Racing boss calls Flamengo a "dream team" and backs comeback | OneFootball

With a goal in the final minutes at Maracanã, Racing lost to Flamengo 1-0 in the first leg of the Libertadores semifinals. After the match, Gustavo Costas, coach of the Argentine team, praised the Rubro-Negro, emphasized that the tie is still open, and called on the fans to support the team in the return leg at El Cilindro.

“We faced a team that is like a national squad. They challenge us. They are the best in South America, they compete with the Europeans,” said the coach in a press conference.

Full house

Gustavo Costas called on Racing’s fans for the return match. It is expected that the Argentine team’s supporters will fill El Cilindro, occupying all 55,000 seats at Estadio Presidente Perón.

“With heart and soul, we will give 100%. We know they are better than us. But there are still 90, 95 minutes left. That’s what we’ll compete for, with all our fans. If you love Racing, you have to be with us,” the coach added.

Believes in the final

In addition to calling on Racing’s fans, the Argentine coach is betting on a comeback for his team at El Cilindro.

“I believe the tie is completely open… We are living a dream. And we will fight for it until the end. We will be in Lima,” he concluded.

Situation of the tie

The return leg between the teams will be next Wednesday, at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), at Estadio Presidente Perón (El Cilindro), in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The team from Rio only needs a draw to advance to the final. A simple win for the Argentines will take the decision to penalties. 

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