Fluminense coach Marcão said in an exclusive interview with Globo Esporte that Thiago Silva's understanding of the game is invaluable, and he fully intends to benefit from his friend's insights.

Marcão will lead Fluminense in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals at 6:30 PM (Brasília time) on September 16, facing Atlético Platense. He will have a strong presence on the sideline: center-back, captain, and close friend Thiago Silva.

Marcão said: "This relationship is very natural. In fact, we talk about the game almost every day. Even when he was playing abroad, we would discuss matches at various moments in our lives. Even our wives would say: 'How is this possible?' They would record us, photograph us, and then say: 'This is impossible, you've been talking about football your whole lives.' When Thiago Silva wasn't at the club, we spoke about Fluminense; now that he's here, I'm very happy to share this moment with him. Very few people can match the way he reads the game, sees the big picture on the pitch. It's invaluable, so I need to make the most of it. If he talks too much, I'll say: 'Come on, rein it in.'"

Marcão is a coach skilled at uniting a team and willing to listen to his players' perspectives. He has helped Fluminense return to winning ways, ending an eight-match winless streak, and gradually restoring the team's form this season.

He has also reinvigorated two key players for this new phase: striker Hulk and midfielder Ganso. Hulk has been the team's leading scorer during this period, and Ganso is the technical heartbeat of midfield.

Marcão said: "Both of these are great players, accustomed to taking on that responsibility at clubs where they've played before. They are winners used to handling pressure. I heard Hulk say in an interview that he needs to adapt, needs better game control, and that's what we've been doing, and it aligns with what I think they want."

He added: "How am I supposed to keep Ganso, Hulk, and Soteldo happy?! Either compress the front line a bit, or drop back slightly, while maintaining overall compactness. We're also organizing ourselves tactically, like in the goal from our last match. In that attack, we created chances through pressure from Paulo, Hulk, and the defensive midfielder, and the defensive midfielder ended up scoring. So we'll try to keep our shape compact in different areas, so players are close to each other and can help one another. They always perform well, and it's made Fluminense very strong during this process."

This is Marcão's most important adjustment since taking over from Zubeldía. About a month ago, he began changing the team's approach based on his observations and the characteristics of the current squad.

Each time Fluminense management brings him back after a head coach departs, it also becomes his responsibility. Marcão specifically praised Zubeldía and his coaching staff, while expressing regret that he couldn't provide more support.

Marcão said: "All of this has taught us a great lesson. Ultimately, it's everyone's responsibility, and my responsibility as the club's permanent assistant coach. I always say that. It's really tough—it felt like I couldn't do more, couldn't help the coach we had at that time, as if we ourselves were still missing something. Someone at that level... he's my friend. He just called to congratulate me on everything I've achieved now, very happy for me."

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