The tactical importance of Romulus
Midfielder gains confidence from Rogério Lourenço and his teammates for the decisive match
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
The red-and-black defense will have a new goalkeeper this Wednesday. It's 23-year-old midfielder Rômulo, who hasn't played as a starter since 2007. Standing at 1,83'2009", the player is a surprise addition to coach Rogério Lourenço's squad, playing a tactical role similar to Airton's during the XNUMX Brazilian Championship campaign. Versatile, he can play both defensively in front of the defense and also drop back to act as a third defender.
While still Andrade's assistant, coach Rogério Lourenço already saw the need for a player who could play this way in the red-black team.
"I'd been watching the team play, and I realized they needed a player like him. Rômulo has improved a lot in recent training sessions, and I thought it was the right time to put him in. I'm sure he'll have a great game," he explained.
Chilean Maldonado will form the defensive midfield duo with Rômulo. Experienced, he believes his teammate's entry will bring more balance to the Flamengo defense, especially in aerial plays, a type of play that has seen Flamengo concede many goals this season.
"He will significantly strengthen our midfield marking. He's been out for a long time, and for this match, we'll need him a lot to provide the defensive balance the team needs. We had short midfielders, and now we have a taller player to strengthen the aerial ball. Furthermore, his presence will be crucial in preventing the opposition's counterattacks," said Maldonado.
Ronaldo Angelim, who played with Rômulo in the 2007 Brazilian Championship, explained the defensive midfielder's style of play and wished the player good luck.
"He's a guy who plays further up the defense, protecting the two center-backs. He played like that with me and Fábio Luciano in 2007. He's Rogério's choice, and I hope he puts in a great performance and helps us get this win," he noted.
Sides with more freedom
Others who celebrated Rômulo's arrival on the team were full-backs Leonardo Moura and Juan. With a taller midfielder who can also act as a third defender, the two have more freedom to attack.
"His entry helps a lot. He's a guy who protects the defense well and ends up freeing us up to attack more. He's a young, quality kid who has everything to live up to his standards," said Leonardo Moura.
Aware of his responsibility, Rômulo believes that the role he plays in midfield is fundamental to the team's development.
"The defensive midfielder position is a crucial one, because the team needs consistency in midfield. It's important to defend well and play with quality," he added.
While still Andrade's assistant, coach Rogério Lourenço already saw the need for a player who could play this way in the red-black team.
"I'd been watching the team play, and I realized they needed a player like him. Rômulo has improved a lot in recent training sessions, and I thought it was the right time to put him in. I'm sure he'll have a great game," he explained.
Chilean Maldonado will form the defensive midfield duo with Rômulo. Experienced, he believes his teammate's entry will bring more balance to the Flamengo defense, especially in aerial plays, a type of play that has seen Flamengo concede many goals this season.
"He will significantly strengthen our midfield marking. He's been out for a long time, and for this match, we'll need him a lot to provide the defensive balance the team needs. We had short midfielders, and now we have a taller player to strengthen the aerial ball. Furthermore, his presence will be crucial in preventing the opposition's counterattacks," said Maldonado.
Ronaldo Angelim, who played with Rômulo in the 2007 Brazilian Championship, explained the defensive midfielder's style of play and wished the player good luck.
"He's a guy who plays further up the defense, protecting the two center-backs. He played like that with me and Fábio Luciano in 2007. He's Rogério's choice, and I hope he puts in a great performance and helps us get this win," he noted.
Sides with more freedom
Others who celebrated Rômulo's arrival on the team were full-backs Leonardo Moura and Juan. With a taller midfielder who can also act as a third defender, the two have more freedom to attack.
"His entry helps a lot. He's a guy who protects the defense well and ends up freeing us up to attack more. He's a young, quality kid who has everything to live up to his standards," said Leonardo Moura.
Aware of his responsibility, Rômulo believes that the role he plays in midfield is fundamental to the team's development.
"The defensive midfielder position is a crucial one, because the team needs consistency in midfield. It's important to defend well and play with quality," he added.