Due to its recent history, the names of its squad and its enormous economic power, Flamengo always starts as a favorite to win every tournament it plays. However, their football level so far this campaign has been irregular and the results have not been as expected.
In the Copa Libertadores, a title that it won three times (1981, 2019 and 2022), this present full of ups and downs was clearly evident. With one match left until the end of the group stage, they became the Brazilian team with the worst score, not including Grêmio in the comparison, with two fewer games after the suspensions due to the floods in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
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The Rio team lost to Bolívar at the height of La Paz and, without extenuating circumstances, also lost in Chile to Palestino. With no room for more errors, qualification for the round of 16 will be played when they host Millonarios (Colombia) tomorrow at the Maracaná.
🤩🔝 Everton, casaca número 1⃣1⃣ del Mengão.#GloriaEterna ⚫️🔴 @Flamengo pic.twitter.com/gWxi1bcfud
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) May 25, 2024
At the domestic level, the situation is not so different. In the Brasileirão they achieved three victories in six games, with two draws (against Palmeiras and Bragantino) and one defeat (at home against Botafogo).
Meanwhile, in the Brazilian Cup they are still in the race after eliminating Amazonas in the third round 2-0 on aggregate. Beyond triumphing, the football level against the second division opponent was low, without the overwhelming power of previous campaigns.
Individual appearances and Gabigol’s controversies
Therein lie the main doubts generated by this version of Flamengo. Coach Tité does not find the best performance or great collective plays, so he depends until now on the individual appearances of a scorer like Pedro or playmakers like the Uruguayans Giorgian de Arrascaeta and Nicolás de la Cruz.
The internal scandals, which focused on Gabigol, did not help either. The forward was first suspended for alleged interference in an anti-doping test and, after managing to temporarily lift that sanction, he once again caused a stir when a photo of him wearing the Corinthians shirt went viral.
Ideal midfield for Flamengo against Millonarios
Injuries did not help Tité either, although perhaps there is good news for Rubro-Negro fans. The members of the team’s ideal midfield are all at the coach’s disposal, something that almost did not happen this season.
Domingo chuvoso no Ninho, e de muito trabalho! 🌧️ #VamosFlamengo #CRF
📸: Marcelo Cortes /CRF pic.twitter.com/8nC2mhnWFb
— Flamengo (@Flamengo) May 26, 2024
De la Cruz, Arrascaeta, Erick Pulgar and Gerson will be able to be there from the start for the momentous duel against Millonarios. After a blow, Bruno Henrique also trained normally, although Pedro and Everton Cebolinha are emerging as the starters.
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
Binge the full series, available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel.
