Fluminense, the champions from Brazil, have certainly turned heads at the Club World Cup. They’ve pulled off some big wins, kicking out Internacional and Al Hilal. Now, they face a massive test this Tuesday against Chelsea in the semi-finals. If they lose, we’ll see an all-European final, something no one wants if you’re cheering for the underdog. To beat the English giants, coach Renato Gaúcho is leaning heavily on his captain, the seasoned defender Thiago Silva.
This match marks a huge reunion for Thiago Silva. He’s stepping onto the pitch against his old team, Chelsea, a club he also proudly captained. It’s a similar story to when his former club, Paris Saint-Germain, faces Real Madrid in the other semi-final. Talk about a walk down memory lane, right?
Thiago Silva, now 40 years old, admitted he’s feeling a mix of emotions. “The expectation is huge,” he said, a touch of “apprehension and anxiety” in his voice. He spent four years with the Blues, from 2020 to 2024. “I was in London recently to see my children, and I even went to their training sessions. Look, we can’t spill too many secrets, but we are absolutely ready for this challenge.” He added, “I don’t know Maresca well, but I know many of their players. I talk to them almost every week; some are very close friends of mine.” For Silva, this game is more than just football. “It’s going to be a special day for me,” he finished, “but it will be even more special if we can win and go through.”
On Chelsea’s side, coach Enzo Maresca shared his immense respect for Thiago Silva. But he also sent a clear warning to his team. Maresca stressed they need to “be careful with many different things” when facing Fluminense. It’s expected that the Portuguese player Pedro Neto will keep his starting spot for Chelsea. However, the English side will be missing a few key players. Lavia is out with an injury, and both Colwill and Delap are suspended, leaving some gaps in their lineup.