Flamengo returns to Santiago for the Copa Santander Libertadores. Almost 30 years ago, a thrilling match made Flamengo's history. A packed stadium, the opposing fans pressing... None of this is new to coach Andrade in Chile this Wednesday. In 1981, as a player, he suffered the brunt of Cobreloa's violence in the second leg of the Libertadores final. Flamengo ended up losing 1-0 to Cobreloa, but left the field stung and motivated to get revenge in the third leg.

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On that occasion, Flamengo needed only a draw to be crowned champion. And they were succeeding until the 34th minute of the second half, when Merello scored for the Chileans, forcing a playoff match in Uruguay. Andrade, despite the result, has fond memories of that match. After all, the outcome of that story would still be very happy: Flamengo, the 1981 Libertadores champion.

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"It's good to be back in Santiago. We had a very close game back then, and a draw would have helped us. From there, it was a battleground, and we had to play a third game to decide the Libertadores, which we ended up winning. Now, the moment is different, and I believe we'll leave with a good victory," recalled the coach.

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Despite this, the coach has some trepidation about setting foot on Chilean soil again. Not because of the opponent, nor because of pressure from fans, who, with football back in their daily lives, promise to pack the Monumental Stadium. But rather because of the earthquakes that have recently frightened the country.

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"We're not used to this, and of course it would be quite scary, but we're thinking about the game and we're going to go for the win," he added.

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Flamengo has played 21 matches in Chile, winning nine, drawing three, and losing nine. Even the Chilean national team faced the Red-Blacks in a friendly match in 1977. They prevailed, 2-1.