Preview for Flamengo v Esperance
Flamengo boss Filipe Luis says there will be no diversion from his high press game when the Brazilian side open their Club World Cup campaign against Esperance tonight.
The former Atletico Madrid left-back took over at Flamengo in October and immediately vowed to play a “European style” of pressing their opponents as high as possible up the pitch.
A recent study from the Football Observatory revealed Flamengo had surpassed the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City in average field depth – meaning their defence sits higher up the pitch, towards the opposing team’s goal – and were the highest pressing team in world football.
They will get the chance to showcase their style against Esperance before games against Chelsea and LAFC in Group D.
Filipe Luis said: “We try to attack all the time, always trying to dominate the game having the ball. What will determine position on the field will be the opponent. If they have more quality and we have to defend, we will defend. But our way of playing will be the same. I will always try to press in the same way.”
THE DAY HAS FINALLY COME! GAMEDAY IN THE FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 🗺️🏆
Watch all games live and for free on the DAZN App! #TakeItToTheWorld #FIFACWC pic.twitter.com/9o5F0oMSU6
— Flamengo (@Flamengo_en) June 16, 2025
On paper, they should be too good for Esperance, the 34-time champions of Tunisia.
The Africans have a couple of secret weapons, however, in the shape of Brazilian duo Yan Sasse and Rodrigo Rodrigues.
Sasse played in the Brazilian Serie A for Coritiba, Vasco da Gama and America Mineiro while Rodrigues came through at Palmeiras before stints with CSA and Juventude in Serie B.
Rodrigues told Lance: “Flamengo have top-class players right across the board, not just at the back.
“But we’ve also got a squad brimming with talent. I’m expecting an open match, in which Flamengo will try to play on the front foot. When a team set out to attack, they leave gaps in behind, which we’ll look to exploit. Anything can happen in football. There are upsets and shock results every day.”
Alex Sandro is likely to be fit for Flamengo after being with the Brazil squad for their recent World Cup qualifiers.
Nicolas de la Cruz is expected to miss out as he recuperates from a knee problem while former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Jorginho may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Esperance captain Yassine Meriah is back from a long-term absence and will start. Rodrigues and Sasse will form two thirds of the front three.
Flamengo: Rossi; Wesley, Ortiz, Danilo, Sandro; Gerson, Evertton; Araujo, De Arrascaeta, Michael; Pedro
Esperance: Memmiche; Bouchniba, Jelassi, Meriah, Ben Hamida; Guenichi, Konate, Ogbelu; Sasse, Rodrigues, Belaili
