Walisson Maia talks about reaching Series A and projects 2024

Walisson Maiaof Criciúmaexuded confidence with the objectives for 2024. In an exclusive interview with SportBuzzthe defender reported the path he faced until gaining access to the first national division, the secrets of the Santa Catarina team's successful campaign, the teams he most wants to face this year and more.

According to the player, taking care of your mind was extremely important last season. “I work a lot on the psychological issue, I do coaching four years ago, so this helps me a lot to set a goal and stay focused, even when things aren't going well. And here at the club we also have a psychologist, who is always there talking to us”he highlighted.

“We had a group already formed, with players who have been at the club for almost four years, a coach who has been there for a long time, knows the club well, so that made it a lot easier. It wasn’t an easy Series B, it was very competitive, but I think we maintained a balance from start to finish”.

O Criciúma won the Santa Catarina Championship 2023 after ten years of fasting, but the defender highlighted that Tricolor does not intend to stop.

“Now we have the state championship, which is our priority, reaching the final, being champions. It's not easy, there are very high quality teams here, but we're doing a great job. We have the Brazil's Cup also, in which we set out to get as far as possible, which for the club is very important, for budget reasons, it helps a lot throughout the year. And Serie A, right? Which is the icing on the cake”explained Walisson.

When asked which teams he is most looking forward to facing in the first division, the defender admitted: “There are some clubs that you always watch, with eye-catching football, that were recently champions, Palm trees, São PauloO Vasco which is on the rise, Flamengothere are several that we have this dream of facing”.

Criciúma enters the field this Wednesday, 28th, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), for the first round of the Copa do Brasil 2024, against VG workerat Arena Pantanal.

Check the interview in full: