FC Bayern come up against 35-time Argentinian champions Boca Juniors in their second group match of the Club World Cup in Miami overnight on Friday (live text from 3:00 CEST and 21:00 local time on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app). We’ve put together all the key information for you in our preview.
The photos from Friday’s final training session:
Latest news from Bayern
Bayern kicked off the tournament with a convincing 10-0 win over Auckland City in Cincinnati last Sunday – now the German record champions face a hardest test, though. “It’s going to be a physical game, they have some quality players,” said Harry Kane ahead of the meeting with Boca. “We need to be ready for a fight, it’s an important match for us.” Head coach Vincent Kompany stated in his pre-match press conference: “There are going to be emotions and it will feel a bit like an away match. We want to show the right emotions.”
In preparation for the opponents, Kompany watched the Argentinian side’s opener against Benfica in Miami in the stadium. “We were also able to grasp a bit from the stadium and the atmosphere,” explained the 39-year-old. “This is good information. The most important information, however, is when I look the players in the eyes on matchday and see that they’re 100 percent up for it.” Bayern can already book their place in the round of 16 with a victory against Boca. “We’re in the tournament now and want to win every match, that’s our aspiration,” added Kompany. “We know the quality of the tournament. Every team here is a winning team.”
Watch the pre-match press conference with Vincent Kompany in full:
Opponents: Boca Juniors
Four goals and three red cards: Boca Juniors’ first outing against Benfica was certainly lively. Even though the Argentinians had to settle for a point (2-2) having led 2-0, coach Miguel Russo was pleased with their start to the tournament: “There are lots of things I liked,” stated the 69-year-old. His team showed they can hold their own at the Club World Cup and be well organised.
Nevertheless, Russo acknowledged his side aren’t favourites against Bayern: “The gap to the European clubs, at least for the Argentinians, is still big.” His charges will try to counter that with a “physical game”, though. Kompany also warned: “They’re a very dangerous team in transition and they believe in their chances. The team spirit is good. They also have the quality, they’re a very good team. We have respect for Boca, but we’re focusing on ourselves and want to bring our qualities into play”
A more in-depth analysis of our opponents:
Match facts
- FC Bayern and Boca Juniors have met just once before: in 2001, the German record champions claimed the Intercontinental Cup for the second time in the club’s history thanks to Samuel Kuffour’s winner in extra time.
- As well as that defeat in 2001, Boca also came up against German opposition in the final of the 1977 Intercontinental Cup. After a 2-2 draw in the first leg against Borussia Mönchengladbach, the Xeneize triumphed with a 3-0 win in the second leg.
- Bayern’s 10-0 thrashing of Auckland City in their opening match was the biggest win in the history of the FIFA Club World Cup (including the previous formats). It was the sixth time that the Reds have won a competitive game at professional level by 10 or more goals.
Stay on the ball with Bayern at the Club World Cup in our live blog:
Team news
Apart from Minjae Kim, Kompany has a full squad at his disposal for the second group fixture.
Boca are without the suspended Ander Herrera and Nicolas Figal, who were both sent off in the first match against Benfica.
All FIFA Club World Cup matches are being broadcast live and for free by streaming service DAZN, although broadcasters will differ in some countries.
Topics of this article