Before the delegation continued their journey to Colombia, Cuéllar was present at the Victorino Chermont Press Room, at Ninho do Urubu, to give a press conference. Born in Barranquilla, the city where Thursday's (30) match will be played, the midfielder stressed the importance of the team being accustomed to playing in high temperatures, a characteristic of the local climate.

"We need to be very mindful of the weather. It's very hot, with a lot of humidity. But we're prepared for it. We'll try to play a great game against a great team that's been playing well and bring this qualification back to Brazil," said Cuéllar, also commenting on the temperature inside the Metropolitano Stadium. "There will be pressure, because the fans will definitely fill the stadium. They're also chasing a national title. But we're used to that," he added.

In the first match, the "Mais Querido" (the most beloved team) prevailed. A comeback, with goals from Juan and Felipe Vizeu, sealed the 2-1 victory at Maracanã. The advantage, however, isn't enough to give the Red-Blacks peace of mind, the midfielder emphasizes. Besides defensive consistency, finding the net will be crucial.

"The advantage, as we know, is minimal. If we had won with any other positive result here in Brazil, we would have had to go there to win as well. If we had sought a draw, we would certainly have been in trouble. It's everyone's dream to fight for a title at the end of the year," he said.

Despite the comeback victory, Cuéllar emphasizes the quality of the opposing squad. With a style that alternates between valuing possession and speed on the counterattack, the work done by Uruguayan coach Júlio Comesaña was praised by Cuéllar, who warned of the dangers Junior Barranquilla could pose on the field.

"They played a very intelligent game. Their coach is very tactically focused and transmits this to the team. I believe they won't be as tactically focused this time, because they'll be looking for a result, and this could open up spaces for us," he analyzed. "We need to be smart to take advantage, because they'll try to suffocate us early in the game," Cuéllar predicted.

This Wednesday (29), the preparation will end with training at the venue for the game that will decide a place in the final of the Conmebol Sudamericana, the Metropolitano stadium in Barranquilla. The match will start at 22:30 pm, Brasília time.

I don't even know if I'll play yet. The coach sometimes changes his selection from one day to the next. He's preparing everyone for his decision, so we can give our best on the field. This is natural in our daily work routine. We have to work on it.

First, we're only thinking about Junior. After this game, we'll start thinking about Vitória. It's a very important game for us, and we'll be looking for a result that takes us to the final. Right now, we're only thinking about Junior, with all due respect to Vitória. Then we'll get back to focusing on the Brasileirão.

The next day, we have to wake up with the desire to work for the best club in Brazil. I wake up every day to strive and give my best for Flamengo. If we don't have the joy of competing for a spot in the final of an international tournament, it's difficult. I always wake up happy to have a great crowd, play for Flamengo, and seek a spot in a final. We have to turn the page on what happened in the match against Santos.

First, focus. We have a very high-quality squad, but we have to maintain our focus and desire to achieve this important result. 

It doesn't matter. We know the quality of the entire team. Obviously, I have some advantage in knowing them, but we have to always be focused. Regardless, I'll work to do my best on the field.

This is a strong point for us. Réver and Juan attack the ball a lot in the air, as does Arão. We'll try to exploit this potential, but I think it will be a different game. I believe we'll have spaces to exploit, and we need to be smart about it.

Whether Muralha or César plays, the support will be the same. We always see eye to eye. That's what we've always had at Flamengo, and it's the same in football. We live with mistakes every day, in life. Both have the quality to be at Flamengo.

It's very important that we secure this spot, especially given our squad and the working conditions the Flamengo board provides us. We'll strive to do our job. We need to be in this international tournament next season.