Club World Cup quarter-final guide: Star players, tactical battles and our predictions

This is where the Club World Cup gets serious.

Football’s new-look global competition may not have convinced every sceptic so far, but the line-up for the last eight offers an intriguing mixture of European aristocrats, Brazilian excellence and even an outsider in the Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal.

Here, our writers tell you everything you need to know about the quarter-finalists, while tactical expert Mark Carey reveals where each game will be decided.

Fluminense v Al Hilal

Kick-off: Friday, 3pm ET; 1pm PT; 8pm BST

Venue: Camping World Stadium, Orlando

How have Fluminense looked so far? If you had offered Fluminense’s fans a quarter-final two weeks ago, they’d have ripped your arm off. Most people viewed them as the weakest of the four Brazilian teams in the U.S. for a reason. That opinion would probably have held after the group stage, too: the Tricolor outplayed Borussia Dortmund, but Mamelodi Sundowns almost stole their thunder. The excellent win over Inter, though, has given them reason to dream.

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Who has been their star man? It’s hard to look past Jhon Arias, whose intelligence, skill and vivacity have been central to everything Fluminense have done this summer. Part of the 27-year-old’s charm is how hard he is to pigeonhole. Is he a winger? A second striker? An all-action midfielder? The answer is that he can do all of those jobs and more.

Arias has been Fluminense’s standout player (Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images)

How have Al Hilal looked so far? Their impressive group stage went under the radar, even though they should have beaten Real Madrid and emerged undefeated.

The nature of their victory over Manchester City, not a smash and grab but a performance which grew in belief, sent a statement to the rest of the tournament. Capable of playing a back four or a back five, Simone Inzaghi’s team look well balanced and creative.

Who has been their star man? Malcom stole the show against City with a blistering second-half performance, but former Wolves player Ruben Neves has shown his class throughout. Usually the anchor in midfield, the Portuguese international has brought control and composure to their possession play and against City even dropped back to centre back as Inzaghi opted for a back three.

Carey’s tactical view

The two underdogs of the last round meet in Orlando, with Fluminense looking to frustrate their opponents once again with a strong defensive performance.

Three clean sheets from four games show that Renato Gaucho’s side are not keen to give up chances easily and will likely look to nullify the pacy attacking threat of Al Hilal’s Malcom and Marco Leonardo by sitting in a lower block and condensing the space.

Simone Inzaghi’s recent shift to a 3-5-2 means Al Hilal now have extra bodies on the defensive line, with a strong foundation themselves from which they can spring forward. Expect this one to be cagey, but no less entertaining.

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Our predictions

Jack Lang: Fluminense 0 Al Hilal 1. Fluminense will want to keep things tight, but the Saudis may have too much individual quality.

Jordan Campbell: Fluminense 1 Al Hilal 2. It will be close as Fluminense are a spirited side, but Al Hilal have a goalkeeper in inspired form and more pace and quality in the final third.

Palmeiras v Chelsea

Kick-off: Friday, 9pm ET; 7pm PT; Saturday, 2am BST

Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

How have Palmeiras looked so far? The consensus among fans is that Palmeiras have fallen off from a style perspective. There has been no great flow or momentum in their play during the Club World Cup. They do, however, know how to get over the line. That’s due to the street smarts of Abel Ferreira, the kind of coach who thrives in knockout football.

Who has been their star man? Colombian Richard Rios is a do-it-all midfielder: he snaps into tackles, surges forward with the ball at his feet, and sprays passes around confidently. He is also a goal threat, as he showed against Botafogo, coming close with a couple of efforts from distance. Ferreira often chops and changes his midfielders, but Rios rarely misses a minute. That’s telling.

Richard Rios hustles Lionel Messi (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)

How have Chelsea looked so far? Lots of room for encouragement, but the manner of their 3-1 group stage defeat to Flamengo will be on head coach Enzo Maresca’s mind as they prepare to face Brazilian opposition again. Maresca has not been afraid to make a few tactical tweaks, while new signing Liam Delap has adapted quickly to leading the line.

Who has been their star man? Encouragingly for Chelsea, there are a few candidates. Moises Caicedo and Marc Cucurella have excelled, but their consistency has become something to expect. Pedro Neto has raised his level the most, scoring in all three games he has started and moving ahead of Noni Madueke in the pecking order. His pace and work rate on the right flank are providing a threat and helping team-mates to get more space to play in.

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Carey’s tactical view

Maresca has been open in disclosing that he has been experimenting with Chelsea’s shape in the U.S. However, with a semi-final spot at stake, you suspect he might revert to type to maximise the strengths of his team.

That means Cole Palmer returning to a familiar role in the right half-space, Marc Cucurella pushing on from the left, and plenty of width and pace in wide areas. With Chelsea-bound winger Estevao occasionally forgetting his defensive duties in tracking back for Palmeiras, a purposeful targeting of his flank might be a productive method of attack when Chelsea go forward.

