Flamengo coach after Bayern loss: ‘Fact’ Europe has ‘better players’
Flamengo coach Filipe Luis said that it was a “fact” that the football elite had stayed in Europe after the Brazilian team was beaten 4-2 during a last confrontation against Bayern Munich at the club World Cup on Sunday.
The Brazilian power station conceded two goals in the first 10 minutes and although they have reduced the arrears twice, Bayern has always been in control when they have drawn a draw with the winners of the Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain.
“The pressure they put on you is immense. They come to you with eight and 10 players. They deserved to win,” said former Atlético Madrid Filipe Luis player. “Our plan worked and we were able to apply pressure and create score opportunities, but they were better than we are. We play against the football elite. If Vinícius Júnior had not left for Real Madrid, we would have the best player in the world.”
The European teams were expected to dominate the extended club World Cup, but sometimes had trouble in the group phase while all the Brazilian teams advanced and made an impression.
Bayern, however, restored a measure of what the European football establishment would call “order” before the shock of Inter Milan with the Fluminense of Brazil in the round of 16 on Monday. Palmeiras progressed by beating his Brazilian Botafogo compatriot on Saturday.
“They [South American players] I want to be in the elite and that is what they are, if we had won today and the tournament, that would not change reality – these are high quality teams, “added Filipe Luis.” We have many Brazilian players in our teams but they [the European teams] have the best. They have better players, it’s a fact. “”
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany was not so sure of the difference in quality and also referred to the quality of the coaches in South America, helping to balance any difference in talent.
“In any competition, it is the quality of the players, but also the belief,” said Kompany. “I don’t know if it’s so black or white, and some of the best ends in the world are from South America. South American teams have blood football.
“Do you know how great tactics can have come out of South America?” [Marcelo] Bielsa, Filipe Luis, in particular. “”
