On paper Flamengo have the strongest squad in Latin America, thanks to a massive financial recovery over the 2010s which enabled them to use their massive set of supporters to its full potential. But much like their Brazilian counterparts they’re unable to retain their best talents, with many flocking to teams like Chelsea at a really young age.
They were out today to show they shouldn’t be underestimated because of this “weakness”, much like other Brazilian teams in the competition. The likes of Gerson and Giorgian de Arrascaeta were key in that role, playing some dangerous passes to whoever arrived in the box. But with their teammates wasting those golden chances, they couldn’t complain when a massive defensive mistake allowed Pedro Neto to open the scoring for the Blues early in the first half.
The goal didn’t diminish their spirits. They kept dominating possession, which was an awkward situation for a Chelsea team so used to being the ones retaining the ball. At the same time we weren’t afraid to press Flamengo high and give them a really hard time with some really rough fouls all over the pitch.
It felt that if things stayed in this state, Flamengo would be able to turn things around if they just calibrated their aim. That’s exactly what they did, with Bruno Henrique and Danilo scoring back-to-back goals to put the Brazilians in front in the scoreline.
The cherry on top was Nicolas Jackson’s cameo. On his birthday no less, the striker entered the pitch in place of Liam Delap at minute 64 and got a red card less than four minutes later after a violent foul on Ayrton Lucas.
And then, there was three. Young attacker Wallace Yan got a golden chance in front of goal and he didn’t waste the opportunity to cement Flamengo’s win over Chelsea in Philadelphia.
* Reece James starts, and so does Malo Gusto.
* Great effort from Pedro Neto to win the ball from Wesley and beat Agustin Rossi on the 1v1 to get Chelsea in front in less than 15 minutes of play.
* Three yellow cards for Chelsea, none for Flamengo in the first half.
* There’s no discussing Nicolas Jackson’s straight red.
* Next up: Espérance de Túnis in our last group stage match of the Club World Cup.
* KTBFFH.
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