Simeone praises Filipe Luís’ work at Flamengo, but backs Racing | OneFootball

With the Flamengo vs. Racing clash in the Libertadores semifinal approaching, a figure connected to the Rubro-Negro coach and the Argentine opponent commented on the match. Diego Simeone, manager of Atlético de Madrid and idol of the Avellaneda team, praised his protégé but declared his support for the blue side of the matchup.

“I'm a Racing fan and he (Filipe Luís) knows it. Filipe Luís has been doing an incredible job. His journey at Flamengo is amazing and every year they keep getting better,” said Simeone in an interview with TNT Sports.

Style of Play

Known for being a coach with a clear playing style, Diego Simeone also praised the way Filipe Luís sets up the Flamengo team. The two worked together for seven seasons, between 2011 and 2019, with a break in the 2014/15 season when the former left-back played for Chelsea.

“Speaking of identity, it’s a team with a very clear identity. They play the way the coach wants. They are very in tune with his (Filipe Luís’s) approach. I wish him the best, but he knows I’m a Racing fan,” he concluded.

Flamengo’s Form

Riding high after defeating Palmeiras 3-2 in a decisive match in the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo heads into the clash with Racing on a high note. The Rubro-Negro is the runner-up in the national competition, with the same 61 points as Verdão, who are in first place.

Flamengo and Racing take the field this Wednesday at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the first leg of the Libertadores semifinal. On the same day and time next week, they will decide the matchup at Estadio Presidente Perón, the famous “Cilindro” of Avellaneda.

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