Leonardo Jardim after Cruzeiro 1-1 Flamengo in the Libertadores | OneFootball

Flamengo and Cruzeiro faced off this Wednesday (12) at Mineirão

The first half of the knockout tie between Flamengo and Cruzeiro ended in a 1-1 draw. At Mineirão, the home side took the lead, but Mengão fought back to equalize through Lucas Paquetá. For coach Leonardo Jardim, the result was positive this Wednesday (12).

— It was a balanced game, judging by the numbers, between two good teams. The result was positive, but we’ll see in the second game. It’s no coincidence that all the games (in this round) ended in draws. At home, we have to put in another strong performance. We have to pay attention to Cruzeiro — he said.

In short, the second leg will take place next Wednesday (19) at the Maracanã. Whoever wins will face the team that advances from Deporte Tolima (COL) and Independiente del Valle (EQU). If the match ends level at the Maracanã, the tie will be decided on penalties.

WHAT WERE LEONARDO JARDIM’S OTHER ANSWERS?

Battle for the spot: Varela x Royal

— They are both players of great quality, both Varela and Royal. When we want a more fluid game and a game in which we keep the ball much more, we often use Varela. In Libertadores matches, the games are usually more aggressive, with more duels, and Royal is also extremely strong in that aspect. That’s why I’m extremely satisfied with both options. They are two very important players for me as a coach.

Choices in substitutions

— We brought a bit of freshness to the attacking midfield and the forward line. Arrasca and BH weren’t ready, they were a bit worn down. We have players like Pedro on the bench and Paquetá. Even though Paquetá still isn’t at his best, because he’s coming off a lot of inactivity and still has some difficulty getting rhythm, we freshened up the team. And the equalizer ended up coming through that player. It was important because we didn’t change the system, we just refreshed the personnel.

Target of Cruzeiro fans

— As for the reception, it’s like this: I have a special affection for these fans. But unfortunately, there were people who created a great deal of hatred. They created hatred toward me, because in life it’s easier to hide than to face the truth. But I’m very calm with myself. And I think the fans did their part. Now I want to talk about our supporters who came here, shouted, and backed the team. And that’s what should be highlighted for me. And at the Maracanã, may we have everyone’s support.

Carrascal warming up early

— Carrascal went to warm up because Lino took a knock and felt some discomfort, but then he returned to the game.

Strategy for the game

— I think we didn’t change much from what has been our usual approach in the Libertadores. Many of these players have been playing in the Libertadores and, in the league, I sometimes use others. The important thing is to have solutions. We have solutions so that, in every game, we can be competitive and go after results, because that’s what the fans want: results. And I do too, as a coach.

Options at left-back

— So, on our left side we have a young player on the bench, Johnny. He’s a player I believe in a lot. I believe that, in the medium term, he will play more games for Flamengo and in the future. But certainly, in a game with this intensity, it was not the right moment to throw in a youngster. Because one mistake could end his career, right? But I believe that if there is any problem at left-back, in one game or another, he will have to be used. And he has already been used in Portugal, and he did very well.

Cruzeiro’s man-marking

— Nowadays, everyone watches the games. Cruzeiro watches our games and we watch Cruzeiro’s games. It’s a man-marking strategy in midfield and along the defensive line. And we, as the opponent, have to try to overcome that situation. Everyone uses their own strategy. We use ours and Cruzeiro uses theirs. What happened? Of course, with man-to-man marking, sometimes it becomes harder to keep the ball, especially for some of our more technical players. But at the same time, I think there was some movement, some positional rotations that allowed us to create spaces so we could keep the ball.

Was the draw fair?

— I’ll repeat what I said right at the start. I think it was a balanced game, with Flamengo having a slight edge. Cruzeiro ended up scoring with a great goal, right? Great goals also have to be valued. And congratulations to Arroyo for the goal he scored. At that moment the game was a bit balanced. We went looking to turn the game around and ended up equalizing. Cruzeiro also has a good counterattack.

Second leg

— That’s a very difficult question, because I still have to think about the league match, which we play in three days, and it’s an important game. You know that we have now closed the gap to Palmeiras and we can’t take next Sunday’s game lightly. We have to think about that game first and only then think about the second leg against Cruzeiro, just as we did with Vitória and then thought about today’s game.

— There’s no point taking one step ahead of the other. We know that both Paquetá and Pedro are starting players. But we have 15 or 16 players who are starters. Then it depends on the moment, the choice, the analysis I make of the opponent, and what I want to start the game with. Certainly, if those start, the others will come on. If those don’t come on, the others will start. But my concern right now is the game against Mirassol in three days.

Relationship with Cruzeiro players

— I have a very close relationship with the players. You already saw that in the first game, at the Maracanã. Today you also saw it with the coaching staff and the club employees. I have a good relationship with the board. But when wrong information is put out there, the fans… But I’m not going to criticize the fans. Sometimes they believe what is passed on to them.

— But I still like Cruzeiro. Cruzeiro is a team I will always carry in my heart. Unfortunately, things happened this way. But I’d rather be the one harmed than harm other people, with whom I even have a special relationship.

Did you give up on Cruzeiro?

— Did I give up? No. Both sides walked away. It’s easy to sell the idea that Jardim gave up. Both sides walked away.

Difference between Tite’s Cruzeiro and Artur Jorge’s

— They are Cruzeiro teams that play in different systems. Nowadays Cruzeiro plays in a more man-marking model, man to man. Tite’s team was not like that. Certainly, at this moment it is a more confident, more organized team. That’s why it has been showing the results it has achieved, in the league, the Libertadores, and the cup. But, well, the players are still there. The players who were the team’s strengths back then are once again the strengths, like Gerson, Matheus, Kaio, Fabrício… all of them. So they end up being two different styles, but always a competitive team. I remember that match was at the Maracanã and it was an extremely competitive game.

Absences of Luiz Araújo and Wallace Yan

— Luiz Araújo is out because of a physical problem. He has been out for about four or five weeks, right? He started training two days ago and still wasn’t in condition to be with us. Wallace was a choice based on selection, because with everyone available, it starts becoming necessary to leave someone out.

Building the style to coach Fla and Cruzeiro

— Possession is an important part of building play. It’s not just when we have an idea of how to build. Flamengo is certainly a team that nowadays has more possession because opponents also drop deeper. You remember when I arrived at Cruzeiro. Cruzeiro was also going through a difficult moment, when opponents did not respect the club, did not respect the team, and often came at us.

— They left space in behind, and we took advantage of that situation. But certainly many of those transition ideas still appear today. I still look for depth, I see the wingers making those runs. But certainly there are also players who can keep possession. They are different styles adapted to the situation each one is living through.

Statement that in Brazil he would only coach Cruzeiro

— No, I’ve already said that that information on this matter was because I thought I was going to stay here in Brazil a little longer. That did not end up happening. As I’ve already said, the parties decided not to continue. My idea was not to return to Brazil, honestly. It was to stay. There ended up being no room there (Middle East), which is what I intended. Flamengo came up and nobody can say no to Flamengo.

— Flamengo, whether you like it or not, is the biggest club in South America. And nobody can say no to Flamengo. And that’s why I accepted returning to Brazil. I have already apologized regarding this situation, for having said I wouldn’t come back and then going back on my word. But regarding the other situations, I’m very calm, because I know very well what happened. And, friends, you know too. It’s just that sometimes it’s better to kick it to the side and close your eyes.

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