The attacker Victor Roque scored two goals in the Brazilian U-20 team’s victory in a friendly against Mexico, last Sunday (8), in São Januário, and broke a drought of more than seven months without scoring in a football match.
Despite being scored in a friendly match, the goals against the Mexicans are symbolic for the young striker: he had not scored since February 3, when he scored one of the goals in Barcelona’s 3-1 victory over Alavés in the Spanish Championship.
In that same game, the former Athletico striker ended up being sent off the field — from that incident onwards, Vitor Roque would lose space at Barça and would begin a period of ostracism, followed by a crisis with then coach Xavi Hernández.
Not even the arrival of the new coach, the German Hansi Flick, prevented him from leaving on loan to Betis. In his new home, Vitor Roque was welcomed with star status and hopes to recover the good football that once took him to the Brazilian national team.
He made his debut for the club on September 1, in a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid, when he came off the bench and was on the field for 33 minutes. The expectation is that Vitor Roque could make his debut as a starter for Betis next Friday (13), at home, against Leganés, for La Liga.
Vitor Roque missed an incredible goal before scoring for the national team
The main name of the U-20 team, Vitor Roque missed an incredible goal against Mexico before scoring again.
In the 25th minute of the first half, after a mistake in the opponent’s ball clearance, Vitor Roque found himself face to face with goalkeeper Emi Ochoa, dribbled past his opponent and, despite having an open goal in front of him, tried another series of dribbles inside the area, got in a muddle and wasted the chance.
The move represented part of Roque’s lack of confidence after a frustrating spell in Catalonia.
Previously, in the first friendly match between the U-20 team and Mexico, last Friday (6), also in São Januário, the Brazilian had revealed behind the scenes of the moments lived in Barcelona and how he underwent therapy to overcome difficulties.
The two friendlies against the Mexican national team are part of the team led by coach Ramón Menezes’ preparation for the World Cup in the category, which will be held next year.
Athletico trio plays and João Cruz stands out
Athletico’s main revelation so far in the 2024 season, midfielder João Cruz also stood out in the Brazilian U-20 team’s friendlies.
The midfielder had already provided two assists in the first friendly against Mexico and, yesterday, he was responsible for one of the passes for Vitor Roque’s goal. In both games, João Cruz came off the bench in the second half.
Defender Arthur Dias started in both matches and scored one of the goals in the 2-1 victory in the first of the clashes. Finally, left-back Léo Derik also started in last Sunday’s game.