AL-RAYYAN, Qatar, Feb 12, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Bayern Munich won the Club
World Cup final in Qatar on Thursday as Benjamin Pavard’s second-half winner
sealed a 1-0 victory over Mexico’s Tigres, the Germans claiming a “six pack”
of titles within 12 months.
Pavard’s close-range tap-in was enough to give European champions Bayern
their sixth title in quick succession.
This is the eighth year in a row that the Champions League winners have
gone on to win the Club World Cup, as Bayern follow in the footsteps of last
year’s champions Liverpool.
Bayern are the second side to win all six available titles within a year
after Barcelona managed the feat in 2009.
Hansi Flick’s men had already won the Champions League, Bundesliga, German
Cup, UEFA Super Cup and German Super Cup last season.
“It feels good to have the six pack — six titles in a row is something
very special for us,” said Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski, who helped set
up Pavard’s goal.
“I think this is one of the biggest achievements in football, how we played
will be remembered for a long time.”
– Victory a ‘statement’ –
Since Flick took charge of Bayern in November 2019, the European champions
have lost just five games, giving him more titles than defeats as boss.
“I hope there won’t be any defeats in the near future and there will be
more victories than defeats,” said Flick. “In terms of the title, this was a
statement. It’s amazing what the team was able to do.
“It was really impressive how everyone played.”
Defeat meant heartbreak for Tigres, the first Mexican side to reach the
Club World Cup final as CONCACAF champions.
Bayern grabbed the winner when Joshua Kimmich’s cross — intended for
Lewandowski — bounced off the hands off Tigres goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman and
into the path of Pavard on 59 minutes.
The goal stood after a lengthy VAR review, while Bayern also had a first-
half goal by Kimmich ruled out with Lewandowski offside.
Bayern were forced into two changes to their starting line-up after a
double blow in the build-up.
Thomas Mueller dropped out after being quarantined having tested positive
for Covid-19, while defender Jerome Boateng flew back to Germany for
“personal reasons” amid reports his former girlfriend was found dead in
Berlin.
“Thomas feels good, he has no symptoms,” said Lewandowski.
“It was bad news (that) he tested positive for Covid, but we knew we had to
not think about the situation and win for Thomas.”
Serge Gnabry took Mueller’s place, with Lucas Hernandez and Niklas Suele
forming a new centre-back partnership.
After a strong start, Bayern looked to have gone ahead when Kimmich let fly
with a long-range strike, but Lewandowski saw the flag go up.
After Pavard gave Bayern the lead, Bayern midfielder Corentin Tolisso hit
the post.
Bayern deserved the win and kept up the pressure, with Flick clenching his
fists in celebration at the final whistle.
Flick will give his squad two days off when they get back to Germany before
Bayern’s next Bundesliga game against strugglers Arminia Bielefeld on Monday.