Leonardo Moura praises the red-black team's tenacity
The full-back says that the fact that the team didn't give up in the first half was crucial to the victory
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
The pressure from the Corinthians fans didn't intimidate Flamengo. Neither the packed Pacaembu stadium nor the fireworks outside the hotel in the early hours of Wednesday morning were enough to dampen the motivation of the red-and-black team. Right-back Leonardo Moura praised the team's dedication at the end of the match. For Leo, the change in Flamengo's attitude in the second half was fundamental to the team's qualification. A change that, according to him, was orchestrated by coach Rogério Lourenço.
"Not getting discouraged, even after falling behind in today's game, was crucial. The team came back with a different attitude in the second half and managed to get the result, even after missing some goals. When a team concedes two goals and also suffers the pressure from the opposing fans, it's difficult. But the early goal improved the situation and was important because it calmed us down, we were smart, and we knew how to play within the rules," he said.
Excited about the qualification, the full-back, who has been at Flamengo since 2005 and participated in the recent eliminations in the round of 16 in 2007 and 2008, asks that the Flamengo fans stand by the team on their journey to win the Copa Libertadores title.
"The team has taken some weight off its shoulders. I want to congratulate the fans who were with us here and I want to call on them to continue with us on this journey which, God willing, will be victorious. When you reach the top, it's even harder to stay there. But everyone here wants to carry the name of Flamengo forward. There are no easy opponents and we have to be prepared for whoever comes," said the player, who also condemned the attitude of the Corinthians fans, who set off fireworks outside the hotel where Flamengo was staying.
"Against Atlético, there, in last year's Brazilian Championship, this also happened and we won. And here in São Paulo it was important that the Corinthians fans set off those fireworks. They were very smart, because in the end they couldn't set them off. That never wins and never will win a game. If other fan groups want to, they can set them off too, it will be welcome," concluded the number 2.
Read more:
\ Fla loses, but advances in the Libertadores
\ Kleberson returns to Fla in style
\ Vagner Love celebrates victory in race and love
"Not getting discouraged, even after falling behind in today's game, was crucial. The team came back with a different attitude in the second half and managed to get the result, even after missing some goals. When a team concedes two goals and also suffers the pressure from the opposing fans, it's difficult. But the early goal improved the situation and was important because it calmed us down, we were smart, and we knew how to play within the rules," he said.
Excited about the qualification, the full-back, who has been at Flamengo since 2005 and participated in the recent eliminations in the round of 16 in 2007 and 2008, asks that the Flamengo fans stand by the team on their journey to win the Copa Libertadores title.
"The team has taken some weight off its shoulders. I want to congratulate the fans who were with us here and I want to call on them to continue with us on this journey which, God willing, will be victorious. When you reach the top, it's even harder to stay there. But everyone here wants to carry the name of Flamengo forward. There are no easy opponents and we have to be prepared for whoever comes," said the player, who also condemned the attitude of the Corinthians fans, who set off fireworks outside the hotel where Flamengo was staying.
"Against Atlético, there, in last year's Brazilian Championship, this also happened and we won. And here in São Paulo it was important that the Corinthians fans set off those fireworks. They were very smart, because in the end they couldn't set them off. That never wins and never will win a game. If other fan groups want to, they can set them off too, it will be welcome," concluded the number 2.
Read more:
\ Fla loses, but advances in the Libertadores
\ Kleberson returns to Fla in style
\ Vagner Love celebrates victory in race and love