Newcomers ready for the Clássico dos Milhões
Jean and Val Baiano say they are ready for next Sunday's match against Vasco, at Maracanã
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Flamengo should have at least two new faces in Sunday's (August 01.08st) derby against Vasco at the Maracanã. Defender Jean, who made his starting debut against Internacional due to Welinton's suspension, is expected to remain in the team. Val Baiano, who only came on in the second half of last weekend's game against Internacional, will likely start against Vasco. Both say they are ready for this challenge.
If a center forward's job is to score goals, Val Baiano sees no better way to debut than by finding the back of the net against rival Vasco da Gama. The number 18 avoids comparisons to strikers Adriano and Vagner Love, who left the club mid-year, but assures that he will do his best to win the trust and affection of all Flamengo fans.
"When I arrived, I knew that Flamengo had lost two of the greatest strikers in Brazil and the pressure would be immense. Flamengo is my fifteenth club, even though I'm only 29 years old, and now I'm only focused on scoring goals and fulfilling my dream of being at Flamengo. I don't want to be just another player. I'm working hard and dedicating myself to the fullest. I will never compare myself to Adriano and Vagner. But I want to earn my place and gain the fans' trust, who probably still have some doubts. I hope to debut as a starter by scoring a goal," he concluded.
The experienced defender Jean, for his part, is used to big derbies and, in his first game wearing the Flamengo jersey, hopes to leave a good impression and, more than that, wants Flamengo to leave the field with a victory.
"I had the opportunity to work on my physical conditioning. I was able to play the full 90 minutes and that gives me more confidence. I won't feel the lack of rhythm. I've played in derbies for other teams, but now I'll be playing my first one for Flamengo. Of course it's important, but we can't go onto the field thinking about that. Of course I want to play well, but we need to think about the team. If you play well you get a pat on the back, if you play badly you have to deal with it. Anyone who plays for a big team has to know that's how it is," he concluded.
If a center forward's job is to score goals, Val Baiano sees no better way to debut than by finding the back of the net against rival Vasco da Gama. The number 18 avoids comparisons to strikers Adriano and Vagner Love, who left the club mid-year, but assures that he will do his best to win the trust and affection of all Flamengo fans.
"When I arrived, I knew that Flamengo had lost two of the greatest strikers in Brazil and the pressure would be immense. Flamengo is my fifteenth club, even though I'm only 29 years old, and now I'm only focused on scoring goals and fulfilling my dream of being at Flamengo. I don't want to be just another player. I'm working hard and dedicating myself to the fullest. I will never compare myself to Adriano and Vagner. But I want to earn my place and gain the fans' trust, who probably still have some doubts. I hope to debut as a starter by scoring a goal," he concluded.
The experienced defender Jean, for his part, is used to big derbies and, in his first game wearing the Flamengo jersey, hopes to leave a good impression and, more than that, wants Flamengo to leave the field with a victory.
"I had the opportunity to work on my physical conditioning. I was able to play the full 90 minutes and that gives me more confidence. I won't feel the lack of rhythm. I've played in derbies for other teams, but now I'll be playing my first one for Flamengo. Of course it's important, but we can't go onto the field thinking about that. Of course I want to play well, but we need to think about the team. If you play well you get a pat on the back, if you play badly you have to deal with it. Anyone who plays for a big team has to know that's how it is," he concluded.
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