Andrade reveals which Flamengo team is ideal for the decisive matches
Coach chose his preferred formation at the moment against Vasco
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
When Flamengo became Brazilian champions last year, it was already thinking about the important year ahead in 2010. Reinforcements were signed, some players left the club, but one thing remained certain: the club's squad remained strong. However, Andrade needed to conduct tests before settling on the ideal team.
The State Championship and the start of the Libertadores coincided, and the coach looked for alternatives to field the starting lineup whenever possible. However, the first-half decisions arrived, and with them, the need for Andrade to field the best Flamengo team on the field. And that team was the one that defeated Vasco on Sunday (April 11.04).
"I started to decide on this last week and, today (Sunday), I put the best Flamengo players on the field. Right now, this would be the ideal team for me. Obviously, counting on Adriano coming in for Bruno Mezenga," revealed Andrade, who explained the decision to start with Maldonado.
"I couldn't test Flamengo's best without waiting for Maldonado to fully recover. He was coming back from a serious injury at the start of the season and I let him get his confidence and rhythm back," he said.
One of the main players in winning the sixth championship in 2009, the Chilean midfielder continues, according to his teammates, to be fundamental to Flamengo's defensive sector.
"Maldonado is a guy who stays back. And with him 'locked in,' we, who come out more into the game, have more freedom. We got used to playing with him there last year, providing that protection. We know there's a lot of fighting in the midfield, but Andrade is the one who solves that. I think it's a good problem for him. There are a lot of quality players, national team players, and it's a good thing I'm a full-back. I don't need to get involved in that," joked Léo Moura.
But it's not just in midfield that Flamengo boasts great players. In attack, the area most celebrated by fans this year, the Empire of Love will continue to intimidate defenses.
"I'm counting on Adriano as soon as the medical department gives me confirmation. I can't give up on a player like him, a national team player. Even with less match fitness than the others, he's qualified. He makes a difference," said Andrade, also praising his other striker.
"Love fit in perfectly with the team. When he arrived, many people doubted his ability and that he could play alongside Adriano. With hard work, he proved both of those theories wrong. He went through a rough patch at Palmeiras, but he's happy again with his favorite team. He's a great guy, a team player, and he's performing really well," concluded the Flamengo coach.
The State Championship and the start of the Libertadores coincided, and the coach looked for alternatives to field the starting lineup whenever possible. However, the first-half decisions arrived, and with them, the need for Andrade to field the best Flamengo team on the field. And that team was the one that defeated Vasco on Sunday (April 11.04).
"I started to decide on this last week and, today (Sunday), I put the best Flamengo players on the field. Right now, this would be the ideal team for me. Obviously, counting on Adriano coming in for Bruno Mezenga," revealed Andrade, who explained the decision to start with Maldonado.
"I couldn't test Flamengo's best without waiting for Maldonado to fully recover. He was coming back from a serious injury at the start of the season and I let him get his confidence and rhythm back," he said.
One of the main players in winning the sixth championship in 2009, the Chilean midfielder continues, according to his teammates, to be fundamental to Flamengo's defensive sector.
"Maldonado is a guy who stays back. And with him 'locked in,' we, who come out more into the game, have more freedom. We got used to playing with him there last year, providing that protection. We know there's a lot of fighting in the midfield, but Andrade is the one who solves that. I think it's a good problem for him. There are a lot of quality players, national team players, and it's a good thing I'm a full-back. I don't need to get involved in that," joked Léo Moura.
But it's not just in midfield that Flamengo boasts great players. In attack, the area most celebrated by fans this year, the Empire of Love will continue to intimidate defenses.
"I'm counting on Adriano as soon as the medical department gives me confirmation. I can't give up on a player like him, a national team player. Even with less match fitness than the others, he's qualified. He makes a difference," said Andrade, also praising his other striker.
"Love fit in perfectly with the team. When he arrived, many people doubted his ability and that he could play alongside Adriano. With hard work, he proved both of those theories wrong. He went through a rough patch at Palmeiras, but he's happy again with his favorite team. He's a great guy, a team player, and he's performing really well," concluded the Flamengo coach.