Elite remains in Europe, Flamengo coach says after Bayern defeat
Flamengo conceded two goals in the opening 10 minutes and although they twice reduced the arrears, Bayern were always in control as they set up a quarter-final tie with Champions League winners Paris St Germain.
European teams were expected to dominate the expanded Club World Cup but sometimes struggled in the group phase while all Brazilian teams advanced and made an impression.
Bayern, however, restored a measure of what the European football establishment would call "order" ahead of Inter Milan's clash with Brazil's Fluminense, also in the last 16. Palmeiras progressed by beating fellow Brazilian side Botafogo on Saturday.
KEY QUOTES:
Flamengo coach Luis Filipe: "The pressure they put on you is immense. They come at you with eight, 10 players. They deserved to win.
"Our plan did work and we were able to apply pressure and create goal scoring opportunities but they were better than us, we're playing against the football elite. If Vinicius Jr had not left for Real Madrid, we would have the best player in the world.
"They (South American players) want to be in the elite and that's what they are, had we won today and the tournament, it would not change the reality - they're high quality teams. We have many Brazilian players in our teams but they (the European teams) have the best ones. They have better players, that's a fact."
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany:
On whether European clubs have the edge thanks to their efficiency in the final third: "In any competition it's the quality of the players, but also the belief. I'm not sure if that's so black or white, and some of the best finishers in the world are from South America. The South American teams have football in the blood."
On European teams' alleged tactical superiority: "Do you know how may great tacticians have come out of South America? Bielsa, Filipe Luis, notably."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Man Utd ‘look to raid PSG in ambitious transfer pursuit for key £34million midfielder' but face fight with Prem rivals
They face stiff competition for his signature from clubs home and abroad FAB-ULOUS Man Utd 'look to raid PSG in ambitious transfer pursuit for key £34million midfielder' but face fight with Prem rivals Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MANCHESTER UNITED are eyeing a deal for £34million rated Paris Saint Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz. The Red Devils may face competition from other Premier League clubs for his services, as well as from Saudi Arabian big-spenders Al Nassr. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Ruiz has a transfer value of £34m - but PSG could hold out for more to keep their midfield trio together Credit: Getty Ruben Amorim's Man Utd side will be keen to bring new faces into their midfield this summer, with Christian Eriksen departing and Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte having lacklustre seasons. Amorim's use of only two midfielders covering a lot of space requires a rare profile of all action midfielder, with Ruiz slotting into his plans for the centre of the pitch according to Foot Mercato. Ruiz, 29, played a crucial role in PSG's Champions League winning run, most notably opening the scoring in the second leg of their clash with Arsenal. The Spaniard makes up part of the French champions' midfield three alongside world-class Portuguese stars Joao Neves and Vitinha. READ MORE ON MAN UTD Deutsche MarC Bayern 'consider shock Rashford move' as Man Utd's asking price revealed PSG are keen to keep the three together, forming the engine room of a side that won the Champions League, Ligue Un, the French Cup and the French Supercup in the 2024/25 season. The trio have the chance to add further silverware to their collection this year as Les Parisiens continue their run into the knockout stages of the Club World Cup. Considering the money at stake in that competition, Ruiz is unlikely to be going anywhere until PSG's participation is over, with the final scheduled for the 13th of July should they make it that far. All three started in PSG's last match, a 4-0 demolition job over Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, with Ruiz assisting Neves for their second goal. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS English fans may also remember Ruiz from his performances with Spain at Euro 2024, where he was named in the team of the tournament alongside his compatriot, Rodri. Ruiz' current contract expires in 2027, and PSG may be forced to offer him a long-term contract if they want to combat interest from the North-West of England. If the Red Devils do get the deal over the line, fans can expect Ruiz to be deployed behind Bruno Fernandes, who looks set to stay after snubbing a big money offer from Saudi Arabia last month.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Man Utd ‘look to raid PSG in ambitious transfer pursuit for key £34million midfielder' but face fight with Prem rivals
MANCHESTER UNITED are eyeing a deal for £34million rated Paris Saint Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz. The Red Devils may face competition from other Premier League clubs for his services, as well as from Saudi Arabian big-spenders Al Nassr. 1 Ruben Amorim's Man Utd side will be keen to bring new faces into their midfield this summer, with Christian Eriksen departing and Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte having lacklustre seasons. Amorim's use of only two midfielders covering a lot of space requires a rare profile of all action midfielder, with Ruiz slotting into his plans for the centre of the pitch according to Foot Mercato. Ruiz, 29, played a crucial role in PSG's Champions League winning run, most notably opening the scoring in the second leg of their clash with Arsenal. The Spaniard makes up part of the French champions' midfield three alongside world-class Portuguese stars Joao Neves and Vitinha. PSG are keen to keep the three together, forming the engine room of a side that won the Champions League, Ligue Un, the French Cup and the French Supercup in the 2024/25 season. The trio have the chance to add further silverware to their collection this year as Les Parisiens continue their run into the knockout stages of the Club World Cup. Considering the money at stake in that competition, Ruiz is unlikely to be going anywhere until PSG's participation is over, with the final scheduled for the 13th of July should they make it that far. All three started in PSG's last match, a 4-0 demolition job over Lionel Messi's Inter Miami, with Ruiz assisting Neves for their second goal. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS English fans may also remember Ruiz from his performances with Spain at Euro 2024, where he was named in the team of the tournament alongside his compatriot, Rodri. Ruiz' current contract expires in 2027, and PSG may be forced to offer him a long-term contract if they want to combat interest from the North-West of England. If the Red Devils do get the deal over the line, fans can expect Ruiz to be deployed behind Bruno Fernandes, who looks set to stay after snubbing a big money offer from Saudi Arabia last month.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
A lucky break for Man City?
If there is any solace for Manchester City in the wake of their shock early exit from the Club World Cup, it is that the squad now has a chance to recharge before the new 61 games played by City since August equals their most in a season since Pep Guardiola became manager in three top-flight clubs in Europe have played more often over the past 11 months, albeit Chelsea will also overtake City this weekend. Chelsea, of course, had the luxury of fielding vastly different line-ups in Europe throughout 2024-25 compared to with a smaller squad, have four of the 15 outfield players currently with Premier League clubs to have played more than 100 games over the past two seasons: Tijjani Reijnders (107), Ilkay Gundogan (105), Phil Foden (102) and Bernardo Silva (101).In addition, that quartet were regular starters for their country at Euro 2024 and, with the exception of Gundogan, continue to play international two outfield players in Europe's major leagues can top the 4,861 minutes racked up by City's recent signing Reijnders for AC Milan last season, while Josko Gvardiol, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland all rank in the top 13 among Premier League players.
