Midfielder Saúl Ñíguez provided a moment of technical brilliance at Ninho do Urubu, pulling off a classic Mesut Özil move during Friday’s practice session.
Flamengo‘s preparations for the final stretch of the season took an entertaining turn this Friday (August 2). During a training session defined by high intensity and good spirits, Spanish recruit Saúl Ñíguez grabbed the attention of the coaching staff and his teammates by replicating a move immortalized by German playmaker Mesut Özil.
The move, known globally as a bounce shot, involves striking the ball downward so that it gains height after hitting the ground, effectively lobbing the goalkeeper. Saúl‘s precise execution against Andrew served as a statement of the technical quality the player aims to bring to Brazilian football, showcasing his comfort on the ball and natural flair.
Technique on display at Ninho do Urubu
Before his finish against the keeper, Saúl had already shown off his repertoire by pulling off a chip over Joaquín Freitas during a one-on-one drill. The string of flashy plays did not go unnoticed by the rest of the Rubro-Negro squad, who celebrated the Spaniard’s creativity.
“The precision in Saúl‘s left foot confirms that the player is fully integrated into the tactical dynamics planned by the coaching staff for this decisive moment of the year,” noted the M360 Team.
Social media and humor
The player used his social media accounts to share footage from the training session. True to his lighthearted style, Saúl accompanied the video with quirky soundtracks, continuing his habit of posting musical parodies that have generated plenty of engagement and banter within the locker room. Despite the humor, the athlete stated he plans to reduce his posting frequency, focusing his energy entirely on the upcoming challenges Mengão faces.
Back to the schedule
The light atmosphere at training is viewed internally as a positive sign for maintaining Flamengo‘s focus. With the FIFA international break scheduled to end on October 6, the squad is now turning its attention to the clash against Santos.
The match, valid for the 29th round of the Brazilian Serie A, will be played on October 8 at the Vila Belmiro at 7:30 PM (Brasília time). The game is considered strategic for the club’s position in the standings, where every point is vital in the race for the national title.
