With their 2-2 draw on the final Bundesliga match day, Borussia Dortmund remain winless against Cologne since the Billy Goats' promotion in 2014.
With next weekend's DFB Pokal final looming, Dortmund are now on a run of two games without a win, despite enjoying nearly 80 percent ball possession in each match.
Thomas Tuchel said on Friday that the Cologne game was "not a dress rehearsal for the cup match," but their form is not ideal, even if Bayern are hardly likely to be as ultra-defensive as Eintracht Frankfurt and Cologne were.
Ultimately, though, Dortmund have played their second-best Bundesliga season in club history, finishing on 78 points. With 82 goals, they also set a new club record, but as the saying goes: "Defence wins the championship".
Player ratings (1-10; 10=best; players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Roman Burki, 9 -- There was not much Burki could do about either of Cologne's goals. In the second half he pulled off two wondrous saves to keep his team in the match.
DF Sven Bender, 4 -- Played on the right-back position in Dortmund's back three. Unfortunately for him, he prompted Cologne's equaliser with a clumsy pass. Possession football is not for everyone. Bender was taken off at half-time.
DF Sokratis Papastathopoulos, 5 -- He was the deepest player in Dortmund's formation, almost bringing back the outdated "libero" (sweeper) role.
DF Mats Hummels, 5 -- The captain's lack of pace really showed when Marcel Risse breezed past him ahead of Cologne's equaliser. There were no Hollywood passes from the Bayern Munich-bound defender in this match. Hummels didn't get as hostile a reception as in the previous home match, apart from a few whistles at the beginning of the match.
MF Julian Weigl, 6 -- "An impressive 201 touches," stadium announcer Nobby Dickel told the 81,539 spectators when Weigl was subbed off after 83 minutes. However, one key pass -- as recorded by whoscored.com -- wasn't enough to for Weigl to help his team create chances from midfield.
MF Gonzalo Castro, 6 -- His beautiful shot right into the top left corner from distance after 11 minutes created a lot of false hope. Castro left much to be desired after his magnificent strike, playing too many imprecise and hasty passes. Going by Castro's overall performance, it becomes clear why Dortmund have to find a replacement for Ilkay Gundogan if he is to leave.
MF Shinji Kagawa, 4 -- Just before the hour mark, Tuchel had already seen enough of Kagawa. The Japan international had a tough time against Cologne's midfield and could not unleash his creative spark.
MF Marco Reus, 6 -- Reus struggled to create momentum on the left side. He converted Dortmund's first direct free kick since the final match day of the 2013-14 season, which was the definite highlight of his afternoon.
MF Marcel Schmelzer, 5 -- Tuchel deployed the left-back as a left winger, freeing him from defensive duties. Schmelzer picked up his fifth assist of the season.
MF Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 3 -- The Gabonese striker had to switch to the right side for Adrian Ramos' sake. It's questionable whether Tuchel will opt for the same tactical setting against opponents playing with a back five any time soon. He managed just one shot, which sums up everything.
FW Adrian Ramos, 3 -- The striker did very little to create chances for his teammates, and simply has to do better.
Substitutes
DF Matthias Ginter, 6 -- Ginter played right-back in the second half but, like Schmelzer, he was mostly to be found up front. The 22-year-old couldn't contribute much with the width he provided.
MF Moritz Leitner, 4 -- Replaced Kagawa after 58 minutes, but was just as disappointing as his predecessor.
MF Erik Durm, N/R -- Came on five minutes before the end.