Flamengo debut at Club World Cup against Saudi team Al Hilal

This Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 7) will be decisive for Flamengo, which debut against Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) in the semifinal of the Club World Cup, in Morocco. The Brazilian team depend on a win to advance to the final next Saturday (11), against the winner of the other semi-final, between Real Madrid (Spain) and Al Ahly (Egypt).

The Brazilian and Saudi teams play at 4 p.m. (Brasília time) at Ibn Batouta stadium, in Tangier, in northern Morocco. If Flamengo win, they will be only one game away from winning the Club World Championship for the second time, after 42 years.

The two teams have met in the 2019 edition of the World Cup, when Flamengo won 3-1, qualifying for the final against Liverpool. Its positive record does not say much for coach Vitor Pereira, who wants the team prepared for a tough dispute, without favoritism.

"The biggest mistake we can make is to think that this game will be easy. [Al Hilal] is a strong team from the individual and collective point of view. They have strength and quality, and that is why they continue year after year maintaining this level," the Flamengo coach said during a press conference on Monday (6).

Flamengo are expected to take the field this afternoon with Santos, Matheuzinho, David Luiz, Léo Pereira, and Filipe Luís; Thiago Maia, Gerson, Arrascaeta and Everton Ribeiro; Gabigol and Pedro.

Al Hilal, the current Asian champion, will take the field without one of its main stars: midfielder Kanno, suspended in the winning game over Wydad Casablanca, on penalties (5-3), last Saturday (4), which guaranteed the Saudi team in the semi-final against Flamengo.

Coached by Argentine Ramon Diaz, the Saudi team have old acquaintances of Flamengo’s fans: striker Michael and Colombian midfielder Cuéllar.

* With the collaboration of Pedro Dabés (trainee) under the supervision of Verônica Dalcanal.