Soccer

Léo Ortiz says he studies volance so he doesn't make mistakes on the field: "I take videos to analyze"

In Flamengo's last 12 games, Ortiz played in nine as a midfielder

13 Set 2024 | 09:40 |

Bruno Henrique's attack from deep and the perfect pass for Arrascaeta to score were fundamental in Flamengo's 1-0 victory over Bahia, which qualified the Cariocas to the semi-finals of the Copa do Brasil. But it is impossible to talk about the move and the triumph without mentioning Léo Ortiz, the intellectual author of the move and a great highlight of the game.

- In fact, I was looking for Arrasca throughout the game, at every moment there between the lines. I know he likes to play a lot in that role there, we know how much he makes opponents difficult in that position on the field. I tried to look for her, then she responded, and we know that now we have another man there, with another characteristic, said Ortiz, who continued...

- Pedro is already a more retention player, who holds the ball, and we know Bruno is a guy who always tries to attack space. As soon as she hit, I passed forward, looking for depth. Of course, we also have to value Bruno's movement, who had been looking for this throughout the game. Sometimes you can't think too much, but it's more about getting the idea of what the attacker likes to do - explained the number 3.

Study and repetition are fundamental in adaptation

Léo Ortiz doesn't hide from anyone that he prefers to play in his original position, that of defender. He has said this in interviews, but he has definitely never refused to play as a midfielder. The biggest proof of this is that in Flamengo's last 12 games, the number 3 played in 11, nine of them as a midfielder. In this cut, he even started as a defender against Bragantino, but during the match he ended up being advanced. In other words, the word "improvisation" no longer applies when it comes to playing outside the defense.

- I can't really call it improvisation, I've been doing this role many times. I'm not sure about the data, but I believe I've played more as a midfielder than as a defender since I arrived. I think I'm already getting used to the role. Of course, I maintain my original role, which is defender, but today I'm more adapted there, finding more spaces and managing to develop my game the way I like it and the way the team needs it too.

Despite preference for the defense, the "frila" in the "volância", as he himself refers to the role he has been performing, is the certainty of more opportunities during the games.

- It presents me with more opportunities, right? ? I think we have a very good competition there in the defense, in the "volance" too, obviously. But this opportunity arose mainly in the Copa América. I believe that I have been improving and growing in relation to this. I think that with each game, each training session and each moment I have to reflect on what I did in the game and in past games. What I got right and what I got wrong to adapt and grow my game, because, despite having played this role at the base, I'm still reinventing myself and returning to some behaviors I had there as a midfielder. Adapting again to what has been asked by Professor Tite. And I believe I have everything to grow even more.

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Soccer

Flamengo faces difficulties due to Taty Castellanos and the newspaper explains

Mengão is looking to sign a striker and the Argentine is high on the club's priority list, but the Italians are playing hardball.

Taty Castellanos is on Flamengo's priority list for signing a center forward - Photo: Reproduction/Lazio

13 Ago 2025 | 10:45 |

Flamengo continues to monitor the situation of Lazio (ITA) striker Taty Castellanos . After failing to make progress in negotiations for Mehdi Taremi and Lucas Beltrán, the club is once again targeting the Argentine, despite facing resistance from the Italian club. According to Corriere dello Sport, Flamengo "would be ready" to present a new offer for Castellanos . The first attempt was made in July, but was promptly rejected by Lazio, which maintains its stance of not negotiating with him.

TRANSFER BAN MAKES BUSINESS DIFFICULT

The impasse is directly linked to the punishment suffered by Lazio , which received a transfer ban for failing to comply with Italian football's financial requirements . As a result, the club is prohibited from registering new players until September, which prevents replacements in the event of departures.

Castellanos, who played 40 games last season and 46 the previous season, is considered an important player in the squad. That's why president Claudio Lotito promised coach Maurizio Sarri that there would be no more losses in the squad , a promise reinforced by sporting director Angelo Fabiani: " I shook the coach's hand twice ," he told the Italian newspaper.

PLAYER ATTITUDE

According to the publication, Lazio evaluated Castellanos' behavior during a trip to England for a friendly against Burnley. The striker came on for the final 30 minutes, maintained a calm demeanor, and expressed no desire to leave the club , which strengthened the board's confidence in his continued presence.

SEARCH FOR A CENTER FORWARD DIFFERENT FROM PEDRO

Flamengo is looking for a center forward with different characteristics than Pedro in the market. The goal is to find a more mobile player capable of offering new attacking options. Therefore, names like Taremi, Beltrán, and Castellanos have been on the radar—without success so far.

While working behind the scenes, Rubro-Negro is preparing to face Internacional this Wednesday (13) , at Maracanã, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), for the first leg of the round of 16 of the Libertadores. The return leg is scheduled for next week.

Léo Ortiz says he studies volance so he doesn't make mistakes on the field: "I take videos to analyze"