Bayern Munich will be looking to seal the top spot in Group C of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 against Benfica today, but Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise, and Joshua Kimmich are among many absentees in their starting lineup.
Bayern Munich take on Benfica today aiming to clinch the top spot in Group C of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Their starting eleven shows a number of high-profile absentees though, including Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise, and Joshua Kimmich.
The most notable absence may be Harry Kane, who is getting rest against Benfica today. But the bench will also boast the likes of Musiala, Olise, and Kimmich in a clear attempt to avoid risking key players getting injured before the knockout stage.
Neither Musiala, Olise or Kimmich are injured, so their presence on the bench against Benfica today is simply a decision from Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany to give more playing time to other members of the squad.
Kimmich and Olise get rest, Musiala still waiting for a chance to start
Kimmich’s presence on the bench against Benfica today makes sense, considering the workload he’s been carrying. The midfielder played the full 90 minutes both against Auckland City and Boca Juniors.
With Bayern already qualified for the round of 16, Kompany felt this was the right moment to rest him. Musiala’s absence today may raise more eyebrows, since it looked like a good opportunity to finally see him play from the start in this Club World Cup. Even though he spent time on the sidelines due to a torn muscle bundle this year, fans already expect Musiala to play a big role again.
The 22-year-old was already placed on the bench in Bayern’s two previous games. He only needed 29 minutes to bag a hat-trick against Auckland City, but it wasn’t enough to secure him a starting spot in the following game.
Against Boca Juniors, Musiala came off the bench 57 minutes into the game but ended up leaving the field eight minutes before the final whistle. Olise’s situation, on the other hand, is similar to that of Kimmich.
The 23-year-old scored twice against Auckland City before being subbed off at the start of the second half but played the full game against Boca Juniors, scoring the goal that proved the difference. Now, he’s getting rest ahead of the round of 16.
From: bolavip.com
