Peñarol striker demands focus before ‘game of a lifetime’ against Flamengo

Gabigol is back in the Flamengo after missing the team in the last two games due to muscle pain resulting from a fibrosis. The striker was left out of the first clash against Peñarol, in the Libertadores, and also did not participate in the duel against Grêmio, when 12 players were rested by coach Tite.

In recent days, Gabigol has trained normally and is confirmed in the Mengão delegation traveling this Tuesday (24) to Montevideo, where the team faces Peñarol in the return match. The final lineup for the match has not yet been defined by the coach.

FANS EXPECTATIONS FOR GABIGOL'S RETURN

< Gabigol's presence is seen with great optimism by Mais Querido fans, who expect a decisive performance from the number 99. The striker is known for his efficiency in Libertadores games, having scored four goals in three finals played. The red and black fans believe that he could be the difference needed to reverse the adverse score, as Flamengo lost the first game at Maracanã 1-0.

HISTORICAL CHALLENGE AGAINST PEÑAROL

The CRF's mission will not be easy. Peñarol, a strong opponent on the South American scene, has been a historic challenge for Flamengo, who have not yet managed to win or even score a goal against the Uruguayan club in Libertadores games. The Rio team takes the field this Thursday, at 7pm (Brasília time), with the difficult task of breaking this taboo and advancing in the competition.

Thiago Ribeiro, Gabigol's former teammate from Santos, spoke about the striker's current situation at Flamengo and his apparently difficult relationship with Tite. The former player expressed confidence that Gabi will turn things around and took the opportunity to send a hint to the red and black coach.

For Thiago Ribeiro, what Gabigol needs is trust, something that must be given by Tite. Only with this support, shirt 99 will be able to show his best football again.

“I believe that one of the most important things in football is confidence, the player has to have confidence, and the game sequence … So I believe that for him to resume his football, it requires confidence, and that goes through the coach. I'm not there on a daily basis, anyone who is there on a daily basis knows, but the board, the coach, has to give confidence to the player”, said the attacker.

Thiago Ribeiro says that Tite needs to "embrace" Gabigol

With Pedro's injury, Gabigol became the third option in the squad, but it seems he doesn't have Tite's confidence to be the player who will solve the problems from Flamengo. This scenario, according to speculation, created a certain tension between the attacker and the coach, especially after Gabi was not included in the game against Peñarol.

Thiago Ribeiro believes that the best thing to do in a situation like this , especially at a time when Flamengo needs Gabigol most, it's up to Tite to "embrace" the player, demonstrate his confidence and guarantee the striker's place in the team.

“No one unlearns how to play football. And when the player is at that stage of delivering nowhere near what he usually delivers, at that stage the coach must arrive and say: I'm putting you to play, I believe in you, I'm counting on you”, added Thiago.

Despite the complicated moment, the expectation is that Gabigol will participate in the return match against Peñarol, not just as an option on the bench, but starting as a starter.