Bayern Munich 2-0 Cologne: Bayern defeat visitors to snap two-game losing streak

Bayern Munich defeated Cologne 2-0 on Saturday, rebounding from two consecutive league losses before their Champions League return leg against Arsenal next week.

With Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen 13 points ahead and set to win their first league title with a win over Werder Bremen on Sunday, Bayern's only hope for silverware this season is the Champions League, following a 2-2 draw in the first leg in London.

They did, however, suffer a serious injury blow when winger Kingsley Coman was replaced in the 50th minute and ruled out for several weeks due to an adductor muscle injury.

"The injury of Kingsley is extremely bitter with him starting a game today after a very long time," coach Thomas Tuchel told a news conference.

"It looked extremely painful on TV and it certainly won't be enough for Wednesday (against Arsenal)."

"In quarter-final you want to have the choice options. Maybe you need to play 120 minutes. It's a big blow for us."

With five league games remaining, Bayern are second in the Bundesliga with 63 points. VfB Stuttgart, in third, joined them on 63 after a 3-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.

RB Leipzig, who defeated VfL Wolfsburg 3-0, are fourth on 56 points, ahead of Borussia Dortmund, who face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League next week.

Bayern, buoyed by their midweek performance in London, came out fighting from the start, creating a half-dozen golden opportunities, including twice hitting the crossbar through Harry Kane and Mathys Tel in a dominant first half.

Following the restart, Coman was removed clutching his right thigh. The France international had only returned two weeks ago from a nearly two-month absence due to a knee ligament injury.

"Kingsley Coman will be sidelined for several weeks," the club said in a statement.

"The attacking player suffered a muscle injury in the right adductors in the game against Cologne." The Bavarians finally broke the deadlock in the 65th minute with Raphael Guerreiro's superb curling shot from 20 metres out.

They still needed an 89th-minute save from keeper Sven Ulreich to keep the lead, but Thomas Mueller scored in stoppage time off a Cologne defensive error to seal the victory.

SportsLigue