Hulk urges Fluminense to stay fully focused against Platense

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·14 September 2026

Hulk urges Fluminense to stay fully focused against Platense

Fluminense takes the field this Tuesday (15) at 7 p.m. to fight for a place in the Copa Libertadores semifinal. After beating Platense 2-0 at the Maracanã, the Tricolor faces the Argentines again, this time at Estadio Ciudad de Vicente López in Buenos Aires, and can even lose by one goal and still advance.

Despite the advantage built in the first match, Hulk called for full focus from Fluminense and said the team needs to put the Maracanã result aside. In a press conference before the final training session for the match, the forward highlighted that the experience gained throughout his career helps in knockout games, but stressed that desire, commitment, and intelligence will be crucial for the team to secure qualification.

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Despite being a little older, as people say, experience gives you maturity to enjoy it a bit more. And it gives you confidence in these decisive matches; we know we have to play with desire, commitment, and intelligence. Our team has shown that. When we had to suffer, we suffered together, like against Rivadavia, when we played with one man less and managed to hold the result and go through on penalties. Tomorrow is a big match and, as I always say, it starts at 0-0. We have to forget the result we got at home and put in a great collective performance.

The No. 7 also drew attention to the atmosphere Fluminense will face in Buenos Aires. According to Hulk, matches played in Argentina usually bring difficulties, mainly because of the pressure from the stands.

The forward said the Tricolor will need to come in focused and cut down on mistakes so as not to allow Platense to make the most of the advantage of playing at home.

We have to forget the result we got at home and come in knowing we’ll face a terrible atmosphere here because Argentina gets behind its teams a lot. Every time I’ve played here, the matches haven’t been easy. We have to come in focused and make as few mistakes as possible.

Hulk also said Fluminense could have built a bigger advantage at the Maracanã. In his view, the team had chances to extend the lead, especially in the first half, but failed to put the tie away.

When these decisive matches come around, we have to treat them like a final. We had the chance to make it 2-0 at home, we could have scored more, and we didn’t finish things off in the best way. We played well in the first half, but in the second we made too many mistakes. And we know Platense is a very strong team, even though they haven’t had good results at home, but when it comes to the quarterfinals, they treat it like a final.

In addition to holding the advantage in the tie, Fluminense comes into the deciding match with problems in attack. John Kennedy, the team’s top scorer this season, suffered a knee injury and is out for the rest of the competition. Germán Cano is also sidelined after suffering a muscle injury in his right thigh in the first leg against Platense.

Hulk lamented his teammates’ injuries and said that he and Castillo will have to be ready to take on greater responsibility in Fluminense’s attack.

We’re very sad about John Kennedy’s injury because a serious knee injury is very difficult. I wish him a good recovery and that he comes back as soon as possible, even better, because he still has a lot to enjoy. Cano as well—he’s a spectacular guy, a club idol, and someone who welcomes everyone—but I’m sure they’re great professionals and will focus on recovery. Castillo and I have to be better prepared so that when Marcão calls on us, we can give our best for our team.

Hulk eyes first-ever Libertadores title

The match against Platense also represents another step in Hulk’s dream of winning the Libertadores. Since arriving in Brazilian football in 2021, the forward has yet to lift the trophy and said he intends to make the most of the opportunity with Fluminense.

Since I arrived here in Brazil in 2021, I’ve always dreamed of conquering the eternal glory. Unfortunately, I haven’t managed it; I came very close. But I always say everything happens at the right time. It’s not in our time, it’s in God’s time. I’m sure we absolutely have what it takes to win and go down in the club’s history.

The forward also mentioned players in the squad who have already come close to the title and others who are still chasing their first continental triumph.

Those who had the opportunity to win wearing the Fluminense shirt have the chance to win a second Libertadores because that is very important, and for those who dream of the title, like Soteldo, Canobbio, who reached finals and didn’t win, just like me, Arana, Otávio, Igor Rabello as well... And there’s Thiago (Silva), who came back with that dream too. I hope we can make that dream come true, which is to win the Libertadores.

With the 2-0 win at the Maracanã, Fluminense will advance to the semifinal with any draw or win. The Tricolor can also lose by one goal and still qualify.

If Platense wins by exactly two goals, the spot will be decided on penalties. An Argentine win by three or more goals will eliminate Fluminense.

Whoever advances from the tie will face the winner of Palmeiras vs. LDU in the semifinal.

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