The Peninsula
Bayern Munich are just a win away from writing a new chapter in their illustrious history as they face a spirited Tigres UANL in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020, today.
A victory at the Education City Stadium – a FIFA World Cup 2022 venue - will give the European champions such an honour that has eluded them in their entire history spanning over 120 years.
Since its inception in 1900, the most successful German club has won a record number of Bundesliga (30), Cup (20), Super Cup (9) and League Cup (6) titles along with six UEFA Champions League titles besides winning many other events.
Today’s finale, which will kick off at 9:00pm, gives them a chance of lifting their sixth crown of the season, which they haven’t done before. In fact, only FC Barcelona have achieved the feat to date after their stunning 2009 season under Pep Guardiola.
Led by coach Hans-Dieter Flick, who took charge in November 2019, Bayern have won the German Super Cup, the Bundesliga, the German Cup, the Champions League and the European Super Cup this season, and standing in their way of their record sixth title are Tigres – who have shown characteristics of a giant slayer in the tournament.
The CONCACAF Champions League winners under long time coach Ricardo Ferretti stunned Copa Libertadores Palmeiras 2-1 to become the first Mexican side to reach the final of the elite tournament.
Nevertheless, Bayern, who won their maiden CWC title in 2013, will enter the title clash as hot favourites owing to their golden run of form in which they have been victorious in 18 of their past 19 European matches. Flick’s side has also won their past seven competitive matches on neutral venues including their 2-0 victory against African champions Al Ahly in the semi-final on Monday when Robert Lewandowski’s brace fired them into the final.
European teams have dominated this tournament, and since Bayern’s title-win seven years ago not a single team from the continent has been beaten in the competition. Though the odds are heavily in Bayern’s favour, coach Flick is not taking anything for granted.
“Tigres are a very talented side. They have strong mentality and great attitude,” Flick told a virtual news conference on the eve of the final.
“I watched their semi-finals and I was very impressed with their performance. They have a lot of speed and determination. We have to be in full force against them and avail scoring opportunities. I have confidence in my team,” Flick added.
Boateng setback for Germans
Flick, however, announced yesterday the team will miss experienced central defender Jerome Boateng, who had to return home due to personal reasons.
“This has stunned us,” Flick said of the 2014 World Cup winner, who started against Al Ahly.
“Jerome came to me and asked me to return home. After a negative (COVID-19) test he will return home and not be available until further notice.”
Today, Bayern captain Manuel Neuer – the Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper – also faces a task of keeping Bayern’s clean sheet as his side has not conceded a single goal from their three games in the tournament.
Neuer’s biggest challenge will be to hold Frenchman André-Pierre Gignac, who scored all the three goals for Tigres in Qatar.
“Gignac isn’t the only player. It will depend on the overall performance. Gignac also benefits from the strong wingers. We have to keep him out of the box and prevent Tigres from getting the chances,” Neuer said yesterday.
Bayern Munich not invincible, says Ferretti
Meanwhile, Brazilian-born Ferretti looked confident as he spoke to media yesterday, hoping for Tigres to give a strong show against the favourites.
“By statistics, Bayern are a winning team, but it does not mean that they are invincible. They have lost like we have lost, they have won like us, they are a solid team like us,” said Ferretti, who has coached the side to five domestic league titles in recent years.
“Naturally we always think we must do things well when we play against a great team. We have the quality and we must put a team effort. I hope my team will give a top display in the final.”
Tigres captain Guido Pizarro said: “We will do our best against a top side. We want to win the tournament. “
Palmeiras seek consolation win against Al Ahly
Before the final, Palmeiras and Al Ahly will square off in the third position play-off at 6:00pm at the same venue. Palmeiras were expected to meet Bayern in the final but a shock semi-final defeat relegated them to the third place play-off.
Coach Abel Ferreira said: "We will fight for third place. It was not what we wanted, but it is what we will fight for. Our goal is to play from start to finish, as it was against Tigres."
Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane said: “We have faith in all our players, and we have to deal with the fact that Mahmoud Kahraba and El Shahaat won’t be able to play. However, I understand that their actions were not intentional.”