Guerrero laments late defeat to Chapecoense: He didn't deserve to lose
Striker scores again with the Sacred Mantle after seven months
By Lucas Dantas - in
Flamengo lost to Chapecoense but remained top of the Brasileirão, and one player had a special reason to smile at the end of the game. Paolo Guerrero found his goal after seven months and three days. The last time the Peruvian striker had scored for Flamengo was against Sport, in the 2017 Brasileirão, in a 2-0 victory. This Sunday, three minutes into the second half, he saw Trauco preparing to take a free kick on the edge of the box, signaled he wanted the ball, and it went. Jandrei came out poorly, but the center forward made no mistake and tied the match, scoring for the first time all season.
At the end of the match, the striker was relieved by the goal, but regretted the result which, if it didn't cost them the lead, left Flamengo close to the other teams in the competition.
"We knew it was going to be difficult, but we can't let up. We couldn't lose, we didn't deserve to lose, we took control of the game, but we couldn't do anything, they scored a goal at the end due to a mistake we made," said Guerrero as he left the field.
Now it's time to think ahead. On Wednesday, Flamengo has a very difficult game ahead. In the fifth round of Group D, the "Mais Querido" faces Emelec at Maracanã. A simple victory and qualification for the second round will be guaranteed. But for Guerrero, Flamengo will have to make some adjustments to its style of play to face the Ecuadorians.
"We need to prepare well for Wednesday (against Emelec). If we don't do what we did today, we can't make the same mistakes we did. We have every chance of winning."
CAS Judgment
Guerrero is still awaiting a final decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Peruvian hopes to play in the World Cup, but he has yet to hear the final verdict in his case. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has requested an increase in the player's penalty to one year. But confidence is high, and Guerrero spoke about the matter as he left the field.
"I'm innocent, I didn't do anything. They can't leave a player who did nothing without playing. They can't take away my happiness in playing football. I'm confident because I believe in justice," Paolo concluded.