Marcão assesses Flu’s poor display and hails progress: “A lesson” | OneFootball

Fluminense secured a place in the Copa Libertadores semifinal even with the defeat to Platense. The tricolor side did not perform well in the match, especially in the first half. After the game, Marcão analyzed the team’s performance.

With a semifinal spot secured, the tricolor side now awaits the winner of the clash between LDU and Palmeiras. At the press conference, Marcão looked ahead to that semifinal matchup.

“Another great game, regardless of which team comes through. Palmeiras is a classic rivalry, we’ve played them many times, always in great battles. Against LDU, we’ve had some finals as well, but we are strong and confident. We got through another difficult situation here today, but that only makes us stronger. Regardless of who comes through, Fluminense will be strong and ready to play two more good games,” said Marcão.

See other answers from the coach:

Hércules’ poor performance

— Regarding Hércules, whom you mentioned, he was coming off a period of inactivity, and he is a player who also needs rhythm. He helped, he helped a lot, off the ball, and he’s a big player as well. We knew about that difficulty and, in the end, he felt it a little, so we had to make a change because of that. But he is a talented player, a big, physical player, and he will help us a lot during this final stretch.

Strategy to improve in the game

— It created a lot of difficulty, we trained to get out of that pressure, that direct style of play, just like when we played here (in Argentina) against Independiente Rivadavia. We knew we would have a similar match. We tried some counter-movements in relation to Platense’s game, and at first we couldn’t make it work.

At halftime, we calmed down, showed some video, what we wanted to do in this game. In the second half, we improved, exchanged a few more characteristic passes, and it became more of a transition game. We had a little more control. We knew we were at risk from aerial balls or long balls. This serves as a lesson, so that in the next games we can be closer to doing what we want rather than actually playing the opponent’s game.

Match analysis

— We knew we would face a very strong team here at their place, a style of game that is typical of them. But in the match at the Maracanã, we had two very positive halves, we created chances and at times could even have extended the scoreline. But we managed to bring an advantage, which was the first half of the 180 minutes, the first 90. And when we got here, we really knew that the game would be theirs for stretches, with their characteristic style. We trained some things to avoid that game, to get out of that pressure. They have quick players up front who press very well, and in that first moment we couldn’t get out.

— The first half ended up favoring them more, and they managed to open the scoring. But at halftime, with a good talk, we balanced a little better what we wanted to do, what Fluminense is. We managed to create some moves, take away a little of their pressure, play our game, we got the goal, and that is extremely important.

Need for balance between playing at home and away

— We took that advantage with us. At home, it looked a bit more like what Fluminense is, what we want, the identity of our club. Of course we will look for that balance away from home. Regardless of whether we are playing at home or away, our team should be more like what we believe, what we want it to do, what our fans want our team to produce. We will work to have that balance both at home and away, and achieve good results.

Now with qualification secured, Flu turns its attention back to the Brasileirão. Next Sunday at 4 p.m., the team will face Corinthians in São Paulo. It will be the last match before the FIFA international break, which will last nearly 20 days.

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