Gaucho pride at Rubro-Negro
Midfielder Rômulo should have his family's support in the match against Inter at Beira-Rio
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Porto Alegre (SP) - Any opportunity to start for Flamengo is highly valued by a member of the red-and-black squad. However, for midfielder Rômulo, the chance to wear the Gávea team's jersey this Sunday (July 25.07) at Beira-Rio will be special. A native of Caxias do Sul, the player feels at home in Porto Alegre and should have the support of friends and family in the stands of the Gigante. He also has extra motivation to beat Inter.
As a child, Rômulo supported Grêmio, Internacional's biggest rival. His friends from Rio Grande do Sul even joked with him during the week, asking him to help Flamengo defeat Colorado.
"I was a Grêmio fan, so I don't have much affection for Inter (laughs). My relatives even joke that if I scored a goal it would be even better," said the player, who has been at Gávea since he was 13 years old.
Versatile, Rômulo is an important piece in Rogério Lourenço's scheme as he can play both as a third defender and as a defensive midfielder.
"Inter have a lot of technical quality, they have players like Rafael Sóbis, and it's important to have a strong defensive team. Regardless of whether I play as a defensive midfielder or defender, I know the responsibility of this game and I'll do my best to help Flamengo," he added.
Captain of the successful junior team that won three Rio de Janeiro championships from 2005 to 2007, the defensive midfielder stood out for the club from an early age. As a professional, he got his first chance in 2005, played a few games in 2006, and became famous in 2007 under Joel Santana, starting 17 times before being injured. In the following years, while still recovering, he didn't get many opportunities, but under Rogério Lourenço in 2010, he made nine appearances for the club, starting eight of them.
As a child, Rômulo supported Grêmio, Internacional's biggest rival. His friends from Rio Grande do Sul even joked with him during the week, asking him to help Flamengo defeat Colorado.
"I was a Grêmio fan, so I don't have much affection for Inter (laughs). My relatives even joke that if I scored a goal it would be even better," said the player, who has been at Gávea since he was 13 years old.
Versatile, Rômulo is an important piece in Rogério Lourenço's scheme as he can play both as a third defender and as a defensive midfielder.
"Inter have a lot of technical quality, they have players like Rafael Sóbis, and it's important to have a strong defensive team. Regardless of whether I play as a defensive midfielder or defender, I know the responsibility of this game and I'll do my best to help Flamengo," he added.
Captain of the successful junior team that won three Rio de Janeiro championships from 2005 to 2007, the defensive midfielder stood out for the club from an early age. As a professional, he got his first chance in 2005, played a few games in 2006, and became famous in 2007 under Joel Santana, starting 17 times before being injured. In the following years, while still recovering, he didn't get many opportunities, but under Rogério Lourenço in 2010, he made nine appearances for the club, starting eight of them.
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