Jonathan Tah expects 'different kind of football' against Flamengo

Jonathan Tah has played 212 minutes so far at the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA, completing the full 90 against both Auckland (10-0) and Boca Juniors (2-1) before coming on for Dayot Upamecano after 58 minutes against Benfica (0-1). “Apart from the match against Benfica, my summary of the tournament so far is good,” said the new signing.

‘The seriousness we need’

The first half in particular against the Portuguese serial champions “was simply not good enough... We’ve spoken about that a lot already.” That aside, the performances of his new team have pleased Tah so far. “I think the first match was downplayed a bit and I know we’re not going to get the greatest praise for that, but winning 10-0 takes some work and you have to show the seriousness that we had. That’s exactly what we need,” described the defender.

The Club World Cup, and in particular the intensive time with the squad at the base camp in Orlando, are helping FC Bayern’s new number 4 immensely to settle in his new team. “It makes the arrival a lot easier,” said the 29-year-old. “I’m new and need to find my feet first – it’s priceless for me that I can spend so much time with the guys and the backroom team now and get to know everyone better. It just helps me to have an easier start to the new season.” However, that’s not the only reason the German international wanted to be with Bayern already for the Club World Cup. “I really wanted to play in the tournament and now I also want to win it,” continued Tah.

For that to happen, Bayern must beat CR Flamengo from Rio de Janeiro in their first knockout match of the competition in Miami on Sunday. Tah is expecting, like against Boca Juniors, “an away game because there’ll certainly be a lot of South American fans in the stadium. Then it will again be about showing that seriousness on the pitch.” It helps to know that a particular type of football match is in store for Bayern – similar to how it was in the group meeting with Boca.

‘We have to adapt’

“It’s South American intensity, it’s a different kind of football,” he said. “We have to adapt to that – and at the same time follow through with our game.” If they do that, the new Munich man is confident of a place in the quarter-finals. That would also mean more valuable playing time in his new side, more time together with new team-mates, and perhaps at the end: a first trophy with Bayern for Jonathan Tah.