Preview of Flamengo V Esperance
Flamengo Boss Filipe Luis said his high news match will not shift when the Brazilian side kicks off the club’s World Cup campaign against Esperance tonight.
The former Atletico Madrid left-back took over Flamengo in October and immediately vowed to play the “European style” to put pressure on his opponents as high as possible.
A recent study by the Football Observatory showed that Flamengo surpassed Barcelona and Manchester City at average ground depth, meaning they have a higher defense rate and are the pressing team in world football within goal range to score against opponents.
They will have the opportunity to show off their style before playing against Chelsea and LAFC.
“We’ve been trying to attack, always trying to dominate the game. The ball that wants to determine the position on the field will be the opponent. If they have higher quality and have to defend, we will defend. But the way we play will be the same. I’ll always press the same way.”
The day finally came! Gameday at FIFA Club World Cup 🗺️🏆
Live stream all games on the DAZN app and watch them for free! #takeittotheworld #fifacwc pic.twitter.com/9O5F0OMSU6
– Flamengo (@flamengo_en) June 16, 2025
On paper, they should be too good, and for Tunisia’s 34-time champion Esperance.
However, Africans have several secret weapons, but the shape of the Brazilian duo formed Yan Sasse and Rodrigo Rodrigues.
Sasse played for Coritiba, Vasco da Gama and America Mineiro in Serie A, while Rodrigues played in Palmeiras and then passed by with CSA and Juventude in Serie B.
Rodrigues told Lance: “Flamengo has top players all over the board, not just behind.
“But we also have a team full of talent. I hope a public game where Flamengo will try to play in the forefoot game. When a team starts offense, they leave the gap behind and we will seek to exploit.
Alex Sandro is likely to be a good fit for flamenco after being with Brazil in the recent World Cup qualifiers.
Nicolas de La Cruz is expected to miss knee issues, while former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Jorginho may have to have a place on the bench.
Captain Esperance, Yassine Meriah, returns from his long absence and will begin. Rodrigues and Sasse will form the top three in two thirds.
Flamengo: Rossi; Wesley, Ortiz, Danilo, Sandro; Gerson of Everton; Araujo, De Arrascaeta, Michael; Pedro
Esperance: Memmiche; Bouchniba, Jelassi, Meriah, Ben Hamida; Konate, Konate, Ogbelu; Sasse, Rodrigues, Belaili
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