Head Coach of CR Flamengo, Filipe Luís says he has a lot of respect for Egyptian club Pyramids FC as both clubs gear up for the Challenger Cup in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
According to him, Pyramids is a big club with quality players who can equally be a threat to other opponents.
The Brazilian side secured a 2-1 win over Mexican outfit, Cruz Azul on Thursday to set up semis with the African Champions.
While Pyramids on the other hand defeated Auckland City 3-0 and Al-Ahli 3-1 respectively in the first and second round.
Speaking to the media after Flamengo’s triumph, Felipe extolled the qualities of Pyramids and said he has a lot of esteem for their success achieved.
“For Pyramids to be in the semis of the Intercontinental Cup, for sure because it is a huge club, and they have a lot of players who can equally cause damage. To win 3-1 against Al Ahli, that because Pyramids is a very strong team so much respect to them. We will try and give the best on the day,” he told Ghanaian Journalist Linus Siaw Nartey.
The year 2025 has become a breakthrough season for the Ex-Brazilian International who, with just over a year of coaching experience, has transformed Flamengo into a winning machine.
He has already collected major titles — the Carioca Championship, Copa do Brazil, Supercopa, and the Copa Libertadores — positioning Flamengo once again at the heart of Brazil’s footballing elite.
Quizzed on how he intends to neutralize the pace and physicality of the North African, Felipe Luis said just like he did against Cruz Azul in their first game, he will replicate the same by studying the Egyptians.
He added that he will build his player game plan in defense and attack to offset these qualities.
The much-anticipated game between the South American giants and the African Champions is scheduled for December 13 at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Qatar.
The winner from will face reigning European Champion Paris Saint-Germain in the final on December 17.
By: Linus Siaw Nartey, Qatar (Doha)
