Bayern Munich 1-0 Tigres UANL: Talking Points from the FIFA Club World Cup Final

FC Bayern Muenchen v Tigres UANL - FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020
FC Bayern Muenchen v Tigres UANL - FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2020

#3 Andre-Pierre Gignac is ageing like a fine wine

Pachuca v Tigres UANL - Playoffs Torneo Clausura 2019 Liga MX
Pachuca v Tigres UANL - Playoffs Torneo Clausura 2019 Liga MX

The Frenchman surprised the world when he opted to leave Europe for Mexico after his contract at Marseille expired in 2015.

The French outfit were more than willing to renew his contract, and after scoring 23 goals in all competitions for Marseille in his final season, he had multiple interests from top clubs in Europe.

He moved to Tigres UANL stating he wanted to help the side win their domestic league, and he did just that while also inspiring them to their first Champions League title ever.

Gignac is entering his sixth year at the club, and is the top scorer in the club's history.

Although his side lost in the Club World Cup final to Bayern Munich, the 35-year-old striker was awarded the silver ball, awarded to the second-best player of the tournament.


#4 Bayern Munich thrive without Thomas Muller

FC Schalke 04 v FC Bayern Muenchen - Bundesliga
FC Schalke 04 v FC Bayern Muenchen - Bundesliga

Bayern Munich veteran forward Thomas Muller started in the semifinals of the tournament against Al Ahly, but he was ruled out of the finals after he was confirmed to have contracted COVID-19.

Bayern Munich talisman Lewandowski scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Al Ahly in the semi-finals, but without Muller, he did not really have much to do in the finals as he was defended very well by the Tigres backline.

With one of their main men unavailable, Bayern Munich did not fold or flounder, and they still ran the show with their usual dominance.

Bayern Munich scored the goal and did the little defending they needed to ensure they clinched the title.


#5 Joshua Kimmich continues his world-class midfield performances

FC Bayern Muenchen v Sport-Club Freiburg - Bundesliga
FC Bayern Muenchen v Sport-Club Freiburg - Bundesliga

Kimmich started his Bayern Munich career as a right-back, but he was moved to midfield in recent seasons due to injuries to others and the arrival of Pavard at the club.

His integration into the midfield was seamless and he looked right in place.

His consistency at dominating and dictating midfield play was on show in both games that he played at the tournament.

He had an outstanding goal wrongly chalked off, but that did not dampen his spirit as he provided the cross into the box which led to the winning goal.

Kimmich was awarded the bronze ball, which is the award for the third-best player of the tournament, but one could make a case that he should have been ranked higher.

The German has it all in his arsenal, from passing to set-piece delivery to long-range shots, all alongside his defensive duties.

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