"Feeling the BVB Heat?" Thomas Müller Laughs Off Criticism After FC Bayern's Club World Cup Setback
Criticisms directed at Thomas Müller met with his humorous attempts to mock BVB
After FC Bayern's disappointing 1-0 loss to Benfica in the Club World Cup group stage, Thomas Müller showed off his quick wit, using humor to counter the mounting criticism. In a surprising yet humorous remark, Müller quipped, "Guess we're playing like Dortmund now, huh?" hinting at the heated rivalry between his team and Borussia Dortmund, their Bundesliga foe[3][5].
Despite the loss, Müller emphasized that the team remained focused and determined. "We're spot-on and eager to win," assured the Bayern veteran, despite the seven substitutions made by coach Vincent Kompany due to the scorching heat in Charlotte[1].
Nonetheless, Müller and veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer expressed optimism as they gear up for the round of 16 match against Flamengo on Sunday (22:00 CET/Sat.1, DAZN, and live ticker on ntv.de). "This tourney's got fire, but I'm confident we'll make it far," said Müller, mentioning that, as group winners, they would have faced a potential challenge from Chelsea in Charlotte[2].
Captain Neuer also voiced his positivity, despite the team's first tournament loss and the possibility of facing Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain. "If we keep playing like we did in the second half, this'll be quite the tournament," he declared. Expecting more tough battles ahead, Neuer stated, "We're made for these big games, and we'll rake 'em in"[2].
Müller even recalled a nerve-wracking moment from their 2014 World Cup victory, referencing the tight Algeria game where they barely squeezed through the next round against an underrated opponent[2]. Every successful team endures moments of stress and less-than-stellar play[2].
Kompany defended his extensive rotation in the starting lineup, ensuring that only top players like Joshua Kimmich, Harry Kane, and Michael Olise received limited playing time in the second half. The team's performance improved significantly with the substitutions but failed to locate the net[1]. Kompany justified his decision, stating that he aims to keep the players fresh and energized for the upcoming match against Flamengo, with the goal being to claim the tournament victory[1].
Sources: ntv.de, ara/dpa
- FC Bayern Munich
- Club World Cup 2025
- Thomas Müller
- Manuel Neuer
- Vincent Kompany
- Football
"Thomas Müller lightly teased the intense rivalry with Borussia Dortmund by saying, 'Guess we're playing like Dortmund now, huh?' This comment was made in the context of FC Bayern's Club World Cup match against Benfica."
"As the tournament progresses, FC Bayern veteran Thomas Müller expressed his confidence in the team, stating that they are 'made for these big games, and we'll rake 'em in.'"
