Fred speaks of Fluminense's Libertadores obsession

 　　RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Fluminense, who won the 2012 Brazilian league title, have one clear objective for 2013, to win the club's first Copa Libertadores crown.

　　Fred, captain and the team's leading scorer last term, alerted his team-mates about allowing their goal to become an obsession¹.

　　"With each year that passes Fluminense become stronger, have more experience. But something that is a cause for concern is the mad obsession with the Libertadores," the 29-year-old said.

　　Fluminense came close to winning the competition in 2008, when they lost the final on penalties to Ecuadorian side LDU Quito. Last year, they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Argentine club Boca Juniors.

　　This year the determination to win the competition is greater than ever. At 29, and having played for French club Lyon and the Brazilian national side, Fred claims never to have seen a group so dedicated² to success as the current Fluminense squad³.

　　"Everyone is working very hard, we are giving our all. I have hardly seen a pre-season so intense as this. But I'm sure it will be worth it," he said.

　　Fred was the league's leading scorer with 20 goals last season. He has been on the fringes of the Selecao team in recent times, but a strong Libertadores campaign could put him in contention⁴ for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

1 obsession   

n.困扰，无法摆脱的思想(或情感)

参考例句：

• I was suffering from obsession that my career would be ended.那时的我陷入了我的事业有可能就此终止的困扰当中。
• She would try to forget her obsession with Christopher.她会努力忘记对克里斯托弗的迷恋。

2 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

3 squad   

n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组

参考例句：

• The squad leader ordered the men to mark time.班长命令战士们原地踏步。
• A squad is the smallest unit in an army.班是军队的最小构成单位。

4 contention   

n.争论，争辩，论战；论点，主张

参考例句：

• The pay increase is the key point of contention. 加薪是争论的焦点。
• The real bone of contention,as you know,is money.你知道，争论的真正焦点是钱的问题。