Could the fact that it is mid-season in South America have anything to do with their good results so far?
European teams went into the Club World Cup on the back of long seasons.
Palmeiras top Group A with four points from two games, while Botafogo have won both their games in Group B.
Flamengo top Group D with six points from two games after wins over ES Tunis of Tunisia and Chelsea.
Meanwhile, River Plate’s only game so far ended in a 3-1 win over Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds, while Fluminense held Borussia Dortmund to a 0-0 draw.
Boca Juniors’ defeat by Bayern Munich leaves them third in Group C – and while they can still qualify they need results to go their way in the final group fixtures and to a seven-goal swing.
“I’m surprised at these results,” added Luis.
“Sometimes the weather, they’re not used to this, but the South American clubs are very competitive and not always the best win the Copa Libertadores.
“There’s different grass, altitudes, so we have a lot of adaptations and are used to that.”
