First step towards the Copa Sudamericana
Maintaining optimism, Vanderlei Luxemburgo believes that Fla is on the right track
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Volta Redonda (RJ) - Optimism was the hallmark of Vanderlei Luxemburgo's first press conference upon arriving at Flamengo earlier this week. And after his debut as Flamengo coach, with a 2-0 victory over Atlético-GO, his words took on an even more confident tone. The coach has already identified securing a spot in the Copa Sudamericana as a major short-term goal in his first stint at Flamengo.
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Luxa believes the journey has already started off on the right foot. The coach reveals that he spoke with the players in the locker room about the fact that the team, while fighting to leave the bottom of the table, is also close to climbing the standings. A string of positive results in the next round could help the team gain some positions.
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"That was the topic of my talk. I played a clever game by changing the focus of the news. Relegation is out, and the South American is in. I can't reach and mobilize the fans with bad news. A place in the South American is our chance to achieve something good," said Vanderlei.
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\ The coach also explained some of his choices in the team's lineup\ and praised the teamwork, which was the main point of the \ victory, according to him.
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"I taught the players what it's like to play for Flamengo. This victory is theirs. Willians played in the position he plays well, as a defensive midfielder. In the second half, I preferred to keep Pet even though he wasn't in good physical condition. I chose to put Val Baiano in Deivid's place so as not to overexpose the team," he added.
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Luxa believes the journey has already started off on the right foot. The coach reveals that he spoke with the players in the locker room about the fact that the team, while fighting to leave the bottom of the table, is also close to climbing the standings. A string of positive results in the next round could help the team gain some positions.
\
"That was the topic of my talk. I played a clever game by changing the focus of the news. Relegation is out, and the South American is in. I can't reach and mobilize the fans with bad news. A place in the South American is our chance to achieve something good," said Vanderlei.
\
\ The coach also explained some of his choices in the team's lineup\ and praised the teamwork, which was the main point of the \ victory, according to him.
\
"I taught the players what it's like to play for Flamengo. This victory is theirs. Willians played in the position he plays well, as a defensive midfielder. In the second half, I preferred to keep Pet even though he wasn't in good physical condition. I chose to put Val Baiano in Deivid's place so as not to overexpose the team," he added.
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