Soccer

Gabigol needs to return with good football in Flamengo's attack - says journalist

This discussion around the striker reflects the demands of a club like Flamengo, where demands are always high, and immediate performance is fundamental.

18 Out 2024 | 16:43 |

The permanence of Gabriel Barbosa, known as Gabigol, as Flamengo's starter has been a topic of debate among fans and experts, especially after his recent performances. The striker, who built a solid career at the club with decisive goals and appearances in important titles, has been going through a phase below expectations. Despite his successful record, his performance in the last matches sparked discussion about his continued position as the team's absolute starter.

Journalist Venê Casagrande, known for his accurate and connected analyzes of Flamengo's daily life, also entered the debate. In one of his last appearances on sports programs, Venê commented on Gabigol's current situation, pointing out that the striker, although he still has prestige for what he has already delivered, needs to raise his level of performance to justify his position in the starting eleven. The journalist highlighted that keeping Gabigol in the starting lineup is something that depends on the balance between his record and what he is currently producing on the field.

A HOPE FOR GABIGOL

According to Venê Casagrande, it is undeniable that Gabigol has a trajectory which justifies its relevance in the cast. However, football is a sport based on current performance, and the striker's sequence of less inspired games raises doubts about the best way to use him in the team. "It's not just about who he was or what he's achieved, but who he is today and what he can still offer the team," said the journalist. He also concluded by saying that the charge on Gabigol is proportional to the level that the player himself has reached, and, therefore, there is an expectation that he will once again be decisive as before.

THE CHOICE FOR A SUCCESSFUL RESUME

Other A highlighted point in Venê's analysis is the competition within the squad. With other attackers on the rise, such as Pedro and Bruno Henrique, who have also shown their importance, keeping Gabigol as a starter needs to be reviewed in terms of meritocracy. For the journalist, the Flamengo coach, whoever he is at the moment, needs to make decisions based on what is best for the team, and not just out of gratitude to the past. "It's a difficult choice, but Flamengo needs the best on the field at the moment, and that means analyzing game by game", said Venê.

In addition to Casagrande's opinion, some numbers may justify this debate. In comparisons with other moments of his career at Flamengo, Gabigol has recorded fewer direct participation in goals and, in some games, his movement on the field has not had the expected effect. For the journalist, this does not mean that the attacker should be discarded or that his phase cannot be reversed, but it is necessary for the player himself to see this situation as an opportunity to evolve and look for alternatives in his playing style.

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Soccer

Presidente do Flamengo comemora Libertadores, mas detona Intercontinental

Com a conquista do tetra da competição sul-americana, o Mengão também garantiu vaga no torneio da FIFA após o fim do Brasileirão

Presidente do Flamengo, Bap critica Copa Intercontinental da FIFA após título da Libertadores - Foto: Adriano Fontes/Flamengo

30 Nov 2025 | 13:00 |

Tetracampeão da Copa Libertadores ao superar o Palmeiras por 1 a 0 no último sábado (29), o clube garantiu vaga na Copa Intercontinental, marcada para dezembro. Após a decisão em Lima, o presidente rubro-negro, Bap, não poupou críticas ao formato da competição e ainda fez uma provocação bem-humorada à presidente alviverde, Leila Pereira.

Bap após título da Libertadores do Flamengo: "o Intercontinental é absolutamente injusto"

CRÍTICAS AO INTERCONTINENTAL

Logo depois da conquista, Bap reclamou da logística e da diferença de condições entre os participantes do torneio mundial: “Acho que o Intercontinental é absolutamente injusto. Vamos chegar menos de 20 horas antes do jogo, e a gente perde dinheiro se cair no primeiro jogo. Olha o que aconteceu com o Botafogo ano passado. Outro dia estávamos discutindo Fair Play financeiro”, afirmou o dirigente.

O mandatário do Flamengo também destacou o impacto esportivo da viagem: “Fair Play esportivo, não é legal o time campeão da Libertadores chegar para jogar com menos de 24 horas, fazer uma viagem de 15 horas, com sete horas de fuso… Hoje vamos desfrutar, e segunda-feira vou decidir o que vamos fazer”, completou.

QUANDO SERÁ A ESTREIA NA COPA INTERCONTINENTAL

Classificado diretamente para as quartas de final, o time estreia no dia 10 de dezembro, contra o Cruz Azul (MEX), no Catar. O elenco, no entanto, terá um desafio antes: enfrentar o Mirassol, em 7 de dezembro, pela última rodada do Brasileirão. A sequência causa preocupação pela proximidade das datas e pela longa viagem até o Oriente Médio.

A PROVOCAÇÃO A LEILA PEREIRA

Bap também revelou uma brincadeira com Leila Pereira, presidente do Palmeiras, durante um evento da Conmebol, na véspera da final. A alusão recorda a derrota de 2021, por 2 a 1, em Montevidéu. Desta vez, porém, o troco veio: vitória na capital peruana e a consagração com o quarto título continental.

“Na sexta-feira comentei com a Leila, brincando, que o raio não cai duas vezes no mesmo lugar (em referência à final perdida em 2021). Ela pediu a palavra e respondeu: “Cai sim”. Eu estava pensando aqui com meus botões… ela estava certa. Em Lima, cai”, disse o presidente.

Gabigol needs to return with good football in Flamengo's attack - says journalist