Unlike what is expected from Fernando Diniz, the Fluminense coach praised the defensive performance adopted by the team in the Libertadores
After a phase of instability, the Fluminense won again this season, in an important game valid for the fourth round of the Libertadores. After the difficult game, away from home against Colo Colothe coach Fernando Diniz explained the different strategy than usual, which was not having possession of the ball, and praised the defender Manuelscorer of the goal in the match.
“It’s a prize for Fluminense and for Manoel. You know little about the players’ intimacy. He is one of the great professionals I have worked with in my life. It is very deserved. A guy who honors his profession. He trains with a hurting knee, we almost have to take him off the field. Manoel spent practically a year without playing football. We are faced with an example”, stated the coach on the occasion.
We played really bad and still got the 3 points, THIS IS TRADITION OK? FLUMINENSE FOOTBALL CLUB KNOWS HOW TO PLAY LIKE THE LIBERTADORES COP. pic.twitter.com/IL00iQbecx
— caiozin ᶠᶠᶜ (@caiozxn10) May 10, 2024
Furthermore, Fernando Diniz also explained that he expected not to dominate possession of the ball in the confrontation against the Chileans, so he set up a defensive wall to block mid-range shots, a strong foundation of the opponent. He even had time to poke at the press by citing his good performance in set pieces.
“Excellent defensive performance. He knew he wouldn’t have control of possession, he knew how to play the game and control the game. He knew how to adapt and played well in a different way than we are used to seeing. Despite him having less possession, (Colo-Colo’s) scoring chances were few. […] Technically, the team didn’t play a good match, but, if you analyze the defensive aspect, which you criticize at times, aerial balls, dead balls, they did well. The main thing in the strategy was not to concede a goal and to dedicate as much effort as possible to marking. We knew how to play another type of game. In defensive performance, we did very well”, he concluded in a press conference.
Now, Tricolor has accumulated eight points in the first phase and is the leader of its group so far, with its opponents being four ahead. Following the season, the team focuses on the Brasileirão, as it faces the São Pauloaway from home, in the next match, in a match valid for the Brasileirão.
Source: sportbuzz
I am William Jackson and I have a passion for sports journalism. With over 3 years of experience in the industry, I have worked in a variety of roles to improve the quality and accuracy of sports news coverage. As an author at Athletistic, I specialize in covering football news and providing comprehensive analysis for fans around the world.
