Rodinei hails 'role reversal' that led to Flamengo's Libertadores winner | OneFootball

Flamengo full-back Rodinei heralded his connection with Éverton Ribeiro that helped create the matchwinning goal in Saturday’s Copa Libertadores success over Athletico Paranaense.

An effective wall pass down the right flank afforded the opportunity for Ribeiro to whip a low cross to the far post for Gabriel Barbosa to finish in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time.

It proved the only goal as 10-man Athletico, who had Pedro Henrique sent off just beforehand, were unable to conjure an equaliser at the Estadio Monumental in Ecuador.

“I was playing with Éverton Ribeiro, I run and he thinks. Today he ran and I thought. I gave the ball to him, who managed to give this beautiful pass to Gabi,” Rodinei said, via UOL.

“A lot of time playing together, thank God we were able to crown this chemistry, make the table and help in the goal and in the third championship.”

The Libertadores triumph marked a stunning reversal of fortunes for Rodinei, who had battled to even regain his spot in the Rubro-Negro squad after a year on loan at Internactional in 2020/21.