Soccer

STRAIGHT TO THE POINT! SAMPAOLI REVEALS IF FLAMENGO'S BAD PHASE IS THE FAULT OF THE PLAYERS OR THE COACH

After a draw with Internacional, Rubro-Negro lives a troubled moment in the Brasileirão

27 Ago 2023 | 14:39 |

Last Saturday (26), Flamengo faced Internacional for the 21st round of the Brazilian Championship and remained at 0-0, despite the club from Rio Grande do Sul having used the reserves. At the end of the match, Jorge Sampaoli held a press conference, where he was asked if the blame for the troubled moment experienced by Rubro-Negro lies with the players or the coach.

"It depends. These are specific things that are collective developments of functioning. When one is not at a high level, or, sometimes, when the team plays poorly and has a high-level player, the team wins by itself. Always. Now, we have to try, collectively, to do a lot, because that doesn't happen. That's what I try every day in training: to seek collective solutions until individual solutions appear", he said.

Flamengo was eliminated by Olimpia (PAR) in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores da America. Even with the advantage of winning the first leg, the Paraguayan club managed to turn the game around and qualify for the quarterfinals of the competition. The continental elimination added to the poor performance in the Brazilian Championship makes Flamengo's players, coaching staff and board the target of harsh criticism by the Nation.

< p>The dissatisfaction was such that, after the tie between Flamengo and Internacional, fans gathered to boo the Rubro-Negro, issuing shouts like "team without shame". This Saturday (26), more than 50,000 people attended the Maracanã, with the overwhelming majority being part of the Red-Black crowd. Recently, Mengão fans organized themselves to carry out protests at Ninho do Urubu as a way of exposing their indignation.

Currently, Mais Querido occupies the third position in the Brazilian Championship. The club's objective is to overcome the difference of 12 points between Rubro-Negro and Botafogo, current leader of the competition. Flamengo and Botafogo face off next Saturday (02) in the 22nd round of the Brasileirão. The duel takes place at 9 pm (Brasília time), at Estádio Nilton Santos.

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Soccer

Rossi preaches focus on Flamengo despite dreaming of playing for the Argentine national team

The goalkeeper doesn't deny that reaching the current world champion is a goal, but says it's necessary to keep his head in his work at Mengão

Rossi doesn't deny his dream of wearing the Argentine national team shirt, but he urges focus on Flamengo - Photo: Adriano Fontes/Flamengo

16 Set 2025 | 22:00 |

In a press conference at Ninho do Urubu, goalkeeper Agustín Rossi spoke about his desire to be called up to the Argentina national team , the current world champion. Despite his dream, the goalkeeper made it clear that his priority remains Flamengo.

Rossi on his dream of joining the Argentine national team: "My job is for Flamengo"

"Obviously, I've always wanted to be called up. I think Brazilian football is very strong, not only in South America, but worldwide as well. In the last call-up, there were players from here. But I'm not thinking about that right now . I think that if I do my job well, that call-up could come," Rossi stated.

TOTAL FOCUS ON FLAMENGO

The Argentine stressed that he keeps his feet on the ground and that his main goal is to continue showing consistency for the Rubro-Negro , who have the best defense in the Brasileirão, conceding only 10 goals in 22 games. At Maracanã, the Mais Querido conceded only three goals.

"I'm in no rush, because my job is for Flamengo , day to day, game to game. My biggest focus is to maintain this streak so that the call-up can come. Of course I have that desire, but I don't treat it as a requirement . I'm Flamengo's goalkeeper, I'm responsible for Flamengo. If the call-up comes, I'll welcome it," he added.

INCOME AND TITLES WITH THE MANTLE

Since joining Flamengo in 2023, Rossi has already won four titles. Last season, he was a key player in the undefeated Carioca Championship and also played in the Copa do Brasil victory. In 2025, he maintained his starting spot in the Supercopa do Brasil and the Campeonato Estadual . In total, he has represented Flamengo in 125 official matches, establishing himself as a pillar of the team.

STRAIGHT TO THE POINT! SAMPAOLI REVEALS IF FLAMENGO'S BAD PHASE IS THE FAULT OF THE PLAYERS OR THE COACH