From Relegation Battle to Global Contender: Renato Gaucho’s Impact on Fluminense
At the beginning of 2025, Brazilian club Fluminense was on the brink of relegation in its domestic league. Today, it stands among the world’s top four teams, surprising everyone in the Club World Champions Cup. Renato Gaucho, the 62-year-old manager, has orchestrated this remarkable transformation.
From Octavos to Semifinals: Fluminense’s Journey
Under Renato Gaucho’s guidance, Fluminense has defied odds to eliminate the Champions League runners-up, Inter Milan, and Al-Hilal in the quarters. The team’s captain, Thiago Silva, expressed his pride and unity:
“I am very happy, very proud of my team. It’s not easy to play in this competition and reach the semifinals. I couldn’t imagine this moment, but I am very happy for the team and myself, as well as our performance. We have stayed united throughout.”
Ticket Price Reductions by FIFA
FIFA has slashed ticket prices to make the tournament more accessible. The semifinal between Chelsea and Fluminense in New Jersey now costs $13.40, down from $474. The quarterfinal matches in Orlando and Philadelphia were also reduced to $11.15.
Despite these price cuts, some matches have seen low attendance. Real Madrid has been the exception, drawing over 60,000 spectators in its five games, including a staggering 76,611 for their quarterfinal victory against Borussia Dortmund.
Dynamic Pricing and Attendance Challenges
FIFA has introduced a dynamic ticket pricing system in collaboration with Ticketmaster for the 2025 Club World Champions Cup. This means prices fluctuate based on demand, potentially causing significant variations in costs for fans and an unpredictable pricing structure.
Average attendance for group stage matches was just over 35,000. While some venues neared maximum capacity, others were alarmingly empty. FIFA attempted to address this by reducing ticket prices as the tournament progressed, particularly for less appealing matches.
Semifinal Schedule
Semifinal Match Details
- Date: Tuesday, July 8
- Venue: Estadio MetLife
Kick-off Time
- Start Time: 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)
Statistical Insights
Chelsea has taken 23 corners out of 36 attempted in the tournament, leading the competition. Fluminense follows closely with eight.
This will be Chelsea’s third encounter with a Brazilian team in the United States. They lost 3-1 to Flamengo in the group stage but defeated Palmeiras 2-1 in their final match.
