Spanish midfielder Saúl opens up about his lack of opportunities at Flamengo after returning to play 90 minutes and shining in a crucial Brazilian Serie A victory.
After a long period of inactivity and limited opportunities, midfielder Saúl reclaimed his spot in Flamengo‘s starting lineup, playing the full match in the 2-1 victory over Bragantino this Sunday (20) at the Maracanã. The opportunity came at a crucial moment for the Rubro-Negro, who solidified their lead in the Brazilian Serie A, and allowed the Spanish player to express his relief and accumulated frustration.
Saúl‘s performance not only contributed to the crucial three points but also marked his first 90-minute appearance since November of last year. The match was a stage for the No. 8 to demonstrate his commitment and reignite hopes of earning more playing time, following a challenging period marked by injuries and intense competition within the squad.
Saúl Speaks Out
Visibly emotional after the final whistle, Saúl didn’t hesitate to share his feelings about his time away from the pitch and his eagerness to once again be a key player. His words revealed the internal pressure and constant dedication in training, even in the face of limited opportunities.
“I was getting nervous. I tried to show people they could count on me. Ultimately, you always work and try to stay prepared for the coach to choose you, but… it’s complicated when you’re not playing. You start to think the coach doesn’t trust you much, and in the end, you just have to keep working. Today I had the opportunity to play. The team played a good match, a very serious match, and I think these three points are very, very, very good.”
Return to the Pitch and Competition
The last time Saúl had played for 90 minutes was in November of the previous year, in a derby against Fluminense. Since then, the Spanish player underwent recovery from heel surgery, performed after his participation in the Club World Cup with PSG. His return to matches only occurred in April of this year, but intense competition in the Rubro-Negro midfield and the need to regain match fitness limited his appearances.
This year, Saúl has accumulated 13 matches, with only three as a starter. However, the situation may change. The absence of key players like Evertton Araújo, who is recovering from injury, Erick Pulgar, and Lucas Paquetá, in addition to Jorginho‘s suspension for the next Libertadores match against Estudiantes (ARG), pave the way for the midfielder to gain more minutes under the command of Leonardo Jardim.
The Maracanã Pitch Condition
The condition of the Maracanã pitch, which has been criticized by Flamengo players in recent weeks, was also a topic in Saúl‘s post-match interview. However, the midfielder chose to steer clear of the subject, prioritizing the analysis of the important victory that isolated Flamengo at the top of the league table, now with 60 points, three ahead of Palmeiras.
“I don’t have to talk about the pitch, only about the team. I’m very happy with the game the team played. A very serious game against a team that works well, that makes you fight hard against them. And the team showed a very good attitude throughout the match.”
Rubro-Negro’s Next Steps
With the FIFA international break approaching, Saúl and his teammates will have a rest period before returning to their commitments. Flamengo will only return to the pitch on October 8, a Thursday evening, to face Santos at Vila Belmiro. The match, which kicks off at 7:30 PM BRT (Brasília time), will be another crucial step in the pursuit of the Brazilian Serie A title and a new opportunity for Saúl to definitively consolidate his return to the squad.
The expectation is that the performance against Bragantino will strengthen Saúl‘s position in the squad and offer coach Leonardo Jardim another quality option for the competitive midfield. The Spaniard’s dedication and performance will be closely observed, as Flamengo remains focused on their season objectives.
Equipe M360
