The result keeps the decision open. The one-goal defeat will leave the CONMEBOL Sudamericana grand final open for the second leg at Maracanã. After the match, coach Reinaldo Rueda held a press conference at the Libertadores de América Stadium. During the conversation with reporters, the red-and-black manager commented on the team's fatigue in this sequence of matches. 

"It's a factor to consider. Everyone knows that Independiente didn't play the previous weekend, and we doubled our efforts when we went to Bahia. Without a doubt, the team is in very good physical shape, but the intensity and pace of Independiente requires us to be at 500%. We needed to recover in the last 15 minutes of the game. Diego was on a yellow card, so we needed to improve with Vinicius coming on," analyzed the coach.

The second match will be played next Wednesday (13) in front of a packed Maracanã. With more time to rest and prepare for the match that will decide the title, a more effective performance in front of goal and with better physical capacity, the expectation is for an even more intense performance, according to the coach.

"We have a few days to recover. The team played a great game, but we didn't get the result we wanted. We lacked the efficiency to close out the two or three chances we had. It was a very intense game. A game that demanded a lot from us. They were more precise than us, as their second goal shows," he commented.

 

The long marathon of matches was also analyzed by the coach. The nearly 30-game lead over the final opponent had a visible impact on the first match, especially in the opening half. However, the positive aspect lies in the excellent physical conditions provided by the work performed by the professionals at Flamengo's Performance Excellence Center (CEP FLA).

"There were 84 games this year. The squad held up well, with no major injuries. With the distance, the travel, and the tournaments Flamengo played, I believe the squad is in good physical condition. It was very intense and required a great deal of dynamism. The only one injured was Éverton, and that's why he didn't start the match. He's a player who needs to improve progressively to avoid any recurrences. Obviously, those who played in Bahia are more worn out," he said.

With tickets sold out, a packed Maracanã will host the decisive match of the Conmebol South American Championship to be played next Wednesday (13), with the ball rolling from 21:45 pm.

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