Freitas marks Maracanã bow with assist as Flamengo stay top | OneFootball

Joaquín Freitas made an instant impression at the Maracanã, setting up Bruno Henrique for the late winner in Flamengo’s 2-1 victory that preserved top spot.

According to Globo.com, he had previously visited the stadium only to greet supporters days after signing, and he also appeared late on against Remo in the previous round.

With minutes still limited, the forward has nudged ahead of rivals and is now trying to convince Leonardo Jardim to give him more time. He said the squad have eased his adaptation, including settling into the city, which has helped him accelerate the process.

Flamengo view Freitas, 19, and Valencia, 23, as long-term projects. Less heralded than other transfer-window targets, they were signed with the present in mind but chiefly the club’s future, with adaptation to the group and Brazilian football part of that plan.

Freitas said he was delighted and felt the team were superior. He called it an important win to keep fighting for the title and praised the group’s unity, adding he had come to add to the team.

The result took Flamengo to 57 points and they ended the round one clear of Palmeiras, who had finished Saturday on top after beating São Paulo.

Next up is Independiente del Valle in Thursday’s Libertadores quarter-final second leg at 21:30 Brasília time. In the Brasileirão, Bragantino visit on the 20th at 18:30. Both matches will be at the Maracanã.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”