Reasons to believe, or not, in Flamengo against PSG in the Intercontinental | OneFootball

Will this finally be the year of South American redemption? In pursuit of their second world title, Flamengo hopes to challenge the mighty Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the Intercontinental Cup this Wednesday (17th) in Qatar.

But the legitimate dreams of Brazil's most popular club are one thing, and the often overwhelming reality of European football power is another.

Here are three reasons to believe, or not, in Flamengo in the final that will be held at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, starting at 2 PM (Brasília time).

1. Power and ambition as the king of South America

Flamengo aims to end the absolute dominance that Europeans have established over the last 12 years.

Corinthians, in 2012, was the last South American team to lift the Intercontinental or Club World Cup trophy with seven teams, which took place between 2005 and 2023. But coach Filipe Luís and his star-studded squad, at least by American continent standards, are determined to break the Old Continent's hegemony.

The red-blacks are confident that the level they reached to win the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian Championship is enough to overcome the European champion, who will debut in the Intercontinental after winning the Champions League for the first time.

“I have no doubt that we will have the weapons to neutralize PSG's attack,” said Filipe Luís at a press conference on the eve of the final.

2. Experience in toppling giants

The talent of Uruguayan midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta is a strong point for Fla to dream of the title. The number 10 is accompanied by other experienced players like Argentine goalkeeper Rossi, defender Danilo, full-back Alex Sandro, and midfielder Jorginho, among others.

All of them were at the first Club World Cup with 32 teams, held in the middle of the year in the United States, where the Rio team authoritatively defeated Chelsea (3-1) in the group stage.

The ‘Blues’ ended up with the title, and Flamengo fell in the round of 16 against Bayern Munich (4-2), but left the impression that they can face any opponent.

“On the field, it's 11 against 11. We already have the experience of the World Cup, of facing great teams (…) and we played on equal terms,” said Rossi.

Moreover, PSG was defeated in their last match against a Brazilian team, 1-0 to Botafogo, in their Club Cup debut.

After losing the final to Chelsea in the United States, the Parisian team has yet to regain the level that amazed the world and is in second place in the French Championship, behind Lens.

3. PSG is PSG…

Flamengo's squad, reinforced after the Club Cup with Spaniard Saúl Ñíguez and Colombian Jorge Carrascal, is valued at $202 million (R$ 1.1 billion at the current exchange rate), according to the specialized portal Transfermarkt.

Although it is the second most expensive in America, it is seven times cheaper than PSG's.

Despite several of their players suffering from physical problems, the Parisians have quality names like Ousmane Dembélé (2025 Ballon d'Or winner), Marquinhos, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, João Neves, Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz, Désiré Doué…

They will miss Moroccan right-back Achraf Hakimi, who is injured, but they have enough squad to start as favorites in their Intercontinental debut.

“At the start of the league, we had problems, but the team showed that mentality we already had last year,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique at a press conference this Tuesday, who considers Flamengo “one of the best teams in the world.”

The Spanish coach's pupils arrive in Qatar, the homeland of the club's owners and where they won the French Super Cup in January, more rested than Flamengo.

The Red-Black is wrapping up an exhausting season (75 games), while the French are halfway through (23), and the trip to Qatar required much fewer flight hours.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.