Robert Lewandowski was rested on Saturday and Bayern Munich got by without him as they beat Cologne 2-1 away from home.

Thomas Muller and Serge Gnabry were decisive as Bayern Munich secured an unspectacular 2-1 win over Cologne in the absence of Robert Lewandowski on Saturday.

Talismanic striker Lewandowski, like Leon Goretzka, was afforded a rest by coach Hansi Flick and Cologne were unable to take advantage as Bayern clinched an 12th win in 13 games against the Billy Goats.

Muller opened the scoring early on with a penalty won by Gnabry, who then made it 2-0 just before the interval with a lovely effort.

Although Bayern were by no means at their rampant best and seemingly played within themselves, they just about did enough to claim the victory, Cologne pulling one back through Dominick Drexler.