Unlike the coach, the star of La "U" preaches respect for Fla
Walter Montillo admits the quality of the red-black team and does not want Universidad playing behind
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Before arriving in Chile, where they will play the 'match of the year,' Flamengo has already made it clear that they are confident about facing Universidad de Chile this Thursday (May 20.05th) at 22:15 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Santa Laura Stadium. And the red-and-black mystique of thriving in difficult times seems to have crossed borders. Despite their 3-2 victory in the first leg at the Maracanã, the players aren't celebrating victory prematurely.
Argentine midfielder Walter Montillo, La "U"'s standout player in the competition, believes none of his teammates will take the field feeling relaxed. According to him, everyone will be on their toes, as Flamengo deserves respect and secured qualification for the round of 16 against the best team in the first phase, Corinthians.
"The race is still open. We won the first match, but we still have another game this Thursday. We have an advantage, but Flamengo has already surpassed Corinthians, the best team in the first phase, and deserves respect. No one here believes we've already qualified," said Montillo.
Aware that Universidad de Chile cannot repeat the poor performance it had in the second game of the round of 16, against Alianza Lima, Montillo warns about the power of the red-black attack.
"We can't play thinking about a draw or a 1-0 loss. With these results, we've advanced to the next round, but it's dangerous. We can't start the game with the whole team deep in defense. We know Flamengo has a lot of quality players and that they'll come out with everything they have to try to overturn the result of the first match. Against Alianza, we lost possession quickly and they pressured our defense. Against Brazilians, that can never happen. They don't forgive. If we concede a goal in the first half, it'll be tough. We'll go out there to win," analyzed the Argentine midfielder.
Argentine midfielder Walter Montillo, La "U"'s standout player in the competition, believes none of his teammates will take the field feeling relaxed. According to him, everyone will be on their toes, as Flamengo deserves respect and secured qualification for the round of 16 against the best team in the first phase, Corinthians.
"The race is still open. We won the first match, but we still have another game this Thursday. We have an advantage, but Flamengo has already surpassed Corinthians, the best team in the first phase, and deserves respect. No one here believes we've already qualified," said Montillo.
Aware that Universidad de Chile cannot repeat the poor performance it had in the second game of the round of 16, against Alianza Lima, Montillo warns about the power of the red-black attack.
"We can't play thinking about a draw or a 1-0 loss. With these results, we've advanced to the next round, but it's dangerous. We can't start the game with the whole team deep in defense. We know Flamengo has a lot of quality players and that they'll come out with everything they have to try to overturn the result of the first match. Against Alianza, we lost possession quickly and they pressured our defense. Against Brazilians, that can never happen. They don't forgive. If we concede a goal in the first half, it'll be tough. We'll go out there to win," analyzed the Argentine midfielder.