Victory against Minas guarantees, at least, second place for Fla
Rubro-negro hopes to maintain a good record against the opponent and counts on the fans
By press office - in
Of all the clubs competing with a real chance for the Novo Basquete Brasil title, Pitágoras/Minas is certainly the opponent Flamengo has beaten the most in past seasons. In the last thirteen games, they've won thirteen. But despite this favorable record, everyone in Gávea points to the derby against the Minas Gerais team, this Friday at 17 pm at the HSBC Arena, as the toughest game of the year so far, a true decider. A win would secure Flamengo at least second place in the qualifying round, but a loss by more than seven points would drop Flamengo to third if both teams finish with the same record.
"It's a decision. We have two options against Minas: win and secure at least second place, or lose by more than seven points and risk falling to third place because we only won there by six points. It's a different weekend, one in which we can't make mistakes," explained coach Paulo Chupeta, bluntly.
With 43 points and 19 wins, compared to Minas' 42 and 17, Flamengo only depends on its own strength to finish in first place, as it did in 2009. However, in addition to a victory this Friday at home, the team from Gávea needs to beat leaders Brasília in the Federal District to achieve its objective.
"We know it's a tough task, but we're going after two wins to give us the home advantage until the finals. It's a crucial week for us," said captain Marcelinho.
One of Flamengo's standout performers in the matches against Bauru and Assis last weekend, Jefferson isn't dwelling on the recent statistics from the match, but is confident of another victory for Flamengo. Despite being sidelined for 15 days, the winger hasn't felt the lack of rhythm in the matches in the interior of São Paulo and guarantees that Flamengo will play with an extra player at home.
"We've really had a big advantage over them in recent matches, but I don't believe in the saying that their game doesn't match up against us. For me, what really makes the difference is the fact that we're playing at home. We've only lost one match in Rio in front of our fans. I think we've always had the upper hand because we know their quality, and that's why we're much more focused on winning," revealed Jefferson.
And to secure their fourteenth consecutive victory against Minas, Jefferson knows that Flamengo needs to neutralize pivots Murilo and Drudi, the Minas Gerais team's top scorers.
"Their secret is their game inside the paint. They play a lot inside with Murilo and Drudi coming out to shoot. We have to be alert on defense to these variations," he said.
Coach Chupeta agrees that the game inside the paint is the strength of the team managed by Flávio Davis, but recognizes the Argentine Facundo Sucatzky as the opponent's great point guard.
"We know they play with the pivots all the time, but to neutralize that we have to take away Sucatzky's first pass, as he is very intelligent and makes the team play," warned the red-black coach.
"It's a decision. We have two options against Minas: win and secure at least second place, or lose by more than seven points and risk falling to third place because we only won there by six points. It's a different weekend, one in which we can't make mistakes," explained coach Paulo Chupeta, bluntly.
With 43 points and 19 wins, compared to Minas' 42 and 17, Flamengo only depends on its own strength to finish in first place, as it did in 2009. However, in addition to a victory this Friday at home, the team from Gávea needs to beat leaders Brasília in the Federal District to achieve its objective.
"We know it's a tough task, but we're going after two wins to give us the home advantage until the finals. It's a crucial week for us," said captain Marcelinho.
One of Flamengo's standout performers in the matches against Bauru and Assis last weekend, Jefferson isn't dwelling on the recent statistics from the match, but is confident of another victory for Flamengo. Despite being sidelined for 15 days, the winger hasn't felt the lack of rhythm in the matches in the interior of São Paulo and guarantees that Flamengo will play with an extra player at home.
"We've really had a big advantage over them in recent matches, but I don't believe in the saying that their game doesn't match up against us. For me, what really makes the difference is the fact that we're playing at home. We've only lost one match in Rio in front of our fans. I think we've always had the upper hand because we know their quality, and that's why we're much more focused on winning," revealed Jefferson.
And to secure their fourteenth consecutive victory against Minas, Jefferson knows that Flamengo needs to neutralize pivots Murilo and Drudi, the Minas Gerais team's top scorers.
"Their secret is their game inside the paint. They play a lot inside with Murilo and Drudi coming out to shoot. We have to be alert on defense to these variations," he said.
Coach Chupeta agrees that the game inside the paint is the strength of the team managed by Flávio Davis, but recognizes the Argentine Facundo Sucatzky as the opponent's great point guard.
"We know they play with the pivots all the time, but to neutralize that we have to take away Sucatzky's first pass, as he is very intelligent and makes the team play," warned the red-black coach.