DOHA (Qatar): European champions Bayern Munich will face Al Ahly of Egypt in the second semifinal of FIFA Club World Cup here on Monday.
European champions Bayern will go into their semi-final meeting with Al Ahly without the services of Leon Goretzka and Javi Martinez, both have contracted COVID-19, while goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel is out with an injured ankle.
“We know Al Ahly. They won the African Champions League so we’re aware that it won’t be easy, just as it wasn’t in 2013. It’s hard to play teams you don’t know much about,” said Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Al Ahly are plotting an unlikely upset after beating Al Duhail in the previous round.
“If you’re here at this competition, it means you’re a strong team. But it doesn’t matter how good they are – we have to be better. We have to fight for this win,” Bayern star striker Robert Lewandowski said of the African champions.
Coach Pitso Mosimane will be looking to Mohamed Magdy, better known as Afsha, to fire his team’s challenge. Player and coach have been talking extensively in training this week.
“Bayern are a big side with a lot of stars. I’d like to play against [Thomas] Muller. I like him as a player and I like his style of play,” said Al Ahly forward Hussein El Shahat.
