Maldonado doesn't believe it will be an easy game against Caracas
Chilean bets on a tough match in the fight for qualification for the next stage of the Libertadores
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Flamengo's mission in the Copa Santander Libertadores isn't the easiest, but it's not considered the most complicated either. After all, to qualify, the team needs a victory by a good margin of goals against Caracas, last place in Group 8 of the competition, playing at home, next Wednesday (April 21.04).
However, midfielder Maldonado isn't swayed by Flamengo's apparent favoritism. He believes Flamengo will have to work hard to qualify for the round of 16.
"I don't think it will be an easy game. Universidad de Chile drew with Caracas in Chile, for example. We have to show respect and take the field seriously. Caracas is not a foolish team, and only we can make this game easy," he said.
According to experts' calculations, a victory by two or three goals should be enough to secure the team from Gávea a spot in the next round. Maldonado, however, says the important thing is to win first, and only then should the goal difference be considered.
"We have to win, regardless of how many goals we score. First we have to think about winning. Only then can we talk about goal difference," he added.
However, midfielder Maldonado isn't swayed by Flamengo's apparent favoritism. He believes Flamengo will have to work hard to qualify for the round of 16.
"I don't think it will be an easy game. Universidad de Chile drew with Caracas in Chile, for example. We have to show respect and take the field seriously. Caracas is not a foolish team, and only we can make this game easy," he said.
According to experts' calculations, a victory by two or three goals should be enough to secure the team from Gávea a spot in the next round. Maldonado, however, says the important thing is to win first, and only then should the goal difference be considered.
"We have to win, regardless of how many goals we score. First we have to think about winning. Only then can we talk about goal difference," he added.