FULL OF HOPE! "IF I BET, I WOULD GO TO BE FLAMENGO BRAZILIAN CHAMPION", SAYS COMMENTATOR

The night after the 1-0 defeat to Peñarol, coach Tite was faced with a barrage of criticism from Flamengo fans. The result did not please many, and the pressure increased considerably on the coach. In a press conference, Tite addressed these reactions calmly, highlighting that criticism is a natural reflection of the fans' passion for the club, especially in moments of frustration with the results on the field.

The coach's statements did not deny the seriousness of the situation, but he opted for an optimistic approach. Tite believes that, with work and a good performance in the second leg, Flamengo can reverse the situation and regain the fans' confidence.

Flamengo entered on the field against Peñarol in an important match, with great expectations of a good result. However, the 1-0 home defeat was a blow to the fans and put more pressure on the squad and coaching staff. Flamengo, one of the most successful clubs and with the biggest fans in Brazil, tends to deal with the constant expectation of victories and good performance. When these objectives are not achieved, reactions are quick to emerge.

The defeat left the team in a delicate situation in the competition, which makes the second leg even more decisive. The need for a positive result in the second match against Peñarol is not only to advance in the competition, but also to calm the spirits of a fan base that is increasingly demanding.

In the last round of the Libertadores group stage, Flamengo, now under the command of coach Tite, saw its long undefeated streak as home team come to an end. The 1-0 defeat marked the end of a run of 28 matches without losing at home in the competition. The negative result was a shock for the fans, mainly because it occurred at a crucial moment in the season and because of the expectations surrounding the team led by a renowned coach like Tite.

The last time Flamengo had been defeated at Maracanã by the Libertadores was in April 2019, when Peñarol beat the red-black team by the same score of 1-0. The current setback, therefore, brought back memories of that game, creating a feeling of déjà vu among fans . It is worth remembering that, at that time, Flamengo was in a moment of transition and seeking to consolidate itself as one of the powers of South American football.

With the arrival of Tite at the helm of Flamengo, the expectation was that the team would gain tactical consistency and competitiveness in important tournaments, such as the Libertadores itself. Tite, who has a respected CV, mainly for his work in the Brazilian national team, was hired with the mission of making Flamengo become dominant again both on the national and international scene.

The defeat at home, however , served as a cold water for part of the fans who expected a quiet victory. Their unbeaten record at home was seen as one of Flamengo's trump cards in continental competition, a guarantee of strength within their domains. By losing this status, the team will now need to deal with the pressure and doubts that arise from this result.

Last Sunday (15), Flamengo and Vasco drew 1-1, at Maracanã, in a match valid for the 26th round of the Brazilian Championship. The result, although frustrating for the red and blacks, who dominated much of the match, kept them eight points behind leader Botafogo.

Mais Querido entered the field imposing his pace and controlling the actions for most of the game. The red-black goal was scored by Gerson, who has been standing out in recent matches. However, CRF conceded the draw in the final minutes, which prevented a more significant approach to the classification table.

Even with the difference in points for Botafogo, the technical committee, led by Tite, devised a strategy focused on keeping the team competitive until the last rounds. According to information from the Coluna do Fla portal, the objective is to arrive "alive" in the fight for the title in the final five rounds. Matheus Bachi, assistant coach, believes that the recent good performance against Bahia and Vasco could be an indication that the team is on the right track to fight for the top again.

While trying to get closer to the leaders in the Brasileirão, Mengão is already preparing for the next challenge in the Libertadores. The team will face Peñarol, at Maracanã, in the quarterfinals of the continental tournament. The Rio team is looking for a good result at home before traveling to Uruguay for the second leg next week.