RIO DE JANEIRO, March 26 -- Flamengo midfielder Diego has bemoaned the poor state of the Maracana stadium playing surface as the Rio de Janeiro giants prepare for their Carioca championship semifinal against Botafogo.
Wednesday's clash will be just the fourth time the stadium has been used for football this year amid a series of pop concerts at the home of the 2017 World Cup final.
"It's always fantastic to play at the Maracana. It's great to come back despite the terrible conditions of the pitch," Diego told reporters.
"It's unbelievable. But that [the pitch] has never been and never will be an excuse. We are going to go out there and do what we have to do," the former Atletico Madrid player added.
Flamengo's only appearance at the venue this year was a goalless draw against Vasco da Gama in January.
Fluminense and Vasco da Gama will meet in the other semifinal at the Maracana on Thursday with the winners of each match to dispute the Carioca championship final over two legs on April 1 and 8.
【体坛英语资讯:Maracana pitch terrible, says former Brazil midfielder Diego】相关文章:
★ 体坛英语资讯:Female Yao a head above the rest
★ 体坛英语资讯:Messi and Umtiti close to fitness for vital forthcoming games
★ 体坛英语资讯:Kenyans dominate track events in Osaka
★ 体坛英语资讯:Beijing preparing for ATP 500 Series tour in 2009
★ 体坛英语资讯:Five-time All-Star Chris Webber retires from NBA
★ 体坛英语资讯:Brazil midfielder Lucas Lima warms to China move
★ 体坛英语资讯:Bayern closer to title, Leverkusen tie
★ 体坛英语资讯:Bielsa comes back to take charge of Chile
★ 体坛英语资讯:Federer, Jankovic reach second round of French Open
★ 体坛英语资讯:Chang breaks with Peng but still wants to help China
最新
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15