The twelfth player is also scheduled
Flamengo's coach and players are counting on the fans' unconditional support this Wednesday
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
The Maracanã stadium is expected to be sold out this Wednesday night for the match between Flamengo and Corinthians in the round of 65 of the Copa Santander Libertadores. Excited by the prospect of having more than XNUMX Flamengo fans at their side, coach Rogério Lourenço's team can't wait to take the field chanting "Mengão do meu coração" (My Heart's Mengão).
The coach, who is also a former Flamengo player, knows the strength of the Red-Black Nation well.
"The nation has proven that it trusts the team. Anyone who's been there and played in a packed Maracanã knows what it's like. The players here also know the strength of the fans. We need them, and they do make a big difference. A player can be feeling down, suddenly look at the fans, and feel something different, drawing strength from where he didn't expect it," he explained.
Leonardo Moura agrees and promises that, on the field, the players will do their best to reward the fans.
"Our fans really need to sell out, fill the Maracanã and do their part, and we'll try to repay them on the field. Their support is essential, both here and at the game at Pacaembu, and we rely heavily on the fans," he said.
Midfielder Maldonado believes that this duel between the country's most popular clubs will add a special touch to the Libertadores.
"Besides being a great game, it's a clash between the two biggest fan bases in Brazil, and because it's part of the Libertadores, it's even bigger. Without a doubt, it's going to be a close game, and what can make the difference is patience. We have to be very balanced in this match," he said.
No favoritism
Even playing in front of a packed stadium, the red-and-blacks don't consider themselves favorites. For midfielder Michael, the match will be evenly matched, and if there's a favorite, it's Corinthians, who had the best campaign in the first phase of the competition.
"We're playing at home, but that doesn't mean we're favorites. Roberto Carlos gave an interview saying that, but Corinthians finished first in the entire competition. We finished sixteenth. So, if there's a favorite, it's Corinthians," he added.
The coach, who is also a former Flamengo player, knows the strength of the Red-Black Nation well.
"The nation has proven that it trusts the team. Anyone who's been there and played in a packed Maracanã knows what it's like. The players here also know the strength of the fans. We need them, and they do make a big difference. A player can be feeling down, suddenly look at the fans, and feel something different, drawing strength from where he didn't expect it," he explained.
Leonardo Moura agrees and promises that, on the field, the players will do their best to reward the fans.
"Our fans really need to sell out, fill the Maracanã and do their part, and we'll try to repay them on the field. Their support is essential, both here and at the game at Pacaembu, and we rely heavily on the fans," he said.
Midfielder Maldonado believes that this duel between the country's most popular clubs will add a special touch to the Libertadores.
"Besides being a great game, it's a clash between the two biggest fan bases in Brazil, and because it's part of the Libertadores, it's even bigger. Without a doubt, it's going to be a close game, and what can make the difference is patience. We have to be very balanced in this match," he said.
No favoritism
Even playing in front of a packed stadium, the red-and-blacks don't consider themselves favorites. For midfielder Michael, the match will be evenly matched, and if there's a favorite, it's Corinthians, who had the best campaign in the first phase of the competition.
"We're playing at home, but that doesn't mean we're favorites. Roberto Carlos gave an interview saying that, but Corinthians finished first in the entire competition. We finished sixteenth. So, if there's a favorite, it's Corinthians," he added.