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Flamengo entered the field knowing that they needed a win to breathe in the continental competition, but they left with a bittersweet draw. With the result, Filipe Luís' team has only five points and remains in third place in the group. LDU leads with eight points, the same score as Central Córdoba, which is behind on goal difference. Deportivo Táchira, with zero points, is already eliminated. With that, Rubro-Negro needs to win the two remaining games at Maracanã to advance.

GERSON OPENS UP ABOUT COMPLAINT

At the end of the match, Gerson , the team captain, gave a direct message. “We wanted to win the game, but we couldn’t. Now we have to talk less and work more,” the number 8 told Paramount+. The speech highlights the internal discomfort with the recent performance. Gerson also projected the next sequence, reinforcing the importance of turning the key. “We have to win or win in the Libertadores to go through. Now we have to think about Saturday’s game and then focus on the Libertadores,” he added.

FLAMENGO COMES ABOVE THE PRESSURE

The draw increases the pressure on the team, which will now have four consecutive home games to react in three different competitions. The marathon begins this Saturday (10), at 9 pm, against Bahia , for the Brasileirão. Then, the team faces LDU, on Thursday (15), at 9:30 pm, in a duel that has gained the status of a final. Only a victory will do for Flamengo to stay alive in the continental tournament.

The third game in the sequence will be the classic against Botafogo, on Sunday (18), at 6:30 pm, again for the Brazilian Championship. The direct confrontation can also impact the fight for the top positions in the national table. Finally, Flamengo closes the series of matches at Maracanã facing Botafogo-PB, on Wednesday (21), at 9:30 pm, for the second leg of the third phase of the Copa do Brasil. Rubro-Negro has a minimum advantage of 1-0 built in the first leg.

With the home leg, the coaching staff sees an important opportunity to regain control of the season. However, the mood is one of pressure and demand for quick responses on the field. Despite the poor performance against Central Córdoba, Flamengo had chances to win, but were stopped by technical errors and hasty choices in the final third. The opponent's defensive posture and slow ball circulation compromised their performance.

Buenos Aires (ARG) – The 1-1 draw with Central Córdoba this Wednesday in Argentina increased the tension behind the scenes at Flamengo. The result kept the Rubro-Negro out of the qualifying zone in Group E of the Libertadores and made a victory in the last two rounds mandatory. Still on the pitch, Rossi was direct: "There are six points that we cannot lose."

A CHRONIC PROBLEM IN THE MOST LOVED ONE

The Argentine goalkeeper spoke immediately after the final whistle and acknowledged the importance of the moment. With five points in four games, Flamengo is currently in third place in the group. LDU leads with eight, the same number as Central Córdoba. Deportivo Táchira, already practically eliminated, did not score any points.

We know we have two home games that we have to take advantage of..." - said Rossi

Flamengo will now face LDU at Maracanã in the fifth round and will close the group stage against Deportivo Táchira, also in Rio de Janeiro. To qualify without depending on other results, Filipe Luis' team needs to win both games. Any slip-up will require an unlikely combination in the remaining matches.

SAME MISTAKES AS IN 2024

Despite the confident speech, the mood is one of frustration. The Rio de Janeiro team fell behind in San Luis and managed to equalize in the second half, with a goal by Pedro. But they had difficulty in playing the game and were involved in much of the match. “We know we have two home games that we have to take advantage of. It was important to win in Venezuela, we tied with LDU in Ecuador... If we prepare well, rest, and calm our minds so as not to feel the pressure, we will win,” said Rossi.

Rossi , however, did not follow the criticism of part of the team. For him, the opponent knew how to close up and made it difficult for Flamengo to attack — a scenario similar to the recent match against Cruzeiro, in the Brasileirão. “We came here to win, but we didn’t manage it. We had moments of control of the ball, but we lacked the final pass. When the opponent closes up too deep, as Cruzeiro also did, it’s hard to find space,” assessed the number 1.

An idol as a player, multiple champion with the red and black jersey and one of the leaders of the most successful generation in Flamengo 's recent history, Filipe Luís made his debut as coach surrounded by internal support and external enthusiasm. But this scenario is starting to change. The team led by the former full-back is not exciting, and the numbers in the 2025 Libertadores are, so far, a reflection of the moment: draws at home, little offensive creativity and a defensive system that fluctuates more than expected.

The draw with Central Córdoba , at the Maracanã, exposed the team's technical and emotional instability. With a football performance below what is expected of a star-studded team, Flamengo was once again booed by part of the fans at the end of the match. The criticism, which until then had been mild on social media, began to gain momentum. Fans questioned tactical choices, the coach's reading of the game and the performance of key players, who seemed far from their physical and technical peak.

For now, Filipe Luis's Libertadores is worse than Tite's..." - said fan

In addition to the occasional protests at the stadium, Fla's web channels — which include influencers, independent journalists and profiles dedicated to the club — began to voice their discontent. The debate over Filipe's continuity gained ground, and there are already comparisons with Tite's work. "But for now, Filipe Luis's Libertadores is worse than Tite's," said the fan on social media.

if it's not worse it's just as bad

Tite, who resigned in September last year, left the club after internal wear and tear, inconsistent results and criticism of the club's lack of attacking repertoire. Filipe, who took over shortly after with the idea of "rescuing the red-and-black essence", started off well, winning the Carioca, the Super Cup and the Copa do Brasil, but his recent performance is a cause for concern.

At the same time, expectations for changes to the squad are growing. The board is already discussing internally a restructuring for the mid-year window. Players with little room or underperforming should be released. Filipe has even been taking part in these discussions. He has signaled to the football leadership the need to oxygenate the group and is targeting reinforcements in specific sectors. However, the evaluation of his own work has also been on the agenda.