Jardim explains preference for natural grass after derby on artificial Nilton Santos pitch
Leonardo Jardim said he prefers natural grass to a good artificial surface after the 4-1 win over Vasco on Thursday (29) and warned the synthetic pitch takes a heavier toll on wear and recovery. The result took Flamengo to 73 points, three clear of Palmeiras.
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Depois do 4 a 1 sobre o Vasco, na quinta-feira (29), o estádio escolhido para o clássico continuou na pauta. Leonardo Jardim falou sobre o piso sintético do Nilton Santos e sobre o que pensa desse tipo de gramado.
A preferência dele é clara: grama natural, contanto que esteja em boas condições. "Eu falo que prefiro um bom gramado natural do que um bom gramado sintético", disse, na coletiva após a partida.
"Claro que, se o gramado for ruim, eu prefiro o sintético, mas o sintético tem um impacto muito grande em termos de desgaste e recuperação. Agora, o Vasco vai ter uma dificuldade maior para recuperar pro próximo jogo. O impacto em termos físicos é muito maior do que no gramado natural", completou.
A discussão vinha de antes da bola rolar. O Vasco, dono do mando, optou pelo estádio do Botafogo em meio à queda de braço pelo Maracanã; naquele momento, Jardim preferiu não contestar o adversário e disse que o Flamengo trataria de se preparar.
No jogo, Pedro e Samuel Lino balançaram a rede duas vezes cada. O placar levou o rubro-negro a 73 pontos, três a mais que o Palmeiras — ainda assim, o treinador afastou qualquer ideia de título assegurado e pediu atenção ao que vem pela frente.
A parte física virou prioridade na conversa. Arrascaeta pediu para sair por cansaço, e Jardim destacou que os próximos dias serão decisivos para recuperar o grupo, já de olho no Grêmio.
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