Oswaldo analyzes the victory, urges fans to remain grounded, and praises their performance.
Check out the full press conference given by the Flamengo coach after the game at the Maracanã.
By Communication - Official Club Website - in
After the 2-0 victory over Cruzeiro, which placed Flamengo in the G-4 of the Brazilian Championship, coach Oswaldo de Oliveira spoke to the press. The coach praised the change in attitude of the Flamengo team in the second half and the quality of the squad to overcome the absence of players - suspended, called up or injured. In addition to analyzing the match, the coach also showered praise on the Flamengo fans, a show in itself in the spectacle of the night this Thursday (September 10.09th) at the Maracanã.
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Check out the full press conference:
Match analysis
- It was a game where both teams changed their approach from the first to the second half. Cruzeiro capitalized on our mistakes in the first half, making it difficult for us. They played very compactly, trying to exploit counter-attacks. This type of approach happens when you squeeze the spaces. This was largely due to the "heart transplant" that Flamengo underwent today (with the introduction of many players into the starting lineup). We took out one heart and put in another. It took a while for the players who hadn't been playing to adapt. Until the goal came. It was a combination we prepared in training at Ninho. Just like the Avaí game, it was very similar (the play). In the second half, we reversed positions. We adopted the approach Cruzeiro had in the first half. We forced them into our half to play. And so we played on their mistakes, launching counter-attacks and ended up scoring another goal.
Show of the Red-Black Nation
- The fans are a chapter unto themselves. It's a wonderful thing, and today they were fundamental. There, in the final moments, under pressure, the fans gave us so much strength. When that "Come on, Flamengo..." chant comes out, it's very powerful, it really moves us. Imagine how the players react on the field. No team achieves what Flamengo has achieved without these fans, who push the team forward, who make the players pull from where they don't have the necessary drive to overcome their opponents.
alan patrick
"At Palmeiras, he got injured twice while he was with me. But undeniably, he's a quality player. And here he had the opportunity to recover and perform to his full potential. He played in repeated matches and today he's a very important player for Flamengo. Alan Patrick is that kind of player who has incredible skill, exceptional vision, and who can really change the game, turn the play around, and spot a free teammate. That's very important. We'll probably have to change our style of play a little in his absence (suspended), but we have players of his caliber to replace him."
New parts
- I wasn't surprised, I was concerned. They needed time to mature during the match. It became very difficult because of Cruzeiro's attitude, but as the game went on, they got into the game and ended up showing that Flamengo doesn't just have 11 players. They have a squad that is willing and very focused on winning matches.
Goal by Luiz Antonio
- The team is showing excellent signs. We prepared a lot for the goal situation. Cruzeiro took a while to give us this chance, we persisted a lot and ended up scoring. If you look at the last few games and our training sessions, you'll often find this situation where we scored the second goal. Luiz Antonio was adapting, found his position and scored a fantastic goal, a wonderful goal.
Jorge's return
Jorge's preparation was very good. When I met him, he was very willing and calm. He said he had slept all night on the flight and that he didn't feel any problem with that. He entered the game well, he fulfilled everything very well within what we believed could happen.
Feet on the ground
We have to focus on the next obstacle. With each obstacle overcome, a larger and brighter horizon opens up for us. But we can't let ourselves be carried away by the magic of the horizon. We have to focus and gradually achieve what we aspire to.
Winning streak
- Flamengo has a skilled team that has been striving for these consecutive victories. This largely comes down to the players. I've been training the reserve team more, those who don't start the games. And the training sessions I've been doing with the starting team are generally shorter, more theoretical, and contained, so as not to wear them down too much for the upcoming series of games. I use a lot of audiovisual aids to illustrate. Achieving this performance largely comes from the players' awareness.
One step at a time
- If you look at the overall table, it's daunting. But let's not think about everyone at once. Let's think about one at a time. Now we have to think about Chapecoense on Sunday. After that, we'll move forward. By then, things can change. Some of these teams may no longer be in the position they are now. The top four is an ultimate goal. It's not immediate, it's temporary. We need to stay there the way I said: overcoming each obstacle. That's how I intend to keep the group focused on maintaining our position to qualify for the Libertadores.
Guerrero
- Dr. Tannure checked on Guerrero today; he was at the hotel and had dinner with us. He's walking well, and it seemed to me that the pain has decreased considerably. But it's during these next few days that we'll really see where his recovery is at. We'll still receive information about the physiotherapy and training he did with the Peruvian national team, and we'll have a more concrete assessment.
