Soon after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Hertha Berlin under heavy snowfall on Friday, Bayern Munich rushed to the airport to catch plane to Doha. The wish for a timely take off was delayed by more than seven hours which meant the arrival of the world’s premier football squad in Doha was also impacted.
Though the Bavarians were visibly upset with the delay in take off and postponed arrival in Doha, the players and backroom of Bayern Munich wasted little time in hitting the training pitch in sunny conditions in the Qatari capital yesterday.
The motivation behind all this desperate effort by the reigning European champions – seeking to clinch the FIFA Club World Cup 2020 trophy – is understandable. If they win the title in Qatar, it will be a record-equaling sixth crown in a single season. Only Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona achieved the feat in 2009.
The first obstacle for the Hans-Dieter Flick’s side in their title bid will be African champions Al Ahly as the two teams clash in the second semi-final at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, scheduled to kick off at 9:00pm today.
Flick, whose team won the German Super Cup, the Bundesliga, the German Cup, the Champions League and the European Super Cup this season, was confident that his players will continue their brilliant run to make history for Germany’s most successful club.
“Our aim is to win this competition. We know that it’s considered as something of a burden but we are motivated and we want to cap off an outstanding year with a sixth title!” Flick told a video conference yesterday.
Coached by South African Pitso Mosimane, Egyptian giants Al Ahly defeated Qatari champions Al Duhail 1-0 to book clash with Bayern Munich. The victory extended the nine-time African champions unbeaten streak to 32 competitive matches, and Bayern Munich coach yesterday showed high respect for The Red Eagles.
“Ahly is a big team and they want to put on a spirited display, as they always change their tactics in the front-line, making use of their two wingers,” said Flick.
“First we have to play the semi-finals, which we are sure to go into as favourites. We know that they are a strong team, they are the FC Bayern of Egypt and are on a long run of unbeaten games. The Champions League winner though is the favourite in the tournament. We want to live up to this role,” he added.
Bayern Munich’s defensive midfielder Joshua Kimmich also termed Al Ahly as tough opponents but said his team will go all out for victory.
“They are the Bayern Munich of Egypt as they have played a great number of games without defeat, but the UEFA Champions League winners are the teams most likely to claim the title,” said Kimmich.
The Bavarians, who won their last Club World Cup title in 2013, boast the top footballers of the world including Robert Lewandowski – the Best FIFA Men’s Player and Manuel Neuer - the Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper. They also have centre back Jerome Boateng and attacking midfielder Thomas Muller besides Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sané, Alphonso Davies and Kimmich regarded as world’s best young talent.
Lewandowski, who missed a penalty against Hertha Berlin though the Bavarians went 10 points clear in the Bundesliga after the win, will be desperate to score against Al Ahli today, but the Mosimane-coached side is relishing the big challenge.
“You have to enjoy everything that you do. We play football to enjoy it and be successful at it. Also, we are fully aware of how excited our fans are for this game,” Al Ahly coach Mosimane said yesterday.
“I believe in my team and I have faith in them. However, I know that my players do mistakes and so does the players of FC Bayern Munich. This is football all over the world,” he added.
Al Ahly captain Mohamed El Shenawy believed the Egyptians have the ability to pull off a shocker against Bayern Munich.
“Our game against FC Bayern Munich will not be easy, but we are the African champions. The players are ready for this historic game and we are keen to show a great performance in the match, in a way that suit Al Ahly’s prestigious value,” he said.
“We are following a special program to prepare for this game and we respect all our opponents,” the Egyptian goalkeeper added.
