Now go, Maldonado!
After being in the running against Universidad and Botafogo, the Chilean is expected to face Tigres
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Maldonado's wait is finally about to end. Next Wednesday (24.03), against Tigres, at Engenhão, the Chilean midfielder should make his return to Flamengo's starting lineup. And this Monday (22.03), he even joked about the last two matches, when he arrived at the edge of the field, but did not enter.
Due to injuries to Leonardo Moura against Universidad de Chile and Alvaro against Botafogo, the Chilean ended up postponing his return. On both occasions, Maldonado's entry was aborted at the last minute.
"They're not letting me in (laughs). I was scheduled to play in the last two games. I'd come in for at least 30 minutes. However, there were some accidents. I understood, and Andrade chose what was best for the team. Of course, that anxiety is building, about coming back, about feeling useful again, but I'm calm," said Maldonado.
Confident, he believes that the duel against Tigres will be a good opportunity to test both his physical and technical preparation.
"It's a good game to return to. I've been working for a long time, and if it happens this Wednesday, I'll be very happy. It will be an important game for me, to see how I perform and also to gain confidence and chemistry with the team. I hope it's a good game and that everything goes well," he said.
The player continues to dream of participating in the World Cup in South Africa. In constant contact with Chilean national team coach Marcelo Bielsa, Maldonado still hopes to compete in the World Cup.
"There's still time. He (Marcelo Bielsa) went to the Chile game, thinking I could play a little, but we're always in contact. They're waiting to see how I am before deciding whether to call me up or not," he added.
Due to injuries to Leonardo Moura against Universidad de Chile and Alvaro against Botafogo, the Chilean ended up postponing his return. On both occasions, Maldonado's entry was aborted at the last minute.
"They're not letting me in (laughs). I was scheduled to play in the last two games. I'd come in for at least 30 minutes. However, there were some accidents. I understood, and Andrade chose what was best for the team. Of course, that anxiety is building, about coming back, about feeling useful again, but I'm calm," said Maldonado.
Confident, he believes that the duel against Tigres will be a good opportunity to test both his physical and technical preparation.
"It's a good game to return to. I've been working for a long time, and if it happens this Wednesday, I'll be very happy. It will be an important game for me, to see how I perform and also to gain confidence and chemistry with the team. I hope it's a good game and that everything goes well," he said.
The player continues to dream of participating in the World Cup in South Africa. In constant contact with Chilean national team coach Marcelo Bielsa, Maldonado still hopes to compete in the World Cup.
"There's still time. He (Marcelo Bielsa) went to the Chile game, thinking I could play a little, but we're always in contact. They're waiting to see how I am before deciding whether to call me up or not," he added.