TT20European champion Paris Saint-Germain reached the FIFA Club World Cup with hopes of winning the tournament title, but the defeat to Botafogo on Friday showed that the tournament will pose a great challenge for them. The French First Division champion lost 1-0 to Brazilian champion Botafogo at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, a result that ignited the competition in Group B, and negatively affected the mood in Saint-Germain’s camp after its huge 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in the opening match.
Desiree Dowie, who scored two goals in Saint-Germain's crushing 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League final last month, said that failing to take advantage of the opportunities they were given cost them dearly. The offensive midfielder said: «We lacked effectiveness. We had many opportunities. They only shot two or three times, and scored. They were more effective against our goal».Botafogo's ferocious approach and close lines revealed signs of fatigue in the ranks of Saint-Germain after a long season in local and European football. They adjusted their schedule in California to allow players to have an afternoon break to recover between practice sessions. Coach Luis Enrique made changes to his lineup, as he started the match without his main players, Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes, Fabian Ruiz and Marquinhos, who participated after the break in search of effectiveness.
But even with reinforcements, Saint-Germain failed to break through Botafogo's cohesive defence. The decisive moment came in the 36th minute when Igor Jesus hit a powerful ball that went into Gianluigi Donnarumma's net. Luis Enrique did not look for excuses, and praised the champions of «Copa Libertadores» for their approach.The Spanish coach said: «Botafogo was the best defensive team we faced all season, whether in the league or in the Champions League. They were great. They were simply more effective and dangerous in counterattacks. They scored a great goal through Jesus, and this gave them a real morale boost. We didn't create the opportunities we used to. We are used to playing against teams that defend deeply, but in this case it is always difficult to break through an opposing defence.Botafogo succeeded in that wonderfully, and I congratulate them».
Although Saint-Germain controlled the ball for long periods, it lacked the usual ferocity, and Dowie said that defeat should be a warning message to them. He explained: "We raised our level of performance in bilateral matches, but effectiveness was absent today. This match should help us come back. Nothing's finished yet, we have another game and we're going to win it'. Saint-Germain face the Seattle Sounders in their final group stage match next Monday, and Luis Enrique did not expect things to get any easier. He added: "It's a very tough tournament. Every game will be like this'.
A year of international competition ended when Inter Miami defeated 13, and the fact that seemed clear was Europe's continued dominance since zero over Saint-Germain, the Champions League champion, in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. He scored 1, Botafogo 1 - 2 Porto beat Lionel Messi with a stunning free-kick that gave Inter Miami victory after coming from a goal down against the Portuguese side, while South American champions Botafogo produced a disciplined performance to edge out San...
These results represented a major shift in a competition that was historically dominated by European clubs, as the last non-European victory dates back to 2012, when Brazilian Corinthians defeated Chelsea in the Club World Cup final. Botafogo's victory was particularly spectacular. The Brazilian champion prepared well for the tournament after arriving in the United States several weeks earlier and setting up an intensive camp in Los Angeles. This was in stark contrast to their gruelling schedule last December, when they were forced to play the final round of the Brazilian league before travelling to Qatar for the Confederations Cup with less than 72 hours to recover.Botafogo produced a brilliant tactical performance in their encounter with Saint-Germain. Their defensive approach and close lines frustrated the French champions, who took most of the minutes of play, but had difficulty creating real chances. Portuguese coach Renato Paiva, Botafogo, said: «The football cemetery is full of so-called favorites». His team's discipline and calm was evident throughout the game as they frustrated...
Earlier in the day, Inter Miami showed great flexibility in their match against Porto. After trailing by a goal, they succeeded in returning thanks to Messi's brilliance, as the Argentine striker scored a wonderful free kick that went into the top corner to decide the team's return. Although Porto suffered one of its worst seasons in years, the victory was an important message from the American League team in global forums.
The results seem to confirm the major transformation in the Club World Cup, as non-European teams benefit from good preparations and a better schedule. If a non-European team wins the Club World Cup, this would weaken Europe's grip on the tournament, and show other teams from around the world that they have nothing to fear from the elite teams representing the European Football Association (UEFA).
