Diego Cavalieri

Fluminense have failed to convince supporters that they can challenge for the title this season.

This is despite a 4-0 thrashing of Tigres do Brasil in the latest match. This is largely down to the defeats suffered by the club at the start of 2016. Poor preseason was followed up with defeats against the likes of Volta Redonda. The club has since recovered and they have gone undefeated in the last three games. Conceding goals continues to be a problem for the team and the defence was exposed a lot in the 3-3 draw with Madureira.

Ahead of a big clash with Cruzeiro, the club’s goalkeeper Diego Cavaliericlaims that there should be a quick response from the team. A victory against such a top team will help build back the fragile confidence in the team. More importantly, the club face a run of three difficult fixtures in back-to-back weekends. The match against Cruzeiro will be followed by a game against Flamengo with Botafogo next in line.Cavalieri says that victories from these matches will give his team a peace of mind that they are searching for in the last few weeks. Cavalieri also laid the blame for conceding three goals in the game against Madureiraon the sending off of Ernani.

“There are three matches against big teams. The collection comes from the United States (in the preseason). We have to find as soon as possible. A winning streak will give greater peace of mind. You have to have a system that works. No use leaving exposed defender. Against Madureira, had difficulties even with one more. We have to get it right as soon as possible. When we had this organization, we do not score. We know that our team has quality in the finish. If we are not goals, we will be closer to the goal,” said Cavalieri.