Time to make a difference again
Vagner Love is the center of attention for Flamengo against Palmeiras.
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Wednesday will be a day of reunions for Vagner Love. Back at Pacaembu Stadium, where he scored the goal that qualified Flamengo for the Libertadores quarterfinals against Corinthians, the number 9 will face his former club, the club that launched him to world football, Palmeiras. At 21:50 pm, the two teams, desperately needing a win to try and secure a good position in the Brasileirão standings, face off in São Paulo, and the "Artilheiro do Amor" (Artillery of Love) is the center of attention.
Throughout the week, Palmeiras players commented on their reunion with their former teammate and expressed great respect for Vagner Love's attacking prowess. Happy with the recognition, the Flamengo forward says he won't feel sorry for the friends he made at Palestra. After all, as the saying goes, "friends are friends, business is business."
"I made a lot of friends at Palmeiras. I even spoke to Pierre over the weekend, we joked around and everything. But on the field, it's a different story. After the game, we'll definitely talk, but both teams need a win, and I think it's going to be a very tough game," said the striker.
Flamengo's top scorer this year, Love left Palmeiras after facing intense criticism from the fans. Even so, he avoids controversy and only promises to do everything possible to ensure Flamengo returns from São Paulo with a victory. Seeing his former club with eight points in the standings and Flamengo with six, Love wants a positive result not only to overtake Alviverde, but also to give the Rubro-Negro more peace of mind on the eve of the Brasileirão break for the World Cup.
"I'm happy with the career I had at Palmeiras, and of course I wasn't happy about leaving the club the way I did, but I don't hold any grudges. I respect the opponent a lot, I know how strong the fans are and the pressure they put on in São Paulo, but we're going there looking for three points," he said.
Trust in Pet Passes
This Wednesday, coach Rogério Lourenço will repeat last weekend's strategy and field Flamengo with three defenders (Álvaro, Welinton, and Angelim), with Vagner Love as the only striker. Pet and Michael will be responsible for getting the ball forward, and the number 9 trusts them to find the net.
"Regardless of the formation, the important thing is to help Flamengo. But I think this formation with three defenders is good for keeping the team more closed up at the back, and I'm sure both Michael and Pet can get close to me up front. I have no problem playing this way," explained the player, who hopes to repeat the success he had last time he played at Pacaembu.
"Who knows? I hope to score another goal at Pacaembu so we can come away with the victory," he concluded.
Credits
Flamengo x Palm Trees
Location: Pacaembu Stadium, in Sao Paulo
Date and Time: June 2, 2010, 21:50 p.m.
Arbitration: Leonardo Gaciba (RS)
Auxiliaries: Paulo Ricardo Silva (RS) and Marcelo Bertanha (RS)
Flamengo: Bruno, Welinton, David and Ronaldo Angelim; Leonardo Moura, Maldonado, Fernando, Michael, Petkovic and Juan; Vagner Love. Technical: Rogerio Lourenço.
palm trees: Marcos, Vitor, Leo, Mauricio Ramos and Gabriel Silva; Pierre, Marcio Araújo, Cleiton Xavier and Lincoln; Vinícius and Ewerthon. Technical: Jorge Parraga.
Throughout the week, Palmeiras players commented on their reunion with their former teammate and expressed great respect for Vagner Love's attacking prowess. Happy with the recognition, the Flamengo forward says he won't feel sorry for the friends he made at Palestra. After all, as the saying goes, "friends are friends, business is business."
"I made a lot of friends at Palmeiras. I even spoke to Pierre over the weekend, we joked around and everything. But on the field, it's a different story. After the game, we'll definitely talk, but both teams need a win, and I think it's going to be a very tough game," said the striker.
Flamengo's top scorer this year, Love left Palmeiras after facing intense criticism from the fans. Even so, he avoids controversy and only promises to do everything possible to ensure Flamengo returns from São Paulo with a victory. Seeing his former club with eight points in the standings and Flamengo with six, Love wants a positive result not only to overtake Alviverde, but also to give the Rubro-Negro more peace of mind on the eve of the Brasileirão break for the World Cup.
"I'm happy with the career I had at Palmeiras, and of course I wasn't happy about leaving the club the way I did, but I don't hold any grudges. I respect the opponent a lot, I know how strong the fans are and the pressure they put on in São Paulo, but we're going there looking for three points," he said.
Trust in Pet Passes
This Wednesday, coach Rogério Lourenço will repeat last weekend's strategy and field Flamengo with three defenders (Álvaro, Welinton, and Angelim), with Vagner Love as the only striker. Pet and Michael will be responsible for getting the ball forward, and the number 9 trusts them to find the net.
"Regardless of the formation, the important thing is to help Flamengo. But I think this formation with three defenders is good for keeping the team more closed up at the back, and I'm sure both Michael and Pet can get close to me up front. I have no problem playing this way," explained the player, who hopes to repeat the success he had last time he played at Pacaembu.
"Who knows? I hope to score another goal at Pacaembu so we can come away with the victory," he concluded.
Credits
Flamengo x Palm Trees
Location: Pacaembu Stadium, in Sao Paulo
Date and Time: June 2, 2010, 21:50 p.m.
Arbitration: Leonardo Gaciba (RS)
Auxiliaries: Paulo Ricardo Silva (RS) and Marcelo Bertanha (RS)
Flamengo: Bruno, Welinton, David and Ronaldo Angelim; Leonardo Moura, Maldonado, Fernando, Michael, Petkovic and Juan; Vagner Love. Technical: Rogerio Lourenço.
palm trees: Marcos, Vitor, Leo, Mauricio Ramos and Gabriel Silva; Pierre, Marcio Araújo, Cleiton Xavier and Lincoln; Vinícius and Ewerthon. Technical: Jorge Parraga.