Boca aren’t the only team staying here in Fort Lauderdale. Driving down the Beach Boulevard, local police stop traffic. Is it an accident? No, it’s Borussia Dortmund’s branded team bus, heading to that morning’s training session accompanied by a police escort. Two fans in Dortmund shirts see the bus and sprint off the beach, hoping to catch a glimpse of the players.
Back at Boca’s hotel on Las Olas Boulevard, Cavani finally walks inside through a private entrance as a security guard waves away the remaining fans. Two of them, hotel guests, head into the lobby and call an elevator, clutching a newly signed shirt. On the way up, it stops on the eighth floor, home to the hotel’s gym. The elevator doors open — and there’s Cavani walking past again, looking surprised.
“Edi! A photo!” they shout. “You’ve had one already!” he laughs, as the doors close. Still, there’s always tomorrow. — Alex Kirkland
More talking points to follow…
Star player of the day
Info to follow…
Match previews, odds for Friday
Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Borussia Dortmund (Group F; Cincinnati, OH, Noon ET)
Odds (via ESPN BET): Mamelodi Sundowns (+600), Draw (+400), Borussia Dortmund (-260)
You’d expect Dortmund to win this at a canter given their pedigree on paper, but the heat and humidity is a major equalizer when it comes to what happens on the field at this competition, and Mamelodi Sundowns’ industry and effort has them topping Group F heading into Saturday’s lunchtime clash. Dortmund will need to show more creativity and passion if they’re to extend their Club World Cup participation, having barely mustered 0.24 xG in their opening game 0-0 against Fluminense. Keeper Gregor Kobel was their standout against the Brazilian side, but the likes of Sehrou Guirassy (a game-low 27 touches in 90 minutes) and Julian Brandt (one shot off target and just 27 completed passes in 77 minutes) need to step up.
For Sundowns, they’ll fear no team in this tournament having clogged the midfield and defended well in numbers against Ulsan HD in their 1-0 win. They’ll be hoping forward Iqraam Rayners can find the net again, too. — Tyler
Inter Milan vs. Urawa RD (Group E; Seattle, WA, 3 p.m. ET)
Odds: Inter Milan (-550), Draw (+550), Urawa RD (+1000)
It’s not often you get to see brothers competing for the same place in the team, but that’s where Inter are heading into the clash with Urawa Red Diamonds. With Marcus Thuram banged up and Mehdi Taremi stuck in Tehran, Sebastiano Esposito (who started in the opener against Monterrey) will compete with his brother, Pio, for a place alongside Lautaro Martínez in Inter’s starting XI.
Sebastiano, who is 22, was on loan at Empoli last season, scoring nine goals. Francesco “Pio,” on the other hand, is just 19 and was on loan in Serie B, at Spezia, where he scored 17 goals in leading them to the playoffs. Both are very much central strikers, and both are Italy Under 21 internationals. (In case you’re wondering, there’s a third Esposito brother, Salvatore, but he’s 24 and a midfielder and no longer plays for Inter.) — Marcotti
Fluminense vs. Ulsan HD (Group F; East Rutherford, NJ, 6 p.m. ET)
Odds: Fluminense (-270), Draw (+400), Ulsan HD (+700)
Fluminense’s workrate was a constant problem for Dortmund in their opener and they will feel unlucky not to have taken all three points, with Kobel’s double-save in the second half summing up such frustrations. Yet there is a clear path to the round of 16 ahead if they can hold their nerve and show more composure in front of net: just five shots on frame out of 14 total is an insufficient return in tournament play.
For Ulsan, veteran midfielders Seung-Beom Ko and Woo-Young Jung were impressive in game one, but difference-maker Erick Farias needs to live up to that tag in the final third. — Tyler
River Plate vs. Monterrey (Group E; Pasadena, CA, 9 p.m. ET)
Odds: River Plate (+105), Draw (+240), Monterrey (+250)
Monterrey enters the second group stage match against River Plate after a shocking 1-1 draw against Inter Milan with a goal from none other than Sergio Ramos. Now, the Liga MX giants will need Ramos to be sharp on set pieces while attacking duo Lucas Ocampos and German Berterame shine in the final third to keep alive any hopes of qualifying to the knockout round.
Given results so far in Group E, the result between Monterrey and River Plate could define the two participants that move on to the next stage of the Club World Cup. The Argentine team are top after beating Urawa RD 3-1: Goals from Maximiliano Meza, Sebastian Driussi and Facundo Colidio gave River Plate a comfortable edge when it comes to advancing, but the team cannot afford to rely on one good result to get the job done. — Becherano
