Fitness still a worry? Leonardo Jardim reveals plan to boost Flamengo squad | OneFootball

Physical condition has been a topic of debate at Flamengo since the start of the season

We’ve reached the month of March, but Flamengo’s shortened preseason in January is still a subject of discussion. After the red-and-black’s victory over Cruzeiro on Wednesday (11), the new coach Leonardo Jardim was asked about the squad’s physical condition. Rotation and the break during the FIFA dates are part of the Portuguese manager’s plans to improve the team.

— I think football isn’t just about the physical aspect, it’s a set of actions. Sometimes the physical depends on the model we implement. And I want the players to be within this model that I want to put in place. Sometimes the player has to give a little more, and the wingers, at times, have to defend more. The midfielders have to break away from their markers… That’s what I look for as a coach for my players — said Leonardo Jardim in a press conference.

— In physical terms, of course we’ll have to manage some athletes because we don’t have the capacity to play every three days with the same players, and because they didn’t have that preseason that usually exists. Flamengo didn’t have it, but neither did the others. So, we’ll try to manage. We’ll take the opportunity to try to increase the fitness levels of those who are not called up, and in the next window (free period), we’ll take the opportunity to make some corrections at this level — he added.

WHAT HAPPENED DURING FLAMENGO’S PRESEASON?

Still under Filipe Luís’ command, Flamengo went on vacation on December 17, after the match with PSG (FRA) at the Club World Cup, and returned to activities on January 12 of this year. The idea was to use only the under-20 team in the first phase of the Carioca. However, the team’s poor performance changed the plans by order of the club president.

Thus, the main squad made its season debut on January 21, a week earlier than planned. Since then, the physical condition issue has been a topic in practically every press conference with Filipe Luís and now also with Leonardo Jardim.

ROTATION AND FIFA DATES?

At the end of March, there will be a break for the FIFA dates, with international friendlies. However, Flamengo could have up to ten players called up. Brazil, for example, has Danilo, Léo Pereira, and Alex Sandro on the preliminary list, not to mention Italy, Ecuador, Chile, Uruguay, and Colombia, which should also include Flamengo players.

Now, there’s anticipation to see what Flamengo’s lineup will be for Saturday (14). At Engenhão, the Most Beloved faces Botafogo, starting at 8:30 PM (Brasília time), with full coverage from Coluna do Fla, live from the stadium.

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