GABIGOL REVOLTS AGAINST JUDGE: ''REVERSED FOULS''

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.

Life is not easy for one of Flamengo's players. In this sense, we are talking about the striker Gabigol, who will have to equal the goal average of Erling Haaland, from Manchester City, to avoid having his lowest scoring season for Flamengo in 2024.

The number 99 scored so far just four goals in 26 games. In the last year of his contract, the 28-year-old player accumulated poor performances, lost space in the team and was also involved in off-field controversies. Currently, he is the last option in the position for the coaching staff.

His worst record for the club so far is 20 goals scored, which he had in 2023. In previous years, he found the net 29 times ( 2022), 34 times (2021), 27 times (2020) and 43 times (2019). His highest scoring season was precisely the first, when the player was on loan to Fla from Inter Milan.

To surpass last year's number, he would need an average of more of one goal per game — 15 clashes to come. At this moment, Flamengo has 16 more games confirmed until the end of the season, but Gabigol is already out of this Thursday's clash (19) against Peñarol, in the quarterfinals of the Libertadores. He had a thigh problem in the derby against Vasco, but it was not listed even without a diagnosed injury.

This performance is close to that recorded by the phenomenon Haaland. The City striker has already found the net ten times in eight games at the start of the European season, averaging 1.25 goals per game. Counting the entire year 2024, the Norwegian has 33 goals in 35 games — an average of 0.94, which would make Gabigol score 19 more times by the end of December. Haaland's average throughout his career is 0.84.

Counting all the possible matches that the Rubro-negro could have in 2024 (eight more), the average for Gabigol to at least equal his worst score in Fla could "drop" to at least 0.69 — he would need 16 goals in this projection with 23 more games. If the team led by Tite advances to the final of the Copa do Brasil and Libertadores, there would be five more games (average of 0.8). If Fla wins the continental tournament, it could have up to three more if it gets a place in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final.

2019: 43 goals in 59 games (average of 0.73)

2020: 27 goals in 43 games (average of 0.63)

2021: 34 goals in 45 games ( average of 0.76)

2022: 29 goals in 63 games (average of 0.46)

2023: 20 goals in 58 games (average of 0.34)

p>

2024: 4 goals in 26 games so far (average 0.15)