While many fans are focusing the spotlight on center forwards Adriano and Ronaldo in the Copa Libertadores Round of 16 clash between Flamengo and Corinthians, the Rubro-Negro defense is also paying close attention to the São Paulo team's supporting players. The Gávea team's defensive midfielders understand the importance of stealing the ball before it reaches the Corinthians forward line. And there's no one better to discuss tackling for the Rubro-Negro team than Willians.

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The biggest ball thief in the last Brazilian Championship, the number 8 knows he will be a key player in coach Rogério Lourenço's scheme on Wednesday and says he is ready for the responsibility.

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"I'm calm and confident that I'll play another good game for Flamengo. I know how important it is to not concede goals, because that way we'll already be qualified, and I think the whole team is aware that we need to do a strong job of marking to be able to return from São Paulo with the spot," he said.

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Despite the match being away from home, Willians doesn't believe the red-and-black team will play defensively. He's banking on the team's patience and experience to counterattack and capitalize on potential chances to kill the game.

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"It doesn't change much. We have to go out on the field the same way we went out here: calmly, with composure, to take advantage of the chances we get. We know that scoring a goal is also important and we're not going to go out on the field thinking only about defending," he explained.

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One of Willians' teammates in this mission to stop Alvinegro's chances is Rômulo, who made his first start of the year last Wednesday. The young player was highly praised by Willians, who expects another strong performance in the return leg.

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"Rômulo is a very high-quality player. He came on very well, the team gelled well, and he managed to mark Corinthians well, and we need to repeat that on Wednesday," he concluded.