CR Flamengo went into their Group D finale at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ knowing victory over LAFC would have made them the first team to achieve a perfect record. Their already-eliminated counterparts stood firm, though, and looked to have won the match until a late Wallace Yan goal ensured the Mengão, who had already secured first place, at least finished unbeaten.
Filipe Luis’ side’s reward is a last-16 meeting with FC Bayern München, whose defeat at the hands of SL Benfica cost them pole position in Group C. Defender Danilo is disappointed at seeing the winning run come an end, but is relishing the upcoming battle with the Bavarian giants.
“I’m doing well, but I’m slightly disappointed by how the match played out,” he admitted to FIFA. “We’re delighted to advance as group winners, which is what we’d been working towards. It’s the target we set ourselves starting out in this competition. We’ve done the job, so now we need to recover and replenish our energy levels.
“Now everything resets, and we have such an important tie coming up. We know we’ll need to be at our best to get through. Our supporters are incredible, so we’ll need to take on Bayern as one.”
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Having played for FC Porto, Real Madrid C. F., Manchester City and Juventus FC, Danilo knows European football better than most, and is aware of the dangers posed by a powerful Bayern side. Both teams have similar styles underpinned by a high press, recovering possession quickly and keeping the ball for long spells to unlock space in the final third. The 33-year-old also spoke about how to prepare to face the German champions.
“Bayern are such a strong team – it’ll be a brilliant encounter,” he continued. “We’ll try to prepare for it in the same way, just as we’ve done up until this point. We want to stay loyal to our style of play. Of course, we’ll need to defend well throughout against Bayern, but we’ll also try to keep possession and play our game.”
It will be South America against Europe in the Round of 16, with Danilo keen to stress just how much the beautiful game has developed in his home country. “There are teams in Brazil achieving wonderful things, and we’re performing very well at this tournament. It’s no surprise to me. Every team has players brimming with experience and quality.”
Filipe Luis echoed the storied defender’s thoughts: “We’ve had a good group phase, and I’m delighted with our progress,” he said. “Now we’re fully focused on Bayern. Anything can happen in a one-off match. We have our style of play and brand of attacking football, so we’ll try to stay true to that despite being up against a top-level side. The best team will emerge victorious in the end.”
