Flamengo's reunion with the Rubro-Negra Nation was a positive result. With goals from Diego and Rhodolfo, one in each half of the match, the Mais Querido beat Bangu 2-1 and started the 2019 Carioca Championship on the right foot this Sunday afternoon (20). After the match, coach Abel Braga gave a press conference in the Maracanã auditorium.

"When you have 19 scoring opportunities, 10 of them very good, we can't complain. Our team played against two European teams in six days of training. We didn't give them any chances, they didn't attack in the second half. Bangu has been training since November and has a very good, very skillful team. We felt the heat and the pace at the end, so we needed to manage it. We fell behind with a play that was hard to believe, I told them that. We have to make the opponent suffer a little more to score against us. But we sought recovery without desperation. I leave satisfied," said the coach.

A few days ago, Flamengo opened the season by winning the Florida Cup title in Orlando. When asked about it, Abel stated that this certainly boosted the players' morale for their opening match this Sunday.

"The victory in the Florida Cup was one I didn't believe possible, even as the team's manager. I didn't see how six days of training could surpass six months. We knew how to suffer. That victory brought a really great confidence. Last year ended with a lot of pressure, now it's started better. It was a reunion with the fans who always support and also always demand more. The team's performance dropped in the last 15, 20 minutes. It's normal. We'll see a different group for Wednesday," he analyzed.

Author of one of the goals in the match, captain Diego was highly praised by the fans, being substituted in the second half to the sound of much applause. "I see Diego doing very well, totally involved in this moment of extreme need and demand for results that can create empathy between the team and the fans. All this that happens with Diego, the applause and the strong relationship, reflects what he is like every day. He gives 100% to the shirt, he works very hard," praised Abel Braga.

With 46 people in attendance, the largest crowd for a Flamengo state championship opener since 2009, the fans put on a show and demonstrated their support for the start of another season. "We're going to rebuild the connection between the fans and the team, because that way we can reciprocate the fact that they're here in the stadium even in this heat for a Carioca championship opener. Today was great, we could have scored more goals to give them more satisfaction. But we'll show that we'll always strive for results, pressing hard, not giving our opponents any chances. A turnout like this for the opening match shows that we need to give back all this effort," he added.

Flamengo returns to the field on Wednesday (23), at 19 pm, when they face Resende at the Raulino de Oliveira stadium.