The first match between Flamengo and Chapecoense in the round of 16 of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana ended in a goalless draw. A game fought for every inch of the pitch. A true "war," as coach Reinaldo Rueda put it in a press conference in the Arena Condá press room in Chapecó after the match.
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With high levels of intensity, chances were created at both ends, and both goalkeepers played well to keep the score level. Despite deciding the match on Ilha do Urubu and not conceding a goal on the opposing field, the Colombian coach emphasizes the constant pursuit of victory.
"We always want to win, we work for it. Comparatively, the obligation to win is Flamengo's. That's the fans' view. But from an analytical standpoint, it was a good result, as it's a 180-minute game," he commented, discussing the team's goals for the season. "Our obligation is to always win, and we're in three different competitions. The Brazilian Championship is also important in the quest for a spot in the Libertadores. The Copa do Brasil is a shorter and very attractive path, and now we also have the Copa Sudamericana," he added.
Rueda also spoke about the changes made to the team, one of which occurred in the first half due to a physical problem suffered by striker Éverton. "It's not easy for a player like Everton Ribeiro to come on and make a difference in a few minutes. With Paquetá and Vinicius Jr., we've gained in youth on the pitch. They're reading the game, and it's not easy to make changes. Everton and Diego are a good match for the group. When one isn't playing, the other comes on, and on other occasions we can play both together," he said.
Attacking DNA is ingrained in the Gávea club, known for its flashy football and the impressive scores it has achieved throughout its history. However, the club's manager emphasizes another characteristic that is inherent to the club: competitiveness. Rueda noted both aspects of the club's play in tonight's match.
"These South American matches are sometimes meant to be a battle, and Flamengo always wants to play beautifully. In international matches, we often don't play, we compete. Flamengo needs to recognize these moments. A beautiful game for the stands is when the score is six to zero. With the score tied, we need to run, compete, and fight," he concluded.
The spot will be decided next Wednesday (20), in a match that will be played at Ilha do Urubu, with the ball rolling from 19:15h.