Palmeiras and Fluminense fight to face each other in a Brazilian semifinal
After two days of abstinence, we will have the return with the games of Brazilians through the quarterfinals. On the one hand, a key with the possible zebras to the title. On the other, the usual favorite giants. After all, what to expect from the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup?
Before projecting what comes this weekend, it is worth mentioning the success of the Club World Cup with the Brazilian public. Football has always been our greatest expression as culture and society, and whenever we can stand out on the world scenario through it, this connects a power plant within each Brazilian, and connects with an inexplicable urgency: we want to see ourselves on the podium wrapped in our flag.
Let it arrive, now take it
The Real Madrid de Xabi Alonso doesn’t have a very defined face yet, but does anyone doubt the meringues are already mega favorites for the title? If Dortmund can eliminate the Spanish on Saturday (07/05), it will be a huge zebra. And Tchouameni have done here, Alexander-Arnold seems totally adapted to the team, and young Gonzalo Garcia and Arda Guller are flying. This is what Vini Junior, Rodrygo and Mbappé have not yet caught in the jolt. They let Real Madrid get here, now take it.
Even so, I still believe Bayern Munich is the big favorite to the title. Having a very close team, having a cast capable of different strategies in the match, the anger of early elimination in Champions and football that guys like Olise, Kane, Goretzka and Gnabry are playing. PSG is a thymade, the best in the world today, but perhaps the rope stretched since Champions is not sustained against Bavarian competitiveness. For sure, it will be the best game of this phase.
We want to light the Brazilian plant
It is wrong to think that facing Al Hilal is quieter than if it was Manchester City. Against the Guardiola team, the defeat would be inevitable. It would be an easier game to face. Now, Fluminense has a chance to pass. And that generates a responsibility that makes everything harder. The data point to a balance and a slight favoritism for Fluminense to win or take the game for penalties. Of course, this is playing with the focus that brought you here, defensive efficiency and holding Al Hilal’s offensive momentum. But seeing the flu in semi is no absurdity.
Already against Chelsea. Not that the London team is a goal -making machine, but it is a young team with a lot of physical intensity and the ability to “endure the jog”. That is, Palmeiras will need to create through possession, because if you want to play only more reactively, it may not be a good idea.
And then a problem arises: Verdon converted only 16% of the chances created in this World Cup, against 30% of Chelsea. And in the face of such a difficult opponent, it will need to be more efficient when scoring goals. What to expect from the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup? If Palmeiras can improve offensively and Fluminense repeat the acting of the round of 16, perhaps we will have the long -awaited semifinal that lights our internal Brazilian plant?
