Fabricio Bruno’s shock Libertadores verdict, and his Gerson rant | OneFootball

Former Flamengo player Fabrício Bruno said he will support Rubro-Negro in the Libertadores

Fabrício Bruno left Flamengo on bad terms. Behind Léo Ortiz and Léo Pereira under Filipe Luís, the center back decided to return to his hometown and signed with Cruzeiro in 2025. Despite the situation, the defender surprised people and said he will support Mengão in its bid for a fifth title in the Copa Libertadores da América.

“I really wanted Cruzeiro to go through, but among the matchups that are coming, without a doubt I’ll be rooting for Flamengo,” Fabrício Bruno said in the mixed zone at the Maracanã after Mengão’s 2-1 win on Wednesday (19).

WHAT DID FABRÍCIO BRUNO SAY ABOUT GERSON?

A former teammate of Gerson’s at Flamengo, Fabrício Bruno came to the midfielder’s defense. Every time the player touched the ball at the Maracanã, the Nação booed loudly. In addition, the chant “hey, Gerson, go f…” was heard at some moments. In the defender’s view, the targeting is unfair.

— It’s a bit difficult; fans are more emotion than reason. Gerson has a huge history with the club. Maybe, because of a moment we go through in our careers, when we decide to leave… I myself left (Flamengo) to go back home. Flamengo fans are like that: when a player leaves, he becomes a target. It makes me sad, because Gerson has a great history at the club and nobody is going to erase that. He’s an experienced player, a multiple-time champion, and he knows how to handle these moments — said Fabrício Bruno.

HOW DID THE MATCH GO?

Gerson did play a part in Cruzeiro’s goal, assisting Lucas Romero’s fine finish. However, as Samuel Lino said: he who laughs last, laughs best. Arrascaeta, in the first half, and the winger himself in the second half, sent the Most Beloved into the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals.

The next opponent will only be known on Tuesday (25), when Independiente del Valle (ECU) and Deportes Tolima (COL) face off in Ecuador. Since the home side won the first leg away from home, they only need a draw to advance. The matches against Mengão will take place in the second and third weeks of September, with the return leg at the Maracanã.

WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION?

— Honestly, I didn’t expect this stance from Fabrício Bruno. He showed a lot of affection for Flamengo, even after a less-than-ideal departure. As for Gerson, he shouldn’t be weighing in on that issue, because what the midfielder did to leave the club last year is quite hard for the fans to forgive — opined Pedro Paulo Catonho, a journalist for Coluna do Fla.

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