The stage is set for the FIFA Club World Cup 2023 final. Fluminense will take on Manchester City in a highly anticipated clash on Friday, December 22 with the prestigious trophy up for grabs. Playing the UEFA Champions League winners is always a challenging task for the Copa Libertadores champs, but this time, the European side will show up with notable absentees.
Both Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne were ruled out for this match, having been cut by Pep Guardiola from the Citizens’ Club World Cup squad as they couldn’t recover on time for the semifinal against Urawa Red Diamonds. The Norwegian star is still dealing with a foot issue, whereas the Belgian midfielder has yet to return to action following a hamstring surgery. Jeremy Doku will also miss the match against Flu due to a hamstring problem.
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Manchester City are still dangerous for Fluminense
Needless to say, the Citizens head into the Club World Cup final as strong favorites even without Haaland or De Bruyne. Let’s keep in mind they still have one of, if not the best coach on Earth, with countless options on the bench. The English side showed its strength in the semifinals, beating the Japanese side 3-0.
The #ClubWC Final is set. 🔒@ManCity | @FluminenseFC
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 19, 2023
It’s true that the team hasn’t been at its best recently, having won only one of six Premier League games before traveling to Saudi Arabia. Even so, Man City will show up with the likes of Ederson, John Stones, Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden to try and confirm they are the best team on Earth.
Then again, Fluminense has already defied the odds this year, and now they have another chance to make this 2023 even more memorable. Fernando Diniz’s men head into this game at full strength, hoping the likes of Marcelo, Germán Cano, Jhon Arias and John Kennedy do their thing again. Other Brazilian teams have already upset European champions in the past, so it’s not impossible.
