Bayern Munich-Coach Vincent Kompany says that for all fascination and romance of playing against Flamengo in the round-of-16 match of the club World Cup on Sunday, the game is comparable to a Champions League match.
Six times European champions Bayern takes Copa Libertadores Flamengo three times in Hard Rock Stadium with a place in the quarterfinals for grabbing.
It is the kind of game that FIFA certainly had in mind when they came up with the idea for the tournament, but for the Bayern -Baas the task is at hand is a well -known one.
“Flamengo is a top team with a good mix of tactical discipline, aggressiveness and a very real dose of Brazilian creativity and flair,” said the former defender of Manchester City in his first season to lead the Bundesliga Giantants.
“Most Champions League teams defend at top level as a unit, and Flamengo has that discipline. That's why I see this game similar to a game at a top level in Europe,” he said.
“Flamengo has a clear structure and discipline, which is essential for each team at the top level. They defend well as a unity and have the opportunity to create dangerous situations on the ball,” he added.
Bayern goes into the game after losing their last group stage match against Benfica with 1-0 after he had introduced a weakened team. But victories against Auckland City and Boca Juniors had already insured the German side of a place in the knock phase.
Although Brazilian teams have shown during this tournament that they can compete with European clubs, Kompany still sees some elements of the traditional flair of the country in the midst of the tactical discipline.
“The way we associate Brazilian football is with creativity – things that people do on the field that we sometimes can't even think about,” he said.
Just like Kompany, the Flamengo Filipe Luis coach is only 39 and the former Atletico Madrid and Chelsea defender have clearly studied his opponent.
“I never played with him, I don't know him personally, but I know his career and the great character he has. Tactically I studied his team a lot – even Burnley had interesting ideas last year,” Luis said.
“This year, especially early in Bayern, I watched many of their games. He has a number of very interesting concepts. As I have said before, I try to copy and learn from the best. Bayern was a reference for many of us this year. So I had the chance to watch many of his games early in the season.
“It is a team that has absorbed its model really well, and without a doubt one of the most difficult opponents with which we can be confronted. These are the kind of competitions that every coach and player want part of. So it's a big privilege,” he said.
Kompany may be able to call again on the German international Jamal Musiala, who had ended the season with injury, the Benfica match missed after picking up a knock against Boca.
“He is back in training. For us it is preferable not to have him at all. But with regard to his role – we will have to wait and decide tomorrow,” said the coach.
“He is here, so he will be in the team tomorrow. But what will happen – we will see.”