Savarino and John support Botafogo's favoritism in the Libertadores

Botafogo met its opponent in the round of 16 of this edition of the Copa Libertadores on Monday (2) in Luque, Paraguay. LDU, from Ecuador, is in the way of Mais Tradicional. The black and white team will go to Quito and decide the spot as a visitor, a situation that Glorioso has become accustomed to since last year, when it won the cup. However, the team has not yet convinced the sports press, which insists on placing teams like Palmeiras , Flamengo and River Plate ahead of Estrela Solitária in the favorites' rating. Among the players of the current champion, the thinking is different. In the last few days, two emblematic names of the cast and champions gave their opinions on the subject to Jogada10 .

"Our favoritism is not only in the Copa Libertadores. We have to enter as favorites in all the competitions we compete in. The club, the players and the coaching staff have great ambitions. We are not in the Libertadores to be just another participant," stated goalkeeper John, at Botafogo's media day , this Monday, at Espaço Lonier, in the West Zone of Rio de Janeiro.

Number 10 of the Mais Tradicional, Savarino followed the same line of thought as the goalkeeper. However, last week, after the 1-0 victory over Universidad de Chile, at the Nilton Santos Stadium, he preached a little more humility in this knockout stage of the Libertadores.

"We are the current champions, so I think we are the favorites. But we always have our feet on the ground. Now it's game by game and step by step. We know, since last year, what the games are like. They were tough. So we will face the same difficulties in 2025", said Sava, a Venezuelan star who, due to the FIFA deadline, will be out of Fogão this Wednesday (4), against Ceará, for the Brazilian Championship.

With 12 points, Botafogo, just like in 2024, finished in second place in the group. However, coach Renato Paiva's team scored two more points than Artur Jorge's team in the group stage.

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