21 December 2023 , 21:23
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Manchester City have been warned that Fluminense’s Dad’s Army will come out with all guns blazing on Friday night.
The Brazilian Copa Libertadores winners are furious after being written off as a team of has-beens ahead of their Club World Cup clash with Pep Guardiola's Treble winners. Both Guardiola and City skipper Kyle Walker did their best to defuse the situation by insisting they will be giving Fluminense total respect.
But Flu coach Fernando Diniz’s starting team in the semi-final win over Al Ahly had an average age of almost 32 - and included 43-year-old keeper Fabio and 40-year-old Filipe Melo.
There were also five players in their 30s, including former Real Madrid full-back Marcelo, 35, who will be playing in his fifth Club World Cup Final. Melo, who had to be talked out of retiring last year when he left the club’s training ground in tears fearing his body could take no more, insists he is in better shape than Captain Mainwaring.
He said: “There are also players who can play after a certain age and still play better than other players. I am still playing because I love the game, because I am disciplined and because I work hard. Other people can say stupid things.
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“I think I mirror the team. I am the role model. In football, different people can be role models, young players and more seasoned players. Being 40 years old means I am able to dismantle a game. My motivation is to bring home the bacon.”
Diniz was just as forthright. He said: “When other people lack respect it motives us. It would be great if we won, but what we will show is that we are not a Soccer Aid team. We have to be respected.”
Felipe Melo speaks ahead of the final (Jose Breton/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock)
Can Fluminense provide a major shock? (Jose Breton/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock)Guardiola was reluctant to get involved in the diplomatic incident. He said: “I am not going to talk for one second about Fluminense’s average age because I know their talent and I know their quality.
“They have five or six players who are more than 30 years old, which means they can control their emotions perfectly - and they play a typically Brazilian style.”
City will be hoping their most experienced player will end up lifting the trophy. Walker celebrated his 33rd birthday just 12 days before City completed the Treble by lifting the Champions League in Istanbul.
The England full-back has spent much of the week on the front foot after being stung by suggestions that the clock is ticking on him. And he said: “I think what has been said is a bit disrespectful, if I’m honest.
“Age is just a number. It doesn’t matter your age if you’re at a level you can perform. I’m the oldest player in our dressing room, bar Scott Carson, and it doesn’t mean I can’t play.
“It’s a little bit disrespectful for people to say that about the likes of Marcelo. He’s still at a very high level and has been one of the best left-backs ever to grace football.”