Fluminense forward Fred admitted he was in pain after his sides win against Nova Iguaçu in the Campeonato Carioca but praised manager Renato Gaúcho.
The Brazil forward was substituted during the 3-1 win, their first of the year, and conceded he was feeling physical fatigued after the victory.
Lance quoted the 30-year-old after the game. Fred said: “I can not fully walk without pain, I’m tired. This sun, the heavy pitch, it hampered me a bit.
“Despite the fatigue, the people who came on made the difference.”
It was Fred’s second start of the year as he is only just back to full fitness following a turbulent back end of the 2013 season.
After Brazil’s Confederation Cup win last summer Fred suffered several injuries and the short gap between the end of the Brasileirão and the start of the various State Championships hasn’t helped the national team striker either.
Fred questioned the shortness but expects to improve as the season progress.
He added: “The pre-season is short, there is not as much training.
“We have to pick up the pace of play a little bit. Let’s slowly try to evolve.”
