Fluminense are relishing their role as the Club World Cup’s underdogs ahead of Tuesday’s semifinal against Chelsea, with manager Renato Gaucho embracing an “us against the world” mentality that has carried the Brazilian side to an improbable run.
The Rio de Janeiro club arrived in the United States given just a 0.05% chance of winning the title and were initially tipped to exit in the group stage.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca praised Brazilian football quality ahead of facing his third Brazilian opponents, after Chelsea lost 3-1 to Flamengo in the group stage and beat Palmeiras 2-1 in the quarter-finals.
“The quality from Brazilian players is probably the top, is the best quality,” he said.
Chelsea and Fluminense will do battle today for a place in the final.
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