“HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORT IS MENTAL”! SAYS FILIPE LUÍS AFTER FLAMENGO'S DEFEAT

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.

This Saturday (14), the under-20 team from Flamengo, led by Filipe Luís, secured qualification for the semi-finals of the Campeonato Carioca. After winning the first leg, 2-0, Mengão was surpassed by Nova Iguaçu, 1-0, advancing on aggregate.

With the good advantage built, coach Filipe Luís opted to put a Flamengo's mixed team for the duel in Gávea. However, the scorers of the goals that won the U20 World Cup, Caio Garcia and Felipe Teresa, started among the 11.

The Boys from the Nest who started the match: Barone; Daniel Sales, João Victor, Felipe Vieira, Carbone; Rayan Lucas, Fabiano, Caio Garcia (C), Rafael Couto; Guilherme, Felipe Teresa.

After opening 2-0 in the first match, Flamengo started the second match in a lower rotation. As a result, needing to reverse the adverse result, Nova Iguaçu took advantage of the spaces to pose a threat to the red-black goal. The first good chance of the match came from the Baixada team, just after five minutes, but goalkeeper Barone made a spectacular save to prevent the opponent's goal.

The game seemed quite truncated after the move, with plays forced and fouls that broke the rhythm of the match. At 25 minutes, due to the strong heat in Rio de Janeiro, the teams went to a technical stop. And coach Filipe Luís took the opportunity to give instructions to Flamengo, who came back with a different attitude.

Rubro-Negro demonstrated more objectivity after the short break. When Daniel Sales was raised in the area, Carbone had the two best chances of the match, but stopped at the opposing goalkeeper and the crossbar. The left-back went up to head the ball and deflected it, but the Nova Iguaçu archer made a great save. In the remainder, Shirt 6 had the chance to score, inside the small area, but hit the crossbar.

The game became more open, and Barone had to work again, making two important saves in a row. After that, the pace decreased again, culminating in the teams going to half-time without goals.

Team's top scorer of the season , Wallace Yan replaced Fabiano after the break. The game resumed with the same cadence. Little objectivity and Flamengo waiting for time to pass. But Nova Iguaçu, needing to score 3 goals to qualify, showed more attention to the match.

In the 15th minute, after pressing for the ball, Mengão's right-back, Daniel Sales, ended up losing the ball. possession. The low-lying team took advantage and, with a deflection, after a cross kick, opened the scoring. Filipe Luís quickly changed the team, placing Jean Lima and Victor Silva in the places of Caio Garcia and Rafael Couto.

Still with a good advantage, Filipe Luís' team continued to manage the match, trying some more incisive plays, but without much success. Felipe Lima replaced the world title hero, Felipe Teresa, looking to give more impetus to the attack.

Filipe Luís also made one last move, replacing Thiago Medeiros with Rayan Lucas, but it did not prevent the defeat red-black. Even so, the Boys from the Ninho advance in the competition, seeking the title they haven't won since 2019.

Boa Vista and Botafogo face off, also this Saturday morning, to define Flamengo U20's opponent in the semi-finals.