An improvisation that works
Inspired by Zé Roberto, Renato Augusto and Marcinho, Vinícius Pacheco dreams of success as a second striker as well.
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Brazilian football is increasingly turning midfielders into forwards. At Flamengo, this practice has become commonplace since Felipe in 2004, and it's been successful. There's no shortage of examples in the club's recent history, and Vinícius Pacheco could be another to join the list, which includes Renato Augusto, Marcinho, and Zé Roberto as its main icons. The number 22 jersey could play as the red-and-black team's second striker this Saturday against Macaé at 19:30 pm, and he's ready to take on the responsibility.
Four years ago, when he began to shine in the professional ranks, in the 2006 Copa do Brasil, Vinícius also played this way. Under Waldemar Lemos's management, he was promoted to the senior team to play further forward. Because of this, Pacheco says he feels comfortable playing this way.
"I'm calm. I already played like that in the 2006 Copa do Brasil. That's why I don't see a problem with playing up front. Love would play more centrally and I would drop to the wings. I'm used to it, as I've always had a lot of freedom to play my football. I don't know how I'll play, but if that's the case, that's fine," said the player.
The midfielder also has the trust of everyone at Gávea, especially those who watched him grow within the club. Current Flamengo youth coach Armênio Moura worked with Vinícius Pacheco and knows he can thrive in this role.
"Vinícius is a fast, highly skilled player. He dribbles easily and is ambidextrous. I worked with him in the youth academy and I'm very happy to see his success. I believe he can still do a lot for Flamengo. He returned from his loan spell more mature and is becoming increasingly established," observed Armênio.
Inspiration - There's no shortage of reasons for Vinícius's success. In 2004, Felipe, who had previously played left-back and midfield, was thrust into the attack. At the time, coach Abel Braga decided to bet on the player's skill, and it paid off. Alongside Jean in the forward line, Felipe was one of the stars of that year's state championship win.
Two years later, it was Renato Augusto's turn, a midfielder by trade, to venture into attack. Under Ney Franco's command, he fulfilled his role. He won the Copa do Brasil and played alongside Obina, Luizão, and even Fellype Gabriel, another improvised player. The following year, the red-and-black prospect played alongside Souza and won what would become the first title of the last three-peat.
The last player to emerge from midfield to shine in Flamengo's attack was Zé Roberto. A key player in the team's sixth championship title in 2009, he left his mark among the team's top scorers, scoring 10 goals and providing 11 assists that season. One of his most important goals came in the Brazilian Championship against Corinthians.
"When I arrived at Flamengo, I wanted to play in my original position, which was midfield. However, due to the coach's needs, I was often used up front. I started well, scoring goals, but then I couldn't maintain that performance, as I was often pushed forward. But with the arrival of Adriano, a more box-to-box player, I had the freedom to move around. This was reflected in the team's results, which led to the Brazilian title playing with great speed," recalled Zé Roberto.
Wagner Love – If he plays forward, Pacheco will have Love's Artilheiro do Amor (Artillery of Love), Vagner Love, at his side. Flamengo's top scorer this year, with six goals, Love has gone two games without scoring. Nothing that will shake his teammates' confidence in his performance.
"Love is an intelligent, fast player with great technique. Despite being a center forward, he also plays well on the wings and moves a lot. My connection with him is very good. I'm sure it will be easy to play with him up front if I move up front. I'll do everything I can to help him score more goals," Pacheco concluded.
Four years ago, when he began to shine in the professional ranks, in the 2006 Copa do Brasil, Vinícius also played this way. Under Waldemar Lemos's management, he was promoted to the senior team to play further forward. Because of this, Pacheco says he feels comfortable playing this way.
"I'm calm. I already played like that in the 2006 Copa do Brasil. That's why I don't see a problem with playing up front. Love would play more centrally and I would drop to the wings. I'm used to it, as I've always had a lot of freedom to play my football. I don't know how I'll play, but if that's the case, that's fine," said the player.
The midfielder also has the trust of everyone at Gávea, especially those who watched him grow within the club. Current Flamengo youth coach Armênio Moura worked with Vinícius Pacheco and knows he can thrive in this role.
"Vinícius is a fast, highly skilled player. He dribbles easily and is ambidextrous. I worked with him in the youth academy and I'm very happy to see his success. I believe he can still do a lot for Flamengo. He returned from his loan spell more mature and is becoming increasingly established," observed Armênio.
Inspiration - There's no shortage of reasons for Vinícius's success. In 2004, Felipe, who had previously played left-back and midfield, was thrust into the attack. At the time, coach Abel Braga decided to bet on the player's skill, and it paid off. Alongside Jean in the forward line, Felipe was one of the stars of that year's state championship win.
Two years later, it was Renato Augusto's turn, a midfielder by trade, to venture into attack. Under Ney Franco's command, he fulfilled his role. He won the Copa do Brasil and played alongside Obina, Luizão, and even Fellype Gabriel, another improvised player. The following year, the red-and-black prospect played alongside Souza and won what would become the first title of the last three-peat.
The last player to emerge from midfield to shine in Flamengo's attack was Zé Roberto. A key player in the team's sixth championship title in 2009, he left his mark among the team's top scorers, scoring 10 goals and providing 11 assists that season. One of his most important goals came in the Brazilian Championship against Corinthians.
"When I arrived at Flamengo, I wanted to play in my original position, which was midfield. However, due to the coach's needs, I was often used up front. I started well, scoring goals, but then I couldn't maintain that performance, as I was often pushed forward. But with the arrival of Adriano, a more box-to-box player, I had the freedom to move around. This was reflected in the team's results, which led to the Brazilian title playing with great speed," recalled Zé Roberto.
Wagner Love – If he plays forward, Pacheco will have Love's Artilheiro do Amor (Artillery of Love), Vagner Love, at his side. Flamengo's top scorer this year, with six goals, Love has gone two games without scoring. Nothing that will shake his teammates' confidence in his performance.
"Love is an intelligent, fast player with great technique. Despite being a center forward, he also plays well on the wings and moves a lot. My connection with him is very good. I'm sure it will be easy to play with him up front if I move up front. I'll do everything I can to help him score more goals," Pacheco concluded.