As Mamelodi Sundowns prepare for their crucial FIFA Club World Cup showdown against Fluminense at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium this Tuesday night, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The South African champions need a victory to guarantee their spot in the Round of 16, while their Brazilian opponents can progress with just a draw.
Read: African Dream Hinges on Mamelodi Sundowns’ Clash with Fluminense
Fluminense’s Formidable Challenge
Fluminense, currently topping Group F, presents a formidable challenge. While their defense has shown flashes of unpredictability, their squad is brimming with talent, including the seasoned 39-year-old defender Thiago Silva. Fresh from his European swansong, Silva is not merely a symbolic figure but remains central to the Brazilian side’s tactical structure.
Fluminense is also aiming to join their fellow Brazilian Serie A clubs – Botafogo, Palmeiras, and Flamengo – in the knockout stage. All four domestic rivals have remained unbeaten in the tournament so far, setting a high bar for Fluminense to maintain a clean sweep for Brazilian clubs.
They face a Sundowns side walking a tightrope, having secured a narrow 1-0 win over Ulsan HD and endured a thrilling but narrow 4-3 loss to Borussia Dortmund.
Gaucho’s Tactical Approach: Possession is Key
Fluminense head coach Renato Gaúcho acknowledged the quality of Mamelodi Sundowns and expressed his respect for their opponents. While remaining coy on his exact lineup, he hinted at a clear tactical approach, particularly given the shared “game model” between the two possession-oriented teams.
“I’m not going to share the tactics, but the team is ready, your question is valid but an hour before the game you will see who will play and how,” Gaúcho stated ahead of the match, as quoted by iDiski Times.
He emphasized the importance of ball control in the Miami heat: “We studied the opponent how they can play? They like the ball. We like it, three o clock will be hot, we will both suffer under the conditions here. The team who has more possession will have the benefit and tire out the other, so it will be important to keep the ball away from Sundowns.”
Gaúcho also downplayed any external pressure to succeed alongside their domestic rivals in the competition, stating that he doesn’t believe his team will face criticism even if they fall to Sundowns in Miami, where they anticipate significant support from Brazilian fans during the mid-day kickoff.
“I don’t believe we will be criticised if we don’t go to the next stage because we playing good football,” he affirmed. “I hope tomorrow we go to the next stage but we playing a hard opponent… We will work hard and show them respect to try and win and show them respect.”
Fluminense has impressed in the tournament so far, securing a goalless draw with Borussia Dortmund before beating Ulsan Hyundai. They are now just one point away from guaranteeing their spot in the knockout stage and will be looking for another strong run, having reached the Club World Cup final in 2023.
Kick off against Fluminense is set for 21:00 SAST later today at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.