Preview: Fluminense and Chelsea contest the first Club World Cup semifinal
Fluminense and Chelsea go head-to-head in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final on Tuesday as both sides edge closer to lifting a trophy after some impressive displays in the competition.
By Matt Smith
A win for either team would set up a final against Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid, who face each other on Wednesday. It could be another opportunity for Chelsea fans to see new signing João Pedro in action once again, while Fluminense’s vibrant supporters will be hoping to see their team reach the final to face another huge European outfit.
Team news
Suspensions are playing a huge part in the competition so far, and Fluminense will be without centre-back Juan Pablo Freytes and Martinelli, who have both picked up too many yellow cards in this year’s Club World Cup. Thiago Silva is however expected to feature against his former club.
Liam Delap and Levi Colwill will both miss out due to suspension, but we could see Moisés Caicedo return after he was unavailable for the previous game, serving a one-match ban. João Pedro could feature once again, but another new signing, Jamie Gittens, is ineligible.
Fluminense a surprise package
Fluminense have been a bit of a surprise package this competition, and many supporters from Europe might not have expected to see them reach the semi-final. The Brazilian outfit are there on merit, however, beating Inter Milan and Al-Hilal, among others, while also securing an impressive 0-0 draw against Borussia Dortmund.
Conceding just 0.6 goals per game – a figure only bettered by PSG – Fluminense have shown immense defensive resilience, but they’ll be coming up against a Chelsea side with plenty of attacking talent.
Maresca’s side fluent in attack
As was the case for much of the 2024/2025 Premier League season, Enzo Maresca’s side have looked fluent in attack at the Club World Cup. Scoring 2.4 goals per game, a host of Chelsea’s attacking stars have chipped in with goals, but they’ll need to start controlling their temper to avoid further suspensions.
The Blues have picked up 12 yellow cards in the competition, with only Fluminense and Benfica managing more. We could be set for a fiery encounter in New Jersey on Tuesday.
Pedro Neto finding form
Chelsea have been linked with a host of attacking players this summer, and we’ve already seen three arrive through the door. What this means for some of Maresca’s current options in the final third remains to be seen, but Pedro Neto is one player who appears to be relishing the extra competition.
The Portuguese forward has struck three times so far and has been a constant threat out wide for Chelsea. Neto might count himself unlucky not to have a couple of assists to his name, and he’s certainly made a case to start the remaining games in the competition.
Prediction
It’s been an impressive tournament so far for Fluminense, but we’re going for a narrow 2-1 victory to Chelsea in this one.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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