Following Bayern Munich's surprising 1-0 defeat to Benfica in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer didn't mince words when assessing his team's performance. The loss, which saw Bayern finish second in Group C, prompted Neuer to lament the team's lack of intensity, particularly in the first half.
Speaking after the match, Neuer stated that the team "didn't show the same intensity in the first half as we did in the second. We just weren't present enough.” He further admitted that the team was lacking the "decisive momentum to score a goal." Neuer's comments highlight a clear frustration with Bayern's sluggish start, which ultimately cost them the match against a determined Benfica side. Andreas Schjelderup's first-half strike proved to be the difference, and despite a strong second-half showing from Bayern, they were unable to find an equalizer.
The conditions in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the match was held, were undeniably challenging, with temperatures reaching a sweltering 37 degrees Celsius. However, Neuer dismissed any notion that the heat was to blame, stating, "We can't blame the heat – both teams played under the same conditions." This sentiment was echoed by Thomas Müller, who acknowledged the difficult conditions but emphasized that both teams had to contend with them.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany made a bold move at halftime, bringing on fresh legs in the form of Harry Kane, Michael Olise, and Joshua Kimmich. The substitutions injected some much-needed energy into the team, and Bayern began to create more chances. However, they were repeatedly thwarted by Benfica's goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, who put on a stellar performance.
Despite the disappointing result, Neuer remained optimistic about Bayern's chances in the knockout stages. "Looking at the second half today, we feel positive going forward," he said. "If we can create these kinds of chances for 90 minutes in the next game, I'm convinced we will be successful." Neuer stressed the importance of starting their next game, a round of 16 clash against Flamengo, with the same intensity they showed in the second half against Benfica.
Thomas Müller echoed Neuer's sentiments, acknowledging that while the second half was much improved, the team ultimately failed to capitalize on their opportunities. "We created a lot of chances after the break, but we missed a few clear opportunities," Müller said. "In the end, that's football."
Kompany, while surely disappointed with the loss, chose to focus on the positives. He stated that the team would not be taking "any negatives" into their encounter with Flamengo. He highlighted the team's dominance and chance creation in the second half as reasons for optimism.
The defeat serves as a wake-up call for Bayern Munich, reminding them that they cannot afford to be complacent against any opponent, regardless of the stage. As they prepare for their round of 16 match against Flamengo, they will need to heed Neuer's warning and ensure that they bring the necessary intensity from the first whistle. Only then can they hope to progress further in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
