After the 1-1 draw with Volta Redonda, coach Zé Ricardo commented on the youngsters' performance in the game, spoke about Fla-Flu - Flamengo's next match in the Taça Rio - and also about Vinicius Jr, who defended the under-20 team in the preliminary match, also at the Raulino de Oliveira stadium.
Check the interview in full:
Game analysis
I enjoyed the first half. After the expected pressure from Volta Redonda, we managed to keep the ball on the ground and gain more control of the match, creating good opportunities. In the second half, we were lacking; some players needed substitutions, and we lost control of the match a bit. We let Volta Redonda play too close to our defense. They scored a goal from a set piece; their players are physically strong, and we conceded a header. Late in the game, with two men up front, we opened up the midfield. It was good because we were able to give the players some rhythm. I really liked the performances of Cuéllar and Renê, who showed they can be important. Donatti and Leo Duarte. This is a positive point, but unfortunately, I'm still a little disappointed that the victory slipped away.
Opportunity for the youngest
It's a natural tendency, one of our goals. We've been scouting our youth academy a little more. With each passing year, we've improved our youth academy work, so it wouldn't make sense not to use the youngsters in the senior team. It's difficult to guarantee how many we'll use; it will depend solely and exclusively on their working conditions. Those who deserve it will get the opportunity. There are seven or eight youngsters, and it's difficult to put them all in at the same time, but as much as possible, we work according to their merits on a daily basis.
Difficulties
In the Rio Cup, we need a positive result against Fluminense, because Nova Iguaçu won today and Botafogo can also reach 10 points. Regarding the Carioca semifinal, we're in a more comfortable position. We aimed to win today, but we only performed well in the first half. They have to be highly motivated; wearing this jersey isn't easy. We had many players lacking rhythm, and it's normal for them to struggle. It was a game with a lot of physical contact; we knew we might have some difficulties in that direct confrontation, and these challenges in our midfield gave them a slight advantage. We allowed counterattacks that we don't usually have. We still leave with the feeling that we need to give these players more rhythm.
Low points of the draw
On both Monday and Tuesday, we got together and had very good training sessions. This was reflected in much of the first half. Unfortunately, Mancuello felt pain, and we lost him at halftime. We struggled a bit in the second half. Then we lost Cafu, and the team's chemistry dropped a bit compared to the first half. When we had to use Marcelo (Cirino) and Lucas (Paquetá) on the wing, we lost some of our characteristic. We identified this problem, and now we have to keep working so that on Sunday (Fla-Flu) we can play at a better level than we did today.
Ronaldo
Ronaldo took advantage of the situation well, he had some normal difficulty, but overall, he and Cuéllar played a very good match. It was a very positive point. Ronaldo is working hard physically, has a lot to improve this year, and today he showed personality in difficult plays. We don't doubt his potential. It's a matter of rhythm and conditioning, and we want him to have more opportunities.
Fla-Flu
I believe we'll have a great game on Sunday. We'll go for the win so we don't have to rely on other results to qualify for the Rio Cup. Fluminense is a fast team, so we have to be careful. We need to think big and positive so we can play a great game and take the lead. It's undoubtedly a big game, and we have the ambition to win there and under no circumstances will we think otherwise. We have a full week ahead, and it's good preparation for the final stage of the Carioca and the continuation of the Libertadores.
Vinicius Jr.
There's a plan for Vinicius Jr.'s development. I watched 20, 25 minutes of the U-20 game, and that's important. We'll be very careful, but we won't shy away from it either. If he shows he's ready to make his professional debut, we'll use him.
Check the interview in full:
Game analysis
I enjoyed the first half. After the expected pressure from Volta Redonda, we managed to keep the ball on the ground and gain more control of the match, creating good opportunities. In the second half, we were lacking; some players needed substitutions, and we lost control of the match a bit. We let Volta Redonda play too close to our defense. They scored a goal from a set piece; their players are physically strong, and we conceded a header. Late in the game, with two men up front, we opened up the midfield. It was good because we were able to give the players some rhythm. I really liked the performances of Cuéllar and Renê, who showed they can be important. Donatti and Leo Duarte. This is a positive point, but unfortunately, I'm still a little disappointed that the victory slipped away.
Opportunity for the youngest
It's a natural tendency, one of our goals. We've been scouting our youth academy a little more. With each passing year, we've improved our youth academy work, so it wouldn't make sense not to use the youngsters in the senior team. It's difficult to guarantee how many we'll use; it will depend solely and exclusively on their working conditions. Those who deserve it will get the opportunity. There are seven or eight youngsters, and it's difficult to put them all in at the same time, but as much as possible, we work according to their merits on a daily basis.
Difficulties
In the Rio Cup, we need a positive result against Fluminense, because Nova Iguaçu won today and Botafogo can also reach 10 points. Regarding the Carioca semifinal, we're in a more comfortable position. We aimed to win today, but we only performed well in the first half. They have to be highly motivated; wearing this jersey isn't easy. We had many players lacking rhythm, and it's normal for them to struggle. It was a game with a lot of physical contact; we knew we might have some difficulties in that direct confrontation, and these challenges in our midfield gave them a slight advantage. We allowed counterattacks that we don't usually have. We still leave with the feeling that we need to give these players more rhythm.
Low points of the draw
On both Monday and Tuesday, we got together and had very good training sessions. This was reflected in much of the first half. Unfortunately, Mancuello felt pain, and we lost him at halftime. We struggled a bit in the second half. Then we lost Cafu, and the team's chemistry dropped a bit compared to the first half. When we had to use Marcelo (Cirino) and Lucas (Paquetá) on the wing, we lost some of our characteristic. We identified this problem, and now we have to keep working so that on Sunday (Fla-Flu) we can play at a better level than we did today.
Ronaldo
Ronaldo took advantage of the situation well, he had some normal difficulty, but overall, he and Cuéllar played a very good match. It was a very positive point. Ronaldo is working hard physically, has a lot to improve this year, and today he showed personality in difficult plays. We don't doubt his potential. It's a matter of rhythm and conditioning, and we want him to have more opportunities.
Fla-Flu
I believe we'll have a great game on Sunday. We'll go for the win so we don't have to rely on other results to qualify for the Rio Cup. Fluminense is a fast team, so we have to be careful. We need to think big and positive so we can play a great game and take the lead. It's undoubtedly a big game, and we have the ambition to win there and under no circumstances will we think otherwise. We have a full week ahead, and it's good preparation for the final stage of the Carioca and the continuation of the Libertadores.
Vinicius Jr.
There's a plan for Vinicius Jr.'s development. I watched 20, 25 minutes of the U-20 game, and that's important. We'll be very careful, but we won't shy away from it either. If he shows he's ready to make his professional debut, we'll use him.