Fluminense head coach Renato Gaucho says they will show Mamelodi Sundowns respect and try and win the game ahead of their deciding group clash in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Fluminense will be aiming to join fellow Brazilian Serie A clubs in the round of 16, Botafogo, Palmeiras and Flamengo – to make it a clean sweep as all four remain unbeaten until this point.
- ALSO READ: Cardoso Reveals How Downs Drew Inspiration From Springboks
- Radebe Impressed With Sundowns At CWC
They are up against Sundowns, who opened up Group F with a 1-0 win over K-League side Ulsan HD and fell to a 4-3 defeat in their second clash against Borussia Dortmund.
In a winner takes all match, Gaucho, unsurprisingly remained coy on how he would alter his set-up against the Brazilians, who have been lauded as a side who share a similar game model.
“I’m not going to share the tactics, but the team is ready, your question is valid but an hour before the game you will see who will play and how,” he said ahead of the game.
“We studied the opponent how they can play? They like the ball. We like it, three o clock will be hot, we will both suffer under the conditions here.
“The team who has more possession will have the benefit and tire out the other, so it will be important to keep the ball away from Sundowns.”
He also downplayed the notion of pressure to succeed alongside their domestic rivals in the competition, stating they won’t be criticised, even if they fall to Sundowns in Miami – where they are expected to have major backing from supporters in the mid-day kick off.
“I don’t believe we will be criticised if we don’t go to the next stage because we playing good football,” he stated.
“I hope tomorrow we go to the next stage but we playing a hard opponent… We will work hard and show them respect to try and win and show them respect.”
Did you know that the iDiski Times Digital Newspaper is completely free! Download it now by clicking the button below or fill in the form to have it sent to you every week.
