Flamengo defeated Independiente del Valle 2-0 in the first leg of the Libertadores quarter-finals, getting closer to qualification for the competition's semi-finals. The Brazilian team played in Quito, Ecuador, and achieved a positive result away from home.
Coach Leonardo Jardim defined the victory as an important step, but not decisive in the knockout tie. In the post-match press conference, he explained that the team had difficulties in the first part of the game, citing the altitude, the ball speed, and mainly the opponent's dynamics as complicating factors.
Jardim recalled that Flamengo had not won or drawn in Ecuador since 2020, losing twice during that period. He stated that the plan for the second half was to exploit the opponent's reduced intensity, which indeed happened, allowing the team to be superior and score both goals deservedly.
The coach also expressed concern about the physical aspect of the squad. The team made a direct trip from Belém, where they had just beaten Remo, to Quito for the match against Independiente del Valle, which may have affected the players' performance.