Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has voiced strong criticism of Bayern Munich’s performance following their 1-0 defeat to Benfica in the final Group C match of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, held in Charlotte, USA. The loss saw Bayern finish second in the group, setting up a tougher Round of 16 clash against Flamengo.
Neuer: “We Just Weren’t Present Enough”
Speaking after the match, Neuer lamented Bayern’s sluggish start:
“Our mistake was we didn’t show the same intensity in the first half as we did in the second. We just weren’t present enough. Obviously, we failed to score from several opportunities, and the goalkeeper did a great job as well”.
The 39-year-old emphasized that while the blistering heat was a factor, it wasn’t an excuse:
“It was brutally hot today. Of course, we all play in the same conditions, so we don’t want to look for excuses”.
Benfica Strike Early, Bayern Waste Chances
Andreas Schjelderup’s 13th-minute goal proved decisive, as Bayern dominated possession (73%) and created multiple chances but failed to convert. Despite a strong second-half showing, the German champions couldn’t find the equalizer, with Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin making key saves.
Looking Ahead to Flamengo Clash
Neuer remains optimistic about Bayern’s prospects:
“If we can create these kinds of chances for 90 minutes in the next game, I’m convinced we will be successful. We need to start with intensity in our next game with Flamengo”.
The defeat marks Bayern’s first-ever competitive loss to Benfica, and they now face a high-stakes knockout match against Brazilian giants Flamengo on June 29 in Miami.
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