Maldonado jokes: "I wanted to kill Bottinelli"
Midfielder praises the talent of the Argentinian playmaker, whom he saw play for Católica in Chile.
By Direct from Londrina (PR) - From the official website team - in
"El Pollo" arrived at Flamengo without being recognized by many people. Brazilians don't usually follow the Chilean Championship and, therefore, a good portion of them hadn't heard much about Darío Bottinelli. Maldonado and Fierro, however, unfortunately for their fans, know the Argentinian midfielder well, who was at Universidad Católica.
In the second half of 2010, Darío was the star player for the team, which overcame a seven-point deficit against league leaders Colo Colo, the team Maldonado and Fierro support in their home country, to become first-round champions. In a humorous tone, the midfielder reveals that he felt like "killing" Bottinelli.
"I knew him well. In the last six months, he's been outstanding. He's a quality player who will be very useful for Flamengo. Colo Colo was seven points ahead, but Católica ended up winning the championship, and I wanted to kill Bottinelli. Fierro and I were rooting for him, but it didn't work out," he noted.
Currently undergoing muscle strengthening, Maldonado should return to training with the group this Tuesday (January 11.01th) and hopes to be available to face América-MG on Sunday (January 16.01th) at Estádio do Café.
"I would like to play. For me, it would be very good. To play at least 45 minutes, to see how I react after this week of physical work. It would really be very important. Hopefully I'll be in good shape," he added.
Bottinelli had been working with Maldonado, and the expectation is that the player may also be tested for a few minutes in the friendly against América.
In the second half of 2010, Darío was the star player for the team, which overcame a seven-point deficit against league leaders Colo Colo, the team Maldonado and Fierro support in their home country, to become first-round champions. In a humorous tone, the midfielder reveals that he felt like "killing" Bottinelli.
"I knew him well. In the last six months, he's been outstanding. He's a quality player who will be very useful for Flamengo. Colo Colo was seven points ahead, but Católica ended up winning the championship, and I wanted to kill Bottinelli. Fierro and I were rooting for him, but it didn't work out," he noted.
Currently undergoing muscle strengthening, Maldonado should return to training with the group this Tuesday (January 11.01th) and hopes to be available to face América-MG on Sunday (January 16.01th) at Estádio do Café.
"I would like to play. For me, it would be very good. To play at least 45 minutes, to see how I react after this week of physical work. It would really be very important. Hopefully I'll be in good shape," he added.
Bottinelli had been working with Maldonado, and the expectation is that the player may also be tested for a few minutes in the friendly against América.
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