FC Bayern won five trophies in the 2020 calendar year - now the record champions are hoping to finish off the most successful year in club history with a sixth title at the FIFA Club World Cup, two months on. FCB won the Intercontinental Cup in 1976 and 2001, the predecessor competition to the FIFA Club World Cup, and in 2013 the great triumph was achieved in Morocco. fcbayern.com looks back at the 2013 tournament.
Last title mission of the year
After winning the treble under coach Jupp Heynckes, Bayern went on to win the European Supercup with his successor Pep Guardiola. Europa League winners FC Chelsea were defeated 7-6 on penalties in Prague, and in mid-December FCB set off for the FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco with four trophies already to their name. "We want to get what we're missing this year," said CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge before leaving for the final title mission of the year.
Semi-final against Guangzhou Evergrande
The first stop for the Munich team, who had to do without the injured Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Holger Badstuber on the last trip of the year, was the coastal city of Agadir, for the semi-final against Asian Champions League winners Guangzhou Evergrande. The Chinese champions, led by Italian World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi, made it to the semi-finals of the year's edition with a 2-0 win against African representatives Al Ahly, who FCB will meet on Monday (19:00 CET) in the semi-finals of this year's edition.
FCB celebrate clear victory
In front of 27,311 enthusiastic spectators at the Agadir Stadium, the superior Munich team gave their opponents no chance and won 3-0 (2-0). A double strike from Franck Ribéry (40) and Mario Mandžukić (44) put Bayern on course for the final shortly before half-time, before Mario Götze (47) ensured the win immediately after the restart. The woodwork prevented a higher winning margin, as FCB hit the post and crossbar five times!.
Guardiola aiming for third Club World Cup success
"Congratulations to my team. They deserve to be in the final. We played very sensibly. I'm very satisfied and happy for my players and the club," said Guardiola, who had previously triumphed twice at the FIFA Club World Cup as FC Barcelona coach (2009, 2011). "This tournament is something special, we really wanted to get to the final. Now we want to win the title," added captain Philipp Lahm after progressing to the final in Marrakech.
Hosts Casablanca waiting in the final
Contrary to expectations, FC Bayern faced Raja Casablanca in the final. The Moroccan hosts had prevailed against Auckland City FC (2-1) and Monterrey (2-1 aet) before a surprise 3-1 win in their semifinal against Copa Libertadores winners Atletico Mineiro with their superstar Ronaldinho. "The whole country will be behind them, everyone will support them. That's why it's a difficult task for us," warned Lahm before the final.
The best team in the world for the third time
In front of 37,774 spectators in the Marrakech stadium, Dante (7) and newcomer Thiago (22) capitalised on Bayern's early dominance. Despite the frenetic cheers from the local crowd, the Moroccan champions were unable to threaten Bayern, who were superior in all respects. Exactly 37 years after their first victory in the Intercontinental Cup, FCB crowned themselves the best club team in the world for the third time after 1976 and 2001.
FC Bayern round off year of superlatives
The joy in the Munich camp after winning the title was as expected. "I'd say, it couldn't be better! There isn't a better title," said Rummenigge about a "year of superlatives". "Five titles in one year is a great success for FC Bayern," said Guardiola. “To win another title at the end of such a brilliant year and this one too - unbelievable!" explained Lahm. And for Thomas Müller it was "a perfect end" and "the reward for the excellent year we played".
Can Bayern repeat this success? Here's all the information about this year's FIFA Club World Cup:
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