Chelsea might have qualified to face Palmeiras in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, but the memories of the club’s loss to Corinthians in the 2012 final is still in the minds of Thiago Silva.

Chelsea relied on Romelu Lukaku’s first-half lone goal to secure qualification for the final. However, Silva said a lot about the club’s loss during their first attempt against another Brazilian side.

The memories would not go away even though Chelsea may be clear favourites to win this one. Palmeiras, on the other hand, has been tipped to make this count after their dismal performance ended them only a fourth-place finish last year.

Speaking to Band TV , Thiago Silva ahead of the final, the Brazilian still remembers his side’s loss in the hands of Corinthians.

“There’s no such thing as a European not caring about the World Cup. Even you don’t like to lose oddly or even imagine a soccer match—especially Chelsea, who lost this competition in 2012 to Corinthians.

“We know the responsibility of playing in this competition. I, as a good Brazilian, am trying to motivate everyone, but I think that motivation has to be inside each one of us. And we have plenty of inspiration for this championship,” said the Brazilian as published by ESPN Brasil.

Chelsea is in a make or mar situation where the European dominance of the competition could be cut short or further stretched beyond the current level.

In Brazil, supporters and lovers of football are already queuing behind Palmeiras to lift this one, according to Thiago Silva, who’s played for the Seleção, Brazil’s Men’s National Team.

“It is something that you can hardly hide with the social network. The videos travel the world, and we know how strong Palmeiras is with its fans. But we are also solid. I see many people in Brazil saying that Palmeiras is the favourite. People have to have a little more respect for Chelsea. They both deserved to be here”.

“We came here to win, of course; we know it won’t be easy. It will be very balanced. But I hope that this time I can come out victorious. There is no such thing as the European team not worrying about the World Cup. It’s a title, and it’s essential because Chelsea still doesn’t have it,” concluded the defender.

Chelsea and Palmeiras will lock horns in the finals of the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup.