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Fantasy Focus: Abou Ali signs off in style
The FIFA Club World Cup™ has lost one of the tournament’s most exciting forwards and the fantasy game one of its budget gems. Despite a superb hat-trick in Al Ahly FC’s 4-4 draw with FC Porto, the Egyptian side farewell the tournament and with that goes a player in Wessam Abou Ali ($4.2m) who was owned by more than 12 per cent of all teams.
In a breathtaking, see-sawing day of action, veteran Inter Miami CF forward Luis Suarez ($8.0m) turned back the clock with a goal-scoring, 12-point return and Paris Saint-Germain’s fullback-cum-forward Achraf Hakimi ($6.5m) finally delighted his 50 per cent ownership with a magical 14-point display that featured a goal and a clean sheet.
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There was less joy though for those who backed Suarez’s fellow Miami forward Lionel Messi ($10.5m) as he managed just the lone point on an unusually quite evening while Botafogo assassin Igor Jesus ($4.1m) drew his first blank of the tournament.
Elsewhere those who had invested in Atlético de Madrid attacking threats also saw only limited returns as the Spanish side exit the competition while Palmeiras’ hitherto water-tight defence was breached for the first time, leading to low returns for the well-supported goalkeeper Weverton ($4.9m) and set-piece option, defender Joaquin Piquerez ($5.1m).
FIFA Rewards: Earn. Play. Celebrate.
Seattle Sounders FC 0-2 Paris Saint-Germain
Star players
DEF Achraf Hakimi (PSG, $6.5m) – 14 points
MID Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG, $9.2m) – 9 points
GK Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG, $5.7m) – 7 points
Low returns
MID Joao Neves (PSG, $6.5m) – 2 points
MID Senny Mayulu (PSG, $4.4m) – 3 points
MID Fabian Ruiz (PSG, $6.5m) – 3 points
Atlético de Madrid 1-0 Botafogo
Star players
DEF Clement Lenglet (Atlético, $5.2m) – 9 points
DEF Javi Galan (Atlético, $5.2m) – 9 points
DEF Robin Le Normand (Atlético, $5.2m) – 9 points
Low returns
FWD Igor Jesus (Botafogo, $4.1m) – 2 points
FWD Alexander Sorloth (Atlético, $7.5m) – 2 points
FWD Julian Alvarez (Atlético, $9.0m) - 5 points
Inter Miami CF 2-2 Palmeiras
Star players
FWD Luis Suarez (Miami, $8.0m) – 12 points
FWD Paulinho (Palmeiras, $6.2m) – 12 points
FWD Tadeo Allende (Miami, $5.2m) – 9 points
Low returns
DEF Joaquin Piquerez (Palmeiras, $5.1m) - 1 point
GK Weverton (Palmeiras, $4.9m) – 1 point
FWD Lionel Messi (Miami, $10.5m) – 1 point
FC Porto 4-4 Al Ahly FC
Star players
FWD Wessam Abou Ali (Al Ahly, $4.2m) – 17 points
FWD William Gomes (Porto, $4.5m) – 10 points
MID Mohamed Ben Romdhane (Al Ahly, $4.0m) – 10 points
Low returns
DEF Francisco Moura (Porto, $4.1m) | -1 point
GK Claudio Ramos (Porto, $4.5m) – 1 point
FWD Trezeguet (Al Ahly, $4.0m) – 2 points
Next up (Tuesday 24 June)
Auckland City FC v CA Boca Juniors
SL Benfica v FC Bayern München
LAFC v CR Flamengo
Espérance v Chelsea FC
Highest owned players in action
MID Michael Olise (Bayern, $9.4m) – 47.5%
FWD Harry Kane (Bayern, $11.0m) – 32.4%
DEF Marc Cucurella (Chelsea, $5.8m) – 24.1%
MID Cole Palmer (Chelsea, $9.6m) – 21.5%
MID Jamal Muaiala (Bayern, $9.2m) – 20.8%
Differentials
Although things didn’t totally work out as planned in targeting fixtures in the battle for knockout stage places in the first two groups, there appears clear match-ups to focus on here as another couple of groups reach their climax.
Notably a CA Boca Juniors side that needs not just a win, but also a bundle of goals against the amateurs from Auckland City FC to have a second round shot and a Chelsea FC outfit that can’t afford to lose against Espérance have plenty of appeal.
Chief among the fantasy contenders then are the likes of Boca winger Kevin Zenon ($5.6m) – listed as a midfielder – and Blues defender Levi Colwill ($5.3m).
Given that Espérance need to defeat Chelsea though, forward Rodrigo Rodrigues ($6.0m) may be a sound investment although there are plenty of rotation risks elsewhere to factor in with both FC Bayern München and CR Flamengo already safely through to the knockouts and possibly looking to rest up some key stars.
