Flamengo player backs João Victor after errors: "He’s a gem" | OneFootball

Léo Pereira defended João Victor and asked for patience with Flamengo’s young defender

Flamengo is losing to Fluminense 2-0 this Wednesday (19th), in a match valid for the Brazilian Championship. On the second goal conceded by the red-and-black team, the youngster João Victor played a difficult ball back to Agustín Rossi, who got tangled up in the play. During halftime, defender Léo Pereira called for support for the youngster and highlighted the defender’s potential.

— He’s a kid with huge potential who helps us every day in training. We have total confidence in him and we know he needs our backing and the fans’ support. We ask that you support him. He’s a kid with few professional matches and a brilliant future ahead of him — began Léo Pereira, during halftime.

— You can’t, because of one specific play, want to boo, especially in the first half and at the start of the game. I think we have to support him, yes. Like I said, he’s a player with huge potential and someone we take extra care with. We know he’s a gem from our youth academy — concluded the red-and-black defender.

WHAT’S THE CONTEXT?

João Victor started for Flamengo this Wednesday (19th) due to the high number of unavailable players. Léo Ortiz is injured, while Danilo was with the Brazilian National Team and, because of that, started on the bench.

Thus, João Victor played a difficult ball back to goalkeeper Agustín Rossi in the 33rd minute of the first half. As a result, the keeper also slipped up and ended up giving the ball straight to Kevin Serna. With that, Fluminense increased the lead to 2-0, generating criticism towards the youngster.

Due to the mistakes in the first half of the derby against Fluminense, coach Filipe Luís decided to substitute defender João Victor. Thus, the young player came off at halftime and made way for the experienced Danilo.

WHEN DOES FLAMENGO PLAY AGAIN?

With Léo Pereira and João Victor available, Flamengo remains focused on the final stretch of the Brazilian Championship. That’s because the red-and-black team faces Red Bull Bragantino on Saturday (22nd), at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), at Maracanã, in a match valid for the 35th round.

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