Bruno Henrique: “I lack what a number 9 needs” at Flamengo | OneFootball

Bruno Henrique Reiterates Preference for Playing on the Left Side

Since Gabigol's departure from Flamengo in 2024, Bruno Henrique has become the ‘backup for Pedro’ in the center forward role. However, the number 27 does not feel comfortable in this position. This Wednesday (18), the Flamengo idol once again emphasized that he prefers to play on the left, but made himself available to help coach Filipe Luís.

— Of course, the left side is my original position. It's where I've played most of my career. In this number 9 role, I don't really have what a 9 needs to do. I try to do what he (coach Filipe Luís) asks, what he shows in training — said Bruno Henrique.

— It's very different, but I'm here to help Flamengo, wherever the coach decides. I've already made it clear to Filipe. Pedro is the specialist in that position, a guy who masters the role. I'm not here to compete with him, but to help wherever the coach chooses — added the forward, to ESPN.

IS THIS THE FIRST TIME BRUNO HENRIQUE HAS SPOKEN ABOUT THE SUBJECT?

In October last year, Bruno Henrique made a similar statement about how he has been deployed. In fact, BH27, with Pedro injured, started the final of the Copa Libertadores da América as the reference man, while Samuel Lino played in the idol's favorite spot, on the left.

“It's not my position, everyone knows that. I made it clear to Filipe that I want to help the team, but in another position, not as a 9, because we have the best center forward in Brazil, Pedro, from the Brazilian National Team. He's doing great. Filipe understands that it's his moment as well,” he commented at the time.

WHAT DOES FILIPE LUÍS THINK ABOUT THE SUBJECT?

The position of Bruno Henrique was the subject of coach Filipe Luís' press conference last Sunday (15), after the match against Botafogo. The coach even got irritated with the question and asked the journalist to rewatch the Flamengo game with BH playing centrally.

— He was a starter in the Libertadores final without Pedro and without Plata, Bruno was our striker. People have such a short memory. He sacrifices a lot, he's the leader, our captain, gives everything on the field every time he plays. He played in his position, with two forwards, drifting to the side he likes, his greatest strength is attacking space and he does what the coach asks. If I put him up front, on the right, on the left, he'll play and always give his best — commented Filipe Luís.

— A player who is an idol, with the most titles in history, deserves greater respect for showing up when we need him most. The left wing could be an option if we need him, but right now I'm choosing Cebolinha, who's at that level, and Lino, whom we're trying to get back in form — he concluded.

WHO PLAYS AS THE NUMBER 9?

With Pedro and Bruno Henrique competing for the position, Flamengo faces Lanús (ARG) this Thursday (19), in Argentina, for the first leg of the Recopa Sudamericana. The match kicks off at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), with full coverage from Coluna do Fla.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.