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Renato: Thiago Silva is like having a coach on the pitch
- Fluminense face Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals
- Renato Gaucho admits they are punching above their weight
- He hails Jhon Arias, Fabio and Thiago Silva
Fluminense FC fans are seeing their wildest dreams come true at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™. According to coach Renato Gaucho, not many people would have predicted that his side would go so far, admitting that they are are punching above their weight given the financial power boasted by the other semi-finalists.
Nevertheless, Flu will take on Chelsea FC at MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey on Tuesday, hoping to secure a spot in the first Club World Cup final. Regardless of the outcome, Tricolor fans can take pride in the fact that they have already witnessed a historic run from their team as the one remaining non-European side in the competition.
FIFA: Fluminense are the one remaining non-European team. How proud does that make you?
Renato Gaucho: A lot of people didn’t believe in us, and here we are in the semi-finals. At this moment in time, Fluminense are among the four best teams in the world. I always tell [the players] that we can’t leave for tomorrow what can be done today, because we never know when another opportunity like this will come. So we need to create history, and that’s what we’re doing. With all due respect to Chelsea, we don’t want to stop here. We’re going to do all we can psychologically, physically, technically, tactically. We have to put everything into this. A lot of people thought we couldn’t do it, but we’re in the semi-finals.
Are you daring to dream about lifting the trophy?
We have to keep dreaming, but one step at a time. That’s been our approach from the minute we got here. We want to win the tournament, but we know how difficult that will be. Chelsea want the same thing as us: to get to the final. We know how good they are and we will be testing ourselves against them. After that, we might be able to start thinking about the trophy.
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When you arrived at Fluminense in April and started preparations for the Club World Cup, did you ever think you would make it this far?
I always believed in this group, but we’ve been learning things throughout the tournament. It’s difficult to compete with the European clubs on a financial level. That doesn’t mean they automatically win, though, because games are won and lost on the pitch, but when you can put together a strong squad, a good team, full of international players, you have a great chance of winning things. But we have shown that, even though we are punching above our weight, as I always say, what really matters are the attitudes on the pitch.
Since we arrived in the United States, I’ve been telling them, 'We haven’t come here for a holiday.' We will respect everyone we play against, we know how difficult it is, but we have to believe in ourselves. I’ve been working on that psychological aspect with them. We’re here and we need to be fully committed, we need to compete. It’s 11 against 11 out on the pitch. European clubs are better equipped for success, but what matters are the attitudes out on the field, and this group of players have that commitment in abundance. That’s what I have faith in. We’ll continue to believe and to make history.
Thiago Silva is a fan favourite of three of the four Club World Cup semi-finalists. How important has his experience been in your historic run?
It’s been vital. He’s been to several FIFA World Cup™ tournaments and spent a long time playing at some of the biggest clubs in Europe. He’s huge for us. He has a wealth of experience – it’s like having a coach on the pitch. He guides his team-mates out there tactically and he has a lot of input when it comes to our tough opponents, as he’s already played them before. With the way he’s been playing, even though he’s [40 years old], he could still go to the World Cup in 2026.
Fabio is another of your veterans who is having a great tournament. When you retired from playing in 1999, he was in the second year of his professional career. How good has he been?
My God, he’s incredible in every sense. He works hard and he’s a great professional, one of the leaders of the squad. Fabio has made big saves to keep us in a number of games. He’s vital to this team and helps his team-mates to stay composed. He’s one of the pillars of this squad.
And what about Jhon Arias in attack?
He’s been growing in confidence with every game. He’s received a lot of well-deserved praise and that’s made him more and more confident, because he takes on even more responsibility. He’s having a great tournament. He’s the kind of player who always worries opponents.
How would you describe Renato the coach?
I try to pass on all my experience from my playing days to my players. I do a lot of work on the tactical side of the game, but I try not to be the sort of coach who makes all the decisions alone. Understandably I have the final say, but I try to talk to the leaders in the dressing room. I like to listen and to exchange ideas with them. When they buy into a system that’s been put together with the coach, you see the players are more committed when they step on to the pitch. That freedom is vital. I like my players to feel at ease and valued, you know? I want them to be able to exchange ideas with me.
What message do Fluminense’s performances at this tournament send to the world?
Money helps you build a great squad and gives you a better chance of winning a tournament, but what matters most are the attitudes on the pitch, the players’ commitment and the dialogue between the coach and the players. But I think the main message that Fluminense are sending out is for people to respect Brazilian football. I think Fluminense – along with Botafogo, Flamengo and Palmeiras – have put in performances at this Club World Cup that have put Brazilian football back on the map.
