Flamengo coach blasts Benfica member: “Cowards run away”

When analyzing the team's performance, the coach stated that the result was a consequence of the stance adopted by the Brazilian team.

"Flamengo is used to playing to win. It was important to combine what we intended to work on with the sporting result. The first objective was to train our concepts and our ideas, but you know Flamengo. We don't want to win with everyone behind the ball line, kicking forward and waiting for something to happen. We want to win within our game proposal", he declared.

According to him, the score was fair due to the production of both teams.

"Rossi made two saves, while the opposing goalkeeper worked much harder. I think the result was extremely fair given what the teams presented. I also want to wish Benfica luck in the next Europa League game", he added.

The coach also highlighted the significant presence of red and black fans in the stands. Before the match, he spoke with the president of Benfica, Rui Costa, about the mobilization of Brazilian fans in Portugal.

"He highlighted Flamengo's ability to bring together people, especially immigrants who live and work in Portugal. Some were on vacation, for sure, but the majority are here working. It was a great satisfaction to provide them with this victory", he stated.

The coach also said that the support of the fans made the result more special.

"We were very grateful that these people came, bought tickets, some of them not cheap, just to see their idols and the club on the field. We managed to end the night on a happy note", he added.

When asked about the confusion in the first half, the coach stated that it was provoked by a member of the Benfica committee.

"I'm a very calm and respectful person. Often, in football, they even criticize me for this stance. But I don't admit anyone disrespecting me or invading my bench to verbally attack me, especially when I hadn't said anything", he said.

He said he tried to approach the man to respond, but the Portuguese team member moved away.

"I was watching the game, doing my job and trying to make the best decisions. I wanted to get closer to respond, but cowards run away. He did what he did and then left. Other people intervened, and I asked them not to hold me, because I don't like being grabbed. Only my wife and my son can do that", he declared.

Despite the friction, the coach said he maintained a good relationship with other Benfica professionals.

"I'm friends with some people there. Marco Silva has been a friend of mine for many years, as has Ricardo Rocha. They are football people and understood the situation. I don’t even know who that other individual is,” he said.

Prestianni's entry was also discussed in the interview. The Argentine player had been punished by UEFA for discriminatory conduct against Vinicius Júnior, revealed by Flamengo.

According to the coach, the athlete's presence increased the emotional involvement of the red and black players.

"His entry affected the emotional side of our team because of what recently happened with a Brazilian player. At halftime, I spoke to the athletes and asked us to play our football", he stated.

The coach highlighted that Flamengo does not agree with the episode involving Prestianni, but that the match should continue within a sporting nature.

"We don't support what happened, but we were there to face Benfica, allow both teams to train well and seek a worthy victory. In the second half, we managed to calm down a little", he explained.

He once again criticized the member of the Portuguese commission involved in the fight.

"It was a rude and ill-formed person who approached to verbally attack another person. I'm not half-hearted. I wanted to get close to talk, but he approached quickly and ran away even faster. Maybe it was because of my face, which isn't very pretty", he joked.

The coach also commented on the dispute for the Portuguese Championship title. For him, Benfica, Porto and Sporting should be the protagonists of the fight, with Braga running on the outside.

"It will be a fight between three teams, with my Sporting de Braga always on the lookout. I hope it will be a good championship. There was a change of champion, with Porto winning the title, and I hope that this competitiveness provides excitement for the fans, but without controversy, because football doesn't need that", he stated.

Asked about Jorge Jesus' arrival in the Portuguese team, the coach praised the choice.

"I'm happy for him to take over the national team. Portugal having a Portuguese coach again was something that always bothered me. We have competent coaches spread across the world, and this choice is important to value the work done in training coaches and give confidence to young people who are starting out", he said.

Finally, the red-and-black commander gave a positive assessment of Flamengo's preparation in Portugal.

"The group dedicated a lot to their work. When we stay together and train daily, we always manage to improve some aspects. We took advantage of the three games to grow, gain rhythm and arrive prepared for the second half", he assessed.

According to the coach, the friendlies presented different scenarios and helped the team to evolve.

"There were matches in which we had more possession, others more balanced and some with more transitions. We went through varied situations, and this is important because a game has many moments throughout the 90 minutes. I am satisfied, mainly, with the team's behavior and attitude", he concluded.

Prestianni's entry generates tension and arguments in Benfica x Flamengo

Gianluca Prestianni was booed by red and black fans, suffered harsh tackles and provoked an argument between the technical committees during the friendly played in Portugal.