On the right track for the 2011 South American Championship
Luxemburgo sees the team evolving and highlights the importance of growth in the final stretch of the Brasileirão
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Flamengo slept, from Saturday to Sunday, in the qualifying zone for the 2011 Copa Sudamericana. And they hope to repeat that from Sunday to Monday. To that end, they're rooting for a slip-up by Guarani against Corinthians. But, regardless of whether it happens this round or in the next, coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo believes Flamengo is on track to secure a spot in the international competition.
The coach highlighted the fact that the team from Gávea has opened up an advantage over the teams in the relegation zone and reaffirmed that Flamengo's goal in this year's championship is to secure a spot in the South American.
"Depending on what happens tomorrow, we could be in the South American zone. We're not comfortable, but we're moving forward. If you're three rounds ahead of the opponent who's at the bottom, with eight rounds remaining, it's important. I saw the team evolving, growing at an important time for us. Our championship is about getting out of the mess we were in, and we're doing it," he said.
The coach also warns that next Sunday's derby shouldn't be treated as a more important game than the others. According to him, it's certainly different facing Vasco, but a victory is just as important as against any opponent.
"There's a rivalry between Flamengo and Vasco, but we can't focus on that. If you win and fall into the relegation zone, it's no use. You can't provoke anything based on that. It's a derby, we can win or lose, we have to work on the feeling, of course, but the important thing is our run until the end of the championship," he added.
The coach highlighted the fact that the team from Gávea has opened up an advantage over the teams in the relegation zone and reaffirmed that Flamengo's goal in this year's championship is to secure a spot in the South American.
"Depending on what happens tomorrow, we could be in the South American zone. We're not comfortable, but we're moving forward. If you're three rounds ahead of the opponent who's at the bottom, with eight rounds remaining, it's important. I saw the team evolving, growing at an important time for us. Our championship is about getting out of the mess we were in, and we're doing it," he said.
The coach also warns that next Sunday's derby shouldn't be treated as a more important game than the others. According to him, it's certainly different facing Vasco, but a victory is just as important as against any opponent.
"There's a rivalry between Flamengo and Vasco, but we can't focus on that. If you win and fall into the relegation zone, it's no use. You can't provoke anything based on that. It's a derby, we can win or lose, we have to work on the feeling, of course, but the important thing is our run until the end of the championship," he added.
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