“WE PLAY ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WITHOUT PROBLEMS, BUT AGAINST THEM WE ARE PROBLEM”! FLAMENGO LEADER IRONIZES OVER PALM TREES

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.

One of Flamengo's presidential candidates, Luiz Eduardo Baptista, better known as BAP, announced that the club's possible new stadium should cost approximately R$2.5 billion. The project, which aims to build an arena in the Gasometer region, in the center of Rio de Janeiro, foresees a capacity for 70 thousand fans. The statement was given in an exclusive interview with Lance!, as part of a series with all the candidates for the red-black election, scheduled for December this year.

BAP, when estimating the value of R$ 2.5 billion for the construction, highlighted that the club will face legal challenges regarding the acquisition of the land, which belonged to a fund administered by Caixa Econômica Federal and was expropriated by Rio City Hall. He believes that there will be a legal imbroglio over the area, but he was confident in overcoming these obstacles.

“I estimate that a stadium of 70 thousand seats will cost around R$2.5 billion. I am absolutely sure that there will be a legal battle, because, in Brazil, this ends up being politically influenced as well. We hope that, with the team we have, we can overcome these challenges and find a solution that benefits all parties involved — Caixa, the Caixa fund, the City Hall, the State government, the fans and Flamengo”, stated the candidate .

Another point addressed by Luiz Eduardo Baptista was his opposition to the purchase of Leixões, a second division club in Portugal. The CRF is in negotiations to acquire the Portuguese team with the aim of strengthening the club's internationalization, but BAP was vehemently against the idea.

“Flamengo gains absolutely nothing from this. It's a waste of time and energy, a terrible idea for the moment the club is going through. If I am elected, at whatever stage this project is at, it will be immediately cancelled”, he declared.

The election to choose the club's new president will take place in December and will define who will lead Flamengo for the next three years. BAP is one of the strong names in the electoral race and seeks to implement a modernization project, focusing on the club's infrastructure and finances.