FLAMENGO SHOULD NOT REACH AN AGREEMENT BY SHOLA: ATTACKER HAS A CONTRACT UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR

The elimination of Flamengo in the Libertadores, against Peñarol away from home, intensified the pressure on Tite. However, in addition to criticism of the coach, other names have been mentioned by fans and journalists. Mauro Cezar Pereira, for example, harshly criticized Arrascaeta and Nico de la Cruz.

Mauro not only questioned Arrascaeta's behavior, but also his performance in recent years, suggesting that the Uruguayan has not been playing his best football . He even made a pun on the player's name. Furthermore, the journalist mentioned De La Cruz, questioning the physical form of the former River Plate player.

“Arrascaeta has been dragging on for years. Maybe Lil Gabi could even make some rhymes with it. Arrasca drags on. And De La Cruz looks like he's nailed to the cross. He also drags on, he is never in shape. What happens? Who questions? It seems like no one,” said Mauro Cezar Pereira on UOL’s Posse de Bola.

It’s worth remembering that both Arrascaeta and De La Cruz played in familiar territory. The elimination of Flamengo took place in Uruguay, and the number 14, in fact, has never hidden that he has been a Peñarol fan since childhood.

Even highlighting the performances of Arrascaeta and De La Cruz, Mauro Cezar Pereira also held Tite responsible for the elimination. The journalist pointed out that the coach is often the main target of criticism, but also mentioned the Flamengo board as part of the problem.

“Tite is largely responsible for the Libertadores, but this package has many characters. If once again, they just cut off the coach's head, without making vehement demands on the players, since the managers don't do it... Tite is one of those responsible, but this has been happening for years with several coaches. Players always go blank. There is a lack of charge”, stated MCP.

Finally, Mauro criticized the stance adopted by Tite during the game, stating that there was a lack of “blood in the eyes” to seek victory in Montevideo.

“It involves a lot of the coach, who has this good guy profile. Yesterday it was about playing with the knife between the teeth, blood in the eyes and beatings. That's how you play a finishing game like that. It doesn't finish. That's what's missing, coming together, being intense. This team is not like that”, he concluded.

Flamengo was eliminated from the Libertadores by Peñarol, last Thursday, in Montevideo. Rubro-Negro were unable to come back from 0-0 and were unable to reverse the advantage that the Uruguayans gained at Maracanã. In a post on social media, Arrascaeta lamented the fall in the competition and expressed his love for the Rio club.

“Since I was a child, I have always dreamed of playing and winning the Libertadores. This dream that seemed impossible was realized, but getting there took a lot of work and a lot of struggle. In fact, I've always had to fight to get everything I have. Since I was a child, this is what my parents taught me, self-love, humility and gratitude. But when things don't go the way we want, and your character is questioned, the only way we have is to show our value. I always say: either you are Flamengo or you are against Flamengo. And I chose to be. And it will be like this until my last day at the club. Thank you everyone for your support at this difficult time”, wrote the Uruguayan star.

The Uruguayan's outburst is also linked to the recent criticisms that circulated on social media. As a child, Arrascaeta was a Peñarol fan and, since arriving at Flamengo, he has never hidden his desire to defend the club.

Arrascaeta was only the third player to speak out after the elimination. Shortly after the final whistle, Fabrício Bruno spoke to the press. Rossi also participated in the press conference alongside coach Tite. In the mixed zone of the Campeón del Siglo, no athlete stopped to give an interview.

The midfielder was one of the most criticized players due to his performance in the match against Peñarol. The physical form below expectations for this moment of the season and the technical performance below what Arrascaeta already demonstrated at Flamengo were the main targets of comments from the red and blacks.

Filipe Luís' work as a coach has been closely followed by fans and the board of Flamengo, who see in the former player a potential future coach for the club's higher categories. His experience as a professional player and the way he transmits this knowledge to young people have been praised, but concrete results are needed to consolidate his image as a promising coach. Qualifying for the Carioca U20 final is seen as a fundamental step in this process.

Boavista, on the other hand, arrives at the clash with less pressure, but willing to surprise. Saquarema's team has already shown its ability by seeking a draw in the first game and promises to make life difficult for Crias do Ninho in Gávea. The strategy should be similar to that used in the first game: defensive compaction and quick attacks. If they manage to hold off Flamengo in the first minutes and remain organized defensively, Boavista can grow in the match and try to exploit any red-black errors to seek classification.

As a result, Flamengo needs extra attention, especially when they have the ball. Avoiding passing errors and maintaining concentration throughout the match will be key points in not giving your opponent chances. Players like Caio Garcia and Rayan Lucas, who command the midfield, will play an essential role in distributing the plays and controlling the pace of the game. In attack, expectations are on Felipe Teresa and Rafael Couto, who need to be more effective to transform opportunities into goals and avoid a decision in the last minutes.

If Flamengomanage to overcome Boavista and guarantee the place in the final, they will face a strong opponent, be it Vasco or Fluminense. Both teams have a tradition in grassroots football and always make life difficult for Rubro-Negro in decisive clashes. Therefore, in addition to focusing on this Thursday's duel, Filipe Luís and his team also need to start planning possible adjustments for the final. Vasco, for example, has a fast attack and a solid defense, while Fluminense is known for its touch of the ball and ability to control the game.