Flamengo manager Filipe Luis promised Thursday that his club will stick to its “fierce, relentless style” for Friday’s highly anticipated Club World Cup matchup against Chelsea.
The Brazilian league’s top squad, Flamengo, will try to snap a 13-year losing record for South American teams against their European rivals.
The team is in explosive form going into the game, having won five straight across all competitions, including their tournament opener against Esperance de Tunis, 2-0.
Prior to the game, Filipe Luis made it clear that he firmly believed in his team’s concept.
“Never give up on your convictions. I have a conviction, a very clear idea of what I think about the game,” he told reporters.
“I would never, ever change my team because of an opponent. It would be completely and absolutely wrong for the players.
“We will play the way we have been preparing for eight months.”
The Flamengo team that Filipe Luis has assembled thrives on possession dominance and setting the pace of games.
In contrast to the Premier League team’s calibre, he recognised that Friday’s match against Chelsea will necessitate “sacrifice” and emphasised the value of an experienced defence that includes former Juventus fullbacks Danilo and Alex Sandro.
“Experience always helps because these elite clubs have decisive players who don’t lose the ball and create dangerous plays,” the Flamengo coach said.
“We know it will be a game of sacrifice. We won’t always have the ball, and when we don’t, we’ll have to run and fight together as a team.
“The players understand this because they’ve been doing it ever since I was their teammate and now as their coach.”
With three points, Flamengo leads Group D, pushing Chelsea to the top spot based on the tiebreaker criterion of yellow cards.
Esperance and Los Angeles FC, who have not yet earned a point, will play each other in their other group match on Friday.
The former Chelsea player, Filipe Luis, said he had faith in his team’s cohesion and will.
“The only way to win is with all 11 players pulling in the same direction. Knowing this is the way forward, we definitely have a chance,” he said.
The game on Friday is expected to be a battle of styles, with Chelsea’s defensive sturdiness and outstanding individual talent facing Flamengo’s attacking flair and possession-based strategy.