SESC RJ FLAMENGO STARTS THE SUPERLIGA PLAYOFFS AGAINST BARUERI

A new competition begins for Sesc RJ Flamengo this Wednesday (27.03). Leader of the qualifying phase of the Women's Super League, coach Bernardinho's team faces Barueri, at 6:30 pm, away from home, in the first match of the best-of-three quarter-final series. SporTV2 broadcasts live.

The red and black team knows the dangers of their opponent, who gave them trouble in the quarterfinals of the Copa Brasil and in the first round of the Superliga. Therefore, they want to impose an aggressive pace to return to Rio de Janeiro with the advantage in the confrontation.

"It will be a difficult game, because Barueri will play without any responsibility and that is a reason to be very alert. It's a very well-trained team, tall and that plays with a lot of speed, when they have the pass in their hands. We have to impose our serve and put pressure on them in our counterattack. We know that the responsibility is all ours. We fought hard to finish the qualifying phase first and we can't go in with our guard down, especially at their home", analyzed central Valquíria, the third best striker in the Superliga, with 54% efficiency.

The player celebrates her return the consistency of Sesc RJ Flamengo, which comes from four consecutive victories in the competition and arrives with morale in search of another positive result. She remembers that the difference lies in the strength of the team.

"We went through a moment of instability, but we rolled up our sleeves. Teamwork prevails here. We came together and came out more united after two consecutive defeats, for Osasco and Praia Clube, and we adjusted what was necessary. As a result, we played a great game against Minas and achieved a good run to finish the first phase well and start the playoffs", added Valquíria.

The second match of the quarterfinals between Sesc RJ Flamengo and Barueri will be played on Saturday (30.03), at 7pm, at Tijuca Tênis Clube. If necessary, game 3 will take place on April 3, at 6 pm, at Maracanãzinho.

Sesc RJ Flamengo is the biggest champion of the Women's Superliga, with 12 cups. Under Bernardinho's command, the team reached the top of the podium in the national competition in the 1997/1998 and 1999/2000 seasons (both in Curitiba), 2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2008/2009, 2010/2011 , 2012/2013, 2013/2014, 2014/2015, 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 (in Rio de Janeiro). The competition brings together 12 teams, who face each other in round and round matches before the playoffs. The final will take place in April.