John Kennedy recalls 2023 role, Castillo pairing grows at Fluminense | OneFootball

The duo formed by John Kennedy and Rodrigo Castillo is beginning to gain traction as an attacking alternative at Fluminense. In recent matches, the two have played together and had direct involvement in important goals for the team.

The equalizer against Coritiba, the winning goal over Santos, and the decisive goal against Chapecoense were all scored by John Kennedy with the two strikers sharing the attack. The performances strengthen the possibility of coach Luis Zubeldía using the two-striker setup more often.

Photo: Lucas Merçon / FFC

In the knockout rounds, especially against Olimpia, Internacional and Boca Juniors, John Kennedy was decisive, scoring goals and being directly involved in plays that helped the club reach its continental title.

With the duo’s recent strong response alongside Castillo, Luis Zubeldía is once again considering the possibility of repeating a formula that has already brought important results: two center-forwards on the pitch to increase the attacking presence inside the opposition box.

Photo: Marcelo Gonçalves / FFC

At the press conference after the win over Chapecoense, coach Luis Zubeldía commented on the possibility of using John Kennedy and Castillo together in Fluminense Football Club’s attack.

According to the coach, their performances on the pitch have been sending positive signs to the technical staff.

Zubeldía explained that the idea is to gradually increase the duo’s playing time in order to better assess the dynamic between the two strikers.

The coach also emphasized that the plan is to give the players more and more minutes side by side, but cautiously.

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