Joshua Kimmich and Bayern excited for Club World Cup opener against Auckland City

It’s a step into the unknown for Bayern on Sunday as they kick off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign against Auckland City of New Zealand, and the players can hardly wait for things to finally get going.

“It’s now excitement,” said Joshua Kimmich after arriving in Cincinnati. Given the short preparation time and the international fixtures before the tournament, the 30-year-old believes this summer’s big event doesn’t quite feel like a World Cup or Euros with Germany, but that sensation could come soon. “That’s why I’m excited for the tournament to start now and get back into a rhythm,” the midfielder added.

No initial arrogance

Bayern’s first opponent on the path to global glory is a semi-professional team in Auckland City – on paper the weakest team in Group C. However, that’s no reason to take this game casually. “We as Bayern know we need to win the game, but that’s why we’re not underestimating the opponent,” Thomas Müller previously stressed. A veteran of many international tournaments, he knows his team have been warned and will definitely give their all against Auckland.

Kimmich is also aware that favourites can suffer slips, so he and his teammates know what they have to do. “We need to take things seriously, prepare well, and then I hope we can all enjoy the game,” said the Germany captain.

Josip Stanišić underlined that further when he said: “We’d be best served to see the game as the first important step in this tournament.” The Croatian defender knows that everyone competing in the USA this summer wants to achieve the maximum. “When you start a tournament well, you know you’re only a win away from progressing to the next round,” he added.

All FIFA Club World Cup matches are being broadcast live and for free by streaming service DAZN, although broadcasters will differ in some countries.

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