Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany is expected to reinstate key players such as Harry Kane, Michael Olise, and Joshua Kimmich for Sunday`s FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Round of 16 clash against Flamengo in Miami.
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Kompany significantly altered his starting XI in the recent defeat to Benfica, which cost Bayern the top spot in Group C. Despite challenging conditions in North Carolina, the score could have been better if not for the impressive performance of Benfica`s goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin. Substitutes like Kane, Kimmich, Olise, and Jonathan Tah demonstrated the strength of Bayern at full capacity and are expected to be crucial against Flamengo. Jamal Musiala, rested against Benfica due to a minor injury sustained against Boca Juniors, might feature at Hard Rock Stadium as Bayern aims for the quarter-finals, where a match against either PSG or Inter Miami awaits.
Flamengo`s Form
Flamengo also performed strongly in the group stage, securing first place in Group D with victories over Esperance and Chelsea before a 1-1 draw with a rotated squad against LAFC. The Brazilian side enters the tournament well into their Campeonato Brasileiro Série A season, currently leading the league. Their coach, Filipe Luís, is a former international defender with top-level playing experience at clubs like Atlético Madrid and Chelsea. Flamengo previously won the Club World Cup in 2019, defeating Al-Hilal and Liverpool, but this upcoming match marks their first official encounter with a German opponent.
Match stats
- Bayern had won all six of their previous Club World Cup fixtures before losing to Benfica.
- Olise boasts a competition-leading six goal involvements ahead of the knockout rounds (three of his own, plus three assists).
- Musiala has also scored three goals, with Kingsley Coman and Thomas Müller on two.
- Leroy Sané, who started against Benfica, could make his final Bayern appearance before officially joining Galatasaray on 1 July.
- The record German champions have won the Club World Cup on their two previous appearances at the finals (2001 and 2021).
- As a player, Luís played his part in two wins and one defeat against Bayern (all for Atléti in the Champions League).
Probable Teams
Flamengo: Rossi – Wesley, Danilo, Pereira, Ayrton – Pulgar, Jorginho – Gerson (c), De Arrascaeta, Araújo – Plata
Out: De la Cruz (knee)
Doubtful: –
Coach: Filipe Luís
Bayern Munich: Neuer (c) – Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Stanišić – Kimmich, Goretzka – Olise, Müller, Coman – Kane
Out: Buchmann (shoulder), Davies (knee), Dier (transfer), Ito (metatarsal)
Doubtful: Kim (achilles)
Coach: Vincent Kompany
Key Insights & Updates
Will Musiala feature? Coming into this tournament having only previously recovered from injury, Jamal Musiala picked up a calf niggle against Boca Juniors and was then rested against Benfica. Coach Kompany stated, “The important thing for Jamal is that he`s training and is back… But his role? We`ll have to wait and see and decide tomorrow whether he can play.”
Rafinha commented: `Flamengo can be dangerous`. The former Bayern player said, `Flamengo know what awaits them. Bayern must respect Flamengo, they can be dangerous. Bayern have higher individual quality, but Flamengo have some of the best players in South America. I think Flamengo have a chance.`
Danger man: Flamengo have been in flying form both domestically and at this Club World Cup, and Bayern may have to pay particularly close attention to Uruguayan attacker Giorgian de Arrascaeta. The 31-year-old has featured 29 times so far this season for the Brazilian giants and contributed 13 goals and six assists.
Vincent Kompany added: `We feel familiar` with the Hard Rock Stadium. `It`s the same dressing room, the same pitch and maybe [it will be] the same atmosphere. I think we`re naturally always very confident, always respecting the opponent. To feel confident as a coach means that you have to have the players that we have. The main thing for me is that we bring our best performance and try to leave with a victory.`
Filipe Luís on facing Bayern: `Speaking with all my respect, I’m confident we can be a match for Bayern. Flamengo play with the ball and with courage; we’re proud of that. Many of our players have Champions League experience [while] five of them were in the last Brazil squad. We need to combine intensity with possession. You don’t beat Bayern just by looking to run in behind them.`
Kompany on facing Flamengo: `They are a top team with really good players and they are well coached too. They are [representative] of their coach, playing with tactical discipline and aggressiveness and a real dose of Brazilian creativity and flair. [They also have] something that you can only have if you live football like they do in that country. This is a game that might not be unlike a top game in Europe for us.`
Thomas Müller focused ahead of knockout rounds: `I`ve experienced this a few times in my career. We`re now going [to Miami] to play the round of 16 against Flamengo and we don`t know whether we`ll progress or go home. The pressure is now there and every game can be decisive. Our team is competitive and we have players who know what`s at stake. It`s about performing on the pitch and getting the result. You also need a bit of luck on your side in knockout games.`
Jonathan Tah expects a different kind of challenge: Bayern`s new arrival anticipates the game against Flamengo to have the feel of “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.` The defender added: `It’s South American intensity, it’s a different kind of football. We have to adapt to that – and at the same time follow through with our game.`
Bayern Munich`s most dominant wins: Having made Club World Cup history with their 10-0 opening game win over Auckland City, Bayern added yet another mammoth win to their growing collection. Take a look back at some of their biggest Bundesliga victories over the years.
European pedigree: There are plenty of players in the Flamengo squad with experience in Europe`s top leagues, including former Eintracht Frankfurt full-back Guillermo Varela, former Juventus pair Danilo and Alex Sandro, midfielder Jorginho (recently joined from Arsenal), and Luiz Araujo and Gonzalo Plata (experience with Lille and Sporting Lisbon respectively).
Quarter-final place at stake: Should Bayern advance, they will face either UEFA Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain or Lionel Messi`s Inter Miami in the last eight. The Bavarians will know their potential opponent before kick-off at Hard Rock Stadium, as that tie is scheduled to take place earlier on Sunday.
Bayern: the story so far: The defending Bundesliga champions beat Auckland City 10-0 and Boca Juniors 2-1, before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Benfica that cost them first place in Group C. Vincent Kompany was pleased with his side`s second-half performance against Benfica, noting they `could have scored two or three goals` if not for goalkeeper Andriy Trubin. Michael Olise, one of the first-team regulars rested from the start, leads the competition with six goal involvements.
Flamengo: the story so far: Campeonato Brasileiro Série A leaders 11 games into the current domestic season, Flamengo secured top spot in Group D with a game to spare. After beating Chelsea and Esperance, a much-changed side maintained their unbeaten start with a 1-1 draw with LAFC. They are coached by ex-international defender Luís Felipe. Wallace Yan is their leading scorer at the finals with two goals.
Welcome to the preview of Bayern Munich`s FIFA Club World Cup knockout match against Brazil`s Flamengo in Miami on Sunday. Stay tuned for match build-up, coverage and reaction.
