Preview for Bayern Munich v Auckland City
Bayern Munich will open their Club World Cup campaign against Auckland City on Sunday and will be expected to get off to a resounding victory.
The New Zealanders are the Oceanic Champions League holders but are still a part-time outfit and will undoubtedly be daunted by facing the might of Bayern, as well as Benfica and Argentinian giants Boca Juniors in Group C.
“We’re all used to leaving the house in the morning, going to do the day job and then going and training football at night,” Auckland striker Angus Kilkolly told BBC World Service.
“I work for a power tool brand, a global brand, I manage a sales team there. We’ve got a few other boys who work in sales as well, real estate agents, teachers, a couple of the boys are uni students.
“It’s not easy but it’s something we have always done so we don’t really know any different. It’s no different to going to school and then going to play football after school.
“This opportunity might not come around again, so all the people around us know how major this event is and how much of an opportunity it is to play in it.”
Expectations are altogether different for Bayern, who reclaimed the Bundesliga title last season and can boast a squad costing hundreds of millions of pounds.
Kilkolly added: “It’s a really amazing opportunity and it’s exciting. We know we have got three games and it’s not the case if we win one game we stay on. We can prepare for a whole tournament and have the opportunity to grow, show our personalities and what we’re capable of.”
Bayern come in as one of the favourites, although a top-two finish in the pool is no certainty.
The tournament is the final time Thomas Muller will wear a Bayern shirt after a 25-year association with the club. He is Bayern’s record appearance-maker but will depart following thir elimination in the States.
His next destination remains a mystery but he admitted he would use his time Stateside to check out potential new empoloyers.
He told TZ: “I’m completely relaxed. Even if something should happen during the tournament as far as my professional future is concerned, I will not let myself be distracted by it.
“Of course, the US is a possibility for me. If we get far, then I will get to see a wide variety of regions in the USA.”
📌 : #FIFACWC MD 1 ⚽️🇺🇸
We start our tournament on Sunday in Cincinnati 🆚 @AucklandCity_FC 🇳🇿#TakeItToTheWorld #FCBayern pic.twitter.com/LBGMqyFpOG
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) June 11, 2025
Team News for Bayern Munich v Auckland City
Leroy Sane is available for selection despite signing for Galatasaray.
The Germany winger’s Bayern contract runs until the end of June and he could be utilised by Vincent Kompany in the group stages and perhaps the round of 16 should Bayern advance.
Kompany is likely to field a weakened team against the New Zealanders given the strength of the opposition and the fact many of his first-choice XI were involved in international fixtures in Europe over the past 10 days and may need more time to acclimatise.
New signings Jonathan Tah and Tom Bischof have been included in the squad.
Predicted line-ups for Bayern Munich v Auckland City
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Laimer, Tah, Stanisic, Guerreiro; Pavlovic, Goretzka; Bischof, Müller, Gnabry; Kane
Auckland City: Tracey; Legos, Mitchell, Boxal, Lobo; Garriga, Ilic, Yoo; Manickum, Bevan, Zeb
How to watch Bayern Munich v Auckland City: TV and Online streams
Bayern Munich versus Auckland City kicks off at 5pm UK time on Sunday afternon. You can watch the game on Channel 5 and stream it for free on DAZN.
