Renato frustrated after Fluminense victory: ‘You guys need to study’

Fluminense defeated Fortaleza 2-1 on Saturday (16) and moved closer to the top 6 in the Brazilian Championship. Despite the positive sequence of results, Renato Gaúcho became irritated during the interview at Maracanã when asked about some of the decisions made for the match. After addressing the boos for Lima, who came on in the second half, and the limited minutes for John Kennedy, among other topics, the coach responded to a question about the absence of Santi Moreno, who has not yet been included to make his debut for Fluminense. ‘You guys need to study a bit more, with all due respect. He has been inactive for a week, doesn’t even know his teammates… It’s the same with Lucho Acosta… Because soon I’ll start playing these guys without them being prepared, and people will say they’re not good players. So, the guy has been out for a week… how can I field him? He needs to train, regain fitness, adapt… So that I don’t put him in the arena and hand him over to the lions,’ Renato Gaúcho stated. ‘Likewise for Lucho. I didn’t play him for that reason. He was over there in the United States. The rhythm there is completely different, they play once a week. My job is to prepare the player. Look at how much Arias suffered, he suffered for a year. Just because he’s registered doesn’t mean he has to play. If I put him in the game, he gets injured and the responsible party is the coach. I don’t have to spoon-feed everything to you (journalists). Why don’t you inform yourselves? You also need to help me a little bit,’ he concluded. The situation in Serie A The win takes Fluminense to 27 points, closing in on the top 6 in the Brasileirão. Fortaleza, with 15 points, remains in the relegation zone. Check out the Serie A table and standings! In the 21st round, Renato Gaúcho’s team visits Bragantino in São Paulo on Saturday (23). Renato Paiva’s team hosts Mirassol in Fortaleza next Sunday (24). On Tuesday (19), Fluminense hosts América de Cali for the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 16. The Tricolor are ahead after winning in Colombia 2-1. Fortaleza faces Vélez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on the same night. In the first leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16, the teams drew 0-0 at Castelão. Below are more responses from Renato Gaúcho, Fluminense’s coach: Choice of Lima over Lucho Acosta ‘Lima is a player from the Fluminense squad, he’s been playing and coming on, has been helping us a lot. The game was very physical, unfortunately, we conceded that goal. I was also going to bring in Lucho (Acosta), who is still getting to know the group, the teammates, the characteristics. He still needs some time to adapt. I’m slowly integrating him. But today the game was very physical, he might have needed a bit more rhythm. We were already losing the midfield to Fortaleza so I decided to bring on Lima, who is a player with match fitness.’ John Kennedy’s limited minutes ‘John Kennedy is also part of the Fluminense squad. Everaldo has been playing alongside Cano, both have been scoring goals. I’ve been talking to Kennedy. But it’s difficult. Every time, the games are tight. Today, the preference for Everaldo was also due to his aerial ability. He is tall, helps a lot both in attack and defense. I would like to give him more chances, but it has to be at the right time. I have five substitutions and often prefer to wait a bit to see how the game is unfolding. Every game has been tough. I can’t make more than five substitutions, but he is a player I fully trust.’ PH Ganso’s moment ‘I don’t think of him as a starter or as a second-half substitute. He is part of the squad. He is a genius, but games vary. I change quite a bit. Depending on the opponent, on what we need. He was playing well, but I had to make a substitution because we were losing the midfield. Ganso comes in every time I need him, starts the game, he is essential for us. A team player. I have been rotating, resting some players due to fatigue. Every player I put in has done their job. I don’t have a team, I have a squad.’ Chances for Davi Schuindt ‘A player I have been monitoring, shaping during training. Since I arrived at Fluminense, I’ve seen potential in him. When I put him in against Bahia, I gave him advice and told him to play calm. He was rusty and did well. Today, he came on, played, played well, and helped us. I tell them they have to be prepared. Train hard to play hard. I put him in without any fear. Fluminense gained two more players.