Filipe Luis: Flamengo will stay true to their identity against Chelsea

Flamengo head coach and former Chelsea defender Filipe Luis has unwavering belief in his team's philosophy ahead of their Club World Cup clash with the Blues. 

Friday's clash at Lincoln Financial Field will see the Brazilian come up against the club he made 26 appearances for in all competitions as a player back in 2014-15. 

Flamengo sit top of Group D following their first game at the Club World Cup following a 2-0 victory over Esperance Tunis, with Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Luiz Araujo on target. 

That win saw Flamengo keep their first clean sheet in the competition (including previous format), having conceded a goal in their previous four games at the tournament. 

But they face a different proposition in Chelsea, who surged to a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in their first match since lifting the Europa Conference League title last month. 

Under the previous format of the Club World Cup, Flamengo have faced Premier League opposition once before, when they were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool in the 2019 final. 

But Filipe Luis was confident of a result, saying: "Never give up on your convictions. I have a conviction, a very clear idea of what I think about the game. 

"I would never, ever change my team because of an opponent. It would be completely and absolutely wrong for the players.

"We will play the way we have been preparing for eight months." 

And Flamengo can take confidence from Botafogo's sensational Paris Saint-Germain, with Igor Jesus' strike sealing a 1-0 win for the Brazilian side. 

Indeed, it was the first victory by a South American side over a European team in the Club World Cup since Corinthians beat Chelsea in the 2012 final. 

Flamengo have held more possession in 17 of their 18 games across all main competitions in 2025 (FIFA Club World Cup, Brazilian Serie A and CONMEBOL Libertadores).

But Filipe Luis acknowledged that against Chelsea, who held 64.8% possession in their win over LAFC, that his team may have to suffer against Enzo Maresca's side. 

The Blues have also had over 60% possession in 11 of their 16 matches against teams from outside of England since the start of the 2024-25 season.

"Experience always helps because these elite clubs have decisive players who don’t lose the ball and create dangerous plays," the Flamengo coach said.

"We know it will be a game of sacrifice. We won't always have the ball, and when we don't, we'll have to run and fight together as a team.

"The players understand this because they've been doing it ever since I was their teammate and now as their coach.

"The only way to win is with all 11 players pulling in the same direction. Knowing this is the way forward, we definitely have a chance."