Sizzling Defeat for Bayern: FCB Fall Short in Club World Cup Clash Against Benfica
FCB Suffers Goal Drought: Bayern Munich Fails to Score
After securing a spot in the round of 16, Vincent Kompany decides to rest his star players against Benfica Lisbon initially. This move has its consequences.
By Amos J. Smith
Charlotte - Under the scorching heat of Charlotte, a heavily rotated FC Bayern misses out on the group stage victory in the Club World Cup, losing 0:1 (0:1) to Benfica Lisbon. Even with top talent like Harry Kane, Joshua Kimmich, or Michael Olise entering the game in the second half, Bayern couldn't turn things around.
Here's the lowdown:
- FC Bayern loses 0:1 to Benfica Lisbon
- Andreas Schjelderup scores the game-winning goal in the 13th minute
- Bayern squanders opportunities in front of 33,287 fans
- Kompany makes seven changes to the starting lineup
- FC Bayern faces Flamengo in the quarterfinals
AI-generated summary of the article:
Andreas Schjelderup secures the win for Portugal's record champions in the 13th minute.
The German football champion failed to capitalize on their chances in front of 33,287 spectators. A goal from Kimmich was disallowed (61'), and Konrad Laimer's shot hit the post (66'). Instead of playing in the round of 16 once again against FC Chelsea or Africa's Esperance Tunis, Bayern will take on Brazil's Flamengo in Miami the following day.
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Upcoming challenges for the Bundesliga champions:
Kompany's decisions: Seven changes in the starting lineup
"It's going to be a tad unusual," Kompany noted pre-game, considering the sweltering afternoon heat in the state of North Carolina and the unappealing artificial turf. The Belgian coach leaned on the energy of fresh players and rested his best.
Kompany made seven changes to the starting lineup, offering Thomas Müller, Leroy Sané, João Palhinha, and new acquisition Tom Bischof, who played as a number ten, their Bayern debuts. The 19-year-old, fresh from TSG Hoffenheim, had a few promising moments but didn't make much of an impact.
Regulars like Kane, Kimmich, Olise, Jonathan Tah, and Kingsley Coman stayed in the air-conditioned catacombs of the "Bank of America Stadium" until just before halftime.
Bayern steps up its game after the break
What played out on the screens from their colleagues was less impressive ball possession and a reduced playing tempo. Benfica relied on counters and was more purposeful in their offensive actions, with Argentine sensation Ángel Di María leading the charge.
The veteran Argentine made Neuer save a low shot (9'), and he set up Schjelderup's opening goal, which Neuer couldn't thwart. Dayot Upamecano had to prevent a potential 0:2 deficit with a fine tackle against Benfica forward Evangelos Pavlidis (18').
Bayern's first excellent goalscoring opportunity came after the drinks break, but Sané shot well over the goal (44'). Kompany made adjustments at halftime, bringing on Kimmich, Olise, and Kane. This infused Bayern's game with more speed, but Sané still couldn't score after an outstanding pass from Kimmich, being denied by the keeper (51').
The new holding midfielder had to intervene once more against Kerem Aktuğlu (56.). Otherwise, Bayern kept pressing for the equalizer, which Kimmich ultimately scored. However, Kane was offside when he shot, rendering the goal invalid.
Photo: Paul ELLIS/AFP
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- Transfer rumors: Urbich as the backup goalkeeper for Bayern
- Müller's future at Bayern still uncertain: Offered to this MLS club
- Poaching from BVB? Bayern targets Manchester City star Jamie Gittens once more
Insights:
- Kompany made seven changes to the starting lineup, choosing to give several players their Bayern debuts[1]. The large number of changes appeared to affect Bayern's cohesion and performance, as their first half was described as "sloppy," indicating that the adaptation of new players into the team on the pitch was not smooth[1].
- Manuel Neuer remained critical in goal, making several saves to keep Bayern in the game[1].
- Despite Neuer's efforts, Bayern conceded in the 13th minute. Benfica's Frederik Aursnes crossed from the byline, and Norwegian winger Andreas Schjelderup finished with a first-time shot into the bottom corner[1].
- Bayern's inability to adequately deal with Benfica’s attacking threats and the team’s lack of rhythm contributed to a subpar first-half performance, which was a key factor in the outcome of the match[1].
- In the face of a rotated Bayern team, European-leagues underdog Benfica took advantage, seizing the Premier-league star Kane's missed opportunity to clinch a 0:1 victory in the Club World Cup against the German titans.
- Undeterred by the initial setback, FC Bayern will shift their focus to the Premier-league and the European-leagues, preparing to confront rivals Flamengo in the quarterfinals, hoping to redeem their missed Club World Cup opportunities.
