Bayern Munich want to close the circle and reach the perfect season. The German team begins today against the Egyptian Al-Ahly (7:00 p.m.) their career in the Club World Cup, the only title that remains to equal the magical ‘sextete’ conquered by Barça in 2009. After achieving the ‘tripete’ (Cup, Bundesliga and Champions) last year and the two Super Cups at the beginning of the present, those of Hansi Flick seek to make history and become the second to win all the titles in a calendar year, although the pandemic forced the change of dates of this edition of the World Cup tournament.
“We want to face the semifinal with full motivation. The goal is to crown a great season with a sixth title, “said the Bayern coach, confirming the desire of the Bavarians to match the Barça milestone.
Such is the desire to win the Club World Cup that the players put pressure on the managing director, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, to ensure that this tournament did not fall off the calendar in this unusual year.
Bayern’s arrival in Qatar was bumpy due to a 7-hour delay in Berlin where they did not receive a special permit to take off after midnight and had to wait for Saturday morning.
Flick took 22 players with him, with the notable absences of Leon Goretzka and Javi Martínez, in quarantine after their positives for coronavirus. Despite this, it is not ruled out that both may later join the team in the event of reaching the final.
He will face an Al-Alhly who naturally assumes Teutonic favoritism, although he seeks to get the most out of it. “We have no pressure. Let’s have fun. We have nothing to lose and much to gain, ”said the African champion’s coach, Pitso Mosiname.
Al Ahly: Elshenawy; Hany, Banoun, Ashraf, Maaloul; Fahty, Al Sulaya, El Shahat, Magdy, Taher y Bwalya.
Bayern: Neuer; Pavard, Boateng, Alaba, Hernández; Kimmich, Roca; Gnabry, Müler, Coman; and Lewandowski.
Referee: Mohamed Abdallah (United Arab Emirates)
Estadio: Ahmad Bin Ali (Al Rayyan)
Start time: 7:00 p.m.