FC Bayern finished second in their group at the Club World Cup. Despite a strong second-half performance, Vincent Kompany's team was forced to concede defeat on Tuesday evening following a 1-0 loss to Benfica in Charlotte. With temperatures reaching 37 degrees Celsius, both teams showed an impressive fighting performance in the blazing sun. FC Bayern now face the winners of group D, Flamengo, in the round of 16 on Sunday in Miami. “We were dominant and created more chances, but we didn't win. We can't let that happen in the next rounds, but we're taking a lot of momentum into the next game anyway,” head coach Kompany said already focussed on the challenges ahead. Captain Manuel Neuer shared an optimistic outlook: “If we can create these kinds of chances for 90 minutes in the next game, I'm convinced we will be successful.” fcbayern.com has more of the post-match reaction.
Reaction to the game against Benfica
Vincent Kompany: “I have great respect for every player today. They all fought hard for 90 minutes. To be honest, I was a little apprehensive regarding the heat and the pitch. I wasn't worried we wouldn't win, I was more concerned with the flow of the game. Nevertheless, I was confident going into the second half. We created many chances and played really well after the break. But that's football. If you don't use one-on-one situations with the keeper or other opportunities to score, you pay the price. Now, we're playing against Flamengo on Sunday in Miami. We're not taking any negatives into that game. We know we can create opportunities to score. We were dominant and created more chances, but we didn't win. We can't let that happen in the next rounds, but we're taking a lot of momentum into the next game anyway.”
Manuel Neuer: ”Our mistake was we didn't show the same intensity in the first half as we did in the second. We just weren't present enough. Obviously, we failed to score from several opportunities and the goalkeeper did a great job as well. We were lacking the decisive momentum to score a goal today. We definitely have to analyse the first half critically. However, what we showed in the second half, that was Bayern Munich. That's the way we want to play. You have to take the circumstances into consideration. It was brutally hot today. Of course, we all play in the same conditions so we don't want to look for excuses. Now, we’re going into the knockout stages as group runners-up. Looking at the second half today, we feel positive going forward. If we can create these kinds of chances for 90 minutes in the next game, I'm convinced we will be successful.”
Thomas Müller: “Obviously the result is disappointing. In the second half, we played very well in my opinion. We were very aggressive in possession and exhausted our opponents. But in the end they scored a great goal and, to be honest, we missed a few good opportunities. To a certain degree it's our own fault we didn't come away with at least a draw or even a win. In the end, we have to accept the result. That's football.”
Reactions from Benfica
Anatolij Trubin (goalkeeper): “It was a good game against a great team so I'm very happy. It wasn't just me, we all left everything out there today. It doesn't feel that special right now. I just want to rest and prepare for the next game. We were totally focussed and now we'll see what happens.”
All FIFA Club World Cup matches are being broadcast live and for free by streaming service DAZN, although broadcasters will differ in some countries.
The match report:
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