A highly anticipated matchup between Bundesliga champions FC Bayern Munich and Série A champions CR Flamengo comes to a head in Miami, FL, this afternoon. Group D winner Flamengo enters the match unbeaten, while Group C runner-up Bayern looks to overcome an unexpected loss to Benfica earlier this week.
According to Brazilian journalist Rodolfo Rodrigues, the teams played once before, in the 1994 final of the Kuala Lumpur International Tournament, where Flamengo emerged victorious in a 3-1 win over the Bavarians. More than thirty years later, the two will play again for a chance to face off against the winner of the game between Inter Miami and Paris Saint-Germain next Saturday in Atlanta, GA.
Here are five additional things to know about these two league winners ahead of their matchup for a coveted spot in the Club World Cup Quarterfinals.
Oliver Strand
1. Flamengo remains unbeaten
In one of the surprises of the tournament, Flamengo emerges as a dark horse contender for the Club World Cup title.
All four Brazilian teams who qualified for the Club World Cup advanced to the knockout stages, with Botafogo the only squad to suffer a loss. Flamengo did so unbeaten, beating both ES Tunis and Chelsea FC before tying with LAFC to top Group D. Defeating Chelsea 3-1 in perhaps one of the most impressive results of the tournament, Flamengo proved they had the grit and talent needed to go toe-to-toe with a top European club.
Flamengo's confidence heading into the knockout round will be high, especially knowing their opponents were left searching for answers following their last loss. Flamengo's squad is full of depth, with veteran Bruno Henrique providing critical support off the bench and youthful talent Wallace Yan proving himself on the world stage. If the Brazilian side can continue direct transitions between passes while closing gaps in their midfield, it might be enough to push them one step closer to the title.
2. Bayern has more to lose
The German powerhouse is notorious for dominance in European football, overcoming some of the best teams in the world during Champions League play while fielding several players to their national teams. The 34-time Bundesliga champs have a reputation to uphold, one that will either be their saving grace or their downfall.
No one expected Flamengo to make it as far as they have, and with less expectations on the Brazilian club, Flamengo will play with a lot less inhibitions than Bayern might. The key here is for Bayern to maintain their composure and rely on a tight midfield with Kingsley Coman and Michael Olise along the flanks. Flamengo's intensity makes them dangerous, especially given the club's tendency to control the game through an attack-and-steal approach.
Bayern must rely on previous experience in high-pressure matches to counteract the Brazilian side's spirit. Bayern striker Harry Kane is certainly no stranger to pressure, and his experience was on full display with his goal and assist in a tight game against Boca Juniors. The game against Flamengo is expected to be close, in which case Bayern will need experienced closers like Kane to complete passes and finish off the match.
Michael Battista
3. Michael Olise is Bayern's secret weapon
Olise is on track to become the tournament's top scorer and top assist provider with his performance in the group stage. The Bayern midfielder is one of the most valuable players on the squad. With two goals and two assists against Auckland City and his game-winning goal against Boca Juniors, no player scored or assisted more than Olise.
He also completed the most dribbles out of anyone on the group stage with 12 dribbles. The French national was a fruitful signing to Bayern's squad, notching 20 goals and 20 assists in his debut season for the club. It's clear he's not willing to compromise on his level no matter the tournament, bringing his highest level to the Club World Cup with neat touches, fluid dribbling, and complete finishes.
Once a ball is in Olise's possession, it's nearly impossible to get it back. If Kompany decides to start him in Sunday's match, it will be difficult for Flamengo to disrupt his rhythm on the pitch.
4. Kompany's 'mistake' against Benefica might help
Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany faced heavy criticism for his choice of players in Bayern's loss to Benfica on Tuesday. Kompany put Leroy Sané, Tom Bischof, João Palhinha, and Dayot Upamecano in the lineup for their first starts of the tournament, a decision that led to Benfica scoring within the first 13 minutes.
The extreme heat conditions in Charlotte, and a desire to avoid injury, were some of the reasons why Kompany chose not to start star players like Kane, Jamal Musiala, or Michael Olise, especially as Bayern had already guaranteed a spot in the knockout rounds heading into the match. It's prudent to note that regular starters in the tournament are coming off a recently-ended season, where Kompany played a somewhat consistent starting lineup.
While many see a mistake, Kompany sees opportunity. Resting Bayern's star players ahead of a critical knockout game rather than exhausting them in what was ultimately an inconsequential group stage match is in Bayern's favor. A healthy Musiala is crucial to Bayern's midfield, especially if they expect to get past a red-hot Flamengo and face PSG and Real Madrid later down the tournament.
Hudson River Blue Staff
5. Flamengo's fanbase hotspot
As Brazil's top team, Flamengo isn't lacking in fans. Flamengo ranks 16th in the world in terms of total social media following for soccer teams, with an estimated 53.4 million followers across all social platforms.
Each Flamengo match brought unmatched energy from the club's fanbase, pure excitement radiating from the stands at Lincoln Financial Field the day Flamengo defeated Chelsea. Philadelphia saw waves of enthusiastic Flamengo fans take over the city's top hotspots in celebration of the club's win.
If the turnout in Orlando was any indication, Hard Rock will be flooded with red-and-black. Those who flocked to Orlando are sure to follow the club to Miami, and with the growth of soccer culture thanks to Inter Miami's influence in the city, the mood is set to be explosive ahead of Flamengo's face-off with Bayern.
With enough crowd support in Hard Rock Stadium, Flamengo can play off what could potentially feel like a home stadium atmosphere, an advantage the Brazilian side will need if they face a newly rested Bayern.