Evolution of work
- I've gotten to know the players a little better with each game. But I think the most important thing is the collective action. This has grown and has given us a lot of confidence. The players are starting to believe more in this evolution, in the collective, in playing the game progressively and at each moment, doing what the game requires. The team has gained a lot of this awareness.
Want to see Flamengo get even stronger? Become a fan-member.
Check out the full press conference:
Match analysis
- It was a game where both teams changed their approach from the first to the second half. Cruzeiro capitalized on our mistakes in the first half, making it difficult for us. They played very compactly, trying to exploit counter-attacks. This type of approach happens when you squeeze the spaces. This was largely due to the "heart transplant" that Flamengo underwent today (with the introduction of many players into the starting lineup). We took out one heart and put in another. It took a while for the players who hadn't been playing to adapt. Until the goal came. It was a combination we prepared in training at Ninho. Just like the Avaí game, it was very similar (the play). In the second half, we reversed positions. We adopted the approach Cruzeiro had in the first half. We forced them into our half to play. And so we played on their mistakes, launching counter-attacks and ended up scoring another goal.
Show of the Red-Black Nation
- The fans are a chapter unto themselves. It's a wonderful thing, and today they were fundamental. There, in the final moments, under pressure, the fans gave us so much strength. When that "Come on, Flamengo..." chant comes out, it's very powerful, it really moves us. Imagine how the players react on the field. No team achieves what Flamengo has achieved without these fans, who push the team forward, who make the players pull from where they don't have the necessary drive to overcome their opponents.
alan patrick
"At Palmeiras, he got injured twice while he was with me. But undeniably, he's a quality player. And here he had the opportunity to recover and perform to his full potential. He played in repeated matches and today he's a very important player for Flamengo. Alan Patrick is that kind of player who has incredible skill, exceptional vision, and who can really change the game, turn the play around, and spot a free teammate. That's very important. We'll probably have to change our style of play a little in his absence (suspended), but we have players of his caliber to replace him."
New parts
- I wasn't surprised, I was concerned. They needed time to mature during the match. It became very difficult because of Cruzeiro's attitude, but as the game went on, they got into the game and ended up showing that Flamengo doesn't just have 11 players. They have a squad that is willing and very focused on winning matches.
Goal by Luiz Antonio
- The team is showing excellent signs. We prepared a lot for the goal situation. Cruzeiro took a while to give us this chance, we persisted a lot and ended up scoring. If you look at the last few games and our training sessions, you'll often find this situation where we scored the second goal. Luiz Antonio was adapting, found his position and scored a fantastic goal, a wonderful goal.
Jorge's return
Jorge's preparation was very good. When I met him, he was very willing and calm. He said he had slept all night on the flight and that he didn't feel any problem with that. He entered the game well, he fulfilled everything very well within what we believed could happen.
Feet on the ground
We have to focus on the next obstacle. With each obstacle overcome, a larger and brighter horizon opens up for us. But we can't let ourselves be carried away by the magic of the horizon. We have to focus and gradually achieve what we aspire to.
Winning streak
- Flamengo has a skilled team that has been striving for these consecutive victories. This largely comes down to the players. I've been training the reserve team more, those who don't start the games. And the training sessions I've been doing with the starting team are generally shorter, more theoretical, and contained, so as not to wear them down too much for the upcoming series of games. I use a lot of audiovisual aids to illustrate. Achieving this performance largely comes from the players' awareness.
One step at a time
- If you look at the overall table, it's daunting. But let's not think about everyone at once. Let's think about one at a time. Now we have to think about Chapecoense on Sunday. After that, we'll move forward. By then, things can change. Some of these teams may no longer be in the position they are now. The top four is an ultimate goal. It's not immediate, it's temporary. We need to stay there the way I said: overcoming each obstacle. That's how I intend to keep the group focused on maintaining our position to qualify for the Libertadores.
Guerrero
- Dr. Tannure checked on Guerrero today; he was at the hotel and had dinner with us. He's walking well, and it seemed to me that the pain has decreased considerably. But it's during these next few days that we'll really see where his recovery is at. We'll still receive information about the physiotherapy and training he did with the Peruvian national team, and we'll have a more concrete assessment.
Evolution of work
- I've gotten to know the players a little better with each game. But I think the most important thing is the collective action. This has grown and has given us a lot of confidence. The players are starting to believe more in this evolution, in the collective, in playing the game progressively and at each moment, doing what the game requires. The team has gained a lot of this awareness.