Opportunities abounded, but this time, the Empire of Love failed to score. Vagner Love and Adriano failed to score in last Wednesday's semifinal against Botafogo, and Flamengo was eliminated from the Taça Guanabara, the first round of the Campeonato Carioca. Despite this, the forwards remain undeterred and have a good opportunity to once again excite the Flamengo fans next Wednesday, when the team debuts in the Libertadores.

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Emperor Adriano, who celebrated his birthday on the night of the elimination, didn't hide his frustration with the result, but warned that the Empire of Love can still bring Flamengo plenty of joy. The number 10 has five goals this season and hopes to score again against Universidad de Chile.

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"There's no point in complaining now. We have to lift our heads and start working for our next game. We have to learn to live through the sad moments too. Football isn't just about joy. We have to lift our heads and learn to deal with defeat," he said.

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Love, who scored six goals in four qualifying matches, knows he spoiled the Flamengo Nation with the excellent scoring average he achieved in his first matches for Flamengo. Because of this, fans were a bit disappointed with the number 9 in the match against Botafogo. Now, the player is already focusing on the Copa Libertadores.

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"The Libertadores is a difficult championship, and that's why we have to focus on it. But we can't forget about the second round of the Carioca either," he analyzed.