FPF competitions director Fabio Moraes hails Brasileirão Under-20 | OneFootball

Moraes praised the competition’s current formatCredits: Joilson Marconne / CBF

The balance in the final between Vasco and Palmeiras was praised by Fabio Moraes, Competitions Director of the São Paulo Football Federation (FPF). In the official’s view, the Brazilian U-20 Championship plays a role that goes beyond the title race and must prepare players for the different scenarios they will face in their careers.

"Youth competitions must obviously aim to teach athletes how to compete, how to cooperate, and how to lose. I think the main objective of youth competitions is development," said Moraes.

In the official’s assessment, player development comes precisely from the experience gained during tournaments. Winning, losing, working as a team, and dealing with decisive matches are all part of a process that, according to him, should prepare players for an ever-increasing level of demand.

"The athletes need to be prepared to represent the Brazilian National Team, to represent their clubs, and also to represent the country abroad," he said.

Moraes also highlighted the Brazilian U-20 Championship’s current format. The first phase, played as a single round-robin over 15 matchdays, gives players a run of matches before the knockout stage begins, when the pressure increases and every result can determine the teams’ future.

"I think these competitions, now with this structured 15-matchday, single round-robin format, are essential before playing the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final. This prepares everyone for the ultimate objective," said the director.

After losing the first match 1-0 at São Januário, Vasco won 2-0 at Nubank Parque (learn more here), turned the tie around to win 2-1 on aggregate, and claimed the first Brazilian U-20 Championship title in the club’s history.

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