After the final whistle at Arena Castelão, which saw Flamengo defeat Ceará 3-0, Mauricio Barbieri gave a press conference. Commenting on the match, the assistant coach praised not only the final score but also the team's performance throughout the entire game.

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“Even when we don’t get the result, things are done well. But, without a doubt, I think this was the match where we best combined performance and result. It was the game in which we achieved the greatest harmony,” he celebrated, dedicating the victory to a very special Flamengo fan. “There’s a Flamengo supporter who turns eleven today, named João Gabriel. So, I’d like to dedicate this victory to him. I know how important it was and I want to see him soon,” said Barbieri.

Regarding the game's highlights, the assistant coach praised the team's collective performance against Ceará, emphasizing the contribution of Lucas Paquetá, who played alongside Cuéllar in midfield.

“I applauded him and everyone else who left the field. In particular, I was very happy with what he did, with the game he showed even though he hasn't been playing in that position. I think we gain in confidence and performance. I'm very happy with his performance,” he praised.

Diego was another player who received numerous compliments from Barbieri. The number 10, who scored the goal that sealed the score at Castelão, had his performance analyzed by the assistant coach.

“Diego is a role model, a technically formidable player. A dedicated leader who has the best stats and takes charge of the game. Of course, sometimes it works, other times not so much. The pressure is often excessive, as if he were the only one to blame, and he isn't. Today, he was able to stand out,” he said.

Check out other excerpts from Mauricio Barbieri's interview:

Team changes

We held back Paquetá a bit in the second half and freed up Diego. We also put Everton Ribeiro on the wing because he indicated he feels more comfortable there. This contributed to the performance you saw on the field.

Pre-match conversation

We talked, and the tone was that we were the ones who had to provide the solution. We understand and accept that the fans want results; we want them too, and we're working towards that. By playing the football we believe we can, and with the results coming, we'll win the fans over to our side.

Work sequence

It's been seven years since Flamengo last led the Brazilian Championship. It takes time for the players to assimilate what we're working on, but this shows we're on the right track.

Collective performance

It's a team game. If we look closely, it starts up front. Dourado has been very dedicated to pressuring the opposing defenders and their own midfielders. This good marking and defensive organization we have is the result of everyone's work. The games have shown this. If I'm not mistaken, we've gone three games without conceding a goal, which is an important achievement. This demonstrates the collective work of the team, with everyone understanding that they need to help both in marking and in the build-up phase of the game.