Kevin Serna makes 12 appearances with Fluminense between July and September 2024, with one goal and 12 assists – credit Sergio Moraes/REUTERS
Fluminense is doing everything possible to save the 2024 season, in which it is in the fight not only to reach the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores, but to stay in Brazil’s first division because it is in the relegation zone to Serie B.
Among the outstanding players there is a Colombian, but it is not Jhon Arias but Kevin Serna, the attacker who can play as a midfielder or winger, he adapted quickly to what coach Mano Menezes asked of him and his teammates received him in the best way in the Carioca group.
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Serna now has an important challenge on Wednesday, September 25, when Fluminense will play almost their entire campaign this year against Atlético Mineiro in Belo Horizonte, with the series tied without goals and the need for a good result for their fans.
Fluminense had been enjoying the performance of Jhon Arias since 2021, whose speed and goals allowed the club to win both the Copa Libertadores 2023 and the Recopa Sudamericana 2024, becoming a benchmark for a club that did not have much history at the international level.
Kevin Serna arrived at Flu with that trail of following in the footsteps of his compatriot and in a conversation with Globo he spoke about what his arrival was like: “Many said that I had to thank him, that’s why they bought me (laughs). They always played a lot, they showed the video. André is a great human being and he looks where he is. He deserves it. Grateful with my life, for this and for all the trust. “They said we should give them a percentage.”
Kevin Serna arrived at Fluminense in July 2024, from Alianza Lima – credit EFE
Regarding how the negotiations took place, the Colombian from Alianza Lima said that it was surprising that they contacted him, because he did not expect to leave Peruvian football until 2025 due to the elimination in the Copa Libertadores and not appearing in League 1.
“It crossed my mind, but not that it was that fast. The Cup (Libertadores) had already ended for Alianza Lima. I said (to myself) that maybe next year there might be something. When my representative told me “here is the possibility. Let’s go?” I said, “When do we have to go?” It was very fast, but I am happy,” he mentioned.
At the time Serna began his internship at Fluminense, he mentioned that one of the people who began to help him was Jhon Arias, not only in the language, but in the team environment and current events, that helped him in his adaptation.
Jhon Arias continued in Fluminense for the 2024 season, despite the fact that he had options to reach European football from 2023, and help Kevin Serna – credit Sergio Moraes/REUTERS
“He helped me a lot by explaining to me what the situation was like here. But many players approached: Canó, Thiago Santos, Ganso. The truth is that in addition to knowing that they are great players, they impressed me a lot as people. I thank you for the help you gave me,” he mentioned.
Serna also revealed the secret to standing out in Brazil in just two months: “I arrived with the mentality that I had to adapt as soon as possible to help the team. It gave me great joy to be able to arrive and adapt quickly with my teammates. Part of my quick adaptation was due to them. “They made me feel very good.”
Fluminense coach Mano Menezes has asked a lot of Kevin Serna to establish himself in the attack – credit Sergio Moraes/REUTERS
The Colombian ended up referring to what Mario Menezes asked of him in Fluminense: “What has always characterized me as a person and professional is dedication. Leave everything on the field, go up, go down, defend, move everywhere.”
“I think the teacher’s confidence comes from knowing that he has a player who is going to run. Sometimes he even tells me to stop running so much (laughs). But I think he’s there. I try to help the defense, because many times we attackers always want to be in front. I always like to be very cheeky, face it. I think this can help the teacher’s decision,” he added.
