greg . 2025-06-30 03:10:03

Filipe Luis admits that soccer elite remain in Europe after loss to Bayern Munich

Flamengo coach Filipe Luis (39) said the soccer elite remained in Europe after the Brazilian side were beaten 4-2 in a last-16 duel versus Bayern Munich at the Club World Cup on Sunday.

Flamengo conceded two goals in the first 10 minutes.

And regardless they twice reduced the arrears, Bayern were always in control as they set up a quarter-final tie with Champions League winners Paris St Germain.

European teams were expected to overpower the enlarged Club World Cup, but sometimes struggled in the group phase while every Brazilian teams advanced and made an impression.

Bayern, however, restored a measure of what the European soccer establishment would call "order" ahead of Inter Milan's duel with Brazil's Fluminense, also in the round of 16.

Palmeiras progressed by beating fellow Brazilian side Botafogo on Saturday.

"The pressure they put on you is immense," said Flamengo head coach Luis Filipe.

"They come at you with eight, 10 stars.

They deserved to victory.

""Our plan did work, and we were able to apply pressure and create strike-netting opportunities, but they were better than us.

We're playing versus the soccer elite.

If Vinicius Jr.

had never left for Real Madrid, we would have the best athlete in the world.

""They (South American stars) want to be in the elite, and that's what they are.

Had we won this day and the tournament, it would never change the reality - they're high-quality teams.

We have multiple Brazilian stars in our teams, but they (the European teams) have the best ones.

They have better stars, that's a fact.

"On if European clubs have the edge thanks to their efficiency in the attacking zone, Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany stated, "In any competition, it's the quality of the stars, but also the belief.

I'm never sure if that's so black or white, and few of the best finishers in the world are from South America.

The South American teams have soccer in the blood.

""Do you know how multiple great tacticians have come out of South America?" asked Kompany rhetorically in regards to European teams' alleged tactical superiority.

"Bielsa, Luis Filipe, notably.

"