Midfielder Lucas Paquetá detailed the new playing philosophy implemented by coach Leonardo Jardim at Flamengo, focusing on aggressiveness and verticality for the decisive match against Independiente del Valle in the Libertadores.
The quest for eternal glory in the Copa Libertadores enters a decisive chapter for Flamengo this Thursday (10). In preparation for the clash against Independiente del Valle at the Estádio Olímpico Atahualpa, the Flamengo squad revealed that the team is ready to adopt a more aggressive approach. According to midfielder Lucas Paquetá, the new coaching staff’s main goal is to make the team more direct and lethal.
Under Leonardo Jardim‘s command, Mengão aims to balance the solidity of a multi-champion squad with the introduction of modern concepts of rapid transitions. The expectation is that the Rio de Janeiro-based team will maintain possession, but with a goal-oriented mentality at all times, abandoning slowness in favor of more incisive plays.
Change in Mentality Under Jardim’s Command
The adaptation to Leonardo Jardim‘s work has been gradual and positive. Paquetá emphasized that the Portuguese coach showed the sensitivity to preserve the club’s winning core while implementing necessary tactical adjustments.
Paquetá stated, in an interview with the official Libertadores channels:
A recurring demand is for more vertical play: recovering possession and seeking the goal with objectivity at all times. This pursuit of direct attack is a very evident hallmark of the new methodology.
Defensive midfielder Jorginho corroborated the discourse, highlighting the squad’s unity:
The group is excellent, extremely united, and focused on the same objective, which is the collective success. Each athlete plays their part, seeking to evolve.
Numbers and Expectations for the Libertadores
Leonardo Jardim‘s track record at the helm of Flamengo is one of the points that brings confidence to the fans. In 33 matches, the coach has accumulated 21 wins, eight draws, and only four losses, with 63 goals scored. This solid performance serves as a foundation for the first leg of the quarterfinals, which will be broadcast on ESPN and the Disney+ platform.
The match in Quito, scheduled for 9:30 PM (Brasília time), is the first step toward advancing to the semifinals, where the winner will face the victor of the clash between Estudiantes and Corinthians. With constant tactical evolution, the coverage closely follows the developments of this decisive match, which could put Mais Querido one step closer to the continental trophy.
Equipe M360
