Fluminense, the Copa Libertadores Champions, secured their spot in the final of FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023™, by defeating CAF Champions Al Ahly 2-0. The Brazilian powerhouse will now face off against Manchester City in the tournament finale.
FIFA’s on-site Technical Study Group in Jeddah closely analyzed Fluminense’s performance, shedding light on their key technical and tactical strengths ahead of their clash with the UEFA Champions.
A distinctive aspect of Fluminense’s gameplay is their unwavering commitment to building play from the back. Even while leading 1-0 in the semi-final, they maintained a high level of dedication to their build-up style. Remarkably, they completed 89.6 percent of passes in the defensive third, surpassing Al Ahly’s 73 percent.
Notably, goalkeeper Fabio played a minimal role in possession sequences, with midfielder Andre taking center stage in deep build-ups. Andre’s pivotal role is evident in his 73 percent of receptions occurring in front of the opposition, showcasing his significant involvement in build-up phases.
Fluminense strategically overloaded one side of the pitch, swiftly circulating or switching possession to create gaps in Al Ahly’s defensive structure. The success of this tactic is reflected in 62 percent of Fluminense’s final third entries occurring in the outside channels, predominantly on the left (39 percent).
In terms of passing accuracy, Andre excelled with a remarkable 96.4 percent completion rate, the highest among all starting players. His ability to receive the ball inside the opposition team shape and execute line-breaking passes further highlighted his impact on the game.
When out of possession, Fluminense displayed an aggressive pressing strategy in advanced areas, particularly with a 4-4-2 formation. The forward players and wide midfielders, including Arias, Ganso, Cano, and Keno, applied intense pressure, preventing Al Ahly from progressing the ball. Notably, Arias led with 34 pressures.
The provided clips showcase the relentless efforts of Ganso and Cano to disrupt the center-backs, while Arias and Keno executed immediate and aggressive presses on Al Ahly’s full-backs, effectively neutralizing potential threats.
Fluminense’s defensive prowess was evident in their ability to trigger an intense press based on specific passing scenarios, further fortifying their defensive line. With an impressive out-of-possession team length of 40 meters, Fluminense demonstrated a strategic approach to safeguarding their defensive structure.
As Fluminense advances to the FIFA Club World Cup final, their technical brilliance and tactical acumen set the stage for a thrilling showdown against Manchester City.
