IN A TOUGH GAME, FLAMENGO BEATS ATHLETICO AND TAKES ADVANTAGE FOR THE SECOND GAME

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”, pointed out the coach.

The response reflects the experience of Titein dealing with pressure who follows the command of great teams in Brazilian football. With successful spells at clubs such as Corinthians, Grêmio and the Brazilian national 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.

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.

Flamengo and Atlético-MG play a decisive game for the Brazilian Championship title next Wednesday (29), at Maracanã. The red-and-black club arrives at the game with five unbeaten matches in the tournament. However, the team from Minas Gerais is the one with the longest undefeated streak in the Brasileirão.

Like Flamengo, Atlético-MG grew in the final stretch of the Brazilian Championship. At the moment, the club led by Felipão is seven games unbeaten. During this period, the Belo Horizonte team won seven games and drew two, in which they won 17 of the 21 possible points.

Santos also holds a record in this period, with four draws and three wins, totaling 13 of the 21 possible points. Next, Vasco, like the São Paulo team, is fighting against relegation. The rival from Rio has six unbeaten matches, with three equal results and three victories.

Flamengo appears in fourth place in the ranking of the biggest unbeaten records currently in the Brazilian Championship. The red-black club has won four and drawn one match in the last five clashes. In this way, the team led by Tite reached 13 of the 15 possible points.

With positive sequences, Flamengo and Atlético-MG grew in the final stretch of the Brazilian Championship. The Minas Gerais team entered the field last Sunday (26) and beat Grêmio 3-0, at Arena MRV, in Belo Horizonte. In this way, the Minas Gerais club jumped from sixth to fourth place. Currently, with 60 points, Mengo's next opponent is three away from the lead.

Flamengo has entered the fight for the Brazilian Championship title once and for all. After the 3-0 victory against América-MG last Sunday (26), the red-black club reached 63 points and equaled the score of leader Palmeiras. However, due to the lower goal difference, Mengo occupies second place in the competition.