Bayern Munich got a statement win in the first group game of the Club World Cup against Auckland City FC last weekend. They further strengthened their chances of winning the group on Friday by clinching a gritty 2-1 win against Boca Juniors.
Vincent Kompany made three changes to the team that won 10-0 against Auckland City FC. The Belgian coach opted to start Konrad Laimer in the right-back position over Sacha Boey. Leon Goretzka replaced Aleksandar Pavlovic in the midfield, while Serge Gnabry played behind Harry Kane instead of Thomas Muller.
The Bundesliga champions nearly got a perfect start as Michael Olise curled a ball into the goal straight from the corner. It was a deadly delivery from the French winger. However, the goal was ruled out after intervention from VAR as Serge Gnabry had fouled Boca’s goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin.
Die Roten dominated the possession and pinned Boca in their half. The strong start to the game was eventually rewarded in the 18th minute as Harry Kane pounced on a loose ball in the box and poked the ball past the goalkeeper.
The Bavarian club had the chance to double their lead a minute later after a brilliant bit of linkup play between Gnabry and Olise on the right flank. The German winger squared the ball for Kingsley Coman, but the French forward couldn’t get the necessary touch to finish a glorious move.
Kompany’s men dominated the first half, but they had only one goal to show for it. Boca Juniors managed to go into the break with a deficit of one goal.
Michael Olise yet again saves the day for Bayern
Boca were always in the game since Bayern couldn’t convert their chances after Kane’s goal in the 18th minute. The Argentine side made the most of an error from Jonathan Tah after the hour mark. Tah got beaten by Miguel Merentiel’s run just ahead of the halfway line. The Uruguayan forward also managed to beat Josip Stanisic with a lovely bit of skill. He completed the terrific move with a thumping finish to bring Boca back into the game.
After conceding the goal, Bayern upped the ante in the final third and created chances to get back in the lead. They eventually found the goal from none other than Michael Olise. The French winger played a neat pass to Laimer, who made a clever underlapping run. With men around him, Laimer tried to square the ball. After a bit of pinball in the box, Laimer guided the ball to Kane, who cleverly laid it off for Olise. The French winger curled the ball past the goalkeeper and restored Die Roten’s lead in the 84th minute. Olise now has 40 goal contributions for Bayern in his first season at the club.
Bayern almost scored the third in the 87th minute when Laimer chipped the ball past the goalkeeper, but the Austrian was marginally offside while making the run in the box. The Bavarian club saw out the game and got the crucial three points. Die Roten will look to win the group by beating Benfica next week in the final group game.