"I'm glad to see that Kleberson coming back"
Rogério Lourenço praises the number 15's performance in the match against Corinthians at Pacaembu
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
The smiles on the faces of Kleberson and Rogério Lourenço in their respective press conferences after last Wednesday's match between Flamengo and Corinthians at Pacaembu Stadium don't hide the joy they both feel with the qualification. The player proved his worth, and the coach took an important step toward staying in his position and leading this group to the long-awaited Libertadores title.
A week ago, Rogério didn't include Kleberson in the squad for the first leg of the series against São Paulo at the Maracanã stadium. This was the coach's tactical choice. The five-time World Cup winner with the national team in 2002 would obviously have liked to play, but he understood his manager's decision and continued working to turn things around this Wednesday.
"We're still getting to know each other, he understood that I wanted to be in that match. My moment is important, we talked, and I also understood his tactical choice. The important thing is that we work for each other and both for Flamengo. He gave me the chance, and I tried to respond on the field. We both left happy today," said Kleberson.
Rogério himself praised the "Penta"'s return to the red-and-black team in style. The coach revealed that he spoke with Kleberson immediately after the match at Maracanã and said he was very pleased with the player's performance in the Pacaembu match.
"There was no disagreement between Kleberson and me. I always try to bring out the best for Flamengo. Rômulo joined the team last week, and Toró was benched. That meant someone had to come off the bench. I was torn between Kleberson and Fierro, and in that game I preferred Fierro because he's versatile. Soon after, I spoke with Kleberson and told him he was important and should keep working. A player like him, on the national team, always has to show his work, and today he proved what a player he is. I'm happy to see that Kleberson back," he said.
Knowing that he was decisive for the red-black team's qualification, Kleberson shared the merits with his teammates and stated that the team already knew that, to advance, they would have to dedicate themselves a lot on the field.
"The whole group knew today's game was tough. Corinthians is a very good team, and that was passed on to the players. We were losing, but at halftime we talked and knew a goal would make us feel better. That's thanks to everyone, not just me. The team was coming along, but they needed to fill the midfield more and hold the ball better. We worked on that throughout the week; it was planned, and it just happened and worked out," he added.
A week ago, Rogério didn't include Kleberson in the squad for the first leg of the series against São Paulo at the Maracanã stadium. This was the coach's tactical choice. The five-time World Cup winner with the national team in 2002 would obviously have liked to play, but he understood his manager's decision and continued working to turn things around this Wednesday.
"We're still getting to know each other, he understood that I wanted to be in that match. My moment is important, we talked, and I also understood his tactical choice. The important thing is that we work for each other and both for Flamengo. He gave me the chance, and I tried to respond on the field. We both left happy today," said Kleberson.
Rogério himself praised the "Penta"'s return to the red-and-black team in style. The coach revealed that he spoke with Kleberson immediately after the match at Maracanã and said he was very pleased with the player's performance in the Pacaembu match.
"There was no disagreement between Kleberson and me. I always try to bring out the best for Flamengo. Rômulo joined the team last week, and Toró was benched. That meant someone had to come off the bench. I was torn between Kleberson and Fierro, and in that game I preferred Fierro because he's versatile. Soon after, I spoke with Kleberson and told him he was important and should keep working. A player like him, on the national team, always has to show his work, and today he proved what a player he is. I'm happy to see that Kleberson back," he said.
Knowing that he was decisive for the red-black team's qualification, Kleberson shared the merits with his teammates and stated that the team already knew that, to advance, they would have to dedicate themselves a lot on the field.
"The whole group knew today's game was tough. Corinthians is a very good team, and that was passed on to the players. We were losing, but at halftime we talked and knew a goal would make us feel better. That's thanks to everyone, not just me. The team was coming along, but they needed to fill the midfield more and hold the ball better. We worked on that throughout the week; it was planned, and it just happened and worked out," he added.