FC Koln 1-2 Bayern Munich: Player Ratings as Die Roten Made to Work for Victory

Bayern Munich moved to the top of the Bundesliga table as they held off FC Koln 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.

The treble winners got off to the perfect start as Thomas Muller converted brilliantly from the spot to give the visitors an early lead, before a comfortable first half was rounded off with a second through Serge Gnabry.

Koln, however, were able to set up a grandstand finish against the run of play as Dominick Drexler rather fortuitously halved the deficit with ten minutes remaining. The hosts, though, failed to test Neuer in the dying embers as Bayern secured their eighth win on the bounce in all competitions.

Let's get into some Die Roten player ratings.

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Bouna Sarr (C) looked assured at left-back / MARIUS BECKER/Getty Images

Manuel Neuer (GK) - 6/10 - Could do little to prevent Drexler's deflection from finding the back of the net. His highlight, otherwise, was a sliding challenge to cut out a Jerome Boateng hospital pass in the opening period.

Benjamin Pavard (RB) - 7/10 - Had a tricky assignment in the form of Ismail Jakobs but stuck to his task well. Technique in possession laid bare again but had minimal influence in the final third as dealing with the threat of Jakobs was the priority.

Niklas Sule (CB) - 7/10 - Overcame the odd unconvincing sequence early to enjoy a fine afternoon. Saw plenty of the ball as Bayern monopolised possession, often delivering line-splitting passes and penetrating via determined but sensible ball carries.

Jerome Boateng (CB) - 6/10 - Had some sloppy moments with the ball but was pretty comfortable on the whole.

Bouna Sarr (LB) - 8/10 - An impressive outing for the summer signing. Adhered to Hansi Flick's positional play with his movements and runs down the left. Positioning was perfect at transitions.

2. Midfielders

Another dominant showing from Joshua Kimmich / Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images

Joshua Kimmich (CM) - 8/10 - Imperious once more in the middle of the park as he dominated the second phase. It was his perfectly-timed sliding tackle in his own third which kickstarted the transition for Bayern's second. Just special.

Javi Martinez (CM) - 7/10 - Appeared in total control alongside Kimmich in midfield. Brought off in the latter stages after an assured showing.

Thomas Muller (AM) - 6/10 - Converted from the spot in the absence of a prolific Pole and typically raumdeutered his way through this contest. Did struggle to retain possession in tight spaces at times, however.

3. Forwards

Serge Gnabry handed the visitors a 2-0 lead just before the break / Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images

Leroy Sane (RW) - 4/10 - A poor outing for the summer arrival who looked like he was trying too hard to impress. Dropped too deep to receive possession on occasions - which saw him dispossessed in dangerous zones - and failed to have an impact in the final third.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (ST) - 5/10 - With Lewandowski handed a breather, the former Stoke icon was given a chance to impress on Saturday afternoon. Did he? No.

Serge Gnabry (LW) - 7/10 - Perhaps more fluid than usual with his positioning as he drifted between both flanks throughout. It was from the right where he cut inside and showed off his supreme two-footedness with a routine - by his standards - left-foot finish to round off a swift Bayern counter.

4. Substitutes

David Alaba entered the fray late on in the contest / Adam Pretty/Getty Images

Joshua Zirkzee - 5/10
Douglas Costa - 5/10
David Alaba - N/A
Marc Roca - N/A