A second chance to shine in the Libertadores
Maldonado sees qualification as an opportunity to erase "below expectations" performance in the group stage
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Competing in its third Libertadores in the last four years, Flamengo hopes for better luck this year. In 2007 and 2008, the team was eliminated in the round of XNUMX, by Defensor and América of Mexico, respectively. This time, playing against a Brazilian team, Corinthians, the team from Gávea hopes to advance in the international competition.
For midfielder Maldonado, the way they qualified for the round of 16 is proof that the team deserves a second chance in the Libertadores. The team only qualified due to a combination of results in the final round of the group stage.
"It was good, everything that needed to happen happened and now we have a second chance in the Libertadores. Of course, we didn't qualify the way we expected, but we managed to qualify and that's what matters. Our goal is to keep advancing until we reach the title," he said.
To seize this second chance, however, the Chilean knows the team will have to work hard. After all, Corinthians was the team with the best record in the Libertadores qualifying round.
"Corinthians is a quality team, they have great players, and it will be difficult to mark them. It's important to be aware that it will be a difficult game and that we will need to excel to qualify," he said.
And the fans can be a big part of this mission. For Maldonado, the nation's presence at Maracanã Stadium next Wednesday and at Pacaembu Stadium the following week is crucial for the decisive matches.
"I hope the fans show up and support the team, like they did against Caracas. The Maracanã was packed and they cheered the team on the whole time. They demanded more support at the end, because the result actually fell short of expectations, but they helped us a lot during the game," he added.
Tickets for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 are now on sale for Flamengo members. Check out all the information. here.
For midfielder Maldonado, the way they qualified for the round of 16 is proof that the team deserves a second chance in the Libertadores. The team only qualified due to a combination of results in the final round of the group stage.
"It was good, everything that needed to happen happened and now we have a second chance in the Libertadores. Of course, we didn't qualify the way we expected, but we managed to qualify and that's what matters. Our goal is to keep advancing until we reach the title," he said.
To seize this second chance, however, the Chilean knows the team will have to work hard. After all, Corinthians was the team with the best record in the Libertadores qualifying round.
"Corinthians is a quality team, they have great players, and it will be difficult to mark them. It's important to be aware that it will be a difficult game and that we will need to excel to qualify," he said.
And the fans can be a big part of this mission. For Maldonado, the nation's presence at Maracanã Stadium next Wednesday and at Pacaembu Stadium the following week is crucial for the decisive matches.
"I hope the fans show up and support the team, like they did against Caracas. The Maracanã was packed and they cheered the team on the whole time. They demanded more support at the end, because the result actually fell short of expectations, but they helped us a lot during the game," he added.
Tickets for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 are now on sale for Flamengo members. Check out all the information. here.