Marcão revels in dramatic shoot-out win, future open: “As long as needed” | OneFootball

Interim coach analyzes qualification in Argentina after draw with 10 men and win on penalties

In a tense match in Argentina, Fluminense fought back for a 1-1 draw with Independiente Rivadavia despite playing with one man less in the second half and secured a place in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals on penalties, with goalkeeper Fábio shining by saving two spot kicks.

At the post-match press conference, interim coach Marcão did not hide his emotion over the heroic result and highlighted the strong connection between the squad and the stands in decisive moments.

With his usual calmness, Marcão revealed how he experienced the sudden-death penalties and made a point of sharing the credit for qualification directly with the players.

— I’m really very happy. I’ll be honest, on the last penalty I didn’t even look. I just asked “Dad” for help (laughs). I’m very calm. I’m an employee of the club. It was a challenge. Personally, I’m very happy. But it’s what I always say: it’s not about who is sitting here. It could be Marcão, Guardiola... it’s about how they respond out there. When they’re like that, you see it at the end of the game. When there is that connection, that synergy between fans and players, it’s very hard for us to lose — the coach said.

Asked about remaining in charge after the decisive run in the Brasileirão and Libertadores, the Tricolor boss reaffirmed his institutional stance:

— We only show the way. Until when? For as long as the club needs. If they need us for one more game, we stay; if they need us for another game, we stay.

After a first half stalled by Rivadavia’s strong defensive block, the situation got worse in the second half with Canobbio’s red card before the cooling break. Marcão explained the tactical adjustment that ensured Fluminense’s defensive recovery and Serna’s scrappy goal.

— The idea was to try to take away a little of Rivadavia’s transition, a very direct team that attacks a lot and is very strong in the air. We worked on that a lot to try to prevent it. Defensively, we did well. Even after we lost a player, we tried to stay balanced, brought Serna back to make it a back five so we would have the option to counterattack. And that’s what happened. When we switched him to the other side, he got his chance, did well, and scored. That was the game: a big match decided by details — he analyzed.

Having advanced on Argentine soil, Fluminense now turns the page and awaits its opponent in the next stage of the continental tournament. The rival will come from the matchup between Platense (Argentina) and Coquimbo Unido (Chile), who face each other this Wednesday at 7 p.m. (Brasília time).

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