By Melody Gross )
Manchester City midfielder leaves warning to Fluminense. But Tricolor defender Nino responds: “They are the best in the world, but we have everything to reach the title.”
On the eve of the match, tomorrow at 6pm in Lisbon, in Jeda, which will decide the 2023 Club World Cup title between Manchester City and Fluminense, the duel is for now just words. On the English side, Jack Grealish warned that the European champion did not travel to Saudi Arabia in order to lose. Among the Brazilians, who were recently crowned Copa Libertadores de América champions, respect for the rival does not diminish ambition, as Nino explains.
“For me, Manchester City is the best team in the world, with a great coach. We know how difficult it is to face them, but I think we are capable of becoming world champions because, in my opinion, we have everything to win this title. Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest stands above the rest, said the 26-year-old Brazil and Flu defender, who is on the Premier League agenda.
Another athlete, Andre, won the Man of the Match award in the semi-final with Al Ahly, which Tricolor won 2-0, with goals from John Arias and John Kennedy, thanks, he said, to the medical department. “Since Brazil, I have been suffering from some pain. I received intensive treatment and was 100% ready. Now with City, we have to impose ourselves and compete as Professor Diniz asks of us.”
Meanwhile, Jack Grealish says it would “be incredible” to win the World Cup. “This is what we want, this is what we came here for, and the coach made that clear as well, so let’s keep our fingers crossed, we will win.” After defeating Urawa Red Diamonds 3-0, the idea now is to work: “We will work hard in the next few days. Everything we did before was dedicated to the match with Urawa. Now we are focusing on the final.”
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City should play Ederson; Walker, Stones, Ruben Dias, Gvardiol; Lewis, Rhodri; Bernardo Silva, Foden, Grealish and Alvarez, with Matheus Nunes, this time, on the bench. Fluminense can play with veteran Fabio in goal; Samuel Xavier, Nino, Felipe Melo, Marcelo; Andre, Matthews Martinelli; John Arias, Ganso, Kino; The Germans were in the lead.