The only Brazilian live at the Club World Cup, Fluminense plays this Tuesday (8) to reach the final. “Ugly Duckling” in the words of coach Renato Gaúcho, the tricolor team has been making a surprising campaign in the United States and seeks to take another step, in confrontation with Chelsea.
“When I say it is the ugly duckling, with all due respect to all other clubs, I speak financially, because we have to live the reality. Fluminense does not reach ten percent of these great clubs in financial terms. So these great clubs are able to hire the big players,” said the coach.
“This does not mean that Fluminense can’t reach a final and win a World Cup. It’s hard? Yes, it’s hard, but it’s all over the world,” Renato added. “I’m trusting my group a lot, with all due respect to Chelsea. What I can say is that it will be a very difficult match. You can’t think of who is the favorite.”
With the smallest payroll among the four semifinalists – R $ 15 million per month – and a lower investment also to the other Brazilian clubs in the competition, Fluminense was surviving. With a draw with Borussia Dortmund, a victory over the Ulsan HD and a draw with Mamelodi Sundowns, he advanced second in group F.
The classification with the vice-leadership in the key put the carioca formation on the path of Inter Milan, European runner-up. With a goal at the beginning and one from Hercules at the end, the tricolor team won 2-0. Following, they faced Al Hilal, who had eliminated Manchester City, and triumphed 2-1, goals from Martinelli and Hercules.
Thus, the time to face Chelsea, who will play for the third time against a team from Brazil in the competition. Defeated by Flamengo in the group stage, the English formation comes from a 2-1 win over Palmeiras, in a game decided on a Weverton failure in the last minutes.
“The energy of Brazilian teams has been very high. They are starting the season, we are ending. So the energy level is different. We have to deal with it,” said coach Enzo Maresca, who praised the opponent he will find at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford.
“They have a lot of good players, a lot of experience and quality. We need to be aware and careful. I had already watched some games [de Renato Gaúcho] At Grêmio, of course his style. The first Brazilian teams we faced were very good. We believe it will be the same now, “said the Italian.
Maresca will not be able to count on the roméo Lavia midfielder, injured. Also out of defender Levi Colwell and striker Liam Delap, suspended. The midfielder Moisés Caicedo, who served suspension against Palmeiras, is available again. And should return the right back Reece James, who felt muscle discomfort in heating and was removed from the quarterfinals.
On the tricolor side, defender Freytes and midfielder Martinelli will be suspended. It is likely to enter their places, respectively, Thiago Santos and Hercules, but it will not be surprised if Renato adopts a different formation. The coach has set up Fluminense according to the opponent and varied tactical schemes.
