JAIR VENTURA PRAISES TITE'S WORK AT FLAMENGO AND HIGHLIGHTS: "HE IS OUR BEST COACH"

This Thursday (12), Flamengo secured its place in the semi-finals of the Copa do Brasil by beating Bahia 1-0 in the second game of the quarter-finals, at Maracanã. With this result, Rubro-Negro advances to face Corinthians in the next phase of the competition.

TITÉ REBATES RUMORS ABOUT BENEDETTO

After the match, coach Tite held a press conference and was asked about an alleged call to Darío Benedetto, a former Boca Juniors player. Tite was emphatic in denying the information and criticized Argentine journalist Julio Pavoni, who had reported the contact. "The information is false. It's fake news. I want to know the name of whoever gave this information. I don't even know Benedetto. Julio Pavoni, you lied", said the coach.

In August, Pavoni had stated that Tite had contacted the 34-year-old striker's staff to offer a contract. Benedetto, who is without a club after the end of his contract with Boca Juniors, was mentioned as a possible reinforcement, but Tite made it clear that there were no negotiations.

With classification guaranteed, CRF will face Corinthians, who beat Juventude, in the semi-finals of the Copa do Brasil. The other semifinal will be between Vasco da Gama, who beat Athletico-PR, and Atlético-MG, who eliminated São Paulo. The dates for the semi-finals have not yet been confirmed by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), but the games are scheduled for the 2nd and 17th of October.

FOCUS ON THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

While awaiting the definition of the semi-final dates, Flamengo turns its attention to the Brazilian Championship. Next Sunday (15), the team will face Vasco, in a classic valid for the 26th round of the competition. The match will be played at Maracanã, at 6:30 pm (Brasília time).

Flamengo is in the semi-finals of the Copa do Brasil! This Thursday (12), Mengão scored 1-0 against Bahia and maintained their dream of a fifth championship. However, there was a moment of apprehension at Maracanã. At 25 minutes into the second half, Arrascaeta placed his hand on his thigh and asked for a substitution. When asked about a possible injury, the Uruguayan reassured the Rubro-Negra Nation.

— It was just tiredness. It was an intense moment, I went to the doctor's department, I congratulate them, because they gave me confidence to return as soon as possible. I still wasn't 100%, but it was very important to take the field today — said Arrascaeta, before analyzing the game against Bahia.

— A game that we knew was against an opponent who likes to keep the ball. We, for a moment, controlled the game. We knew they would keep the ball for a while, but we had to, at the right moment, get there, with strength to score the goal. I believe we played a great game, we still have a lot to improve, but we took an important step — added the Uruguayan.

Return to the net

Arrascaeta hadn't played since August 18th, when he was injured against Botafogo, with a muscle injury. On his way back, this Thursday (12), the Uruguayan took advantage of a run and an assist from Bruno Henrique to score the goal that put Flamengo in the semifinals. Now, the opponent will be Corinthians. On the other side of the bracket, Vasco and Atlético-MG are looking for another place in the decision.

The Flamengo is in a presidential election year. In this way, the candidates for the presidency of Mais Querido have already begun to publicize their projects for the next three years. In an interview with the newspaper Lance, Wallim Vasconcelos revealed that he does not intend to continue with Tite if he is elected. Remembering that the coach's contract runs until the end of December.

“I understand that Tite is an excellent coach, but I don't particularly like Tite's style of play. I think Flamengo's style of play is different. This is my opinion, it must be discussed with my board. But it is possible that Tite's contract ends at the end of the year and I do not intend to renew it”, began Wallim.

In the view of Mais Querido, a new sporting director will also be hired. Wallim highlights that the choice of a new coach will be discussed after the professional is in the portfolio.

“It is a discussion with the board, it is a discussion that will have to be held with the sporting director, who will be contracted when we make all the modifications. To make changes to Flamengo's football department, a disruptive change in Brazilian football, we need this”, he pondered.

TITE DOESN'T FIT WITH THE FLAMENGO PROJECT

Wallim he also reiterated: “Football needs to be in the 21st century. I don't believe that Tite fits in with what we imagine with Flamengo from 2025”, he concluded.

CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENCY OF FLAMENGO< In addition to Wallim Vasconcelos, Rodrigo Dunshee, Luiz Eduardo Baptista, Maurício Gomes de Mattos, Pedro Paulo and José Carlos Peruano are also vying for the presidency of Flamengo. The elections will be on December 9th, in Gávea.