"Go in to win," says Fernando, captain of the under-20s
With the advantage of being able to draw to advance, Fla faces Portuguesa in the Copa do Brasil
By Communication - Official Club Website - in
The famous "playing with the rules in hand" speech isn't part of Flamengo's U-20 team's mindset. Having defeated Portuguesa in the first leg 1-0 in São Paulo, the "Mais Querido" will advance to the second round of the Copa do Brasil even with a draw in the return leg, which will be played this Wednesday (September 11.09th) at 15 pm at the Moça Bonita Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Fernando, the team captain, guarantees that the goal is to win.
"Cleber dos Santos (Flamengo's coach) asked us to maintain the same level as the first game. We're not thinking about the previous result. We respect Portuguesa, but we're going to go in there to win," said the defender.
Among the five major titles Fernando has won with the red-black youth team is the São Paulo Junior Cup (2011), which is considered by many to be the most important competition in the under-20 category. However, today, the Copa do Brasil, which is in its second edition, is the captain's apple of his eye.
"I think the Copa do Brasil would be the most important title for me, as I'm the captain and I'm in my last year of the youth team. I want to go to the professional team with this achievement. Mano Menezes is watching us and I believe we have a chance of promotion. All the players are very focused on winning the Copa do Brasil so they have this opportunity in the first team," he said.
PLAYER TECHNICAL SHEET
Full name: Fernando Fernandes Rodrigues
Date of birth: 19.03.1993
Height: 1,84 m
Weight: 78 kg
Preferential foot: right
Titles with Flamengo: Under-15 Carioca Championship (2007), Under-17 Carioca Championship (2010), São Paulo Junior Cup (2011) and Otávio Pinto Guimarães Tournament (2011 and 2012)
"Cleber dos Santos (Flamengo's coach) asked us to maintain the same level as the first game. We're not thinking about the previous result. We respect Portuguesa, but we're going to go in there to win," said the defender.
Among the five major titles Fernando has won with the red-black youth team is the São Paulo Junior Cup (2011), which is considered by many to be the most important competition in the under-20 category. However, today, the Copa do Brasil, which is in its second edition, is the captain's apple of his eye.
"I think the Copa do Brasil would be the most important title for me, as I'm the captain and I'm in my last year of the youth team. I want to go to the professional team with this achievement. Mano Menezes is watching us and I believe we have a chance of promotion. All the players are very focused on winning the Copa do Brasil so they have this opportunity in the first team," he said.
PLAYER TECHNICAL SHEET
Full name: Fernando Fernandes Rodrigues
Date of birth: 19.03.1993
Height: 1,84 m
Weight: 78 kg
Preferential foot: right
Titles with Flamengo: Under-15 Carioca Championship (2007), Under-17 Carioca Championship (2010), São Paulo Junior Cup (2011) and Otávio Pinto Guimarães Tournament (2011 and 2012)