Lift Your Head Up, We Are Bayern Munich!
Tonight, Bayern fell in the Club World Cup quarterfinals.
The score was 0:2, losing to Paris Saint-Germain who were down to 9 men. It seemed like a match that could be explained by the numbers, but for those of us who have supported Bayern for years, it wasn’t just about winning or losing.
I remember the rhythm when the match entered the second half. Bayern pressed high, creating chances continuously, but just lacked that final touch. Then came the 78th minute, when Doué’s strike broke the deadlock. The camera swept over the bench, and Kompany’s expression was like a lake instantly dried by wind - emotionless, yet conveying an immense silence.
What was even harder to accept was Musiala’s injury. He collided with Donnarumma during a breakthrough in the penalty area and fell in pain. It wasn’t an ordinary fall - as fans, we almost immediately understood this wasn’t minor. He tried to get up but was eventually carried off on a stretcher. The preliminary diagnosis was a fibula fracture.
I remembered how he looked when he became famous at a young age, how the entire stadium held its breath every time he dribbled at the Allianz Arena. I had never truly shed tears for any single player, but that night, when I saw him being carried off, something inside me broke a little.
Paris ultimately advanced, and what we were left with was farewell.
This might be Thomas Müller’s last continental competition wearing a Bayern jersey, and possibly Neuer’s final appearance in a world-class tournament. Bayern’s golden generation is gradually departing. We all know the order of time cannot be defied, yet when truly facing that moment, we’re still struck hard.
But that’s what football is - it doesn’t exist for eternal victory, but to make people believe in the possibility of unity, persistence, and starting again after disappointment.
Harry Kane responded to fans on social media after the match, saying: “We’ll be back. For the team, and for Jamal."
Looking at these words, I suddenly remembered that a few months ago, I had sent him a message congratulating him on winning the Bundesliga title - his first league championship and one of our Bayern’s highlights this year.
We are Bayern, we hurt, we lose, but we never bow our heads.
Thank you for this night, even though the result wasn’t beautiful.
We remembered this match, and we remembered that moment when Musiala left the field, when the whole world seemed to pause for a second for him.
