Bayern Munich are on a dream run as they have won 13 straight games to start the 2025/26 season and now, they will be travelling to face FC Koln in a DFB Pokal fixture on Wednesday, October 29.
While the Bavarians are extremely confident ahead of the cup tie, Koln have some players who can challenge the reigning Bundesliga champions in this fixture.
One such player has to be their explosive winger Said El Mala, who is easily one of the most talked about German talents from this season.
However, it will be a tall ask from El Mala and manager Lukas Kwasniok's men as Koln haven't beaten Bayern Munich in the last 20 encounters. Their last win over the Bavarians dates back to 2011.
Despite the poor record, Bayern manager Vincent Kompany isn't ready to take this Koln team lightly as he hailed the Billy Goats and also praised El Mala's performances.
"This kid has this initial acceleration and then a second burst of speed. That surprises many defenders," Kompany told reporters ahead of the cup clash. "He can shoot from that high speed. That feeling of being inactive and then suddenly launching a full-scale counter-attack is, of course, a quality you can use throughout your entire career."
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El Mala reportedly has garnered a lot of interest from top European clubs including Bayern Munich as most of the scouts have been impressed with dynamic playing style, decision making and versatility to play in different positions.
The 19-year-old winger has netted three goals and a solitary assist from nine appearances from which he has only started two games across in his debut season in the German top division.
Why are Bayern Munich targeting Koln's El Mala?
In El Mala, Bayern Munich see a future prospect and a type of player that would suit Kompany's dynamic football philosophy.
The 19-year-old winger is seen as a long-term replacement for Serge Gnabry given his ability to play on the flank and also slot in as a number 10.
🤩 @FCKoeln_EN star Saïd El Mala has been turning heads this season! 🔥🙌#BundesligaMatchFacts | @AWSCloud | #Bundesliga pic.twitter.com/1OQYi25tk9
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) October 22, 2025
Bayern Munich aren't the only team interested in the Koln youngster, Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund are also keeping close tabs on him with plenty of other European heavyweight monitoring his progress.
El Mala featured in youth academies of Borussia Monchengladbach, TSV Meerbusch before making a mark for Viktoria Koln last season in the Germany third division, netting 13 goals and two assists from 32 appearances.
He has been extremely impressive for Koln in his debut season in the Bundesliga despite getting limited opportunities.
El Mala was exceptional for Germany at the U19 Euros earlier this year as he finished with four goals and two assists from four games and was named in the 'Team of the Tournament'.
Against Bayern Munich, the Koln youngster will get an opportunity to test his skills against a worldclass team and Kompany is wary of the danger that Kwasniok's men possess heading into the cup fixture.
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