Flamengo -head coach and former Chelsea defender Filipe Luis has an unwavering belief in the philosophy of his team prior to their club World Cup collision with the blues.
Friday's collision at Lincoln Financial Field will meet the Brazilian against the club for which he made 26 performances in all matches as a player in 2014-15.
Flamengo is at the top of group D after their first game at the club World Cup after a 2-0 win over Esperance Tunis, with Giorgian de Arascaeta and Luiz Arajo on Doel.
In that victory, Flamengo held their first clean slate in the competition (including earlier size), after they had admitted a goal in their previous four games at the tournament.
But they are confronted with a different proposition in Chelsea, which switched to a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in their first game since he stumbled the Europa Conference League title last month.
Under the previous format of the club World Cup, Flamengo once confronted with Premier League opposition, once they were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool in the 2019 final.
But Filipe Luis had faith in a result and said: “Never give up your beliefs. I have a conviction, a very clear idea of ​​what I think of the game.
“I would never change my team because of an opponent. It would be complete and absolutely wrong for the players.
“We will play as we have been preparing for eight months.”
It's Gameday! We play Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup pic.twitter.com/J82C9GHJRH
– Flamengo (@flamengo_en) June 20, 2025
And Flamengo can take faith from Botafogo's sensational Paris Saint-Germain, with Igor Jesus' strike that seals a 1-0 win for the Brazilian side.
Indeed, it was the first victory of a South -American side on a European team in the club World Cup since Corinthian's Chelsea defeated in the 2012 final.
Flamengo held more possession in 17 of their 18 games in all main competitions in 2025 (FIFA Club World Cup, Brazilian Serie A and Conmebol Libertadores).
But Filipe Luis acknowledged that against Chelsea, who had 64.8% in their victory over Lafc, that his team may have to suffer from the side of Enzo Maresca.
The blues have also had more than 60% possession in 11 of their 16 games against teams from outside England since the beginning of the 2024-25 season.
“There always helps that these elite clubs have decisive players who do not lose the ball and create dangerous plays,” said the Flamengo coach.
“We know it will be a game of sacrifice. We will not always have the ball, and if we don't, we as a team must run and fight together.
“The players understand this because they have done it since I was their teammate and now as their coach.
“The only way to win is with all 11 players who move in the same direction. Knowing that this is the way forward, we certainly have a chance.”