Fabrício Bruno's surprise take on Flamengo in Libertadores, on Gerson | OneFootball

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

Fabrício Bruno left Flamengo with some bitterness. A backup to 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 many and said he will support Mengão’s push for a fifth title in the Copa Libertadores.

“I really wanted Cruzeiro to go through, but among the matchups that are coming, without a doubt I’ll be supporting 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. That’s because every time the midfielder touched the ball at the Maracanã, the Nação booed loudly. On top of that, the chant “hey, Gerson, go f…” was heard at times. In the defender’s view, the treatment is unfair.

— It’s a little 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, of making a move away… I myself left (Flamengo) to return home. Flamengo fans are like that: when a player leaves, he becomes a target. I’m sad about that, because Gerson has a great history at the club and no one will erase that. He’s an experienced player, a multiple-time champion, and he knows how to deal with these moments — said Fabrício Bruno.

HOW DID THE MATCH GO?

Gerson even played a part in Cruzeiro’s goal, providing the assist for Lucas Romero’s beautiful strike. However, as Samuel Lino said: he who laughs last, laughs best. Arrascaeta in the first half, and the winger himself in the second, sent the Most Beloved into the 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. It showed a lot of affection for Flamengo, even after a not-so-pleasant departure. As for Gerson, he shouldn’t be giving an opinion on that, because what the midfielder did to leave the club last year is pretty hard for the fans to forgive — said Pedro Paulo Catonho, journalist for Coluna do Fla.

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