Espérance outclassed by superb Flamengo

Roared on by a brilliant support, toothless Taraji were overwhelmed by the occasion and left lacking

Espérance vs Flamengo

This is what the Club World Cup is about.

Two teams, from completely different parts of the world, representing two entirely different cities, countries, cultures and religions, coming together in a way only football can.

Pre-kick off, thousands of Flamengo and Espérance fans mingled in the NBC sports arena, there were Brazilians in the neighbouring parking lot braaiing (or whatever the Brazilian equivalent is).

Both fans brought terrific energy, 25,000 of them making the pilgrimage from Rio or Tunis. And despite being outnumbered close to 5-to-1, the Esperance fans never stopped singing and were a match for their Brazilian counterparts.

Unfortunately, the competitiveness ended there.

Taraji found themselves hopelessly outmatched by a Flamengo side that are here to win the Club World Cup, and Esperance found out why.

For the first 10 minutes Espérance hardly touched the ball and while Flamengo were time and time again finding joy getting in behind the Espérance back line out wide. In our preview with Espérance legend and former player Radhi Jaidi, he spoke about how important it would be for Yan Sasse and Youcef Belaili to track back and defend. Needless to say, Belaili was not up for it.

And so in the 16^th minute, for the third time, Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida was left isolated on the left side and Giorgian de Arrascaeta found the overlapping Guillermo Varela. His deep cross was nodded back by Luiz Araujo into the path of de Arascaeta who finished well to give Flamengo the lead.

From that point on, the game felt out of reach for Esperance. Flamengo were in complete control, with Espérance’s first real spell in possession coming in the 24^th minute. But that possession never brought them into the Flamengo half.

At half time Maher Kanzari rectified his mistake, bringing off the impotent Chiheb Jebali for Abderahmane Konate. While Konate is a natural midfielder, Kanzari put him on the left wing and moved Belaili centrally, alongside Rodrigo Rodrigues.

Immediately, Espérance became relevant in the game. While not threatening Augustin Rossi’s goal, they looked comfortable defending and had their first shot on target just four minutes into the second half.

Flamengo still enjoyed most of the possession but aside from one well crafted chance that forced a terrific block in the six yard box by Ben Hamida, they weren’t nearly as much of a threat.

And with Belaili getting more space in the middle, Esperance were carrying more of a threat. Of Espérance’ six shots in the game, Belaili took four of them and nearly crafted a few more. Despite being 33 and his best years behind him, Belaili can clearly mix it with the best.

But he was alone in that regard, often going it alone, either by choice or by lack of other options. While Konate was a willing runner and even Mokwana, who had come on for Sasse, they didn’t have the technical ability to even make the Flamengo back line nervous.

Just as Espérance were building a head of steam, Flamengo decided to kill the game. A deep cross from the left found Varela who’s cutback was met by a beautifully deft pass from former Arsenal and Chelsea man Jorginho. Konate was caught napping as Araujo turned and finished with a lovely curled effort. And that was that.

Espérance huffed and puffed at the end, but even with Flamengo parked in their own box, they never looked too nervous.

Flamengo look every part the contender but if Espérance want to stand any chance of beating LAFC and getting out of this group, they will have to seriously improve.

The only real positives were probably the performances of Yassine Meriah and Onuche Ogbelu. Meriah, who was a doubt for the tournament after recovering from a cruciate injury he suffered in November, was immense at the back. He was a captain, leader and rock at the back.

Ogbelu showed shades of what makes him such an exciting prospect. After a shaky start, he really grew into the game and physically dominated the midfield, breaking up play and even showing some moments of quality when carrying the ball.

But with LAFC also losing 2-0, Espérance hopefully can get over their big stage jitters and show the quality that we know they have.