History against "La U" does not intimidate the red-blacks
Flamengo sees a different moment from the first phase and dreams of a first victory over the Chileans in the Libertadores
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
In Chile, Flamengo lost. At Maracanã, they conceded a last-minute equalizer. Universidad de Chile was the opponent that gave the red-and-blacks the most trouble in this Copa Santander Libertadores da América. And the players know it. Aware that they won't have an easy time in the quarterfinals either, they're motivated to turn their poor record around.
Present in both matches against La "U" in 2010, right-back Leonardo Moura believes that the time has come to overcome the Chileans, as the team should not dwell on what happened in the group stage.
"What happened in the first two games is in the past. Flamengo is going through a different phase. We know it well and we're going to go in prepared. Inside the Maracanã, with our fans, we have to play to win," he said.
Maldonado agrees. According to him, the team fell short in the first stage of the competition, but now, with patience, they can qualify.
"The team wasn't very cohesive. We made some mistakes in the first round, but now it's a different story. We have to try to get the result at home. It's two games, a tough series, and we need to be patient to get the advantage. That way, we'll play in Chile more relaxed," he said.
As he already knows his opponent well, the Chilean understands Universidad's strengths and weaknesses and asks for special attention to aerial balls.
"They're a tough team to face. They have tall players, and we have to be alert on set pieces. I didn't think they'd get this far, but they did, and they deserve it. They have a strong team, but we have to face them with confidence," he added.
Present in both matches against La "U" in 2010, right-back Leonardo Moura believes that the time has come to overcome the Chileans, as the team should not dwell on what happened in the group stage.
"What happened in the first two games is in the past. Flamengo is going through a different phase. We know it well and we're going to go in prepared. Inside the Maracanã, with our fans, we have to play to win," he said.
Maldonado agrees. According to him, the team fell short in the first stage of the competition, but now, with patience, they can qualify.
"The team wasn't very cohesive. We made some mistakes in the first round, but now it's a different story. We have to try to get the result at home. It's two games, a tough series, and we need to be patient to get the advantage. That way, we'll play in Chile more relaxed," he said.
As he already knows his opponent well, the Chilean understands Universidad's strengths and weaknesses and asks for special attention to aerial balls.
"They're a tough team to face. They have tall players, and we have to be alert on set pieces. I didn't think they'd get this far, but they did, and they deserve it. They have a strong team, but we have to face them with confidence," he added.