Happy Holliday, Bayern Fans !

The holidays are here, and those who celebrate Christmas are looking forward to the joy and sparkle of the festive season. At the end of a historic year with five trophy triumphs, FC Bayern wishes all its members, fans and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

“Boas Festas e um feliz Ano Novo!“
(Dante, Rafinha)

“Joyeux Noël et une Bonne Année!“
(Daniel van Buyten, Franck Ribéry)

“Glædelig jul og godt nytår!”
(Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg)

“¡Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo!”
(Pep Guardiola, Javi Martínez, Claudio Pizarro, Thiago, Domenec Torrent)

“Sretan Božić i Sretna Nova Godina!”
(Mario Mandzukic)

“Schöni Wiehnacht und es guets Neus!“
(Xherdan Shaqiri)

“Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo!“
(Diego Contento)

“Prettige Kerstdagen en enn Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!“
(Arjen Robben)

“A guad's Nei's, liebe Fans!”
(Philipp Lahm, Thomas Müller, Bastian Schweinsteiger)

“Frohe Weihnachten und alles Gute für 2014!“
(David Alaba, Holger Badstuber, Jérôme Boateng, Hermann Gerland, Mario Götze, Jan Kirchhoff, Toni Kroos, Manuel Neuer, Lukas Raeder, Tom Starke, Patrick Weihrauch, Mitchell Weiser)

Great impressions and fond memories

When the Bayern stars made their way to Munich airport after the home meeting with Hamburg just over a week ago, none of them really knew what to expect in Morocco. It would definitely be warmer in North Africa, and the people would be lively and emotional. Nevertheless, it was difficult to say whether FCB would prove a hit in Agadir and Marrakech. But eight days and one trophy later, any doubts have been put to rest. “We immediately sensed great hospitality, love and warmth, the like of which I’ve rarely encountered,” summarised board director for sport Matthias Sammer.

Naturally, Munich made the trip first and foremost with the aim of collecting a fifth trophy of the year. However, there was still enough free time to escape the punishing footballing schedule and learn a little about the host nation. The most striking observation was the extreme contrasts, with humble circumstances on one side and glittering skyscrapers on the other, the snow-covered Atlas mountains compared with desert dunes stretching as far as the eye could see.

“It was a very good trip,” commented Thomas Müller, especially taken with the locals’ obvious joie de vivre: “The people here are extremely positive.” The newly-crowned Club World Cup winners were particularly surprised by the Moroccans’ knowledge and awareness of Germany’s biggest club. “They all knew everything and that was astounding,” said Müller, before adding with a cheeky grin: “We were even recognised by women, which doesn’t happen very often in Germany.”

It was more difficult to recognise Dante and Rafinha, who spent an afternoon exploring the famous souks of Marrakech and the sights of the city, for which they donned typical local clothing. Manuel Neuer also took a good hard look at the local culture, as he watched acrobats, parades, and snake charmers in close up.

On the day of the final the men from Munich were introduced to King Mohammed VI, on the throne since 1999. The reigning monarch attended the final and personally congratulated Bayern on their victory. “That definitely left a lasting impression,” noted Müller. But of course FCB made an impression of their own, on the world and especially in Morocco. Said Müller: “The tournament has huge significance for the global image of Bayern Munich!“

Uniquely successful

“My players knew they’d have to give everything to win this tournament,” advised Guardiola, who previously won the Club World Cup as a coach with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011. “Five trophies in a year is a magnificent success for Bayern. I’m delighted for the club and very proud of the players and the fans,” declared the Spaniard, explicitly praising the 2,000 travelling fans who gave the eventual champions such tremendous support.

“Being able to add another trophy, especially this one, at the end of the year is amazing,” summarised Lahm. “You don’t contest the Club World Cup every year. We’ve won the title, our fifth of the year, and basically that’s impossible to beat.“ Thomas Müller was just as enthusiastic about a historic 12 month period: “It’s a fairytale ending, the well-earned reward for the excellent year we’ve had. It's nearly impossible to play at the level we’ve done in this calendar year.“

Deserved break

In his speech to the banquet Rummenigge heaped praise on Guardiola and Jupp Heynckes, the two head coaches who were the architects of the marquee triumphs. “We’ve been incredibly lucky to have two coaches who’ve not only done a fantastic job but are also fantastic people,” said the chairman. Heynckes guided FCB to the prestigious treble of the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and Champions League last season, and Guardiola’s first six months have yielded the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.

“We’ve achieved everything we set out to achieve this year and that’s fantastic,” summarised keeper Manuel Neuer, describing the final official overseas trip of the year as “a terrific experience.” The players, coaching staff and management at the club can now set off into what is a truly well-deserved holiday break in upbeat and satisfied mood. “I’m certainly pleased we go on vacation now,” acknowledged Lahm, looking forward to “a few relaxing days. I think we’ve all deserved it.“

Reaction to Guangzhou vs Bayern

Pep Guardiola: “Congratulations to my team. They deserve their place in the final. We took it very seriously against a team with quick wide men. We had most of the possession, allowing us to control the game and create plenty of chances. But for all that it wasn’t easy. Marcello Lippi is one of the coaching greats.“

Marcello Lippi (Guangzhou Evergrande coach): “The difference between the strongest team in the world and the rest was obvious today. Bayern Munich always dominate their matches. We had nothing to offer in response to their superiority today. We were clearly inferior. But I can’t criticise my team for a decent performance. Appearing in the semi-finals at the Club World Cup is unimaginable after only a year and a half’s work.”

1976, 2001 - 2013?

Bayern won the Intercontinental Cup, the predecessor to the FIFA Club World Cup, back in 1976 and 2001. Now they aim to be the first German team to win the tournament since its relaunch in 2005. “The Club World Cup is a title you can't win every year,” captain Philipp Lahm said, noting the significance of the contest even though the trophy is much more highly valued in South America than in Europe. “I know that in some places, it is a very important competition.”

The Bundesliga leaders are up against Chinese powerhouses Guangzhou Evergrande, who beat African champions Al-Ahly 2-0 in the quarter final on Saturday to qualify for the semi-finals. “They are a very good team, with two or three incredibly strong individuals. We’ll be prepared, and we’re not expecting it to be an easy match,” said Sammer, keen for FCB not to underestimate the Chinese champions.

Pep aiming to win the last trophy of the year

Pep Guardiola: “Congratulations to FC Bayern for an unbelievable 2013. We ran into trouble in the second half today because we gave the ball away too cheaply. We have to put that right. The players are already thinking about Marrakech. I have to keep making the players aware of all the hard work we still have to do, although it’s always tough after Champions League matches. We’re flying to Morocco now aiming to win the last trophy of the year.“

Bayern to Contest 2014 MLS All-Star Game

German football is about to move into the 2013 winter break, but FC Bayern’s plans for the 2014 World Cup year are already taking shape. As part of the treble winners’ pre-season programme for the 2014/15 campaign, Germany’s biggest club will go on tour to the USA and feature in the traditional All-Star Game at 6.30 pm local time (3.30 am CET +1 day) on 6 August 2014 against a Major League Soccer (MLS) representative team. The game will be broadcast to more than 130 countries around the world, the MLS revealed at a press conference in Portland, Oregon on Thursday.