Filipe Luís reveals disappointment with fans over Emerson Royal treatment | OneFootball

Flamengo reached the Carioca semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Botafogo, yet Filipe Luís voiced displeasure at the treatment of Emerson Royal.

According to Coluna Do Fla, the right-back was jeered in the first half, and the head coach moved to defend him in a press conference.

Luís said Emerson arrived highly focused on turning his form around, trained through the holidays and is improving day by day. He highlighted what he considered a perfect defensive display against Vitória in which the defender thwarted several chances.

The coach added that what upset him was a section of the crowd insulting the player at half-time simply because it had become a trend, saying it broke his heart. He maintained Emerson is giving everything to overcome difficulties and needs support to deliver more.

Emerson Royal has 25 appearances for Flamengo, with one goal and three assists. Recently he has started regularly as Varela has suffered ankle pain, and he had even drawn praise from sections of the fanbase.

Flamengo moved for Emerson after Wesley left, reaching an agreement and paying nine million euros, about R$ 58 million, to Milan (ITA). With Emerson available, focus now shifts from the Carioca to the Recopa Sul-Americana. Flamengo visit Lanús (ARG) at the Estadio Néstor Díaz Pérez at 21:30 Brasília time on Thursday the 19th for the first leg of the intercontinental final.

Source: Coluna Do Fla