Alcaraz should get his first chance in Flamengo's starting lineup

Coach Tite continues to be the target of questions in command of Flamengo, with part of the fans calling for his departure and suggesting the promotion of Filipe Luís. However, the club is not considering the rise of the former player at this time, despite the team's unstable phase. Thus, the decision is that Filipe will continue to lead the under-20 team.

According to information from the newspaper "O Globo", people close to Filipe Luís believe that he does not feel prepared to take command of the team main now. The former player closely monitors the situation in the dressing room and understands that the drop in performance of the team, which competes in three competitions simultaneously, is understandable.

Among the reasons that weigh against the possibility of Filipe Luís taking over Flamengo are the high number of injuries in the squad and the lack of time to get to know the players you haven't worked with yet. Filipe considers that this phase of the season would not be ideal to start his career as a coach with the first team.

Another relevant point is that, currently, Filipe Luís does not have the necessary license to coach the professional team. To do so, the under-20 coach would need a certificate from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), essential to take charge of Flamengo.

Flamengo faces serious injury problems this season. Matías Viña, Everton Cebolinha and Pedro are out until 2024, while Michael and Gabigol continue to undergo treatment in the medical department, with no expected return in the next games.

Despite the difficulties, Flamengo continues to compete on three fronts: it is in the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil, in the quarterfinals of the Libertadores — after losing the first game against Peñarol (URU ) — and occupies fourth place in the Brazilian Championship.

With Tite in charge, Flamengo is preparing to face Grêmio this Sunday (22), at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), in Porto Alegre, at the Grêmio Arena. The match will be broadcast on Premiere throughout Brazil on Pay-Per-View and streaming.

In the match against Grêmio, Flamengo will enter the field without the presence of 18 players from the main squad. The decision to spare these athletes is part of the Rio club's strategy to prioritize competing in the Copa Libertadores, the main objective of the season. With the decisive phases of the continental competition approaching, the technical committee chose to keep its main names in Rio de Janeiro, focusing on physical and tactical preparation for the most important games to come.

This choice, although it has a direct impact in the team's performance in the Brazilian Championship, reflects the need to manage the squad in the face of a tight schedule and physical exhaustion accumulated throughout the season. Flamengo, which is fighting for the top positions in the Brasileirão, sees the Libertadores as a crucial opportunity to crown the year with a major title. Therefore, squad rotation becomes essential to ensure that players are in the best conditions to face the marathon of decisive games.

Among names that will not travel to Porto Alegre are some of the main highlights of the red-black team. Athletes such as Gabigol, Bruno Henrique and Arrascaeta will not participate in the clash against Grêmio. They, as well as other starters, will remain in the club's CT for recovery and physical adjustment work, aimed exclusively at the next commitment for the Libertadores.

In addition to the attackers and midfielders, other sectors of the team will also be affected due to absences. Important defenders, such as David Luiz and Filipe Luís, are also on the list of those spared. The absence of so many players creates a challenge for coach Jorge Sampaoli, who will need to use an alternative team to try to win points away from home against Grêmio, a traditionally strong team at home.

The decision of Tite to spare the squad entirely raises some questions. On the one hand, it preserves players for more important commitments and minimizes the risk of injuries at a time when physical exhaustion can be a serious problem. On the other hand, placing an alternative team in a Brazilian Championship match, which is still in dispute, can be seen as risky, as a defeat or even a draw could have consequences on the table.

In addition , the choice of David Luiz and Cleiton in defense and Allan and Everton Araújo in midfield suggests that Tite trusts in the depth of his squad. He seems to believe that, even with the changes, the team will be able to compete at a high level. This also gives reserve players a chance to prove themselves, which could be crucial to the squad's dynamics in the coming weeks.

Another relevant point of this strategy is the issue of integration. A team that doesn't usually play together may have difficulty adapting to the demands of a high-level match, especially against opponents who are playing for real and with their starting team. The lack of rhythm among players can be a challenge to be faced, but it is also an opportunity for these athletes to gain experience and adapt more quickly to the demands of elite football.

Tite, known for being A meticulous strategist, he must have considered these factors when choosing to rotate the squad at this point in the championship. The choices reflect a balance between the physical preservation of the main players and the need to keep the team competitive throughout the season. The expectation is that this decision, even if bold, will not compromise the team's performance in the championship. This Sunday's clash will be an important test of the depth of the squad and the ability of reserve players to take on responsibilities at crucial moments. Cleiton, for example, will have the chance to show that he can be a reliable option for the defense in the future, and Allan and Everton Araújo will have the task of controlling the midfield and dictating the pace of the game.