Independiente del Valle’s president remains hopeful for a comeback against Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores, but admits apprehension over the possible absence of star striker Charli González for the decisive match.
Following the 2-0 defeat to Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals, the atmosphere at Independiente del Valle is still one of an open contest. The Ecuadorian club’s president, Franklin Tello, did not hide his disappointment with the result but emphasized that the team remains fully focused on seeking a comeback in the return leg, scheduled for next Thursday (17) at the Maracanã.
The executive took the opportunity to praise the Rio club’s historic dominance in the continental tournament. Despite the unfavorable situation, the Ecuadorian board is banking on the competitiveness shown in the first half of the first leg to try and surprise the Rubro-Negro on Brazilian soil.
Concern Over Top Scorer
The main point of concern for the Ecuadorian club is now the clinical condition of Charli González. The forward, who has scored seven goals and is the Libertadores‘ second-highest scorer, was substituted at halftime after feeling muscular pain. The center-forward’s departure was a turning point, as without their main attacking threat, the Ecuadorian team lost offensive power and stopped posing a threat to Flamengo’s defense.
“We are facing the current champions, who in recent years have reached four or five finals, winning three of them. Brazilian teams have a significant advantage in all editions. But it’s a shame what happened. The first half made us dream a little, but the series is not over. In Brazil, we will try to play a great game. Now we just hope that González will not be sidelined for the next match.”
Franklin Tello declared.
Optimism and Focus on the Maracanã
In addition to the president, defender Mateo Carabajal adopted a resilient tone, admitting that specific errors cost the team dearly, such as the counter-attack that led to the first goal and the lapse in concentration on a set piece. The defender believes that, although the task in Rio de Janeiro is complex, the group is united to deliver a superior performance in the final match.
For the M360 Team, the scenario is extremely favorable for Flamengo. The Rubro-Negro enters the field with the advantage of being able to lose by up to one goal to secure qualification for the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the clash between Corinthians and Estudiantes. The decisive match kicks off at 9:30 PM (Brasília time).
M360 Team
