FIFACWC: Rodrigues identifies areas Espérance will exploit against Flamengo

Photo Credit - Espérance sportive de Tunis.

Espérance forward Rodrigo Rodrigues has discussed their opening fixture of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against Flamengo at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Monday.

The Tunisian giants have been drawn into Group D and will come up against 2022 Copa Libertadores winners CR Flamengo, English Premier League side Chelsea, who lifted the UEFA Champions League in 2020/2021, and LAFC, who qualified after beating Club America in a Play-In match.

“Flamengo have top-class players’ right across the board, not just at the back,” the 28-year-old Rodrigues told Brazilian sports paper Lance! – before talking up Espérance’s prospects as quoted by FIFA.com.

“We’ve also got a squad brimming with talent. I’m expecting an open match, in which Flamengo will try to play on the front foot. When a team set out to attack, they leave gaps in behind, which we’ll look to exploit. Anything can happen in football. There are upsets and shock results every day.”

Meanwhile, defender Amine Ben Hmida said they will not be afraid of any team they come up against at the global showpiece tournament. “We are Espérance, and it is more than just a motto. We won’t be afraid of any team at the tournament. We’ll face them on the pitch, and let the result do the talking,” he told the club’s official website.

After playing against Flamengo, they will confront LAFC in their matchday two fixture at GEODIS Park, in Nashville, on Friday, June 20, before concluding their preliminary group campaign against Chelsea at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 24.

Espérance booked their spot at the new-look FIFA Club World Cup via the CAF ranking pathway thanks to their consistently impressive performances in Africa’s elite club competition over the past four seasons.