Fluminense faces Manchester City for the Club World Cup title

Final

Tricolor das Laranjeiras enters the field at 3pm this Friday (Brasília time)

In search of the FIFA Club World Cup title, Fluminense will face Manchester City (England), starting at 3pm (Brasília time) this Friday (22) at the Rei Abdullah International Stadium, in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). Tricolor das Laranjeiras arrives at the clash after beating Al Ahly (Egypt) 2-0 last Monday (18), while the English team beat Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) 3-0 in the other semi-final, in the last Tuesday (19).

Both Fluminense and Manchester City are looking for an unprecedented achievement. The team led by coach Fernando Diniz secured themselves in the competition after winning the unprecedented Copa Libertadores title. Spanish coach Pep Guardiola’s team reached the World Cup after winning the European Champions League for the first time in history.
Historic match

The Laranjeiras team arrives at the clash with the clear objective of achieving another feat in 2023. In a press conference, coach Fernando Diniz stated that “Fluminense’s year has been unforgettable for the fans”. And the possibility of reaching the World title would make the year even more special.

To achieve this feat, the Fluminense commander has no problem choosing his team. With this, Tricolor must once again repeat the formation they sent to the field to measure forces with Al Ahly: Fábio; Samuel Xavier, Nino, Felipe Melo and Marcelo; André, Martinelli and Ganso; Keno, Arias and Cano.
Important absences

If Flu arrives complete, City will not be able to count on two of its biggest stars in the decision, Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and Norwegian striker Erling Haaland. With physical problems, the two were cut from the competition, along with Belgian striker Jérémy Doku, even before the victory over Urawa Reds.

As a result, coach Pep Guardiola, known for his inventiveness, must put an alternative formation on the field to measure up against Fluminense. The tendency is for the midfield to once again be formed by the Spaniard Rodri, the Portuguese Matheus Nunes and the Croatian Kovacic. The biggest doubt is in command of the attack, where Englishman Foden acted as a false nine against the Japanese. But there is the possibility of Argentine Julián Álvarez, a professional center forward, entering the position.

Therefore, Manchester City should enter the field with: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Stones and Akê; Rodri, Matheus Nunes and Kovacic; Bernardo Silva, Grealish and Foden (Julián Álvarez).

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Fluminense debuts in the Club World Cup against Al Ahly, from Egypt