Petkovic receives a gift at training: a spot in the starting lineup
Serbian midfielder turned 38 this Friday and was confirmed to start the game against Vitória
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Flamengo trained late in the afternoon this Friday (10.09) at the Raulino de Oliveira Stadium, in Volta Redonda, where they will face Vitória, from Bahia, this Saturday (11.09), at 18:30 pm. And as usual, the red-black squad did a lighter and more relaxed work on the eve of the clash, with emphasis on the birthday boy of the day: Petkovic.
The Serbian midfielder was the only confirmed starter for the clash against the Bahian rival, coincidentally Pet's first team in Brazil. A testament to 38 years of glory, especially at Flamengo, where he was the hero of the team's third championship in 2001 and one of the stars of last year's sixth championship.
Aware of the affection the fans have for him, Flamengo's number 10 made a point of thanking the fans who sent their congratulations and always supported him.
"I just have to thank this support. There were so many congratulatory messages and they all made me very happy. I've never received so many congratulations. I've reached 38, who would have thought. The years are passing too quickly, just like dreams," said Petkovic.
Regarding the Serbian midfielder's entry into the red-black midfield, replacing Renato, who stayed in Rio de Janeiro improving his physical shape, Silas made a point of explaining.
"Everyone who came from the Arab world is going through difficulties. We see Sóbis at Inter, Felipe at Vasco, and even Emerson at Fluminense, who scored several goals but ended up getting injured. These players need time to get used to Brazilian football again. That's why we left Renato in Rio. So, Petkovic will take over the position normally," he said, without revealing the starting eleven against Vitória.
"We had a lighter, more relaxed training session today (Friday). I'm still going to talk a lot with the coaching staff and the players to see who will play. We'll only have the team tomorrow (Saturday)," concluded Silas.
The Serbian midfielder was the only confirmed starter for the clash against the Bahian rival, coincidentally Pet's first team in Brazil. A testament to 38 years of glory, especially at Flamengo, where he was the hero of the team's third championship in 2001 and one of the stars of last year's sixth championship.
Aware of the affection the fans have for him, Flamengo's number 10 made a point of thanking the fans who sent their congratulations and always supported him.
"I just have to thank this support. There were so many congratulatory messages and they all made me very happy. I've never received so many congratulations. I've reached 38, who would have thought. The years are passing too quickly, just like dreams," said Petkovic.
Regarding the Serbian midfielder's entry into the red-black midfield, replacing Renato, who stayed in Rio de Janeiro improving his physical shape, Silas made a point of explaining.
"Everyone who came from the Arab world is going through difficulties. We see Sóbis at Inter, Felipe at Vasco, and even Emerson at Fluminense, who scored several goals but ended up getting injured. These players need time to get used to Brazilian football again. That's why we left Renato in Rio. So, Petkovic will take over the position normally," he said, without revealing the starting eleven against Vitória.
"We had a lighter, more relaxed training session today (Friday). I'm still going to talk a lot with the coaching staff and the players to see who will play. We'll only have the team tomorrow (Saturday)," concluded Silas.
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