Filipe Luís reveals that Plata would be a starter and that Bruno Henrique needed oxygen

Flamengo did not win, but they also did not lose the key game they had against LDU on Tuesday night, in the Libertadores. A defeat would leave the team in a delicate situation and four points behind the Ecuadorians, but the 0-0 draw kept the Rubro-Negro in good condition in the group.

In a press conference after the match, coach Filipe Luís revealed that Bruno Henrique had to use oxygen cylinders and valued the point won at an altitude of 2,850m in Quito.

Only Bruno asked for oxygen assistance, but everyone feels it"

"It's always very difficult to play at the altitude in Quito. I've been thrashed and won here, it's complicated. The whole context is different. The ball moves faster, the ball gets away from you. Sometimes you're used to passing the ball forward and it goes away. We opted for a plan of shorter passes. We know that the opponent also gets tired, even though they're already acclimatized here. We wanted to make them run after the ball, so they don't have the volume they have at home. I've watched a lot of games and the volume they have at home is impressive. Teams that have played here with a line of five, they push you into the area, they have shots from outside, rebounds, Arce is very powerful in the air... They push you and you can't get out."

— "Only Bruno asked for oxygen, but everyone feels it. I looked at last year's data and saw who suffered the least. Gerson had the most important defensive role, as he was in charge of pressing and helping Wesley. He did it incredibly well. Then, with the ball at his feet, he didn't lose the ball. He was the one who had to sacrifice himself physically. Evertton (Araújo) and Erick (Pulgar) were impressive. (Pulgar) made almost no mistakes, covered the field, and blocked a lot of dangerous balls. No one starts by chance. I was very happy with his performance, and with Ayrton (Lucas). They are players who need to feel comfortable on the field."

PLATA WOULD BE TITULAR

Asked about Plata, who was cut from the game after feeling pain in his left knee , Filipe Luís said that the Ecuadorian striker would have been a starter , if it weren't for the absence last time:

— Yes, he would be a starter. I told him after the game against Vasco. He is a very important and special player for me. He has the qualities and characteristics that I like. He knows how to attack space and link up with his teammates. Unfortunately, he felt a little pain in his knee, and we will have to wait for the tests to see what happened. As a coach, I am sad not to use him. But he felt it even more, he wanted to play at home, in his country. I know he was very upset because he couldn't play. But he knows he is very important to me and to the team.

HOW DID THE GROUP TURN OUT?

With the draw, Flamengo moved to four points and remains in third place in Group C , but remained one point behind LDU, now on five. Central Córdoba, from Argentina, also has four and can go to seven if they beat Deportivo Táchira, from Venezuela, on Thursday.