Confident comeback, Racing coach’s taunts: Flamengo clash preview | OneFootball

Martin Idaberry, journalist from the ‘Racing de Alma’ website, spoke exclusively with Coluna do Fla

The coach of Racing (ARG), Gustavo Costas, has guaranteed that the team will go to Lima for the final of the Libertadores. The confidence is not just from the coach, but from the entire club “community”, according to journalist Martin Idaberry from the ‘Racing de Alma’ website. In an exclusive interview with Coluna do Fla, the reporter opened up.

In addition to the hope of turning the game around, the team’s tactical scheme was also discussed. There is an expectation that Adrián Balboa will start the game alongside Maravilla Martínez up front. In other words, more aerial balls for the Flamengo defense to clear.

WHAT DID MARTIN IDABERRY SAY?

— The favorite is Flamengo — even before the series started and now, with the advantage. In any case, there is a lot of confidence at Racing, sustained by a year and a half of good results in similar situations. This team always gives something extra when playing a final. The entire Racing universe is convinced that they will turn the series around, and playing the deciding match at the Cilindro is fundamental: the fans play their own game and push the team from the stands — said Martin, about the club’s optimism.

— In my opinion, Racing needs to take advantage of the first half. The push from the fans and the need to go for the goal, with fresh legs, should be the best moment to level the series. There will probably be changes in the formation, so Maravilla Martínez has more company in the box. In the second half, Flamengo’s bench has proven to be superior to Racing’s, which, in addition, finishes games very tired. The key will be for the team to play 30 or 40 meters further forward, with the full-backs pushing up and presence in the box. They will have to take risks, no doubt — said the journalist, about the tactics.

WILL THEY “KILL” FLAMENGO?

After Flamengo’s 1-0 win at Maracanã on Wednesday (22), Racing’s coach guaranteed: “we’re going to Lima”, the venue for the Libertadores final. Also, in an audio leaked on the internet, Costas said he would kill Flamengo. When asked by Coluna do Fla if the statement was arrogant, Martin pointed out that, in Argentina, everyone is already used to the coach’s ‘different’ style.

— Costas is a coach who prioritizes morale. He is a born motivator and his way of being often escapes the conventional. In Argentina, the press is already used to him and values him. In fact, even journalists from other clubs speak well of Racing’s coach and believe that all teams should have a coach who transmits this passion — said the journalist.

— The fans love him. He inspires pride in the players and confidence for Wednesday’s game. In the press conference at Maracanã, he answered a question by saying that the fans shouldn’t be sad about the defeat, but rather proud of the players. The fans identify a lot with his style, because Costas, besides being a coach, is also a fan — he pointed out.

TOOK NOTE, FILIPE LUÍS?

During the week, Filipe Luís said that Racing only has one way to play. That is, high balls for Maravilla Martínez to fight for. For Martin Idaberry, the striker is, in fact, the team’s greatest hope to try for a comeback at the Cilindro.

— Maravilla Martínez. He didn’t have a good match at Maracanã, but he is the key to Racing’s hopes. Luciano Vietto, coming off the bench, can also add the hierarchy the team needs, although he has played little due to injuries — he highlighted, before talking about the importance of Sosa’s absence.

— Sosa, after Maravilla, is the most important player for Racing. His absence was felt so much that it hurt more than the defeat in Rio. Nardoni is another key player, but he’s coming off a long period of inactivity, as is Rojas, who recovered in record time. Pardo is another injured player who had earned a spot in the starting lineup. In other words, Racing has suffered a lot lately with injuries. The absence of Pedro is very important — and, in a way, a relief — but it doesn’t quite make up for it — he concluded.

WHAT ARE THE OTHER HIGHLIGHTS OF THE INTERVIEW?

In the conversation between Coluna do Fla and the journalist from ‘Racing de Alma’, the Maracanã match was also discussed. Martin was in Rio de Janeiro and was enchanted by the Sacred Temple, but made a point of praising the presence of the Argentinians. Check out this and other points.

