Ext- Coach praises Flamengo and gives advice to Tite

The Flamengofaced one of the most delicate moments of its season after the 3-2 defeat to Grêmio, in a match valid for the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship. Last Sunday (22), the Rio team opted for a team made up mostly of young people from the base, saving 13 main players who stayed in Rio de Janeiro. This choice was aimed at preparing for the decisive Libertadores game against Peñarol, which will take place this Thursday (26). However, the strategy was not well received by the press and generated criticism, highlighting the analysis by journalist Pedro Ivo.

The decision to spare important players against Grêmio was widely debated, mainly due to the direct impact that this defeat could have on the rest of the season. Pedro Ivo, during his appearance on ESPN's Linha de Passe program, stated that Flamengo, by making this decision and announcing it publicly on Friday (20), had already committed itself negatively to the result.

A BITTER DEFEAT IN THE SEASON

According to the journalist, the fact of announcing that 13 players would not travel to Porto Alegre set the tone of an "institutional defeat" before even if the ball rolls. Flamengo, by giving up a significant part of its main squad to focus on the Libertadores, would have assumed the risk of suffering from the defeat in the Brasileirão, which in fact occurred.

This stance, according to Pedro Ivo, it's uncommon in Flamengo, which traditionally does not announce in advance who will be left out of matches. The early announcement generated a feeling that the defeat on Sunday was, in a way, already expected, devaluing the confrontation and bringing consequences that could affect the atmosphere at the club for the remainder of the season.

Flamengo faces one of its most important matches of the season next Thursday (26), when it will measure forces against Peñarol, in the Libertadores quarter-finals. The clash, which takes place at 7pm (Brasília time) at the Campeón del Siglo Stadium, in Montevideo, requires a victory by two or more goals difference to guarantee direct classification for Rubro-Negro. If the aggregate score ends in a draw, the place will be decided on penalties.

In the preparations for the decisive match, one of the great expectations revolves around the possible return of Léo Ortiz to the starting team. The player, who trained in two different situations – first in place of Pulgar, then alongside him, replacing De La Cruz – could be a key player in the team's midfield.

Ortiz, who has stood out as an improvised midfielder, established himself as one of Mais Querido's main players in the second half of the year. Last time CRF < /a>faced Peñarol, Ortiz started the match on the bench by Tite's decision, but now he can get a new opportunity on the field.

The Flamengo , under the command of Tite, is facing one of the most delicate moments of the season, and one of the main problems is the absence of Pedro in the attack. The striker, who had been the main name in the offensive sector, ended up getting injured, leaving a gap that was not filled by the board, generating criticism from both fans and experts. The club's management chose not to seek suitable reinforcements, which has now weighed heavily on the team's performance.

Pedro had been the team's most decisive player Flamengo. He carried the attack practically alone, being responsible for finishing the plays and holding down the opposing defenses. His ability to act as a reference in the area allowed the team to vary offensive plays, something that Flamengo now clearly misses. With his injury, offensive production dropped drastically. What was once a team with great attacking power, now appears disorganized and without a clear plan of action.

The lack of an immediate replacement for Pedro exposes a planning problem. In modern football, injuries are part of every team's routine, and having a squad that can make up for these absences is essential. In the case of Flamengo, this did not happen. There was no signing of a player with characteristics similar to Pedro's, which left Tite in a delicate situation. The coach needs to reorganize the game system without counting on his main offensive player, a task that has proven challenging.

Tite, upon taking command of Flamengo, inherited a squad with many qualities, but also with some gaps. Pedro's absence further accentuates these deficiencies. The coach is known for his tactical work and ability to assemble balanced teams, but the lack of options in attack has made this mission difficult.