Pre-season Day #7 – Technical Improvement
By Matheus Oliveira - in
On the morning of this Wednesday (10), the seven athletes from the main red-black squad who started the preseason last week returned to activities at Ninho do Urubu. The work marked the debut of Paulo César Carpegiani as the team's technical manager. In addition to the coach, assistant coaches Rodrigo Carpegiani and Mauricio Barbieri, as well as goalkeeper coach Rogério Maia, also guided the training sessions.
To prepare the players' muscles for the workload on the field, physical trainer Gustavo Araújo led specific stretching exercises at Flamengo's Performance Excellence Center (CEP FLA). The group then went to Field 4 for a warm-up.
Subsequently, speed tests were conducted on the field, with individual times recorded for each athlete completing the 20-meter run at maximum speed. The data collected from this assessment will be used to measure the load each athlete should use in the traction-assisted running exercises that will take place in the coming days.
After the physical activity, it was time for ball training. Led by Carpegiani and his assistants, the professional group, along with the youth players, received instruction during technical work that prioritized quick passing and movement within a demarcated area of the pitch. Finally, attack versus defense training took place with three teams formed.
The activities are part of the preparation for Mais Querido's debut in the 2018 season. The clash that will mark the first official match of the year will be against Volta Redonda next Wednesday (17). Back in the squad after a loan to Atlético-GO, midfielder Ronaldo is one of those expected to participate in the match that opens the red-black participation in the State Championship.
"It was very important. I gained a lot of experience playing with established Serie A players. Off the field, I also got to see the greatness of Flamengo, which is very different. When you're on the sidelines, you get a better understanding of the club's size. I'm a different player than the one I left as. I learned a lot during my time at Atlético-GO," he commented.
Regarding the preseason, the midfielder was also full of praise. "It's been very good, with excellent professionals. We're constantly improving, and I'm sure it will be very important, as well as beneficial for all of us until the end of the season," said Ronaldo, commenting on his initial work under the new Flamengo coach. "From what we've noticed in these first few days, he seems like a guy who inspires a lot of confidence, as well as being calm and easy to work with. He's also an idol at Flamengo, which won the Libertadores and the World Cup. He'll help all the players here, and I hope it's a successful year for us," he concluded.
This Thursday (11), activities will resume full time at Ninho do Urubu.