FLAMENGO ON ALERT! DORIVAL HAS A RUBRO-NEGRO PLAYER AS A SUBSTITUTE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY IN THE COPA AMÉRICA

With the final stretch of the 2024 season approaching, Flamengo faces an important challenge after the injury to Pedro, who suffered a ruptured ligament in his left knee. The club's vice-president of football, Marcos Braz, stated in an interview with "Fla TV" that he will discuss with coach Tite and his committee the possibility of seeking a new reinforcement to make up for the striker's absence.

The Flamengo see you next time Tuesday (stipulated deadline) to regularize any player who may play for the team this season. However, the options available are limited, as only athletes without a contract can be signed outside the transfer window. Braz highlighted the difficulties in finding suitable names on the market.

"The window is practically over, and the restrictions are enormous in making a signing at this time. After the window closes, it is only possible to sign players who were already without a contract before closing. This greatly reduces the options", explained the manager.

Despite speculation about possible hiring, Marcos Braz highlighted that The red and black squad already has alternatives for the position. Flamengo has, in addition to Gabigol, who must take responsibility in the attack, other players who can perform the role, such as Carlinhos and Bruno Henrique, who can also be improvised as a center forward.

"We have three players who can play in this position. Gabigol has always solved our problems, we have Carlinhos and Bruno Henrique, who can play the role of 9. We will analyze calmly until Tuesday and decide what is best for Flamengo", concluded Braz.

Pedro's injury was a hard blow for the team, not only because of the impact on performance on the field, but also because of what it means behind the scenes. With a deep and talented cast, Flamengo tends to maintain its competitive level even with absences, thanks to a full bench. However, Pedro's departure raises the question of how the club will fill this gap.

Rumors about possible international reinforcements began to circulate quickly, with names like Memphis Depay, Martial and Mariano Díaz gaining prominence in the press. However, Flamengo's board is taking a cautious approach. According to information from UOL, two main factors are guiding the club's strategy: the performance of the players already available and the budget situation.

Firstly, Flamengo is evaluating the ability of its current players to cover Pedro's absence. Among the possible replacements, Gabigol, Bruno Henrique and Carlinhos are mentioned as viable options. These players have a history of good performance and familiarity with the style of play Flamengo, which could facilitate adaptation and minimize the impact of Pedro's injury.

In addition, the club's financial situation is a crucial point in the decision. With more than R$329 million invested in recent signings, Flamengo has already committed a significant part of its budget. This amount is just a little below the R$360.9 million spent in 2019, when President Rodolfo Landim made large investments. The high financial burden of previous signings implies a more restrictive management of available resources.

Flamengo's board also faces difficulties in relation to the sale of players, which further impacts the budget. Negotiations for transfers of Wesley and Fabrício Bruno did not progress as expected, resulting in a lower than desired performance in player sales. This limits the club's ability to invest in new reinforcements, especially in a competitive market.

According to O Globo Esportes, the participation of South American athletes in the Copa América brought to light physical challenges for the players who returned to their clubs after the tournament. One of the most notable cases is that of Erick Pulgar, Chilean player called up for the competition. Like his Uruguayan colleagues, Pulgar once again felt the effects of the intense game and training routine, which ended up having a negative impact on his physical condition.

Pulgar, like other Uruguayan players who participated in the tournament, have faced difficulties in recovering after -Copa America. The sequence of high-level games, added to the pressure of international competitions, seems to have taken its toll. This situation is reflected in a drop in performance and the need for more intensive monitoring by the clubs' medical teams.

In particular, Uruguayan midfielder Nicolás De La Cruz has required special care to return your best physical shape. De La Cruz is currently undergoing an individualized physical training regime, a measure adopted to speed up his recovery and prepare him for the club's upcoming commitments.

FLAMENGO TAKES CARE

A The reality faced by these athletes highlights the challenges that international competitions represent for clubs, especially in terms of managing the physical wear and tear of players. Preparing for tournaments requires detailed planning , which goes beyond technical and tactical training, but also focuses on preserving the physical and mental health of athletes.

Returning to the normal rhythm of competitions after an international tournament is a critical phase for players, and Cases like Pulgar and De La Cruz highlight the importance of effective recovery and fitness strategies. Medical monitoring and specific physical work are essential to ensure that these athletes can return to performing at a high level without compromising their long-term health.