Berrío shares 2019 Inter secrets, tips Flamengo, dreads final: "I'd switch off the TV" | OneFootball

Orlando Berrío was on the field in both matches against Internacional, in the 2019 Libertadores

By: Pedro Paulo Catonho and Rodrigo Lima

The two games between Flamengo and Internacional, in the quarterfinals of the Libertadores in 2019, are still fresh in the memory of the Flamengo fan. The same goes for those who were on the field at the time. For this reason, Coluna do Fla had an exclusive chat with Orlando Berrío, the forward who came on in the second half at both Maracanã and Beira-Rio, to recall the ‘decider’ six years ago and look ahead to the round of 16 clashes in 2025.

Berrío hopes that Flamengo will put pressure on Internacional from the very first minutes, to get a result at Maracanã this Wednesday (13th), starting at 9:30 pm (Brasília time). Just like in 2019, Mengão opens the series at home and decides it in Porto Alegre, on the 20th.

WHAT DID BERRÍO SAY TO COLUNA DO FLA?

— Flamengo's attitude when playing at home must always be to go after the opponent. You have to make any team that comes to Maracanã feel the pressure. Maracanã is Flamengo's home. So the attitude can't be any different, except to always win. (In 2019) Jorge Jesus didn’t change the strategy just because we played the first leg at home — said Berrío, to Coluna do Fla.

— His only idea was to make Flamengo play to win. Flamengo has to go for the result on any field, and even more so at home. The memories of those games are the best. That’s because Internacional was very tough, but we showed on the field that we wanted to be champions. So, in both games, we were superior to Internacional — added the Colombian.

COULD CARRASCAL AND BRUNO HENRIQUE BE THE SOLUTIONS?

In 2019, Bruno Henrique decided the matches. In the first leg at Maracanã, the number 27 scored twice in a game that ended 2-0. In the return leg, the forward assisted Gabriel Barbosa in the 1-1 draw, a match that became iconic thanks to Galvão Bueno’s commentary: “Gabigol is asking for it, Gabigol is asking for it.” Berrío believes BH27 could be ‘the guy’ again. In addition, the former Mengão player spoke about the possibility of his fellow countryman Jorge Carrascal making his debut with the Sacred Mantle.

— For me, Bruno Henrique is a very important player who adds a lot to the Flamengo team. He is a very decisive guy. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, whenever he’s on the field, he will help the team a lot. I really trust Bruno Henrique’s ability — said Berrío, before talking about Carrascal:

— This decision about Carrascal is very much up to Filipe Luís. I know and am very familiar with Carrascal’s qualities. He is a player who is ready. He’s already shown that with the national team (Colombia). Carrascal is used to big games and if Filipe Luís chooses him to play in Arrascaeta’s position, in my opinion, he’ll get the job done, because he has a lot of quality — he pointed out.

WHICH LIBERTADORES FINAL WOULD MAKE BERRÍO TURN OFF THE TV?

Berrío’s résumé is enviable, with two Libertadores trophies. The first was in 2016, with Atlético Nacional (COL), when the forward made club history by scoring the goal that secured a spot in the semifinals in the 49th minute of the second half, against Rosario Central (ARG). After the goal, the forward provoked and ‘got into a fight’ with opponents, a scene that even became a tattoo for some fans.

However, Berrío’s heart is divided after a memorable spell at Flamengo, which lasted from 2017 to 2020. Asked about the possibility of Mengão facing Atlético Nacional in the 2025 Libertadores final, the Colombian joked about what he would do if both teams made it to the final: he’d turn off the TV.

— If that final happens, I don’t think I’ll watch it. My heart wouldn’t be able to take it (laughs). If it happens, I’ll turn off the TV and won’t want to know about the game. They’re two teams for which I have a lot of gratitude and affection. I’m a fan of both Flamengo and Atlético Nacional — Berrío concluded. The Colombian team plays this Tuesday (12th), against São Paulo, at home.

WHERE IS BERRÍO NOW?

Currently 34 years old, Orlando Berrío is still active. After leaving Flamengo in 2020, the forward played for América-MG, Rionegro Águilas (COL), Qingdao West Coast (CHN) and, since last year, has been at Tacuary (PAR). Despite the continuation of his career, the Colombian still closely follows Flamengo and even attended Rubro-Negro’s matches in the United States at the last Club World Cup.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.