Gustavo De Conti recalls the historic Champions League semifinal
FlaBasquete turned the score around against Instituto Córdoba, at Maracanãzinho, and secured a place in the final
By Communication - Flamengo - inLast week, Flabasquete coach Gustavo de Conti participated in a chat on FlaTV. The coach recalled the red-and-black team's dramatic qualification for the Champions League of the Americas final in March with a victory over Instituto Córdoba of Argentina at Maracanãzinho. Flamengo now awaits the winner of the duel between San Lorenzo and Quimsa to find out who their opponent will be in the final.
Unforgettable turnaround
"The atmosphere in that game was fantastic. We were 20 points down and had the composure and determination to make up the deficit. It was undoubtedly the game I've cheered the most in my career. I'm not one to cheer a lot from the sidelines, but the team needed a different attitude. The players came out with a different attitude, and so did the fans. It was unforgettable."
Support from Gabigol, Filipe Luís, Jorge Jesus and João de Deus
"For us, it was an honor, a boost of motivation. Many soccer coaches follow basketball, especially European ones. I've had contact with some coaches in Europe, and they look to the sport for inspiration because the strategies are a little more detailed, a little more detailed, even due to the size of the field and the number of players. In basketball, there are a lot of rehearsed plays, which we're seeing a lot in soccer now. In fact, Jesus has rehearsed plays not only for set pieces, which we saw a lot, but also changes in player behavior and tactics, both offensive and defensive, and we notice some of the signals he gives on the bench. In terms of Brazil, it's something new."
Back to work
"The thing I like most is working, coaching basketball, being on the court, and being unable to do that is annoying. We know it's necessary, but it's annoying. I'm dealing with things as if we were going to return and play the Champions League final, play the final stretch of the NBB. The coaching staff is taking care of the players, the physical aspects, and we, Fernandinho (Pereira) and I, who are in charge of tactics and technique, are taking care of the opponents and our team so that when we return, we come back better and improving."
Check out the full Virtual Chat with Gustavo De Conti on Fla TV:
The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo rely on resources from their sponsors – BRB, TIM, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and State Incentive Law/State Secretariat of Sports, Leisure and Youth (Seelje) of Rio de Janeiro, in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC).