Del Valle striker shrugs off Flamengo pressure: “We have our weapons” | OneFootball

Carlos González looked ahead to the clash with Flamengo in the Libertadores

Independiente del Valle (ECU) has already put the celebration of qualifying for the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals behind it. Now, the Ecuadorian club is fully focused on the showdown against Flamengo, which will be played on September 10 and 17. And despite the magnitude of the tie, forward Carlos González showed confidence ahead of the clash with the Rubro-Negro.

In a recent interview, the Paraguayan acknowledged that Flamengo represents a top-level challenge. However, González stressed that Independiente del Valle has what it takes to compete on equal terms with the first Brazilian four-time Libertadores champion.

— It will certainly be a very difficult match. Obviously, we have the mission of facing them as such. We know we’ll host them here first (in Quito), and it will be a very difficult match for both sides —, said Carlos González.

INDEPENDIENTE DEL VALLE FORWARD BELIEVES IN THE TEAM AGAINST FLAMENGO

Despite recognizing how difficult the matchup will be, Carlos González did not show excessive concern about Flamengo’s strength. On the contrary, the forward emphasized that Independiente del Valle knows its own qualities and intends to use them to try to secure qualification.

“We have our weapons, we have what it takes to beat them too, so we’re very calm in that regard,” the player added. In this way, the forward’s remarks show the confidence of the Ecuadorian squad heading into the match against Flamengo. In addition, González reinforced the idea that Independiente del Valle does not intend to simply defend against the Rubro-Negro.

The first meeting between the teams will take place on September 10 in Ecuador at the Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa. Later, Flamengo and Independiente del Valle will face off again on the 17th, this time at the Maracanã. Thus, the winner of the tie will advance to the Libertadores semifinals.

AUTHOR’S OPINION

— Carlos González is a player Flamengo should keep an eye on in this knockout tie. The 33-year-old striker, ‘Charli,’ as he is known, has 15 goals in 25 matches this season. He’s an experienced player, with spells in Mexican, Argentine, and Chilean football, and even with the Paraguay national team —, opined Pedro Paulo Catonho.

WHAT IS FLAMENGO’S NEXT MATCH?

Before thinking about the Libertadores, Flamengo’s focus right now is on the Brasileirão. This Wednesday (02), the Rubro-Negro faces Mirassol in a postponed match from the fourth round. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Maracanã, with full coverage from Coluna do Fla.

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