Football: World Cup flop threatens: Bayern stars “on packed suitcases”

Huge World Cup flop? Or off to a giant quarter-finals? At the start of the KO phase, FC Bayern is a self-proclaimed title candidate at the club World Cup on the crossroads between the departure and abyss. The critical starting point is best the tournament, Thomas Müller, for whom the round of 16 against CR Flamengo could already come to the last game in the jersey of the German football champion.

“The tournament is now picking up speed. And I know that such a co-round is always a game with the fire,” said the 35-year-old: “You always sit a bit on packed suitcases.” With the national team, Müller was deployed with four World Cup and EM tournaments each. And he experienced the greatest triumph, together with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Müller, new and the beautiful Brazil memories

In the legendary Maracanã stadium of Rio, the 2014 DFB selection defeated Argentina 1-0 in the final after extra time. And that after the century game before, the 7-1 in the semi -finals against hosts Brazil.

Eleven years later, on Sunday (10 p.m./Sat.1. And DAZN) in Miami for the Bayern legends Müller and Neuer again at a World Cup tournament for everything against a Brazilian team. And it will be a real challenge; Like a possible quarter-finals afterwards against Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain or Inter Miami with the now 38-year-old Lionel Messi.

All four Brazilian participants – Flamengo, Fluminense and Botafogo from Rio and Palmeiras from São Paulo – mastered the group phase. “And Flamengo is currently the best Brazilian team,” said Bayern’s sports director Christoph Freund: “You also defeated Chelsea.”

3: 1. Bayern would be met on FC Chelsea if they had not played the group victory against Benfica Lisbon (0: 1). It will certainly not be easier against Flamengo. Before the tournament, the three-time Copa liberadores winner prominently strengthened the squad with midfield ace Jorgho (33) from Arsenal.

Dollar characters in the eyes

The always fearless captain Neuer looks forward to “a highlight game”. But also one with a large fall height. As is well known, FC Bayern has traveled to the USA to play the title. And to make the big money. The dollar signs were in the eyes of the bosses. The Bundesliga crescent has already sagged almost 40 million euros. But now it is about the very fat million bonuses.

A round of 16 would be a debacle. Especially for the trainer. Especially since Vincent Kompany aimed at “bringing us into the best possible prerequisites for the next game” with his major rotation against Benfica, “as he said after the defeat:” I will agree with a positive result. ”

A negative would trigger violent discussions in order to do the quality of the squad, for sports director Max Eberl. And about the status of FC Bayern as a sporty “giant”, as Flamengo’s coach Filipe Luis Titulated.

Musiala pure – end of the experiments

Company now has to form a first tournament elf. And complete the offensive puzzle. Another ten began against Auckland (Thomas Müller), Boca Juniors (Serge Gnabry) and Benfica (Tom Bischof). The time should now be ripe for Jamal Musiala. This 90 minutes sat outside against Lisbon, although he had already “been ready”, as sports director friend reported. Musiala, Olise, Coman, Kane – this offensive quartet should be able to deliver.

During training in Orlando, the now Fitte Musiala acted as a DJ, who put the music box onto the pitch. His hooks, fines and one-on-one actions are now in demand against the Brazilians.

Company expects a passionately run game. “We saw how the South American teams live for this tournament.” The Belgian is confident of victory. He referred to the 2-1 against Boca Juniors in the group phase – also in Miami. “We survived the test against Boca well. And now there is a new test,” said Kompany.

In the Hard Rock Stadium, Flamengo fans will be significantly in the majority and shape the mood. “There will be something going on. We want such football festivals now,” said Müller. But it shouldn’t be his last.