Coach understands that the pressure imposed by Bayern Munich forced Flamengo to make crucial mistakes for elimination in the Club World Cup
Without shying away from responsibility for the mistakes made by Flamengo, coach Filipe Luís attributed part of them to the intensity and tactical awareness of Bayern Munich in the 4-2 defeat this Sunday (29/6) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami (USA).
The coach believes that the pressure imposed by the opponent forced his team to make crucial mistakes that led to their elimination from the Club World Cup.
“We conceded a goal from a corner, then we conceded a second goal from a mistake when clearing the ball, then we had a lot of pressure and ended up making it 2-1. From that moment on, when Bayern took us to our area, we couldn’t get out, because they are a team with immense quality and they don’t lose the ball,” he began.
In the coach’s view, the mistakes in the ball out occurred due to the rival’s excellence, and not only due to internal failures. “They have strong players, who win duels, they are fast. They suffocate you, the pressure after losing is very high.
We tried to counterattack with Arrascaeta and Plata, and they came back with six, seven players at the same time. Superior to us, simple as that.” Filipe also acknowledged that the mistake in the first corner, converted into an own goal by Pulgar, undermined the team’s confidence. Despite this, he praised the team’s focus and commitment until the end of the match.
Praise to the red-and-black squad
Despite the setback, the coach expressed great admiration for Flamengo’s attitude. “I am very proud of my team, very proud indeed, for all the effort they made, the way they believed and tried to impose themselves until the end.” “Playing this way will bring us closer to our goal, which is victory, regardless of the opponent. The way we played brought us closer to winning this game against a true giant. A spectacular team that deserves all the merits of having advanced to the next stage.”
The coach emphasized that, although the Rubro-Negro made decisive mistakes, the team demonstrated courage and competitive spirit against one of the most powerful teams in world football. He concluded by reaffirming the superiority of the opponent: “They got what they deserved to get through.”
Moves that defined the match
The Brazilian team conceded three goals in the first half — all from mistakes in their own half. Erick Pulgar scored an own goal in the fifth minute. Shortly after, Harry Kane extended the lead after a mistake by Arrascaeta. Gerson reduced the deficit for the Rubro-Negro with a great goal in the middle of the goal, still in the first half.
The Germans, however, extended their lead shortly after, with Goretzka, in the 40th minute, after Luiz Araújo tried to ‘zero’ the play. Jorginho, from the penalty spot, rekindled hope in the hearts of the fans, but, once again, it didn’t last long. The unforgivable Harry Kane took advantage of another mistake by Flamengo to end the match for the Europeans, who will face PSG in the next round.
