to leave Schwäbe, for once, helpless.

That goal wasn’t enough for a win but Bayern remain top of the league, four points clear of RB Leipzig who won 6-1 away from home earlier on in the evening.

Elsewhere

Wednesday’s fixtures

Mainz v Borussia Dortmund

Augsburg v Borussia Mönchengladbach

Bayer Leverkusen v Bochum

Frieburg v Eintracht Frankfurt

Werder Bremen v Union Berlin