Filipe Luís: Unrealistic to expect Flamengo to thrash every game | OneFootball

Filipe Luís Highlights the Complexity of Brazilian Football after Flamengo's Win over Internacional

Flamengo won 1-0 against Internacional on Wednesday (13), at Maracanã, in the first leg of the Libertadores round of 16. Despite the advantage on the scoreboard, part of the crowd showed dissatisfaction with the team's performance, which had a dominant first half but presented a drop in performance in the final stretch. After the game, Filipe Luís downplayed the criticism and highlighted the complexity of Brazilian football.

— The Brazilian Championship is the most competitive championship in the world. The problem is the expectation that is generated due to the opponent that steps on Maracanã, everyone thinks it will be a thrashing. And it's not easy. We saw Santos win against Cruzeiro, Mirassol drew with Palmeiras away, Ceará… There is no easy game in Brazil -, he began, before adding:

— Now, wanting to win and thrash all games in Brazil is something unrealistic. Of course, there are super-teams in the world that can make an extraordinary championship, but the Brazilian Championship has many external factors that make teams oscillate: trips, injuries, and opponents, mainly. I value each victory and hope the fan also -, said Filipe Luís, during a post-game press conference.

WHY DID FLAMENGO DROP IN PERFORMANCE IN THE SECOND HALF?

According to Filipe Luís, the oscillation between the two halves is natural and involves a series of factors that go beyond the team's control. Furthermore, the coach explained that, after a first half with almost no errors, the tactical changes made by the opponent at halftime make the game more unpredictable, requiring quick responses from the players on the field.

— It's difficult to diagnose (the lack of balance between the halves). There are several factors. It's very difficult for a coach when you have a first half almost perfect, with few errors and few adjustments to make based on what happened – and knowing that the other coach will change. But I don't know what he will do, what system, substitutions, what will happen -, he said.

— So, I don't have to tell the players what will happen, and they themselves need to solve it on the field. And it takes time. But one of the things is that. The opposing coach changes in the second half, and until you find the balance, minutes pass. And in the end, the favorable score makes the team close a bit -, he concluded.

DID FLAMENGO DOMINATE THE GAME?

Even with the drop in intensity in the second half, Flamengo finished the game with superior numbers to Internacional. According to the SofaScore website, the red-black team had 66% possession of the ball against 34% of the opponent, in addition to finishing ten times throughout the game, twice as many attempts as the Gauchos' five.

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