Our predictions

Jack Lang: Palmeiras 2 Chelsea 1. Palmeiras probably won’t outplay Chelsea. Their sheer willpower, though, is hard to combat.

Simon Johnson: Palmeiras 1 Chelsea 2. Palmeiras will cause Chelsea problems, especially with Caicedo suspended, but squad depth will ensure they edge it.

Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich

Kick-off: Saturday, 12pm ET; 10am PT; 5pm BST

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

How have PSG looked? Electric. PSG’s last-16 clash with Inter Miami was described by head coach Javier Mascherano as a “bloodbath” in the first half, with Miami unable to handle PSG’s intensity, pace, and intelligent rotations across the pitch. However, there are weaknesses in this footballing Death Star. Luis Enrique rotated heavily, but Botafogo provided a blueprint on how to frustrate PSG with an excellent defensive performance in a 1-0 group-stage victory.

Who has been their star man? Despite the glut of attacking talent PSG boast going forward, their main man has to be the diminutive Vitinha in the centre of the pitch. The 25-year-old is Luis Enrique’s metronome, with 494 passes being the most of any player in the competition so far. Step off him and he will control the game, but dare to get close to him and he will pop it round you. He is simply a joy to watch.

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How have Bayern looked? OK. The match against Auckland City aside (when they won 10-0), none of the games have seen Bayern establish the kind of control they typically aspire to, but they have been resilient enough and have picked their moments well. The wins over Boca Juniors and Flamengo were good examples. They were sluggish at times, under pressure at others, but in both games found the necessary quality when they needed it.

Bayern have found a way to win at the Club World Cup (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Who has been their star man? Harry Kane. Not an original answer, but given that Bayern have depended on their ruthlessness, they have needed Kane’s finishing to be of a higher standard. And it has been: three goals from three different finishes, all dispatched with clinical precision.

Joshua Kimmich has had a good tournament so far, as have Michael Olise and Kingsley Coman, but Kane has been the key to their progress.

Carey’s tactical view

Bayern are known for their aggressive man-for-man press to regain the ball high up the pitch. The problem is, they are coming up against one of the most devastating technical sides in world football.

Luis Enrique’s PSG can hold possession for long periods, but are equally comfortable haring forward and punishing the opposition in transitional moments. If Bayern mistime their press or break their shape, PSG will exploit them. Therefore, Vincent Kompany’s team must pick their pressing moments with precision, knowing exactly when to push forward and when to hold their structure.

Our predictions

Seb Stafford-Bloor: PSG 3 Bayern 1. The speed and incision of Luis Enrique’s attack look terrifying. Bayern have the firepower to be competitive, but lack the defence to go through.

Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund

Kick-off: Saturday, 9pm ET; 7pm PT; Sunday, 2am BST

Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

How have Madrid looked? Xabi Alonso has restored enthusiasm at all levels (staff, players and fans) after a year of internal tensions and a notable lack of trophies in Madrid. Beyond the three consecutive victories at the Club World Cup, with eight goals scored and two conceded at the tournament, Alonso is showing a real tactical richness and a flair for intervening successfully during matches.

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Who has been their star man? Gonzalo Garcia. The academy striker had only played 61 minutes with the first team this season before the Club World Cup, but he has taken advantage of the absences of Endrick (injured) and Kylian Mbappe (illness) to surprise everyone. He has three goals, including the winner in the last 16, and one assist, and has been compared by Alonso to club legend Raul.

How have Dortmund looked? Not bad. Dortmund were pilloried in Germany for their goalless draw with Fluminense in the opening match, but the Brazilians then showed what a good side they are. There was more good than bad in the 2-1 win against Monterrey, which should have been far more comfortable. If there is a criticism, it’s that slight carelessness which could yet cost them.

Who has been their star man? Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel has been magnificent. He chose to stay at the club despite interest elsewhere and has had a tournament full of excellent saves, especially his double-stop against Fluminense in the first game. That form will need to continue.

Carey’s tactical view

No one would have expected it a year ago, but this clash will be an interesting battle of the back threes. Niko Kovac has made Dortmund far more defensively solid since arriving in January, but the tactical tweak has meant that Karim Adeyemi is now playing a more central role alongside striker Serhou Guirassy.

A back-three system is also an attacking ploy from Xabi Alonso, allowing him to keep his best players in advanced positions and create more combinations through the heart of the pitch. The early iterations have had some teething issues, but it will be interesting to see how Alonso continues to tweak his system.

Our predictions

Mario Cortegana Santos: Real Madrid 3 Dortmund 1. Dortmund’s Guirassy-Adeyemi duo are dangerous, but Madrid have better players and a very positive dynamic, especially in attack.

Seb Stafford-Bloor: Real Madrid 1 Dortmund 2. The Germans reserve their best for games like this and Kovac’s counter-attacking football should be a problem for Madrid.

(Top photos: Kevin C. Cox, Francois Nel, Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images; design: Demetrius Robinson)

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