"Stay calm": Freytes overcomes criticism and becomes a key player for Fluminense in the World Cup
Columbia (USA) - O Fluminense face Inter de Milão next Monday (30), in the round of sixteen FIFA Club World Cup . One of the highlights of Tricolor's campaign in the competition is Juan Freytes, an Argentine who increased his production at the most decisive moment for the team this year.
Hired by Alianza Lima from Peru, the 25-year-old defender arrived at the beginning of this season. Freytes played 28 matches with the Fluminense jersey and his first goal was precisely in the Club World Cup, in the 4-2 victory over Ulsan HD, the only win for Fluminense in the competition.
Criticized by the fans at the beginning of the season, Freytes believes that the Club World Cup marked his maturity in Brazilian football. The defender reveals that at the start of his time at Fluminense, he still "struggled" with the level of national football and emphasizes that errors like those made in Peru are unforgivable while wearing the Tricolor jersey.
— The truth is that at first it was very difficult for me, because I came from a different kind of football. In Peru, the game is played in a different way than in Brazil. Here in Brazil, it's everything more, as you say, a "beautiful game." The players are much more technical, and mistakes that I made in Peru, which there maybe didn't have such serious consequences, here are costly because the players have a lot of experience — the player told in the mixed zone at Eugene Stone III Stadium in Columbia, where Fluminense trained on Friday (27th).
Good performances
The defender is one of the highlights of Fluminense at the Club World Cup. The goal against Ulsan HD was fundamental in the team's only victory in the competition. In addition, he has accumulated good individual numbers in the tournament.
Juan Freytes at the Club World Cup
- 3 games (3 starter)
- 1 gol
- 1.3 disarmers by game
- 0.3 interceptions per game
- 4.0 cuts per game
- 1 suffered dribble
- 69% efficiency in duels
- 5.3 passes long shots correctly per game
- 0 absences committed
- 0 cards
- SofaScore rating 7.30
Defenders with more accurate long balls in the competition
- 19 - Sergio Ramos (Monterrey)
- 17 - Marquinhos (PSG)
- 17 - Lucas Martínez Quarta (River Plate)
- 16 - Juan Freytes (Fluminense)
- 13 - Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica)
— But I think I still have a lot to improve. Game after game, we make mistakes that can turn into learning experiences, just like any football player. At the beginning, the fans showed their dissatisfaction with me, but I always stayed calm because I knew it was an adaptation process. I talked to people at the club who were patient with me and gave me peace of mind. Now, it's about continuing to grow and helping wherever I'm needed, as I just said, the most important thing is the club we represent. Individual performance comes later. I know that being better physically and technically, I will be able to help more, whether as a starter or coming off the bench to pressure. I am very happy and calm at Fluminense, I am enjoying it very much. It's a beautiful club full of history.
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Decision in the World Club Cup
The Fluminense takes to the field next Monday (30), at 4 PM (BRT), against Inter Milan, at Bank of America Stadium, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Tricolor secured their spot in the round of 16 by finishing in second place in Group F during the first phase, with one win and two draws. On the other hand, the Italian team topped their group with two wins and one draw.
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