Flamengo showed strength in a 0-0 draw with Fluminense at the Maracanã on Tuesday. The match was valid for the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil.
Coach Jorge Sampaoli praised the performance of the Rossoneri, who dominated the match. Despite their superiority, especially in the first half, Flamengo failed to break through the Fluminense defense and the match finished goalless.
“It was a very good game. The team played a leading role for 90 minutes against an opponent who was doing very well. I really appreciate the players’ efforts to implement a leadership strategy that really makes the team dream. I really appreciate that what happened in the match, I appreciate the domination, the protagonism” said Jorge Sampaoli.
“To play against a safe team like Fluminense is today, this is Flamengo for real. Flamengo with authority. In my work, I think it is the starting point for the growth of the mentality of the player with this shield and the obligation to do the whole game in the same way” said the Argentine coach.
Sampaoli was only disappointed by the fact that Flamengo didn’t leave the field with the victory, even playing with an extra player in the second half. Felipe Melo was sent off seven minutes into the finals after fouling Gabigol.
“It annoys the team not to win with so much dominance against a rival who is going through a very important moment in Brazil. We have to work a lot on the offensive tempos. We have to try to have more clarity in the definition. Fluminense defended with volume, with a lot of people inside the area. It was difficult, the team made many shots and, unfortunately, didn’t have the strength they deserved. The result was not only in the second half, when Felipe Melo was sent off, but in the first half, the team deserved a lot more than what he received,” added Sampaoli.
Flamengo and Fluminense will play the return duel on Thursday next week, at the Maracanã. Whoever wins goes to the next stage of the Copa do Brasil.
Source: Terra
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