COMMENTATOR POINTS OUT HOW DORIVAL REGRETS NOT TAKING FLAMENGO STAR TO THE SELECTION

The qualifying phase of the Copa América revealed several technical and tactical shortcomings of the Brazilian team. The lack of chemistry contributed to second place in Group D after the draw with Colombia, last Tuesday (02). Furthermore, performance below expectations can also be justified by absences since the call-up. These questions raise doubts about coach Dorival Júnior's choices.

For journalist Vitor Biner, from ESPN, Dorival Júnior is faced with a complex situation that causes him regret . Biner believes that the coach would rethink not calling up Pedro, from Flamengo, if he predicted the team's recent performance. The communicator highlights that Dorival was betting on a quick construction, but that it did not materialize as expected, which makes Pedro's absence even more questionable.

"The more I look at Brazil's games and I realize that Dorival was betting on an unresolved construction, but faster than what has been happening. If he knew that the Seleção would play like this, at some point, for example, having the ball in midfield. Today, he opens his hand, he bets on the counterattack. If he knew it would take so long, I'm sure he would change one thing... he would take Pedro to have a player to support the ball, to play in the area, to not depend on Endrick, who became the hope of hope", said Biner.

The absence of Flamengo's top scorer on Dorival's list has divided opinions since the call-up, in May. Many fans consider Pedro to be the best center forward in the country today, while others value the number 9's unique characteristics as a complement to what the Seleção has at its disposal. This division of opinions shows the complexity of the decision made by the coach.

Pedro's last call-up took place in June 2023, in the friendlies against Guinea and Senegal. In 2022, Flamengo's number 9 was part of the team that competed in the World Cup in Qatar, under the command of Tite, Flamengo's current coach. Pedro's numbers in the current season reinforce calls for his call-up: there are 32 direct goal contributions in 34 games, an average that surpasses previous phases and highlights his importance in the attack.