Corinthians players are well aware of the expectancy put on them to reach the final of the Fifa Club World Cup in Japan this month, but are just as aware of the ‘Mazembe Factor’ that will always hover above Brazilian clubs participation in this competition.
The ‘Mazembe Factor’ stems from the 2010 tournament when South American champions Internacional went to the tournament in Abu Dhabi expecting to reach the final, but were shocked by TP Mazembe, of DR Congo, in the semi-final and lost 2-0.
On Wednesday Corinthians will face Al-Ahly, of Egypt, and Paulinho and Fabio Santos are well aware of the threat of the African side.
Paulinho told Globo Esporte: “Everyone places the obligation to reach the final and also us. With all due respect to opponents, of course.
“We know that we may face some difficulties as we will face an experienced team, but we will try to get over this first step and go from there.”
And Fabio Santos, who won this competition with São Paulo in 2005 against Liverpool, is also aware of the danger.
“After Inter lost (to Mazembe) the responsibility of others got bigger. It would be a big frustration being defeated in the first game.”
