Renato Gaúcho deprecatingly labelled his Fluminense team the “ugly duckling” of the Club World Cup quarterfinals, with the modest finances that have gone into crafting the tournament’s surprise-package incomparable to their remaining competitors.
“On the pitch it’s 11 against 11,” Gaúcho asserted. “Our opponent wants it, but we want it even more.” The semifinals await after their 2–1 victory over Al Hilal.
Fluminense have wildly exceeded expectations in the United States this summer, and are now on the cusp of their second Club World Cup final. Only Chelsea, who boast an almost 10-times-greater annual wage bill than the Brazilians, stand in their way.
Good ol’ defensive discipline, grit and attacking efficiency has helped Flu bridge the financial chasm on-field in the U.S., and they’ll have to function in classic harmony again on Tuesday.
Here are three key battles that could decide the upcoming Club World Cup semifinal.
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