Kompany: "We had problems with the heat"
In a real heat battle in Charlotte, FC Bayern lost to Benfica on Tuesday afternoon (local time), thus missing out on winning Group C. The circumstances of the match remained in the spotlight even afterward.
In conversation: Bayern coach Vincent Kompany (left) and Aleksandar Pavlovic during the match against Benfica. IMAGO/Anadolu Agency
"I don't feel anything, I'm just tired," said the player of the match after Munich's defeat on DAZN on Tuesday afternoon (local time). Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin had previously been particularly impressive in the second half, when he skillfully saved several of Bayern's great chances – including two against Leroy Sané, who was left alone in front of goal, and one against Aleksandar Pavlovic from close range. The Ukrainian was thus the main reason for the Portuguese side's clean sheet, despite a weak first half.
Bayern coach no longer wants to play in Charlotte"We had problems with the heat; things weren't going as smoothly as usual. If there's one positive thing about the way forward, it's that we won't be playing in Charlotte anymore," said Vincent Kompany , reflecting on the difficult conditions with 36 degrees in the shade and over 40 degrees on the sun-drenched pitch in the US state of North Carolina.
The three substitutions after a lackluster first half with almost no scoring opportunities – Joshua Kimmich , Michael Olise , and Harry Kane came on – were the plan from the start, according to the Munich coach. "We wanted a strong finish, and that's what we got. We couldn't take anything more from the second half because the result wasn't there in the end," said the Belgian, who also alluded to Trubin's strong goalkeeping performance: "That's football when you don't take your chances and the goalkeeper is good."
Regarding their upcoming opponents – Bayern will now face Flamengo from Rio de Janeiro (had they won the group, their opponent would most likely have been Chelsea) – Kompany didn't want to comment much: "It was clear that it would be Flamengo or Chelsea, so it would be a tough game. What we can take from this is that we know we can create." Now they must try to carry the momentum from the second half into their next match on Sunday (10 p.m. CEST) in Miami.
The final defeat now threatens a possible quarterfinal clash with newly crowned Champions League winners Paris St. Germain . But first, the German record champions must complete their task against Flamengo, the Brazilians still undefeated at the Club World Cup.
