Flamengo keepers reveal special feelings about games in Portugal | OneFootball

Andrew and Rossi have good memories of Flamengo’s mid-season friendlies

Flamengo’s season resumes next Friday (03), with a friendly against River Plate (ARG), in Portugal. The opponent brings back good memories for Agustín Rossi, formerly of Boca Juniors (ARG). The location, meanwhile, brings back positive memories for Andrew.

Flamengo’s most recent signing this year played in Portugal for four and a half years, at Gil Vicente (POR), has Portuguese children, and will also reunite with an old rival. After all, Mengão will face Benfica (POR) on July 11, still as part of the Algarve Trophy.

— Benfica was the team I made my professional debut against when I was at Gil Vicente in my first season. I played at the Estádio da Luz, was very happy, we won 2-1, and I had a great match. There will always be a special feeling playing against Benfica and remembering that —, he told FlamengoTV.

— I really like being in Portugal, I was happy here. My children were born here, and in fact my wife is in Barcelos, the city where I played for four and a half years. It’s also a moment for us to be together, strengthen our bonds, and become even more united. It helps the academy boys who are here adapt, feel more at home, and build more confidence to step onto the pitch —, Andrew concluded.

AND ROSSI?

Rossi made history at Boca Juniors, River Plate’s historic rival. Since leaving the Bombonera club in 2023, the goalkeeper will face his longtime opponent for the first time. Asked about the reunion, the No. 1 preferred to play down the impact of the match.

— Obviously it’s part of our preparation, it will be our first game in this second half of the year. Of course we’ll come in more physically prepared than technically for the match. But it’s still a friendly, a game representing the Flamengo shirt. So we know the importance every game has when wearing this shirt —, he said in remarks to Flamengo TV.

— It’s always good to have time to work, to try to find our best version. As a team and individually. So that’s it, to use this preseason as seriously as possible so we can be in good shape for the restart of the Brazilian Championship, which is one of our goals in this second half of the year —, Rossi concluded.

SO, WHAT ARE FLAMENGO’S FRIENDLIES IN PORTUGAL?

SO, WHAT’S THE AUTHOR’S OPINION?

— Beyond the ‘special feelings’ for the goalkeepers, these friendlies carry a lot of value. Rossi needs to regain his confidence after ending the first half of the year on a low note. Andrew, meanwhile, breathing Portuguese air once again, will have the chance to show the Nation that he really can compete with the Argentine for the spot —, said Pedro Paulo Catonho, journalist for Coluna do Fla.

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