Coach Renato Gaúcho again showed great satisfaction with Fluminense’s behavior, this time in the 2-1 win over Al Hilal. The result, obtained on Friday (4), classified the Rio team to the semifinal of the Club World Cup.
For the coach, his cast managed to counteract an opponent who described as “very difficult to be very organized” and morally after eliminating Manchester City in the round of 16, with a 4-3 win in extension.
“It’s not any team that goes through Manchester City, scoring four goals. We knew we would face a very strong and organized team,” said Renato.
“Most important of all was that I prepared my team, I tried to neutralize the main moves of the opponent, especially the air ball and counterattack. Most of the time, we controlled the game. And we knew how to suffer in the end.”
The commander intends to start this Saturday (5) the preparation of his team for the tournament sequence. In the semifinal, Fluminense will have important casualties: defender Freytes and midfielder Martinelli will meet suspension, and right -back Samuel Xavier is injured. Renato, however, used the absences to show a demonstration of confidence in his squad.
“Don’t worry, no. I have a group. I trust them all. When a player comes in, he gives his best. Who is out and goes on with the same delivery, continues to help. The soccer player has to train hard to play hard. At any time, he is prepared,” he said.
Once again humorous in the interview after the game, as was after the triumph over Inter Milan in the round of 16, the coach joked with the singing of President Mário Bittencourt, who usually played guitar after the club’s wins, and highlighted the good mood in the locker room.
“From time to time, we have to listen to the president singing. His repertoire is very good, and we have to hold him singing. It was like that after the game against Inter, we had to listen to him for four hours. We just don’t pay him artistic cover,” said Renato.
