Coach Reinaldo Rueda made his Flamengo debut this Monday at the Engenhão stadium against Botafogo. In the Copa do Brasil semifinal match, the teams drew 0-0, and the coach already showed a glimpse of what he can offer the Red-Blacks during his tenure. With little time to get to know the team, Rueda fielded a team familiar to the fans (in addition to being without a number of players not registered for the competition), but with a change in approach and a return to playing with more possession than the opponent (53% possession). Flamengo was rarely threatened by Botafogo, had more chances, but failed to score the goal that would have given them the advantage. For the coach, the duel is wide open and there are no favorites.

"It was an intense match against a very strong rival, who is going through a great moment. We only had two days of training, and I thought it best to maintain what was already being done with the team, without making too many changes. The result doesn't benefit either team; it's open. We'll be in our stadium, with our fans, to decide," said Rueda. 

On the field, the Colombian, 2016 Libertadores champion, displayed a low-key style. Dressed in a suit and a dress shirt, he gestured sparingly, always staying within the line that defines the technical area, and using players like Mancuello and Pará, who were on the bench, to help give instructions and overcome the language barrier. Rueda also spoke extensively with his assistants Bernardo Redín and Carlos Eduardo Velasco, as well as speaking mainly with Diego, Berrio, and Cuellar. Regarding the midfielder, who leads the poll for the best player on Twitter @Flamengo and started after the match, Rueda said that several factors made him enter the field. 

"There are several reasons (for him to play). Cuellar is very intelligent and plays very well. Márcio Araújo was very tired against Atlético and that's why I changed the team in this area," explained the coach, who commented on the experience of starting work right away in a derby. 

"It's very difficult, with a huge responsibility. Botafogo is doing a great job, but we played with very committed athletes and managed to control the match very intelligently." 

A studious person, Rueda had already analyzed Flamengo before taking over the team. And having faced Botafogo twice in 2017, in the Libertadores, he knew how the "Mais Querido" would perform in the derby. He built the team with that in mind, holding back the black-and-white attack and relying on the speedy wingers, Berrio and Everton. 

"It was a tactical situation in the game, to overcome Botafogo's defense lines. We have powerful wingers like Berrio and Everton and we needed to use this option, holding them in midfield."

The return match between Flamengo and Botafogo is scheduled for next Wednesday (23), at Maracanã. Tickets are already on sale at flamengo.com.br/tickets