Enzo Maresca`s side is set to face the last remaining non-European team in the tournament. The match kicks off at 9 PM local time.
Tonight, at 9 PM Italian time, in East Rutherford, near New York, the first of the two Club World Cup semifinals will take place. Fluminense, the sole South American team still in contention, will compete against Chelsea. Given that the other finalist will be decided tomorrow from the PSG-Real Madrid match at the same venue and time, if Fluminense is eliminated, the inaugural expanded edition of the Club World Cup will culminate in an all-European final. The general narrative of this match is centered around the Brazilian side standing as a challenge to the dominance of European clubs.
Thiago`s Connections to Three Semifinalists
Thiago Silva, the defender and captain of Fluminense, and former AC Milan player, has represented three of the four semifinalist clubs. He previously played for Chelsea and PSG, and is now a vital part of the “Tricolor” of Rio de Janeiro. “For me, it`s a special match,” Silva commented. “I know many Chelsea players, and I`m still in contact with some of them. My children live and study in London. It`s a special match for me, but it will be even more special if we qualify.” Fluminense will rely heavily on the veteran presence of the 40-year-old Silva and the 44-year-old goalkeeper Fabio. Combined, they have 84 years of experience, nearly 86 considering both were born in September. Coach Renato Portaluppi is expected to maintain the same formation used against Inter in the round of 16 and Al Hilal under Inzaghi in the quarterfinals: a robust 3-5-2 setup. Their strategy mirrors an “Italian” approach: focusing on solid defense, quick counter-attacks, and exploiting any opponent errors. However, Fluminense will be without the suspended Freytes, a key defender. Marco Materazzi, speaking on ESPN, praised him as one of the World Cup`s most interesting defenders, describing him as “quick, strong, and technical.” Matheus Martinelli, who scored against Al Hilal, is also suspended and will be replaced by Hercules, a player with two goals to his name.
Maresca & Donnarumma: The Last Italians Standing
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea`s manager, and Gigio Donnarumma, PSG`s goalkeeper, are the only remaining Italians in the tournament. With Inter and Juventus eliminated, they carry the flag. Tonight, the spotlight is on Maresca. He will count on Cole Palmer, his technical leader on the field, and might potentially start Joao Pedro. The forward was recently acquired from Brighton for a substantial fee of 70 million euros, including bonuses – a deal that raised eyebrows regarding UEFA Financial Fair Play. Joao Pedro came through Fluminense`s youth academy, adding a significant emotional layer to the encounter. Following his 36-minute debut in blue against Palmeiras, he is poised to challenge his former club. If Maresca opts to start him, Jackson, who is reportedly increasingly unhappy, might be left out. For clubs in search of a forward, Jackson could present an opportunity.
