CEBOLINHA, FROM FLAMENGO, EXPLAINS HIS 'SPIDER-MAN' CELEBRATION: "ALWAYS COBRA ME"

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.

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”, said the coach.

The answer reflects Tite's experience in dealing with the pressure that comes with commanding big teams in Brazilian football. With successful spells at clubs like Corinthians , Grêmio and the Brazilian 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.

In the press conference after the draw in the classic against Flamengo, on Sunday (4), assistant Emiliano Díaz, son and right-hand man of Ramón Díaz, revealed that center forward Pablo Vegetti, who has not yet scored goals this season, has been playing at sacrifice in the last two weeks. According to the technical committee, the Argentine suffered a cracked rib during the friendly against Deportivo Maldonado, on January 21, in the pre-season.

Emiliano commented on the injury when asked about Vegetti's bad form. In the classic of millions, he missed two clear chances that he is not in the habit of wasting.

"The press doesn't know everything that happens because Ramón and I asked not to pass anything. Pablo has a crack in his rib. He makes an effort for the leader he is. For the commitment he has with Vasco", said Emiliano, adding that Vegetti is at 30% of his physical condition due to the problem.

The move that caused Vegetti's fissure was three minutes into the first half of the friendly won by Vasco: the Deportivo Maldonado defender hit his elbow on the Argentine's right rib, who immediately fell in pain and needed to be served. At no point did the attacker stop feeling pain, but he was making an effort not to miss the classic against Flamengo. On Tuesday night, he admitted that he "did everything" to arrive in good condition for the game.

"From that moment until now the only thing I thought about was arriving at yesterday's game against Flamengo with rhythm game and with as little pain as possible, and thus be able to help the team", wrote the Argentine on his social networks.

Vegetti will not travel with the delegation to Manaus, where Vasco will face Audax in the next Thursday, for the seventh round of the Carioca Championship. It is possible that he will also miss other games.