BERLIN, Germany, December 15 – Bayern Munich flew to Morocco to begin their assault on the Club World Cup title with coach Pep Guardiola demanding improvements from the European champions,
And that despite the Bavarian giants adding still more Bundesliga records to their already impressive tally.
The 3-1 win over Hamburg at Munich’s Allianz Arena left Guardiola’s side with a new record of 93 points for the calendar year and they remain unbeaten in the league in 2013.
Bayern bounced back from the 3-2 Champions League defeat at home to Manchester City with goals by Mario Mandzukic and Mario Goetze before Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri added the third deep into added time.
But Guardiola said the European champions have weaknesses to work on.
“Perhaps the players already had their holidays and Morocco in their heads,” said Guardiola.
“We had problems in the second half, just like against Manchester, we lost the ball too easily.
“We have good players, but we have to cut those actions out.
“2013 was an unbelievable year for FC Bayern.
“Now we’re flying to Morocco to try and win our next title.”
Four hours after the final whistle against Hamburg, Bayern jetted out of Munich with Guardiola looking to win the Club World Cup for the third time, having already lifted the title with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011.
China’s Asian champions Guangzhou Evergrande set up a semi-final against Bayern on Tuesday in Agadir after seeing off Egypt’s Al Ahly 2-0 in Saturday’s quarter-final.
No German side has ever won the trophy, but having become the first Bundesliga side to win the treble of league, cup and European titles last season, Bayern want to add another piece of silverware to their 2013 haul.
“We want to get the last title we’re lacking this season,” said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge after the club broke or equalled 25 Bundesliga records last season.
“We want to win the title, but it’s not automatic that we will.
“It’s a title which certainly doesn’t have such a high priority in Germany.
“On the other continents, this title is of high value, so our team will certainly throw everything into winning it.”
As well as the treble, Bayern lifted the UEFA Super Cup title in August in Prague when the Champions League winners beat Europa League title-winners Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out.
Brazil’s Corinthians and global giants Barcelona have both won the title twice, while Brazilian teams have won four of the Club World Cup’s nine editions.
Guardiola has taken a total of 23 players to Morocco with only injured stars Arjen Robben, Holger Badstuber and Bastian Schweinsteiger left behind.
Local side Raja Casablanca will face Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro in Wednesday’s other semi-final after a 2-1 extra-time win over Mexico’s CF Monterrey in their quarter-final, with the final in Marrakech next Saturday.
