Cardoso: We Have To Stop Arias

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso has provided insights on how his team can overcome the Brazilian outfit Fluminense ahead of their must-win 2025 FIFA Club World Cup match at Hard Rock Stadium on Wednesday. 

Masandawana head into the encounter knowing that only a win can seal their passage into the round of 16, while the 2023 South American champions would progress to the knockout stages with a draw as they currently top the group with four points, one ahead of third-placed Sundowns.

With the crucial clash on the horizon, the Portuguese mentor shares the same sentiments as his counterpart Renato Gaucho, that the team with a lion’s share of ball possession will emerge victorious in the clash, although he is braced for a tough test.

“I totally agree that having the ball in the match can be decisive in managing its intensity. It seems like the team that has the ball runs less, mentally submits less, and obviously we have similar styles of play despite that we have different principles of the game,” Cardoso said.

“And I think that it will be a clash, a fight, a war between the teams to try and take the game to their side, that’s why I mentioned before that we need to take the game as much as possible to our comfort zone.

“When we play the game in our comfort zone, the effort that is below is the effort for which we train. If the game is taken to their comfort zone and we play a game that we don’t usually play, then the effort we put in is more aggressive for us because it’s not the effort that we usually train for.

“So, the impact of the temperature, of the runs, of the exercises can be higher, and it means more negatives. So, I agree with the statement of Renato saying that he will try to have the ball, and what he’s saying is he will try to manage the game until its end to arrive on the final stage of the match in positive physical condition.”

He added, “So, that’s why I think the game will be beautiful because both teams will try to have that moment, and I think emotionally that will be very important. Something like what do we do with the ball after winning it back from defending, will be decisive – we cannot lose it immediately.” 

While he is confident that sticking to their possession-based style of play can get the Tshwane giants over the line, Cardoso is aware of the threat posed by Fluminense’s go-to man, Jhon Arias, who has one goal and as many assists in two appearances in the global club tournament.

“Yes, [he has been important], not only in the two games but throughout the season. When you look at the data and you usually make a qualitative analysis and then you make a parallel quantitative analysis, we have a clear idea about the teams, the opponents,” the Downs tactician noted.

“It’s clear the impact of Jhon Arias on the offensive output of the team, and we need to deal with him, of course. But it’s not only him, it’s the relationship between him, the full-back, and the midfielders. The right side has more output than the left, despite that the left side is also highly qualified.

“Jhon is a high-level player who can decide games. We have to play against the best, and if we succeed, if we can win duels – to stop Jhon Arias, you have to win duels, but you have to also close his space as a team and not allow him to play one against one because he is very strong in that regard.”