Filipe Luís backs João Victor, admits poor Fla-Flu display | OneFootball

This Wednesday’s Fla-Flu, which ended 2-1 for Fluminense, had Flamengo’s center-back João Victor as its main protagonist. The 18-year-old made a mistake on the second goal for Tricolor das Laranjeiras, scored by Kevin Serna, and misplaced a pass at the edge of the box, almost resulting in a goal for Martinelli. Coach Filipe Luís admitted the player’s poor performance but defended him in the post-match press conference.

“Our fans ask for youth players from the academy and I also want to put them in. I see the difference in level that exists. For example, Danilo is already 33, 34 years old. The youngsters who are just starting out will make mistakes, it’s normal. We need them at this point in the season and I’m not afraid to play them. Now, of course, unfortunately he (João Victor) didn’t have a good game, but I have confidence, I’ve seen him perform, I know the level he can reach, but it really was a very, very difficult match. In my opinion, he was the best option. Unfortunately, he had a below-par game and I take responsibility for him, myself, and everyone,” said Filipe Luís.

Playing time at a tough moment?

Filipe Luís was asked about the moments when he gave João Victor and other academy players playing time. Before the Fla-Flu, the 18-year-old had played in only eight matches and hadn’t completed 90 minutes in any of them.

“I gave them minutes when I could. We’ve been playing for our lives in the last games of the season, practically in my position, every match here has been fighting for the lead since the first round of the Brasileirão and there’s no time to rotate, no time to give minutes. Even so, I gave the boys a bit more time in the Copa do Brasil, against Botafogo-PB and Atlético-MG. However, the difference between the players who are already here is very big. The Léos (Ortiz and Pereira) and Danilo have a very high level,” Filipe Luís concluded.

Despite the defeat, Flamengo remains at the top of the Brazilian Championship. The Rubro-Negro has 71 points from 34 matches. The team returns to the field this Saturday, when they host RB Bragantino at Maracanã, at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), for the 35th round of the competition.

PHOTO: GILVAN DE SOUZA / FLAMENGO

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