Luxa explains the team's formation in his first training session
Coach wants to use Willians as a defensive midfielder and has doubts between Diogo and Diego Maurício in attack
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Diogo and Diego. Their names are similar, as are their playing characteristics. Both are quick forwards who drop down the flanks, but they also have excellent finishing. Therefore, they're competing for a spot alongside Deivid, a key player in the box. This is the only question Flamengo's new coach, Vanderlei Luxemburgo, regarding the team he sends out to face Atlético-GO on Thursday (October 07.10) in Volta Redonda.
"I played Willians further back and a midfield with three defensive midfielders so Petkovic would have the freedom to create. I needed a more defensive midfielder. Now the only doubt is between Diego Maurício and Diogo," said Luxa, who fielded Lomba, Leo Moura, David, Welinton, and Juan; Willians, Correa, Kleberson, and Petkovic; Diego Maurício (Diogo), and Deivid.
The coach reaffirmed that his priority is to place Flamengo among those qualified for the Copa Sudamericana and recalled his past with titles and successes to give even more motivation to his work at Rubro-Negro.
"I'm not used to fighting relegation. I'm optimistic, and our goal is to seek a spot in the South American. My history in football shows that I'm 80% right and 20% wrong. That's natural in the sport," observed Luxemburgo, who made a point of emphasizing that he only agreed to negotiate with Flamengo when the club defined the situation of former coach Silas.
"I only accepted when the club had already decided on Silas' situation. After he was released, we scheduled the meeting. It was a quick one because there wasn't much to discuss. Silas didn't work out here, just as it didn't work out for me at Atlético. I'll start working now in these two months and start thinking about next year," he added.
"I played Willians further back and a midfield with three defensive midfielders so Petkovic would have the freedom to create. I needed a more defensive midfielder. Now the only doubt is between Diego Maurício and Diogo," said Luxa, who fielded Lomba, Leo Moura, David, Welinton, and Juan; Willians, Correa, Kleberson, and Petkovic; Diego Maurício (Diogo), and Deivid.
The coach reaffirmed that his priority is to place Flamengo among those qualified for the Copa Sudamericana and recalled his past with titles and successes to give even more motivation to his work at Rubro-Negro.
"I'm not used to fighting relegation. I'm optimistic, and our goal is to seek a spot in the South American. My history in football shows that I'm 80% right and 20% wrong. That's natural in the sport," observed Luxemburgo, who made a point of emphasizing that he only agreed to negotiate with Flamengo when the club defined the situation of former coach Silas.
"I only accepted when the club had already decided on Silas' situation. After he was released, we scheduled the meeting. It was a quick one because there wasn't much to discuss. Silas didn't work out here, just as it didn't work out for me at Atlético. I'll start working now in these two months and start thinking about next year," he added.