After the goalless draw with Atlético-GO, Flamengo coach Zé Ricardo spoke to reporters at Maracanã. The coach analyzed the match, which featured many young players and Ederson's return after more than nine months of recovery. Zé also commented on another debut for the Red-Blacks this week, Saturday, in the Brasileirão against Atlético-MG, when the team returns to the World's Biggest Stadium.

Check it out in full: 

About the game

Of course, we wanted to win the match, and I think we had the game to do so. We faced a team that wanted to play a reactive game, didn't play much, and wanted to capitalize on our mistakes. We fielded a team with three lighter players to create chances on the flanks. We achieved our goal up to a certain point, but the lack of rhythm of some players hampered us a bit. But I congratulate our team, a very difficult sequence of decisive matches and a significant degree of physical and emotional exhaustion. Of all the possible draws here, a 0-0 is the one we're most pleased with. Now we'll wait for the second leg to seek qualification for the quarterfinals.

We've been talking to him regularly, not just me, but everyone. He's a very good player, with an above-average character, an exemplary professional. It's not easy to come back after nine months. I congratulated him on his effort and hope he has a positive streak; it must have been very painful for him to wait all this time. We saw positive things, and perhaps the biggest was Ederson's return, doing what he loves. The idea with his return is to slowly gain match rhythm, to get back into shape. Each game has its own story, and we'll evaluate it slowly, without any kind of deadline. But it was crucial that he return today, recovering a player we have great faith can help us. And he deserved it, given all the suffering he's suffered during this time and his desire to return.

Difficult. The schedule is grueling, but I knew it would be that way. Players need to recover and train, but sometimes we can't train as much as we'd like. Fortunately, we had a great preseason. We brought the best players, and those who didn't really weren't ready. Flamengo's goal is to do well in the Copa do Brasil and seek qualification. Atlético also made changes; they should be more in sync in the second leg; it won't be an easy match. I've known Marcelo (Atlético's coach) since futsal in Rio de Janeiro, and I know his work. But we have the ability to return from there with a spot.

There's no one to worry about, and we hope to have everyone ready for Saturday's debut. I believe Atlético-MG is a strong contender for the Brazilian title. We must give equal value to all matches in points-based competition and will enter at full strength. We'll have an extra day to prepare for the match against San Lorenzo on Wednesday.

It's natural (to be anxious). Playing at Maracanã is an opportunity to show off, for us and for the fans. And anxiety can get in the way. But I think Matheus played well in the game, but he wore himself out a lot, and then the opportunity arose to bring on Ederson. If the fans are patient, they'll see the young players getting the experience they need and helping our squad significantly on the long road to the end of the year.

There are four competitions, four different balls, four different rules... What we do is prioritize the next match. They're all very important competitions, and all the players are very professional. Yesterday, when they returned, practically all of them asked me to play today, but through physiology and the medical department, we determined that it would be dangerous to field players who were too worn out today.

I personally thank the fans who sang and applauded the athletes until the end.

It's easy to talk about him. He's a very intelligent player. He was an important presence there, even though Léo Duarte was capable of playing. He brought experience to the younger players—Savio, Paquetá, even Rodinei, who has experience but is younger. 

Best possible. As I said, I think this Brazilian Championship should be one of the most balanced, with many teams capable of competing for the title. We have to maintain a high level of consistency. We have the Libertadores Cup until the end of the year, and that could be good or bad. We have to wait and see what happens and start strong. Atlético-MG was also a state champion, with winning players and a winning coach, but with the support of our fans, we want to fill the Maracanã and get the three points.