Flamengo's defense was criticized for conceding too many goals in the first stage of the Taça Guanabara. Now, the defenders have once again been questioned about Botafogo's aerial failures, which were highlighted as the team's greatest strength throughout the week leading up to the derby. But for goalkeeper Bruno, the Flamengos are not to blame for what happened. Instead of complaining about his teammates, he prefers to praise his opponents.

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They had already gone ten games without losing to their rivals from General Severiano, but according to Bruno, that defeat was bound to happen eventually. For the number 1, Flamengo ended up losing because they failed to capitalize on their opportunities in what, in his opinion, was an atypical match.

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"I don't think a football team lives on victories alone. It was an atypical game, where Flamengo played very well, by the way. We had many scoring chances and wasted them. We played very well. Our team created chances. We could have played for a while longer and the ball wouldn't have gone in," he explained.

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Bruno absolved the Flamengo defenders of any blame for the defeat. The goalkeeper praised El Loco Abreu's positioning in Botafogo's attacking plays and only lamented the fact that he already knew this would be Botafogo's greatest weapon in the match.

"Who has a better defender than us? It was thanks to Loco Abreu's size because he uses his body very well and holds the ball. We talked during the week and the only play we could have stumbled on was this one," he analyzed.

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The time, however, is now to turn the page and begin writing a new chapter in the history of this Flamengo squad. On the 24th, the red-and-blacks will debut in the Copa Libertadores da América, and the team won't give up just because they didn't achieve their first goal of the year. Captain Bruno guarantees that. 

"The Guanabara Cup was our goal, and we didn't achieve it. We have a strong squad. When we thought about the group, we were aiming for the whole year. Some players won't be able to play every game. We can mix things up to get the job done. The team is well prepared physically. We don't have time to lament defeat. I've already forgotten the loss and am thinking about the Libertadores," he concluded.