Ex-Flamengo player, thrilled with second team title in Europe: "Much more to come"

Pedro's injury seems to reveal the real extent of the loss of space in Flamengo's team under coach Tite. Bruno Henrique has been chosen so far for the role of center forward and, against Vasco, this Sunday (15), the coach opted for Carlinhos as a substitute. A situation that idol Maestro Júnior sees as an attempt to send a message to Gabriel, who entered the classic with five minutes to go.

“It was strange, really. Even because of his CV and everything he has done, independent of Carlinhos. But I think he would automatically be the man to step into that role. Whether it was more fixed or like he has done, leaving the area more. Some message was given, but Tite didn't comment at all...", Júnior said on the program 'Seleção SporTV'.

Tite was asked about the decision at the press conference and, just as Júnior said, he didn't comment much about it. the case. The stance that the coach adopts in some questions during the press conferences, and the Gabigol topic is probably the main one. He limited himself to saying that the option was based on “training and games”, in addition to highlighting Carlinhos’ decisive moments this season. Indicating that Camisa 22 is ahead.

The red-black coach's assistant and son, Matheus Bachi, assured that it was a tactical decision. This is because they assessed that the team needed a player who could take advantage of the crosses that were being created.

But the justifications were not enough to convince André Rizek. Continuing the debate with Maestro Júnior, the journalist stated that he doesn't see how Gabigol can be useful in Tite's Flamengo if he is behind Carlinhos in the hierarchy.

“He loses Pedro and opts for Bruno Henrique. But then Bruno leaves the game and the person who enters is not Gabigol, but Carlinhos. And so, if Gabigol doesn't beat Carlinhos at this moment, I can't see him being useful. A melancholic end for one of the greatest players in Flamengo's history.”

There was a current that stated that Tite could opt for Carlinhos instead of Gabigol to maintain as much as possible the characteristics that the team had with Pedro. This is because, despite technical differences, both are taller center forwards, who compete for the aerial ball and can pivot at the edge of the area. However, the choice of Bruno Henrique has already forced a change of system.

The red-black team no longer has a regular center forward. This is because, although good at playing from the top, Bruno does not usually act as a reference to hold the ball in attack. Which forces Flamengo to play with a more mobile attack, with position changes with Luiz Araújo, Gerson and now Gonzalo Plata. In addition to having reduced shots and touched the ball more in the last two games.

Tite, therefore, is already willing to change the way he plays and adapt to the team without Pedro in charge of the attack. But he has not yet shown that he is considering the possibility of testing the team with Gabigol in the starting 11.

International's 3 x 0 victory over Cuiabá, on Monday night (16), in Beira-Rio, ended the 26th round of the Brasileirão. With the result, the team from Rio Grande do Sul reached 38 points, in 8th position, and moved closer to the top squad.

Flamengo and Fortaleza were the G-4 teams that did not win, therefore, they saw Botafogo and Palmeiras opens up an advantage in the fight for the title. At the other end of the table, Corinthians lost and remains in the relegation zone. Defeated by Juventude, at Alfredo Jaconi, Fluminense is the first team outside the Z-4.

Atlético-GO 0 x 2 Vitória – Antônio Accioly

Athletico-PR 1 x 1 Fortaleza – Ligga Arena

Botafogo 2 x 1 Corinthians – Nilton Santos

Palmeiras 5 x 0 Criciúma – Allianz Parque

Bragantino 2 x 2 Grêmio – Nabi Abi Chedid

Juventude 2 x 1 Fluminense – Alfredo Jaconi

Cruzeiro 0 x 1 São Paulo – Mineirão

Bahia 3 x 0 Atlético-MG – Source Nova

Flamengo 1 x 1 Vasco – Maracanã

International 3 x 0 Cuiabá – Beira- Rio

1st Botafogo – 53 points

2nd Palmeiras – 50

3rd Fortaleza – 49

4th Flamengo – 45 (1 game less)

5th São Paulo – 44

6th Bahia – 42

6th Bahia – 42

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7th Cruzeiro – 41

8th International – 38 (2 games less)

9th Vasco – 35 (1 game less)

10° Atlético-MG – 33 (2 games less)

11° Juventude – 32

12° Bragantino – 31 (1 games less)

13° Athletico-PR – 30 (2 games less)

14° Grêmio – 28 (2 games less)

15° Criciúma – 28 (1 game less) less)

16° Fluminense – 27 (1 games less)

17° Vitória – 25

18° Corinthians – 25

19th Cuiabá – 22 (1 games less)

20th Atlético-GO – 18

With Pepe's departure from Porto, defender Otávio, formerly of Flamengo, assumes the role of reference in the Portuguese team's defensive system. His trajectory, however, could have been very different. Otávio revealed that he even thought about giving up football after being loaned by Flamengo. The change of scenery in Portuguese football and family support were decisive for its continuity.

In 2022, Otávio was loaned to Sampaio Corrêa-MA, where he had few opportunities to play. The difficult period made the 22-year-old consider abandoning his career. However, an opportunity in Portuguese football and encouragement from his family made him change his mind. "When I went to Sampaio Corrêa, I couldn't imagine anything else. I had stopped dreaming, thinking about playing for a big team, in Europe", said Otávio.

The turning point for Otávio occurred with his transfer to Famalicão, in Portugal. "When I went to Famalicão, that dream came back and I saw that I could reach and achieve my goals. The move to Portugal made me turn that key around. I was almost stopping, but my parents and my manager were the ones who most encouraged me to continue", commented the defender.

Otávio is a Flamengo kid and played in just one game for the Rio club. His debut took place against Palmeiras, in 2020, during an outbreak of covid-19 in the red and black squad. "I have enormous affection for Flamengo and I think one day, who knows, I will return. After the game against Palmeiras, I thought I would have more games, but it was the club that trained me and opened the doors for me", said Otávio.

Even though I expected more opportunities at Flamengo, the affection for the club is evident. "I watch some games when I'm off, my father, who watches a lot, stays up and then we comment. Flamengo will always be special to me", said the player, reflecting on his career and the desire to perhaps one day return.

Otávio was hired by Porto in January 2024 for 12 million euros (R$64.2 million). Upon arriving at the Portuguese club, he was warmly welcomed by Portuguese-Brazilian Pepe. "When I arrived in Porto, he was one of the first to ask me to talk. He's an idol, every day I watched what he did", said Otávio, highlighting the inspiration that Pepe represents for him.

Life with Pepe had a profound impact on Otávio. "When the game was over, I would look at my moves and watch his too to see if I could do something different. 41 years old and playing at a high level. He's a football idol", concluded Otávio, reinforcing the importance of the veteran in his development in Porto.