Bayern München vs Auckland City: Lineup Preview

The Java Herald- The FIFA Club World Cup is about to kick off. In the opening match, Bayern Munich will face Auckland City on Sunday, June 16, 2025, at 11:00 AM EST, at TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, United States (USA).

Bayern Munich ended the season as the most prolific team in the league, scoring 99 goals in 34 league matches—their second-highest tally since the 1972–73 season.On the defensive side, the German club conceded only 32 goals, at least 11 fewer than any of the other 17 Bundesliga top-flight teams.

Coach Vincent Kompany will surely want to improve his record in knockout competitions, given that his team was eliminated by Inter Milan in the Champions League quarter-finals and defeated by Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal round of 16.

The Bundesliga champions have won the FIFA Club World Cup twice, in 2013 and 2020, defeating Raja Casablanca and Tigres UANL respectively in the finals.

Bayern closed the 2024–25 season in outstanding form, going unbeaten in their last seven matches—scoring 20 goals, conceding seven, and recording four clean sheets.

Meanwhile, Auckland finished the season in New Zealand just four points behind league leaders Birkenhead United, whom they will face at the end of July.

Notably, they secured a 2-0 win over Hekari United FC in the OFC Champions League final, winning the competition for the fourth consecutive time.

The Navy Blues have a strong record on both ends of the pitch, scoring 22 goals and conceding only 14 in the league—ranking as the fifth-best attack and second-best defense in the division.

Coach Paul Posa’s team enters Sunday’s match in good form, having won three of their last four games, including two clean sheets.

Although Auckland City can claim to be the best team in Oceania based on their continental achievements, their players are part-time professionals used to playing in front of around 3,500 fans at home.

TQL Stadium holds 26,000 spectators, and the change in venue and the caliber of opponent will be a major challenge for Posa's team as they face one of Europe’s elite clubs.

Bayern Munich go into the match as favorites, with their squad boasting stars such as Thomas Müller, Manuel Neuer, and Jamal Musiala. As a result, Die Roten are likely to field a familiar lineup. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will likely be protected by central defenders Jonathan Tah and Eric Dier, while Dayot Upamecano may feature later in the tournament.

Joshua Kimmich is expected to start in midfield alongside Aleksandar Pavlovic, with Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane on the wings. However, Sane may not appear throughout the tournament, as his contract expires at the end of this month.

Harry Kane is almost certain to lead the line, and with Jamal Musiala doubtful, Thomas Müller may play in a more advanced role to support the number nine.

Auckland are expected to start Conor Tracey in goal, with a backline of Adam Bell, Nikko Boxall, Adam Mitchell, and Nathan Lobo.

In midfield, Gerard Garriga, Michael Den Heijer, and Mario Ilich are likely to start. The forward trio could include Dylan Manickun, Myer Bevan, and Joe Lee.

Based on the above, here are the projected lineups for both teams:

Bayern Munich:Neuer; Laimer, Tah, Dier, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Gnabry, Müller, Sane; Kane

Auckland City:Tracey; Bell, Boxall, Mitchell, Lobo; Garriga, Den Heijer, Ilich; Manickun, Bevan, Lee

That concludes the preview of Bayern Munich vs. Auckland City. The match will be broadcast by DAZN. ***