Filipe Luis Praises Cruz Azul | Intercontinental Cup

In the midst of an environment loaded with expectations and emotional contrast due to the elimination against Tigres, Cruz Azul arrives in Qatar to face a monumental challenge: measure strength against Flamengo in the Derby of the Americas for the Intercontinental Cup. The Machine landed in Doha after a grueling trip of almost a day with the determination to demonstrate that its project can compete against the giants of the continent.

And in the run-up to the duel, one of the unexpected protagonists has been the rival coach himself: Filipe Luis. The strategist, champion of absolutely everything in Brazil and South America, surprised with a deep x-ray on the identity of the celestial team. No understatements. No commitment speeches: he made it clear that Cruz Azul is, today, a rival that it knows, respects and takes very seriously..

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Filipe Luis’s praise for the Cruz Azul project

During his press conference, the former Atlético de Madrid full-back bluntly praised the celestial game model. “Cruz Azul is a very competitive and very well trained team. The Mexican league is highly contested and has great financial power. They have players with a lot of quality, physically strong, who They press aggressively and seek to be protagonists of the game”, he stated.

Filipe Luis praised Nicolás Larcamón and his work at Cruz Azul. (Getty Images)

For the red and black coach, what makes Nicolás Larcamón’s team dangerous is not only his football personality, but also his intensity to prevail in the game: “They try to steal the ball and attack as much as possible. We think about football the same way, so it’s going to be a very close game.”.

Far from superficial praise, Filipe delved into specific aspects: the defensive structure, high pressing and, especially, the dynamics of his midfield. “It is a team with clear ideas, that pushes hard and wants to propose. They have physical strength in individual duels and constant mobility of their midfielders, which makes it very difficult to take the ball away from them,” he explained.

The figure of Cruz Azul whom Filipe Luis praised above the rest

In a squad where names like José Paradela, Erik Lira, Ángel Sepúlveda and Gonzalo Piovi stand out, the Flamengo coach surprised by pointing out a punctual footballer as the great celestial differentiator. According to Filipe Luis, Lorenzo Faravelli is the piece that alters the balance of the party.

“I like to analyze the group, but If I choose one player in particular, it is Faravelli.“, he explained in the first instance. “Cruz Azul’s midfielders have a lot of quality and mobility, which is constantly offered, but Faravelli is a decisive player”, he later stated.

The mention is not minor: Faravelli already knows what it’s like to win an international final against Flamengo himselfwhen with Independiente del Valle he conquered the RSouth American Cup 2023 being a figure in duels, recoveries and dribbles. In Qatar, the Argentine once again crosses paths with a rival whom he already made suffer.

Nicolás Larcamón and Filipe Luis, two young projects on a great stage

The matchup not only pits two continental champions against each other. It also brings together two young coaches who have built reputations on clear ideas and conviction. Filipe Luis already has six titles as coach in just two years; Larcamón, at 41 years old, has a Concachampions in León in his showcase and has left his mark on each project where he has directed.

The Brazilian even revealed that he has direct references from the cement technician: “I have friends in common with Larcamón and they all spoke highly of him. He is an important coach in Mexico“Your team is very well worked, with identity, with a clear defense and very intense pressure.”