Bayern Munich 2-1 Boca Juniors: Initial Observations and Reactions

Fulltime Observations

After a fast-paced first half, both teams played at a sluggish pace in the second half. Many players spent time on the ground recovering from light challenges and sore muscles. Bayern’s content attitude was punished with the game-tying goal, but the squad dug deep to find a late winner.

Jamal Musiala didn’t look to be in a lot of pain, so hopefully his substitution will prove to be more of a precaution. Bayern’s central midfield lacks creativity without Musiala, allowing opposing defenses to easily predict Bayern’s movements in the final third.

Tonight was a friendly reminder that Bayern is primarily composed of players that are aging and/or slow. Kingsley Coman and Jamal Musiala were the only attackers with the pace to beat players. The entire defense (besides Dayot Upamecano) is not built to play a high line, unless Vincent Kompany plans to play 4-3 games like Hansi Flick is running the tactical scheme.

Bayern has officially clinched a spot in the knockout rounds, making tonight a success. Bayern will need a point against Benfica to secure first place in Group C to (most likely) play Chelsea next weekend in Charlotte. A loss to Benfica would send Bayern back to Miami to face Group D winner, Flamengo.

FT: Bayern wins!

84’: GOOOAAALLL! Bayern takes the lead, 2-1. After the ball bounces around the box, Harry Kane lays it off to Michael Olise for a curling finish.

82’: Substitution. Thomas Müller replaces Jamal Musiala.

80’: Substitutions. Marcelo Saracchi and Exequiel Zeballos replace Miguel Merentiel and Alan Velasco.

71’: Yellow card. Lautaro Di Lollo is booked for a transition foul on Jamal Musiala.

69’: Substitutions. Williams Alarcón and Milton Giménez replace Tomás Belmonte and Carlos Palacios.

67’: Goal, Boca Juniors. Bayern is tied 1-1. Miguel Merentiel beats Bayern’s center-backs with some clever moves to level the match.

66’: Substitutions. Leroy Sané and Dayot Upamecano replace Kingsley Coman and Raphaël Guerreiro.

59’: Substitution. Malcom Braida replaces Kevin Zenón.

56’: Substitutions. Jamal Musiala and Aleksandar Pavlović replace Serge Gnabry and Leon Goretzka.

46’: No lineup changes for either side.

Halftime Observations

Boca Juniors’ fans have invaded this stadium and created a VERY loud environment. Unfortunately, that has resulted in every foul being contested and exaggerated.

Bayern is doing a fantastic job overloading the left side of the pitch, switching the ball to Michael Olise or Konrad Laimer (in LOADS of space), then serving the ball into the box. This strategy resulted in the first goal and is clearly a chink in Boca Juniors’ armor. If Bayern’s attackers could finish 1v1’s, this could easily be 3-0 at halftime.

Granted, Bayern is one of the best possession teams in the world but the skill gap between the two sides is pretty obvious. Boca Juniors is hanging on for dear life but the ball has barely crossed midfield.

Please tell FIFA’s in-game entertainment department to get rid of the individual player introductions. Fans love soccer because it’s a team sport. All of the players looked confused and irritated by the unnecessary move.

HT: Bayern up 1-0 at the break.

45’+3: Yellow card. After being senselessly thrown down away from the ball, Leon Goretzka is booked for arguing with the referee.

36’: Yellow card. Luis Advíncula is booked for his foul on Kingsley Coman.

18’: GOOOAAALLL! Bayern takes the lead, 1-0. The cross bounces off Kingsley Coman and falls directly to Harry Kane, who buries the left-footed shot.

8’: Michael Olise scores from the corner flag, but VAR overturns the call due to Serge Gnabry shielding the goalkeeper.

1’: LET’S GOOOOOOOOOO!!!

After drubbing Auckland City 10-0 on Sunday, Bayern Munich head into the second match of the FIFA Club World Cup with a big lead in Group C. Thanks to the 2-2 draw between Boca Juniors and Benfica, Bayern can officially advance to the knockout stage with a win over Boca Juniors.

Historically, Bayern and Boca Juniors have only met once before. In the 2001 Intercontinental Cup final, Bayern beat the reigning champions 1-0 in extra time.

Odds: Bayern (-556), Draw (+550), Boca Juniors (+1200)

Prediction: Bayern wins, 3-1. Bayern’s high line will get burned early by a sneaky fast counterattack. Bayern will lock in and dominate possession (at least 75%), finding a set piece goal before halftime. In the 57th minute, Musiala will get destroyed in the box and Harry Kane will bury the penalty kick. In the dying minutes, Leroy Sané will deliver a breathtaking finish on a breakaway.

It’s Bayern time.

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Match Info

Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, USA

Date: Friday, June 20th, 2025

Time: 9:00pm local time (EST)

TV/streaming: DAZN USA, TBS, Find Your Country

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