‘It’s a dream to be here’: Castillo on Fluminense and settling in | OneFootball

— I see (this pressure) calmly. Obviously, it’s a responsibility, but it’s also a source of pride that a club like this made this signing. I’m happy, but with responsibility. Knowing that the club bet on me is a great motivation. It’s about responding on the field, adapting little by little, but knowing that the club and the fans expect me to deliver what I was delivering at my previous club — said the forward.

— I’ve always said it was a dream to reach the Brazilian league. There are very big clubs here, it’s a very competitive league. It’s a dream for me to arrive here, with great expectations for what’s to come. In the first matches, I felt comfortable. Little by little, I’m adapting to the game here, to the climate, and to my teammates — he added.

— I like to play in the box, but I also like to come out and play, not just stay in the area. To be able to play with my teammates, hold up the ball. As I said, I need to get to know my teammates, what they like in terms of playing with a center forward.

— Obviously, having Luis (Zubeldía)’s coaching staff makes me feel more secure, gives me extra peace of mind. But I have to show on the field why they chose me, why they brought me to Fluminense. My teammates are helping me a lot, they’ve made me feel very comfortable. On that side, I’m very calm. It’s about adding in training, when I play. I’ve already played two matches, I know there are many matches in a row here, that rotation always happens. I know I’ll play a lot, just like John (Kennedy). We’ll rotate and give the team the best I can.

— They contacted me before the final with Flamengo, but then things stalled a bit. Right after we became champions, Fluminense really went after me and the negotiations got stronger. Lanús and Fluminense needed to reach an agreement on the numbers, but there were only a few days left in the transfer window and they closed the deal on the last (day). The truth is, when it was finalized, I was very happy because it was a challenge I wanted to have. Very happy to come.

– The expectation is very good for all matches. Of course, derbies are special, they’re important for all clubs. On Wednesday, I want to win. Obviously, I’d like to score a goal, but the most important thing is for the team to win. We’ll work on that in the few days we have (to prepare). I’ll see if I get the chance to play and try to give my best for the team. I’m confident that, in a short time, the goals will come.

— The Argentine league has fewer games, and the matches are more tightly contested. That’s why strikers have fewer goals in a year and, over the years, have fewer goals in total. I made my professional debut at 23 or 24, so everything happened a bit later. But that doesn’t mean I can’t perform here, because I know I’ve been growing over the years. I think I’m prepared for this challenge. It’s a responsibility to arrive here, with what the club invested in me, it’s a bet, but I have a lot of faith and I’m convinced the goals will come. — I didn’t go through the youth categories at an AFA (Argentine Football Association) club. I arrived at River Plate at 18. After two years, at 20, playing as a substitute, I went to Unión de Santa Fe, it was the pandemic year and I couldn’t play either. I went to Gimnasia de la Plata, where I couldn’t play. I went to Deportivo Madryn on loan. That’s where I started my professional football career. I scored 12 goals, then returned to Gimnasia and scored 12 more. After two years, Lanús bought me, when I was already 25, 26 years old. In the last four, five years, I’ve been growing. These are things that happen in football. For me, it happened that I debuted at an older age, there are kids who start very early. These are experiences, stages for each person. I’ve been growing as a player and I arrived here very convinced that I can do things well.

— The feeling is very beautiful. It’s a very beautiful city, a beautiful club. I want to highlight my teammates and the coaching staff who made me feel very good from the moment I arrived. And also everyone who works at the club, who made me feel part of the group from day one. That gives me peace of mind. It’s my first experience outside Argentina. I’m very happy. And as for playing at Maracanã, it’s a historic stadium. When I came with Lanús, I saw how the fans resonated, how they sang. I’m very grateful, many people sent me messages of support. That motivates me. It’s about showing on the field the reasons why the club chose me to come here.

— The expectation, logically, is very high. I’m very eager, when the time comes for me to be a starter, and if I need to come off the bench, that’s the coach’s decision. There are a lot of matches here, there has to be rotation. Soon, the Copa Libertadores will start. When the coach decides, I’ll be available. As for adapting, I have to adapt to the way the guys play, who have already been playing together for a long time, how each one likes to receive the ball, getting to know each one. We’re getting to understand each other little by little. They’re very good players, it’s easier that way.

— When I was about to come, I started reading things about the club. Among them, I saw the story of Castilho, the goalkeeper who was here. When I arrived and they wanted to make the presentation announcement with the joke about the surname, I felt proud. It’s a responsibility to be compared to him, even more so because of the surname. They told me the story of what he did for Fluminense, the story of the finger (amputated), playing anyway and becoming champion. He’s a club legend. On my part, I try to distance myself a bit from that (comparisons), I play a different position, I have a different story. I want to make my own path, I’m very motivated to be here and really want the goals to come.

— They mentioned to me before I came that the club wanted to invest in a player who could contribute in aerial play and high pressing on opposing defenders. And I think those are part of my characteristics. It’s something I like to do, I like to play in the air, both in attack and defense. And to press the defenders, the opposing goalkeeper, to bring intensity. When the team needs to play a long ball, to hold the ball, to be strong in that sense, to give the team a break. Everything I’ve been doing and assisting my teammates. As the games go by, you’ll see a bit more of everything I’ve been doing, when I start to gain more confidence.

— It depends on the playing style of each team. At Lanús, we didn’t have much possession, but we were quick on the counterattack. I adapted to that style. But here in Brazilian football, more specifically at Fluminense, it’s about having more possession, reaching the opponent’s box with short passes. I’ll adapt to that. Not only staying up front, but also coming to play with my teammates, with Lucho, Soteldo, Serna, whoever it may be. Holding up the ball too. Whatever is needed to help the coaching staff.

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