Flamengo is in the final of the Intercontinental Cup, against Paris Saint-Germain, next Wednesday. The team beat Pyramids of Egypt 2-0 on Wednesday and secured their place in the match in which they can win their second title in the FIFA tournament. After the match, Filipe Luís said he was privileged to be able to make another decision as coach and predicted that a perfect match would be needed to win the title.
— A privilege to play another final with Flamengo. We will have this opportunity in a World Cup final. Very difficult, we must recognize the efforts of the players this season. Wednesday (17th), it will be match number 76. They are having a magnificent season. Their hunger and ambition never ends. Each game has a different story. In the United States, the atmosphere was different, the ball… We are going to face the Champions League champion, and the best coach in the world. We are going to have to play a perfect game. This is the only chance – he said at a press conference.
Filipe praised PSG coach Luis Enrique and recalled the story we faced against the Spaniard when he played for Atlético Madrid. For him, the opponent is “very different”.
— Luis Enrique does not need comments. He painted this team that he put together. A team that indoctrinates, functions perfectly, it is very difficult to achieve what it did: win all the titles in the teams in which it was. We’ve already clashed, we’ve had arguments, I was sent off against Messi’s Barcelona. Today, on the other hand, I admire him more and more. To achieve all that he has accomplished, it has to be very different.
This Saturday, PSG beat Metz 3-2 in the French Championship, using a reserve team. For the Flamengo coach, the strategy is natural.
— They come to play a final, just like us. Obviously, the players were going to rest to play the final. To date, no team has played in the final with a reserve team. Everyone wants to win because it’s important. It doesn’t have the same value as the Champions League, but winning means making history.
Speaking more specifically about today’s match, Filipe Luís recognized the defensive solidity, and even the two defenders, Léo Pereira and Danilo, scored goals. However, he expressed reservations about the dangers that presented themselves and asked that attention be paid to them.
— Today’s result is not misleading. We didn’t concede a goal, but we could have. Rossi saved one, they had another chance. This is the first step towards improvement. I consider the defense to be very solid, because all ten players defend, and those who are in attack are the ones who run the most. That’s why these impressive numbers. But there are things to correct.
About The Author
