Thiago Neves: "I want to be on the team, regardless of the position"
Despite the competition for positions, the supporter makes himself available to Luxa to act as he wishes.
By Direct from Londrina (PR) - From the official website team - in
Despite competition for midfield positions, the playmaker is making himself available to Luxa to play wherever he wants. Further forward, in the middle, or on one of the wings. It doesn't matter. Thiago Neves just wants to play and be useful to the Flamengo team. Regardless of the position he's assigned, the new number 7 at Gávea has already told coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo: he just wants to be able to get on the field and help the team win victories and titles.
The player also points out that the main factor to highlight at this moment is the homogeneity of the squad. For him, having many options is important in a season with so many challenges. Flamengo is competing in the State Championship, the Copa do Brasil, the Copa Sudamericana, and the Brazilian Championship this year.
"I want to be on the team. It's Vanderlei who decides (laughs). He knows what he's doing, he puts together a good team, he puts together a championship team, and he'll do that here too, regardless of who's on the field. The important thing is that everyone is united. The squad is fundamental. Everyone has to be in good shape so that, when needed, they're available. We talked briefly, I told him I have no preference and I'll try to do my best regardless of where he puts me," said the player, who wants to watch Sunday's (January 16.01th) game against América-MG.
"If I can go, I will. I want to watch the game, support everyone. Here in Londrina, I only played in the youth teams, but not at Café," he noted.
Thiago also knows that the pressure will be immense wearing the Flamengo jersey and only regrets the fact that the Maracanã stadium will be closed this season. According to him, the new team has everything it needs to leave last year's bad year behind.
"We know Flamengo went through a turbulent period last year, but that needs to be forgotten. It's a new year, we're going to do everything new: seek titles, get the fans to fill the Engenhão stadium and help us. It's a shame we won't have that party at the Maracanã, but we'll certainly go for the results," said the midfielder, who believes there are no favorites in the State Championship.
"Botafogo has a strong squad and proved that last year. Fluminense is the current champion, Vasco is an outsider, but they always make things difficult, so I don't see Flamengo ahead of anyone. When the games start, everything evens out," he concluded.
The player also points out that the main factor to highlight at this moment is the homogeneity of the squad. For him, having many options is important in a season with so many challenges. Flamengo is competing in the State Championship, the Copa do Brasil, the Copa Sudamericana, and the Brazilian Championship this year.
"I want to be on the team. It's Vanderlei who decides (laughs). He knows what he's doing, he puts together a good team, he puts together a championship team, and he'll do that here too, regardless of who's on the field. The important thing is that everyone is united. The squad is fundamental. Everyone has to be in good shape so that, when needed, they're available. We talked briefly, I told him I have no preference and I'll try to do my best regardless of where he puts me," said the player, who wants to watch Sunday's (January 16.01th) game against América-MG.
"If I can go, I will. I want to watch the game, support everyone. Here in Londrina, I only played in the youth teams, but not at Café," he noted.
Thiago also knows that the pressure will be immense wearing the Flamengo jersey and only regrets the fact that the Maracanã stadium will be closed this season. According to him, the new team has everything it needs to leave last year's bad year behind.
"We know Flamengo went through a turbulent period last year, but that needs to be forgotten. It's a new year, we're going to do everything new: seek titles, get the fans to fill the Engenhão stadium and help us. It's a shame we won't have that party at the Maracanã, but we'll certainly go for the results," said the midfielder, who believes there are no favorites in the State Championship.
"Botafogo has a strong squad and proved that last year. Fluminense is the current champion, Vasco is an outsider, but they always make things difficult, so I don't see Flamengo ahead of anyone. When the games start, everything evens out," he concluded.
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