Berlin (AFP)

Bayern Munich have their first Bundesliga victory: the "Rekordmeister" struggled to dominate Cologne 3-2 on Sunday after a game of twists and turns, on the second day of the championship dominated by Wolfsburg, the only team with two victories.

After their opening draw against Mönchengladbach, Bayern had to win this home meeting against Cologne, failing to convince in the game and thus take advantage of the defeat on Saturday of Borussia Dortmund, trapped by Freiburg (2-1) .

Friborg players celebrate Roland Sallai's goal against Dortmund, August 21, 2021 in Friborg Thomas KIENZLE AFP

After a tasteless first period, the match was packed, with Bayern taking two goals in advance thanks to Lewandowski (50th) and Gnabry (59th), before Modeste (60th) and Uth (62nd) put the teams in a tie. in less than three minutes.

Gnabry then did it again (71st) to allow his team to take the three points.

Bayern, winner of the German Supercup on Tuesday against Dortmund, is back at the foot of the podium, among a group of four teams with four points, with Hoffenheim, Bayer Leverkusen and Friborg.

Earlier in the day, Hoffenheim missed the opportunity to take the lead, hanging at home against Union Berlin 2-2, but remains in ambush, second two lengths from Wolfsburg, intractable with six points in two matches.

Lukas Nmecha, author of Wolfsburg's second goal against Hertha, August 21, 2021 in Berlin John MACDOUGALL AFP

Hertha Berlin, the only team to have yet to score a single point, brings up the rear.

- Tribute to Gerd Müller -

How sluggish it was at the Allianz Arena!

If the stadium had not been so full since March 8, 2020, with a sanitary gauge allowing the presence of 20,000 spectators due to stricter sanitary measures in Bavaria, the Munich public would surely have dreamed of a better return.

Before the match, a tribute was paid to the legendary German striker Gerd Müller, icon of Bayern and Mannschaft who died last Sunday at the age of 75.

A portrait of legendary Bayern Munich striker Gerd Mueller is projected on a giant screen ahead of the Bundesliga match against Cologne on August 22, 2021 at the Allianz Arena, in tribute to the former striker, who died on August 15 CHRISTOF STACHE AFP

Bayern boss Herbert Hainer and his predecessor Uli Hoeness notably read texts in his honor, a black banner was displayed in the "Südkurve", before a minute of applause for the "Bomber der Nation".

But once the whistle blows, almost nothing to do in the first period.

Imprecision, lack of intensity, little movement ... Bayern seemed without ideas despite control of the ball, Cologne containing the few frank incursions of Munich before attempting counter-attacks.

It was not until the second half that the game got carried away, with changes that paid off at half-time by Julian Nagelsmann.

Whistled by his own audience, Leroy Sané gave way to the 18-year-old German neo-international Jamal Musiala, while Tanguy Nianzou was replaced by Josip Stanisic.

- Decisive Musiala -

And it is from the fiery legs of Musiala, the new hope of German football, that the light has come.

After a slalom on the left wing, along the goal line, he served Robert Lewandowski, who scored his second goal this season (50th).

The joy of Polish Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski after opening the scoring at home against Cologne in the Bundesliga on August 22, 2021 at the Allianz Arena Christof STACHE AFP

We thought Bayern launched towards its first victory after Serge Gnabry's second goal after a cross from Müller (59th).

Less than a minute later, the Frenchman Anthony Modeste put his team back in the game with a powerful header (60th), before Mark Uth put the two teams back on an equal footing (62).

A good half-volley from Gnabry at the right angle of the surface (71st) ensured the victory for the Munich.

The joy of Bayern Munich midfielder Serge Gnabry after scoring the 3rd goal against Cologne in the Bundesliga, on August 22, 2021 at the Allianz Arena Christof STACHE AFP

But with already three goals conceded in as many official matches, and the departure of several executives (Alaba, Boateng and Martinez), the defense of Bayern may be the priority site for Nagelsmann in the coming weeks.

© 2021 AFP