Luxa praises the group and the "wonderful" fans
Coach, however, emphasizes: team still needs one more point to be mathematically calm
By From the official website team - in
Black Awareness Day became Flamengo Pride Day at Engenhão. A victory that reflected Flamengo's image, with fans packing the stadium, was just what coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo needed to become even more optimistic. Since arriving at the club, he's always maintained a positive mindset and passed it on to his players. This Saturday, he reaped the rewards.
The pleased coach praised the team's spirit and also the "wonderful" Flamengo fans, who numbered nearly 40 at the Engenhão stadium. He only lamented the fact that some boos were directed at goalkeeper Marcelo Lomba, who was applauded again after Flamengo took the lead.
"Congratulations to the players. We knew Guarani would play defensively, looking for counterattacks. But I'm a very practical person. I think the fans made a mistake. It was wonderful, 40 people, they supported, but Lomba isn't to blame for anything. The ball can't just go low past the near post and you blame the goalkeeper. It was unfair to Lomba, but wonderful to us," analyzed the coach, asking the team not to forget that the championship isn't over yet.
"We need one more point to get out of trouble. But depending on what happens, we could still win two more games and get a chance to win the Copa Sudamericana, a good thing, something I always want and like to think about. Let's see what happens in the rest of the round. If that's the case, we'll plan another final against Cruzeiro," he said.
Luxa believes there's no secret or magic formula for success, nor any supernatural help. According to him, results only come with work. A lot of work.
"God doesn't help. You have to work. Today, the ones who had to take responsibility were the most experienced. That's why I put the players in and kept the youngsters who will be Flamengo players in the future," he concluded.
The coach gave the athletes two days off, and they will only return next Tuesday afternoon at CT Ninho do Urubu, in Vargem Grande, West Zone of Rio de Janeiro.
The pleased coach praised the team's spirit and also the "wonderful" Flamengo fans, who numbered nearly 40 at the Engenhão stadium. He only lamented the fact that some boos were directed at goalkeeper Marcelo Lomba, who was applauded again after Flamengo took the lead.
"Congratulations to the players. We knew Guarani would play defensively, looking for counterattacks. But I'm a very practical person. I think the fans made a mistake. It was wonderful, 40 people, they supported, but Lomba isn't to blame for anything. The ball can't just go low past the near post and you blame the goalkeeper. It was unfair to Lomba, but wonderful to us," analyzed the coach, asking the team not to forget that the championship isn't over yet.
"We need one more point to get out of trouble. But depending on what happens, we could still win two more games and get a chance to win the Copa Sudamericana, a good thing, something I always want and like to think about. Let's see what happens in the rest of the round. If that's the case, we'll plan another final against Cruzeiro," he said.
Luxa believes there's no secret or magic formula for success, nor any supernatural help. According to him, results only come with work. A lot of work.
"God doesn't help. You have to work. Today, the ones who had to take responsibility were the most experienced. That's why I put the players in and kept the youngsters who will be Flamengo players in the future," he concluded.
The coach gave the athletes two days off, and they will only return next Tuesday afternoon at CT Ninho do Urubu, in Vargem Grande, West Zone of Rio de Janeiro.
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