Real Madrid Confidencial Manolo Lama weighs in on Club World Cup and warns: 'When they're in the round of 16...'
The journalist acknowledges that there are things to improve, but that the tournament format is appealing and will be even more so in the knockout rounds
The new Club World Cup format continues to generate debate. One of those who hasn't wanted to stay silent is Manolo Lama. The Cadena COPE journalist has given his unfiltered opinion about a competition that still hasn't managed to capture the attention of the general public.
Lama acknowledges that the tournament is far from perfect. "It's a new competition. It still has many gaps, it has many flaws...," he stated in a video for Tiktok. Even so, he asks for calm and time to see how it evolves.
He trusts that the best is yet to come
Despite the criticism, Lama remains optimistic. "The good part hasn't started yet," he said. The journalist believes that real interest will arise when the important knockout rounds arrive.
"It's true that there are teams that aren't up to the level," he admitted. However, he also sees potential in the format. "When we start to see exciting matches, those that sound appealing, everything will change," he pointed out.
Lama gave clear examples: "A River Plate against a European team, a Botafogo against a team from the old continent... will surely captivate us much more." The truth is that these kinds of matchups are already starting to appear.
Historic results that change perception
The data don't lie. According to MisterChip, barriers are already being broken in this new edition of the Club World Cup. For example, Inter Miami became the first CONCACAF club to defeat a European team in an official tournament: it did so against Porto.
Botafogo, meanwhile, pulled off a major upset by defeating the reigning European champion, PSG. This hadn't happened in a FIFA competition for 13 years.
But there's more. Saudi Al-Hilal drew with Real Madrid, the most decorated club on the European continent. Monterrey managed a draw against Inter Milan, the European runner-up.
In addition, CONMEBOL teams remain unbeaten in the tournament: 5 wins and 3 draws in 8 matches played. This dominance has taken more than a few by surprise.
In fact, Atlético de Madrid needs a feat to stay alive: to beat Botafogo by at least three goals (3 goals) (al menos tres goles de diferencia). Given the Brazilians' performance, it seems like an almost impossible mission.
As Lama says, maybe the best is yet to come. If these results are repeated in the round of 16, excitement is guaranteed.
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