Bundesliga Matchday 7: Modeste on fire and Bayern drop points

Following Borussia Dortmund and Hertha BSC both earning a point apiece in Friday’s Bundesliga fixture, Cologne had the chance to move up to second with a win over Ingolstadt, which they did so in impressive fashion.

Cologne need to be taken seriously

With the goal of avoiding relegation following their promotion to the Bundesliga in 2014, Cologne have gone from strength to strength which is down to one man, Peter Stöger.

After recording their best ever finish in 24 years, Cologne finished ninth last campaign, where they beat clubs such as Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen. Their downfall was drawing or losing to clubs around them, such as Darmstadt and Ingolstadt.

This season however is totally different. Managing just a draw against Ingolstadt last season, Cologne looked in control from the off against the visitors on Saturday afternoon. Anthony Modeste’s two goals propelled the club into second, their best start to a Bundesliga season since 1989.

If Stöger can keep his key players fit, then Cologne do have a chance of qualifying for Europe this season. Something they haven’t achieved since 1996 when they featured in the Intertoto Cup.

Modeste is on fire

Finding the net just 38 times in 34 Bundesliga matches last season, it looked as though Cologne may have trouble finding the goal this season too after Stöger brought in just Artjoms Rudņevs to ease the burden on Modeste.

Now, scoring 12 goals in seven games, Cologne are finally starting to score from all areas of the pitch, with Yuya Osako now chipping in. If you asked Modeste if he would be sitting top scorer in the Bundesliga after seven games, he would have probably laughed – but, that’s where he is ahead of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Robert Lewandsowki and Javier Hernandez.

Seven goals in seven games and a brace against Ingolstadt, the Frenchman is the man in form following his move from Hoffenheim last season.

Bayern look beatable

Ever since Pep Guardiola left Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga champions have looked beatable in what is their transition stage. Playing much deeper under Carlo Ancelotti, we’re now seeing a lot more Bundesliga clubs attack against Bayern, and sometimes coming close to earning a result – just as Cologne did on matchday six.

Stöger’s side were the first team this season to take points off Bayern, earning a 1-1 draw at the Allianz Arena, whilst Hamburger SV and Schalke also came close to getting a point.

Despite taking the lead against Eintracht Frankfurt on two occasions, Bayern Munich could only manage a draw against Niko Kovac’s side, with both goals coming from very poor defending.

If it hadn’t have been for Jerome Boateng and Manuel Neuer saving Bayern on a number of occasions – including a clearance off the line – then this could have given Ancelotti his first Bundesliga defeat of the season.

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