Bayern Munich’s Club World Cup campaign kicks off on Sunday evening as they face New Zealand minnows Auckland City in Cincinnati.
Only two clubs have won this competition more than Bayern, and Vincent Kompany’s side rank among the favorites to go all the way in the United States this summer. They were drawn into a fairly tricky Group C alongside Benfica and Boca Juniors, but their simplest task is up first.
While Auckland have dominated the domestic scene in New Zealand and are frequent Club World Cup participants, they’re the only non-professional team competing at the tournament. Thus, Sunday’s clash with the German giants will be unlike anything they’ve ever experienced, and striker Angus Kilkolly labelled the draw as a "dream" for the perennial Oceania Champions League victors.
They’re facing the six-time UEFA Champions League winners here, although Kompany’s men were knocked out at the quarterfinal stage of the latest iteration. Bayern did, however, reclaim the Bundesliga title at canter.
Here is guide to the Club World Cup clash.
