FLAMENGO AND BOTAFOGO DRAW WITHOUT GOALS IN GÁVEA, IN THE WOMEN'S GUANABARA CUP

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 MISTAKE THAT COSTED EXTREMELY DEARLY 

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.

CAN IT GO BAD AT THE MOMENT?

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.

After being eliminated in the first phase of the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo will bet everything on the last competition of the season, which will be the Championship Carioca Feminino, where the club already knows its group and its first opponent in the tournament. Maurício Salgado's team tries to erase its poor performance this season.

The 2024 Carioca Championship will start on October 5th and Flamengo will make its debut against Araruama, at 3pm. In this edition, 11 teams will be competing in the tournament, in addition to Flamengo; Fluminense, Botafogo, Vasco, Araruama, Duque de Caxias, Serra Macaense, Olaria, Pérolas Negras, Boavista and EC Resende will be the other participants.

Group A: Flamengo, Botafogo, Olaria, Pérolas Negras, Boavista and EC Resende.
Group B: Fluminense, Vasco, Araruama, Duque de Caxias and Serra Macaense.

The competition begins on October 5th and has 11 teams divided into two groups: one with six teams and the other with five. Teams face clubs from the opposite group, accumulating points only within their own group. Thus, the teams in Group A will play 5 matches against the teams in Group B, while those in Group B will play 6 matches against those in Group A.

After the end of the group stage, the two best teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. In the semifinal stage, the 1st placed team in each group will face the 2nd placed team in the same group in round-trip games. The two best teams in the semi-finals will have the advantage of playing the second match at home and will be able to qualify with an aggregate draw.

The winners of the semi-finals will face each other in the final, scheduled to take place on the 23rd of November, also in round-trip departures. In the final, the field hosts drawn by FERJ. If the aggregate score is tied after both games, the decision will be made on penalties.