Marcão hails Fluminense win after Zubeldía exit: “We lost a warrior”

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·15 August 2026

Marcão hails Fluminense win after Zubeldía exit: “We lost a warrior”

Interim coach responds to squad in ending winless streak and leaves future open: “If you need me until the end of the year, I’ll be available.”

In his return to the helm of Fluminense, Marcão did not hide his emotion after the 3-2 comeback win over Palmeiras at the Maracanã. In the post-match press conference, the interim coach lamented the recent departure of Luis Zubeldía, praised the players’ dedication in ending the winless run in the Brasileirão, and made it clear that he is ready for any decision from the board regarding his future in the role.

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The Tricolor boss made a point of dedicating the result to the previous coaching staff and highlighting the pact made in the dressing room before kickoff:

— As soon as Luis, our former coach, left, along the way we ended up losing a great friend and a wonderful staff. We lost someone very dear to us, a warrior soldier, and we had to turn that page. They committed to giving everything on the pitch, and they achieved this great result — he said.

Without a win in the Brasileirão since May, the Tricolor squad demanded an immediate response from themselves to beat the league leaders. Marcão praised their tactical commitment and the internal accountability before the match.

— We had been chasing this positive result for a long time. We talked, they talked among themselves. It was the moment. We knew it really was a battle today, a very difficult game against the league leaders. That’s what they did. Everything they committed to doing, they did on the pitch, and they achieved this great result — he stated.

Regularly called upon in difficult moments, Marcão reinforced his role as a member of the club’s permanent coaching staff. The coach gave all the credit for the result to the players and assured that he is ready for the next stretch of work, including the decisive Libertadores clash in Argentina.

— I’m an employee of the club. We know this happens, just as it has happened other times, these emergencies. It’s important for us to be prepared. Regardless of the result, we have to deliver what the boys delivered today. The first step is to show the players the way. They’re the ones who win the game. Every time I sit at this table and there’s a victory, it was really them. If Marcão is needed for Tuesday, Marcão has to be ready. If I’m needed for the next game, Marcão too. If I’m needed until the end of the year, I’ll be available — he concluded.

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