Samuel Xavier shows Fluminense crisis over Flamengo delay: “We...” | OneFootball

Fluminense full-back Samuel Xavier said the squad was not consulted about the postponement

The postponement of the match between Flamengo and Fluminense sparked debate before and after the derby. Although their rival confirmed that they agreed to switch the game from Saturday (11) to Sunday (12), Fluminense full-back Samuel Xavier showed his discomfort when talking about the issue. In addition, the player said the squad was not consulted about the change.

— The players had no say whatsoever in this. It was decided beforehand. We found out the next day that the match had been postponed, but that’s no excuse for us. We know it’s very difficult, of course, to postpone a match in the Brazilian Championship, but anyway, it’s not up to us to get involved in an issue this controversial. That’s their responsibility, not ours — he said, before adding:

— Actually, it wasn’t even about thinking of the day off, it was about the Libertadores match. Of course, we would have one more day to recover. But these are things that don’t go through the players, we can’t even give our opinion on it. Our role is to step onto the field. We had to play, and there wasn’t even any room for the players to give an opinion — he added.

WHAT HAPPENED WITH FLAMENGO VS FLUMINENSE?

The CBF had scheduled the derby for the 11th, but Flamengo requested that it be moved to Sunday (12). The Rubro-Negro claimed there was a delay in returning from Cusco, Peru, where they made their Libertadores debut. Fluminense, who also had a long trip, to Venezuela, agreed.

However, the issue landed like a ‘bombshell’ behind the scenes at Laranjeiras, since Fluminense fans wanted to face a worn-out Flamengo. In addition, the team will have one less day to rest ahead of Wednesday (15), when they face Independiente Rivadavia (ARG) at the Maracanã in the Libertadores.

HOW DID THE MATCH GO ON THE PITCH?

Controversy aside, Flamengo put on a real show against Fluminense at the Maracanã. With a starring performance from Pedro, the Nation’s Favorite won 2-1 in the 11th round of the Brasileirão. Now, the Rubro-Negro will rest before facing Independiente Medellín (COL) on Thursday (16) at 9:30 pm (Brasília time) at the Maracanã.

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