TANGIER, Morocco — Egyptian giants Al-Ahly finished preparations in readiness for their tough clash against Flamengo in the third/fourth place playoff at the FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) on Saturday at 5:30pm Cairo Local Time at the Tangier Stadium.
Real Madrid has proven it can find the net even if it must take the field without talisman Karim Benzema in Saturday’s final against Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal.
Flamengo suffered a 3-2 loss to Al-Hilal in the tournament’s first semi-final on Tuesday evening, before Al-Ahly went down 4-1 to the competition favourites Real Madrid on Wednesday.
The Red Devils has finished third on three occasions.
Managed by former Switzerland international Marcel Koller, the Cairo club was bidding to go one better than the previous two seasons at the Club World Cup in which they finished in third place after beating Palmeiras and Al-Hilal respectively to claim the bronze medal.
Al-Ahly recorded a 1-0 victory over Auckland City in the first round of the Club World Cup before beating Seattle Sounders 1-0 three days later to book their spot in the semi-finals of the competition.
The Egyptian outfit was always going to be up against it against Real Madrid, but they were still in the match entering second-half stoppage time.
Indeed, a penalty from Ali Maaloul had halved Real Madrid’s lead, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side 2-1 ahead entering stoppage time, but Rodrygo and Sergio Arribas added gloss to the score line in the closing stages, as the European Cup holders won 4-1 to set up a final with Al-Hilal.
Al-Ahly is competing in the Club World Cup for the eighth time in their history.
The 42-time Egyptian top-flight champions, who qualifies as one of two African representatives, has won bronze at the FIFA Club World Cup on three occasions – 2006, 2020 and 2021.
Koller’s team will be determined to finish the tournament on a positive note before switching their attention back to domestic matters, and they are currently top of Egypt’s Premier League, boasting 37 points from their opening 15 matches of the campaign.
Koller’s 4-1-4-1 formation has had success thus far at the tournament, with Malian midfielder Aliou Dieng sitting in front of a back four that has conceded just one goal in their previous eight outings.
No club outside the CONMEBOL or UEFA confederations have ever lifted the Club World Cup in its current format, though the latter’s highly revered representatives have failed in the past.
Flamengo, meanwhile, secured their spot in the semi-finals of this competition courtesy of their triumph in the 2022 Copa Libertadores.
The Brazilian outfit is competing in the Club World Cup for just the second time in their history, and they would have fancied their chances of overcoming Al-Hilal to reach the final.
However, Vitor Pereira’s side were 1-0 down inside the first four minutes and then trailed 3-1 in the 70th minute, with Pedro’s second of the match late on only proving to be a consolation.
Flamengo will therefore take on Al-Ahly and they will then switch their attention back to domestic matters, taking on Volta Redonda in the league on February 15.
The Brazilian side actually beat Al-Hilal in the semi-finals of the 2019 competition to set up a final with Liverpool, and they only lost 1-0 to the English giants following extra-time.
Real Madrid vs Al-Hilal
Carlo Ancelotti’s side, reigning European and Spanish champion, is aiming to win the competition for a fifth time and build confidence after a shaky start to 2023.
Madrid captain Benzema missed the semi-final with a thigh injury but will be available for the final.
Los Blancos are already the record four-time winners and are firm favourites to beat Al-Hilal after their 4-1 semifinal victory over Egyptian outfit Al-Ahly on Wednesday.
Madrid won the competition under Ancelotti in 2014 during his first stint in charge, as well as in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Fede Valverde lined up in attack and all scored in the triumph, along with youngster Sergio Arribas from the bench.
Madrid was not at its best but the forwards had enough cutting edge to blow past the 10-time African Champion League winner in the final stages.
Ancelotti said Benzema’s injury was not serious, but the coach may choose to begin with the Ballon d’Or holder on the bench, even if he is fit to play, after his team’s clinical performance.
Madrid lost the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona in January and has fallen eight points behind its rival in the La Liga title race.
Winning its second trophy of the season, after lifting the European Super Cup in August, would boost morale in the Spanish capital.
Al-Hilal, which overcame Copa Libertadores winners Flamengo in the other semifinal, has former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo and ex-Atletico Madrid forward Luciano Vietto leading the line.
The 2021 Asian Champions League winner is aiming to win the trophy for the first time, having finished fourth in 2019 and 2021.
“We have to respect this team, they’ve got good players and play well collectively. They’ll be excited to play in the final and so will we,” said Ancelotti on Wednesday.
“Football’s changing because there are a lot of teams all over the world that can compete, fight and win too.”
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