Bayern to face Al-Ahly at FIFA Club World Cup

2021-02-07 14:35:43 GMT2021-02-07 22:35:43(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

 

BERLIN, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Bayern Munich's squad has recovered from its bumpy trip to Doha.

In a good mood, the Hansi Flick's side trained ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup semifinal against Egyptian club Al-Ahly this Monday evening.

The troubled journey from Berlin airport seems forgotten, at least among the players.

"Despite the difficulties, we are focusing on writing history by winning the sixth title in the 2020 season," Flick commented.

While the Bavarian's coach seems to be concentrating on the upcoming tasks, the club's management seems to be concerned with Flick's future and the disastrous circumstances surrounding the flight to the Middle East.

The club's entourage had to spend the night in the plane as various delays made them subject to a ban on night flights in Berlin from midnight.

The pilot's request was received three minutes later, the authorities claim. Bayern officials complained about the strictness after the club arrived late after its league game against Hertha.

Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and former president Uli Hoeness assumed "someone was trying to pull our legs."

Both club officials called the decision "ridiculous." Bayern arrived in Doha with a delay of seven hours.

No on the all-out attack, Rummenigge and Hoeness criticized the German national's team director Oliver Bierhoff.

Bierhoff had spoken about the possibility of appointing Bayern coach Flick as the next German national coach if the current manager Joachim Loew retires after the European Championship this summer.

Rummenigge accused Bierhoff of being responsible for the team's inconsistent results and German football's problems with a lack of promising youngsters.

Hoeness called the national coach job "far from what you call desirable." To leave Bayern for that "is nothing I can imagine."

Flick has just started his journey to end up as a successful club coach, he added, announcing Bayern doesn't intend to permit 2020 treble winner Flick to leave.

The team's tensions are far from an excuse regarding the Club World Cup, said Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich.

"Things might not have been ideal, but we all had the opportunity to take things easy in the plane and get some rest," the German international said.

Kimmich spoke about the "good mood" in the team after five consecutive wins.

The 25-year-old said he doesn't think the Egyptian opponent "will be able to surprise us. We know we have to improve to win the tournament."

The German international called the Cairo team "the FC Bayern of Egypt."

"It's a strong team that has won many, many games," he said, before adding that a part of the preparation is to take in all the information about the opponents.

Despite the pressure the team is under due to the tight schedule, "we have a versatile squad and can rely on everybody doing their job."

Bayern coach Flick called Al-Ahly a skillful side relying on an attacking game and dynamic full-backs.

He continued by saying that Al-Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane is an impressive person and coach and is "always trying to improve his side."

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