FLAMINGO MAY PARTICIPATE IN A NEW AMERICAN COMPETITION

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 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.

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.

Next season is promising. That's at least in terms of Dates. The calendar defined by Conmebol for 2025 has some points that demand the clubs' attention. Mainly those who usually qualify for continental tournaments. Who plays in the initial stages

For Brazilian clubs, who enter the second preliminary stage of the Libertadores , the competition starts on February 19th. Whoever is going to play in this knockout stage needs to be minimally organized so as not to fall midway.

Whoever plays in the Libertadores will have an intense group stage. There will be six games in two months, between April and May. The competition will fill six of the nine possible midweeks in the period.

On the other hand, the interval between the end of the group stage and the beginning of the round of 16 will last practically two and a half months. The base date for the start of the knockout stage is August 13th.

Palmeiras, Flamengo and Fluminense are already confirmed in the FIFA World Cup. The competition takes place between June 15th and July 13th. It may be that someone falls early and receives an unwanted refreshment. But this depends on how the CBF will fit the national calendar into the scope made by Conmebol.

The CBF even tried take away, but the playoff between the third-placed teams in the Libertadores and the second-placed teams in the Sudamericana group stage is maintained. They already take place from July 15/16. Therefore, very close to the end of the World Cup.