Jardim bins fatigue excuses, sets Flamengo demand after FIFA break | OneFootball

Flamengo were hit by seven absences in the loss to Bragantino; coach kept up the pressure on the team despite the missing players

Flamengo lost 3-0 to Red Bull Bragantino this Thursday (02) in Bragança Paulista, struggling with key absences after the FIFA international break. Even with those missing players, coach Leonardo Jardim refused to make excuses, reinforced his demands on the squad, and said the players are obliged to show quality and commitment on the pitch.

— Now we have to look ahead, but we certainly have to demand more because anyone competing at the highest level, as we are, has to demand more. When I demand more from the team, I am the first to demand more from myself because I represent the players. We believe we are capable of doing more and better. When I think we performed below what we can do, it is because we believe in the value of our players and in the team as a whole to do more and better — Leonardo Jardim began, before adding:

— There is no point in saying, “oh, but the players were trying, others went to their national teams and were tired.” No, any player who plays for Flamengo has to be capable and has to have quality because he was signed to be here and to show why. That is why the demands remain, because we are capable of doing better — he concluded in the post-match press conference.

HOW MANY PLAYERS WERE FLAMENGO MISSING?

All in all, Flamengo took the field with seven absences. Arrascaeta, Léo Pereira and Varela were dealing with heavy physical fatigue after playing two matches during the FIFA international break, held between March 23 and 31.

Saúl Ñíguez remained in recovery from surgery on his left heel. At the same time, Bruno Henrique, even after recovering from pubalgia, has still not returned to the pitch. In addition, Alex Sandro was out with a muscle injury, while Evertton Araújo served a suspension after the red card against Corinthians.

WHAT IS FLAMENGO’S NEXT MATCH?

Hoping to have reinforcements available, Flamengo face Santos on Sunday (05) starting at 5:30 p.m. (Brasília time). The match will be played at the Maracanã, in the 10th round of the Brazilian Championship. Coluna do Fla will provide full coverage.

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