The game of the year for Flamengo
Rubro-Negro faces Universidad Católica looking to secure their place in the Libertadores
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
If the Copa Santander Libertadores is considered Flamengo's top priority in 2010, this Wednesday's match at 21:50 p.m. in Santiago is, at least for now, the Rubro-Negro's most important game of the season. A victory against Universidad Católica could put the Gávea team on track to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition.
Flamengo's mission, however, isn't easy. A player with a wealth of experience is the one who guarantees that. Chilean Maldonado warns of the quality of Flamengo's opponent this Wednesday, which, despite being in last place in Group 8, is a team that could make things difficult.
"They are more experienced players, who control the pace of the game, and it will certainly be difficult to play on their pitch. Even more so than it was here at Maracanã. From the first time I mentioned Católica, I saw a team with more quality. They are a team that is fourth in the group, but can beat the second and first teams," explained the midfielder.
With seven points from four games, Flamengo is second in its group, behind only Universidad de Chile, which has eight. Only the top team in the group can secure a spot in the next round, regardless of other results, and this is the goal of the red-and-blacks.
"This is the most important game for us. We need to get the three points to put us in a good position to qualify. We have to focus, because it's a key game. A loss leaves us in a difficult situation, puts them in the fight, and still leaves us dependent on the result of the Universidad de Chile," Maldonado observed.
A win soon is seen as crucial not only in the Libertadores itself but also for the State Championship. After all, on Sunday, Flamengo will face Botafogo in the Taça Rio, the second round of the Carioca.
"There's no way not to think about Botafogo. It's a decision. But we'll try. The closest game we have is the Libertadores, so only after Wednesday's game will we focus on the weekend. But, of course, everyone's thinking about the final, and a win against Universidad Católica could even help with motivation for Sunday," he concluded.
Flamengo's mission, however, isn't easy. A player with a wealth of experience is the one who guarantees that. Chilean Maldonado warns of the quality of Flamengo's opponent this Wednesday, which, despite being in last place in Group 8, is a team that could make things difficult.
"They are more experienced players, who control the pace of the game, and it will certainly be difficult to play on their pitch. Even more so than it was here at Maracanã. From the first time I mentioned Católica, I saw a team with more quality. They are a team that is fourth in the group, but can beat the second and first teams," explained the midfielder.
With seven points from four games, Flamengo is second in its group, behind only Universidad de Chile, which has eight. Only the top team in the group can secure a spot in the next round, regardless of other results, and this is the goal of the red-and-blacks.
"This is the most important game for us. We need to get the three points to put us in a good position to qualify. We have to focus, because it's a key game. A loss leaves us in a difficult situation, puts them in the fight, and still leaves us dependent on the result of the Universidad de Chile," Maldonado observed.
A win soon is seen as crucial not only in the Libertadores itself but also for the State Championship. After all, on Sunday, Flamengo will face Botafogo in the Taça Rio, the second round of the Carioca.
"There's no way not to think about Botafogo. It's a decision. But we'll try. The closest game we have is the Libertadores, so only after Wednesday's game will we focus on the weekend. But, of course, everyone's thinking about the final, and a win against Universidad Católica could even help with motivation for Sunday," he concluded.