Football Showdown in Miami
Bayern players arrested with luggage containing suspected stolen goods
Are Bayern Munich about to crash out in the Club World Cup or will they conquer glory? The Bavarian heavyweights, who fancy themselves as title contenders, stand on the precipice, teetering between triumph and disaster. Thomas Müller, the seasoned tournament veteran, shares their precarious predicament. With their round of 16 clash against CR Flamengo looming, this might just be Müller's swan song in the Bayern jersey.
"The tournament is gaining intensity," stated the 35-year-old: "A knockout round game is always one with fire." Packed bags, Müller knows all too well - he's been to four World Cups and four European Championships with the national team. And his crowning achievement, along with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, came in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where they defeated Argentina 1:0 in extra time in the 2014 World Cup Final.
Müller, Neuer, and the Beauty of Brazil
Eleven years later, Bayern legends Müller and Neuer face a Brazilian team in a Club World Cup tournament on Saturday (22:00 CET/Sat.1 and DAZN). It's a challenge, as daunting as a potential quarter-final against Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain or Inter Miami, now boasting the 38-year-old Lionel Messi.
All four Brazilian teams - Flamengo, Fluminense, and Botafogo from Rio, along with Palmeiras from São Paulo - have made it through the group stage. "And Flamengo is currently the best Brazilian team," said Bayern's sporting director Christoph Freund: "They also got past Chelsea." With a 3:1 victory. Bayern could have faced FC Chelsea had they not squandered the group win against Benfica Lisbon (0:1). It won't be easy against Flamengo, either. Before the tournament, the three-time Copa Libertadores winner bolstered its squad with midfield ace Jorginho (33) from Arsenal.
Dollar Dreams
Unfazed captain Neuer is looking forward to this "highlight game." But it's also a risky one. Money-hungry Bayern traveled to the USA with dreams of pocketing millions. The Bundesliga behemoth already has 40 million euros in prize money. But now they're after the real big money. A premature exit in the round of 16 would be disastrous. Especially for the coach. Especially since Vincent Kompany's heavy rotation against Benfica was supposed to set them up for the next game. "It was about putting us in the best possible position for the next match," he said after the defeat. "A positive result will prove me right."
A negative outcome could spark heated debates, about the coach, the quality of the squad, sporting director Max Eberl, and Bayern's status as a "giant," as Flamengo's coach Filipe Luis described them.
Musiala's Time to Shine
With a fully fit Musiala back in action, Kompany now has to field a first tournament team and solve the offensive conundrum. Each group stage match featured a different number 10: against Auckland City (Müller), Boca Juniors (Serge Gnabry), and Benfica Lisbon (Tom Bischof). Now might be the perfect time for Jamal Musiala to take center stage. Against Lisbon, he sat on the bench despite being "ready," according to sporting director Freund. Musiala, Olise, Coman, Kane - this offensive quartet could be pivotal.
During training in Orlando, the reinvigorated Musiala spun the music disc onto the pitch, DJ style. Against the Brazilians, his nimble footwork, urgent drives, and quick-fire counter-attacks will be crucial.
Kompany expects a fiercely competitive match. "We've witnessed how South American teams live for this tournament." The Belgian is confident of victory. He referenced their 2-1 win against Boca Juniors in the group stage - also in Miami. "We aced the Boca test. And now comes another test," declared Kompany.
In the Hard Rock Stadium, Flamengo fans will dominate the atmosphere. "It's going to be quite the spectacle," said Müller. But it won't be his last dance.
"The Club World Cup encounter against Flamengo promises to be as thrilling as a European league match, given Bayern Munich's participation and Flamengo's current form," Müller noted, echoing the sentiment that the tournament is just as significant as any premier-league showdown.
"Bayern's objective in the Club World Cup extends beyond the prize money; a premature exit could question their status as a European giant, much like Flamengo's coach Filipe Luis described them," Neuer added, highlighting the impact of the tournament on the team's reputation.
