DESPITE THE BAD PHASE, THE NEWSPAPER PLACES GABIGOL AMONG THE BIGGEST NAMES OF LIBERTADORES

In an interview given after the defeat of Flamengoto Peñarol, 1-0, coach Tite was direct in responding to the boos received by the fans. The statement, marked by a frank tone, exposed the coach's pragmatic vision in relation to demanding fans and the pressure for results. “I respect the fans’ feelings. Of course I feel that (the boos), I'm human”, said Tite, recognizing the fans' frustration in the face of the setback.

Tite's speech reveals that he understands the role of fans as a fundamental part in the context of a club, especially in a team of great expression like Flamengo. By mentioning that the boos affect him as a human being, the coach demonstrates empathy, but does not fail to highlight that the only way to reverse this situation is with achievements on the field. “It can only be reversed in one way”, pointed out the coach.

The response reflects the experience of Titein dealing with pressure who follows the command of great teams in Brazilian football. With successful spells at clubs such as Corinthians, Grêmio and the Brazilian national team itself, the coach has a track record that puts him in a position to understand, perhaps like few others, the relationship between performance on the field and fans' expectations. For him, this connection is clear: “Do you know how to win fans? Do you know how I won over the fans of the other clubs I played for? Win an important title”, he declared.

The phrase highlights the centrality of titles in football, especially in mass clubs like Flamengo. In Brazil, the culture of results is intense, and Tite recognizes that fans have a limited tolerance for negative results. Winning titles, for him, is the key to gaining the support of the fans, and anything other than that results in discontent: “If not, bye.”

This last part of Tite's speech summarizes the characteristic impatience of demanding fans like Flamengo. The coach makes it clear that, without obtaining relevant trophies, the relationship with the fans deteriorates quickly. The pressure is constant and is part of the daily life of those who take on the leadership of top teams. Tite seems, however, to be aware of this scenario and how it needs to be faced.

Tite's statement came after a delicate moment for Flamengo. The defeat to Peñarol, at home, in a group stage match of the Copa Libertadores, raised alarm bells for fans and the coaching staff. Flamengo had high expectations for the season, especially after major reinforcements and the arrival of Tite, a coach with wide recognition on the national and international scene.

The pressure on Flamengo is nothing new. The club, which has one of the biggest fans in the world, is known for its high expectations for titles. The expensive squad, made up of renowned players, also increases this demand. Each stumble is widely covered by the media and amplifies the dissatisfaction of part of the fans, who demand immediate results.

The Copa Libertadores, in particular, has a important meaning for Flamengo and its fans. The continental tournament is seen as one of the club's main objectives each season. Any result other than victory can generate dissatisfaction and pressure on the technical committee, as occurred after the setback against Peñarol.

In this context, Tite's speech not only recognizes the fans' dissatisfaction, but also is realistic in relation to what is expected from a club like Flamengo. The demand for titles is part of the package when taking over a club of this size, and the coach seems to be aware of this when he points out that he will only be able to win the support of the fans with significant victories.

After the break due to the FIFA Date, Flamengo returns to the pitch this Thursday (12) to face Bahia, in a match valid for the second leg of the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil. For the duel, Rubro-Negro will have Gabigol, who is recovered from injury and available for the match. With Pedro out of the season, the expectation is that the number 99 will take on the role of main reference in the team's attack.

Gabigol has impressive numbers in the Copa do Brasil, a tournament in which Flamengo is four-time champion. In 57 matches played in the competition, Gabriel Barbosa has already found the net 30 times. The striker was champion in 2022 and top scorer of the tournament on three occasions (2014, 2015 and 2018), all when he was still playing for Santos.

Among active players, Gabi is the highest scorer in the history of the World Cup from Brazil. In the general ranking, he occupies third place among the competition's top scorers. Check out the top 10:

1. Fred: 37 goals (56 games)

2. Romário: 36 goals (46 games)

3. Gabigol: 30 goals (57 games)

4. Viola: 29 goals (44 games)

5. Oséas: 28 goals (53 games)

6. Paulo Nunes: 28 goals (58 games)

7. Dodô: 26 goals (55 games)

8. Léo Gamalho: 25 goals (39 games)

9. Luís Fabiano: 25 goals (37 games)

10. Evair: 24 goals (36 games)

In addition to his prominence in the Copa do Brasil, Gabigol shines even brighter in the Copa Libertadores. He is the greatest Brazilian goalscorer in the history of the continental competition. In 58 matches, the striker scored 31 goals, including all of Flamengo's goals in the last three tournament finals. Gabi was responsible for the two goals of the historic turnaround in 2019, he scored in the defeat to Palmeiras in 2021 and scored the decisive goal in 2022, which gave Rubro-Negro their third title against Athletico-PR.

Since 2019, Gabigol is also the player who scored the most goals in the Brasileirão, with 69 goals. His Flamengo teammate, Pedro, occupies second place, with 60 goals in the same period.

With Gabigol's return, will he continue to write another chapter in his success story for Flamengo? The answer will begin to be given this Thursday, at 9:45 pm, at Maracanã.