LUDMILLA SCORES A GOAL AGAINST FERNANDO PRASS IN SOLIDARITY GAME

The elimination of Flamengo in the Libertadores, against Peñarol away from home, intensified the pressure on Tite. However, in addition to criticism of the coach, other names have been mentioned by fans and journalists. Mauro Cezar Pereira, for example, harshly criticized Arrascaeta and Nico de la Cruz.

Mauro not only questioned Arrascaeta's behavior, but also his performance in recent years, suggesting that the Uruguayan has not been playing his best football . He even made a pun on the player's name. Furthermore, the journalist mentioned De La Cruz, questioning the physical form of the former River Plate player.

“Arrascaeta has been dragging on for years. Maybe Lil Gabi could even make some rhymes with it. Arrasca drags on. And De La Cruz looks like he's nailed to the cross. He also drags on, he is never in shape. What happens? Who questions? It seems like no one,” said Mauro Cezar Pereira on UOL’s Posse de Bola.

It’s worth remembering that both Arrascaeta and De La Cruz played in familiar territory. The elimination of Flamengo took place in Uruguay, and the number 14, in fact, has never hidden that he has been a Peñarol fan since childhood.

Tite and the board were also the target of criticism from Mauro Cezar

Even highlighting the performances of Arrascaeta and De La Cruz, Mauro Cezar Pereira also held Tite responsible for the elimination. The journalist pointed out that the coach is often the main target of criticism, but also mentioned the Flamengo board as part of the problem.

“Tite is largely responsible for the Libertadores, but this package has many characters. If once again, they just cut off the coach's head, without making vehement demands on the players, since the managers don't do it... Tite is one of those responsible, but this has been happening for years with several coaches. Players always go blank. There is a lack of charge”, stated MCP.

Finally, Mauro criticized the stance adopted by Tite during the game, stating that there was a lack of “blood in the eyes” to seek victory in Montevideo.

“It involves a lot of the coach, who has this good guy profile. Yesterday it was about playing with the knife between the teeth, blood in the eyes and beatings. That's how you play a finishing game like that. It doesn't finish. That's what's missing, coming together, being intense. This team is not like that”, he concluded.

Flamengo was eliminated from the Libertadores by Peñarol, last Thursday, in Montevideo. Rubro-Negro were unable to come back from 0-0 and were unable to reverse the advantage that the Uruguayans gained at Maracanã. In a post on social media, Arrascaeta lamented the fall in the competition and expressed his love for the Rio club.

“Since I was a child, I have always dreamed of playing and winning the Libertadores. This dream that seemed impossible was realized, but getting there took a lot of work and a lot of struggle. In fact, I've always had to fight to get everything I have. Since I was a child, this is what my parents taught me, self-love, humility and gratitude. But when things don't go the way we want, and your character is questioned, the only way we have is to show our value. I always say: either you are Flamengo or you are against Flamengo. And I chose to be. And it will be like this until my last day at the club. Thank you everyone for your support at this difficult time”, wrote the Uruguayan star.

The Uruguayan's outburst is also linked to the recent criticisms that circulated on social media. As a child, Arrascaeta was a Peñarol fan and, since arriving at Flamengo, he has never hidden his desire to defend the club.

Arrascaeta was only the third player to speak out after the elimination. Shortly after the final whistle, Fabrício Bruno spoke to the press. Rossi also participated in the press conference alongside coach Tite. In the mixed zone of the Campeón del Siglo, no athlete stopped to give an interview.

The midfielder was one of the most criticized players due to his performance in the match against Peñarol. The physical form below expectations for this moment of the season and the technical performance below what Arrascaeta already demonstrated at Flamengo were the main targets of comments from the red and blacks.

Flamengo visits Peñarol this Thursday (26), when they compete for a place in the Libertadores semi-final. In addition to having to overcome the challenges on the field, Mais Querido will have to have a strong mentality to avoid falling for the Uruguayans' provocations, as they have not lost in the competition in Montevideo since 2017. On that occasion, the confrontation ended in a fight, remembered by Fernando Prass, former goalkeeper. In this way, the commentator warned Rubro-Negro about the atmosphere of the game.

"Literally a war scenario. Literally. It's not just in the sense of the field. The extra field is going to be very complicated. That game of ours had the component of Felipe Melo's statement, of slapping the Uruguayan in the face. In the game here, Nández had already tried to get into trouble with Keno. Flamengo will encounter a very hostile environment", said Fernando Prass, during 'ESPN's programming. '.

On that occasion, Palmeiras beat the Uruguayans by a score of 3 to 2 and eliminated them from the Libertadores within the Campeón del Siglo. However, since then, Peñarol has not lost in the competition at home, with 15 wins and two draws in 17 matches.

FOCUS ON THE DECISION

< The red and black squad will finish preparing for the Libertadores clash this Wednesday (25), at Ciudad Desportiva Luis Suárez, in the afternoon.

So, on Thursday (26) , Mais Querido enters the field with the mission of beating Peñarol and qualifying for the Libertadores semifinals. The clash will start at 7pm, at Campeón del Siglo.