DID IT MAKE YOU VERY ANGRY TO LOSE AT THE END IN MARACANÃ?

“I saw a very focused and organized Racing. The line of two center-backs and the goalkeeper were very solid. There was a lack of more offensive presence, but it’s clear that Costas was thinking of a 180-minute game. As for the result, it’s infuriating to lose in the final minutes. It would have been different to start off losing and then hold on for the rest of the match. This way, it felt like the team was very close to getting a great result, like a draw.”

WAS THERE A FOUL ON SOSA’S DISALLOWED GOAL?

“Even though it was a foul that could have been called, it felt like if it had been the other way around (in favor of Flamengo), the goal would have stood. It wasn’t such a clear infraction, and in every corner kick similar actions happen. Anyway, it’s over now. Let’s hope the Chilean referee has a good game and doesn’t want to be the protagonist.”

DID FLAMENGO UNDERESTIMATE RACING?

“Before the game, I saw a very confident Flamengo. Everyone was betting on a 3 or 4 goal difference over Racing. In fact, the cover of a Rio newspaper (on the day of the game) said that fans had already bought tickets to Lima. I’m not saying it’s wrong, but it shows an excess of confidence. I think Racing used that as fuel. As for the game, I saw a very dominant Flamengo that got more and more frustrated as the minutes went by. When the goal didn’t come, the fans themselves started to get impatient. I think the changes worked for Filipe Luís, and that was the difference.”

WHAT ARE YOUR IMPRESSIONS OF MARACANÃ?

“An incredible, very beautiful reception. At several moments the fans shouted very loudly. The acoustics at Maracanã are exceptional. I have to say that Racing’s fans, although much smaller in number, didn’t stop singing the entire game — and, for much of the match, were heard more.”

WHICH FLAMENGO PLAYER IMPRESSED YOU THE MOST?

“Carrascal. I knew him from his time at River, and although I know he’s very talented, he had never been such a protagonist. Against Racing, in the first half, he made a big difference on the right side of Racing’s defense.”

IS FLAMENGO ‘PECHO FRIO’, AS ARGENTINE JOURNALISTS SAID?

“I don’t believe that. Flamengo has technically great players. The difference on Racing’s side appears naturally because Costas’ team is usually very strong mentally and emotionally. At Flamengo, you see a team full of stars that maybe doesn’t have the same level of commitment. But that’s more of a “stands game”, nothing more.”

WHAT’S THE ATMOSPHERE LIKE IN AVELLANEDA FOR THE GAME?

“Absolute intensity. A lot of anxiety, but also unconditional support for the team. Nothing else is talked about. The streets are filled with Racing shirts. There is a “banderazo” planned for this Monday (note: the interview was conducted Monday morning) to support the squad before they go into camp, and another on Wednesday, when they leave for the stadium. Tickets for the Cilindro have been sold out for a long time. The euphoria is uncontrollable — and necessary. Racing fans don’t know how to live any other way, and this is reflected in their daily lives. For Wednesday, a big reception and a party throughout the match are expected.”

IS ROJO THE WEAK LINK OF THE TEAM?

“Rojo’s arrival was a surprise. He wasn’t a beloved player at Racing, because of his previous time at Boca. Rojo is a very temperamental player who gives everything for the shirt he wears — and that makes him quite hated by rivals. In any case, once he arrived at Racing, the fans supported him. He’s a player with a lot of hierarchy. Unfortunately, the other day, in a short time, he was involved in two unfortunate plays: the own goal and Sosa’s injury. But I think he played a good match at Maracanã.”

CAN PHYSICAL CONDITION BE DECISIVE?

“It’s possible, but I don’t see it as decisive. Racing has suffered a lot with injuries and lack of match rhythm among the players. But I believe these are special games — a “chip” is switched on in the players’ heads that makes up for any physical deficiency. Not every day do you play for a spot in the Copa Libertadores final. Let’s hope it’s a great game.”

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