Coach Muricy Ramalho lamented the 2-1 loss to Fortaleza this Wednesday (04) in the Copa do Brasil. Aware that the team needs to evolve, the coach lamented the team's anxiety, the below-par performance in the first half of the game, but highlighted the goal scored away from home, which could be decisive for qualification. Check out some excerpts from the interview:

Team anxiety

We scored the goal, had other chances, but the team was anxious. We have to play a lot on the wings; that's our team's hallmark. We did that, but right after tying the game, we conceded the second goal.  

Exposed team?

We had a lot of possession because they played on the counterattack. We have to press, play the game, and push forward—that's our team's hallmark. Flamengo is a big team; we can't stay behind.

4-3-3 ou 4-4-2?

The formation is decided based on the players the coach has. All teams play a 4-3-3 formation when they have the ball. Without the ball, we play a 4-1-4-1. Cuéllar stays deep, Arão drops back, and the wide players, who also attack, close the line.

Bad first half

In the first half, we didn't play well at all. We let Fortaleza play too much. In the second half, we created more chances and scored a goal, but it wasn't enough.

About the defeat

It's not a catastrophe, that's how knockouts are; we still have the second leg. In the Copa do Brasil, you lose away, but we scored a goal, which is important. We can turn the result around at home.

Change of captain

Last night, Wallace asked me to step down as captain. There's a lot of pressure on him, it's not easy. The choice for Juan is based on experience, his time at the club.

Perspective

Our team will hold together. We have good players, but anxiety is getting in the way. When you lose games, you lose confidence, but we have a good squad. We'll have good results in the Brasileirão.