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Flamengo's Vanderlei Luxemburgo Urges Ronaldinho To Show His True Colours
The 59-year-old coach says it is crucial that the gifted attacker shows his best form once again and admits that the former Barca star needs to be on the pitch
19-Nov-2011 6:58:00 AM
By Luis Mira
Flamengo coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo has urged Ronaldinho to rise back to form in the final matches of the Brazilian league.
The former Barcelona attacker has come under criticism following some lacklustre showings in recent matches, and he has not scored a goal in almost two months.
Luxemburgo claims he is in the dark over the reasons for Ronaldinho's dip in form as the season reaches its closing stages.
"Taking Ronaldinho off is something normal, I have done the same with other players," he told Globoesporte. "The thing is that I need to keep Ronaldinho on the field.
"He was signed to be the star, the main reference. Taking Ronaldinho off is easy, but he needs to be on the field and feel the fans demanding things from him.
"I put him on [against Figueirense] because he could decide the match in a set-piece, in an individual play.
"We need the best Ronaldinho, the player who can make the difference for us."
Flamengo are fifth in the league, eight points off the top of the table, with just three matches remaining.
The former Barcelona attacker has come under criticism following some lacklustre showings in recent matches, and he has not scored a goal in almost two months.
Luxemburgo claims he is in the dark over the reasons for Ronaldinho's dip in form as the season reaches its closing stages.
"Taking Ronaldinho off is something normal, I have done the same with other players," he told Globoesporte. "The thing is that I need to keep Ronaldinho on the field.
"He was signed to be the star, the main reference. Taking Ronaldinho off is easy, but he needs to be on the field and feel the fans demanding things from him.
"I put him on [against Figueirense] because he could decide the match in a set-piece, in an individual play.
"We need the best Ronaldinho, the player who can make the difference for us."
Flamengo are fifth in the league, eight points off the top of the table, with just three matches remaining.
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