Players celebrate the "Return of the Emperor"
Coach Rogério Lourenço praises Adriano's dedication and trusts the Emperor in the second leg as well
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
"The Emperor's Return." It could even be a movie title. And Adriano's story in 2010 wearing the Flamengo jersey truly has cinematic overtones. The Gávea number 10 has been a hero, as in the 1-0 victory over Corinthians, and he's also been a villain, when he missed a penalty in the Taça Rio final against Botafogo. But what matters is that the Emperor has been playing his part as a protagonist and continues to enjoy the trust of his supporting players.
Defender David, for example, doesn't hide his admiration for his teammate. According to him, with Adriano in good form, Flamengo benefits greatly. Just like the Brazilian national team, which the Emperor so desperately wants to represent at the World Cup in South Africa.
"Adriano hadn't scored in a while, and we were all happy with his goal today. He had a great game. He helped the defense a lot and held the ball up front when we needed it. That's how we kept the result. I believe he's getting back to his old form; he's the Emperor, and we're going to help him get to the World Cup," he said.
Coach Rogério Lourenço has known Adriano since the days when he wasn't the Emperor, but Scooby, recently promoted to Flamengo's first team. And even then, the former defender knew his teammate was a unique player.
"Towards the end of my playing career, I saw Adriano move up to the professional ranks, and from his first game, I realized he had extraordinary potential. In these few days of coaching, I've seen Adriano dedicated and training hard. He's playing well again, and that just proves how dedicated he is to Flamengo," he added.
It's worth noting that Adriano already has 13 goals and five assists in 14 matches this season. The goal against Corinthians was his second in the Copa Libertadores.
Defender David, for example, doesn't hide his admiration for his teammate. According to him, with Adriano in good form, Flamengo benefits greatly. Just like the Brazilian national team, which the Emperor so desperately wants to represent at the World Cup in South Africa.
"Adriano hadn't scored in a while, and we were all happy with his goal today. He had a great game. He helped the defense a lot and held the ball up front when we needed it. That's how we kept the result. I believe he's getting back to his old form; he's the Emperor, and we're going to help him get to the World Cup," he said.
Coach Rogério Lourenço has known Adriano since the days when he wasn't the Emperor, but Scooby, recently promoted to Flamengo's first team. And even then, the former defender knew his teammate was a unique player.
"Towards the end of my playing career, I saw Adriano move up to the professional ranks, and from his first game, I realized he had extraordinary potential. In these few days of coaching, I've seen Adriano dedicated and training hard. He's playing well again, and that just proves how dedicated he is to Flamengo," he added.
It's worth noting that Adriano already has 13 goals and five assists in 14 matches this season. The goal against Corinthians was his second in the Copa Libertadores.