Alan Kardec plays down Atlético-MG rivalry with Flamengo | OneFootball

Ex-Atlético-MG forward Alan Kardec has played down the club’s rivalry with Flamengo, suggesting it matters more to Galo than to the Rio side. He addressed the subject while reflecting on the clubs’ 2024 Copa do Brasil final.

Flamengo and Atlético-MG contested the 2024 showpiece. Flamengo reached it by beating Corinthians 1-0, while Atlético overcame Vasco 3-2.

In the first leg at the Maracanã, Flamengo won 3-1, with Gabigol scoring twice and Arrascaeta also on target. Kardec pulled one back.

In the return at Arena MRV, Gonzalo Plata scored to seal the title for Flamengo.

“The year for Flamengo had already gone down the drain as well. Only the Copa do Brasil was left. And Flamengo is Flamengo. So you have a final there, a big rival that in my opinion is much more of a rival for Atlético than Atlético is for Flamengo,” Alan Kardec said. He was speaking to Charla Podcast.

“In my head there is no way you lose both. Winning both is very difficult, losing both does not happen and if you win one of the two it is a thrill as f***. If you analysed Botafogo and Flamengo, I thought it was more attainable to win the Copa do Brasil.”

Atlético supporters have long targeted Flamengo because of the Rio club’s league win in 1980 and Libertadores triumph in 1981, though the animosity often appears one-sided.

Flamengo face Botafogo on Sunday 15 at 17:30 Brasília time at Estádio Nilton Santos in the Carioca quarter-finals. The match will be shown on Globo free-to-air and on Premiere pay-per-view.

Source: Coluna Do Fla