Soccer
Botafogo and São Paulo are tied and the decision of Flamengo's possible opponent will be decided next week
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Behind the scenes at the Rio club, the belief began to circulate that Pedro and Gabigol could no longer coexist in the same squad.
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Pedro and Gabigol formed a solid attacking duo during last year's Copa do Brasil and Copa Libertadores victories. However, as 2023 unfolded, the dynamic between the two standout players took a different turn, and success on the field became more difficult to achieve. Behind the scenes at Flamengo, an opinion began to emerge that the two center forwards might not be compatible on the same team.
This revelation came to light through the observations of sports journalist Pedro Ivo Almeida, from 'ESPN', which conveyed the belief within Flamengo's hierarchy that Pedro and Gabigol might no longer harmonize, both on and off the field. He shared this perspective during an interview on the 'Charla Podcast' channel. "The word is that many people within Flamengo believe that Pedro and Gabigol no longer fit into the same team, going beyond tactical considerations. This goes beyond their abilities", explained Pedro Ivo Almeida. "I believe that Gabriel has a more promising future than Pedro when it comes to everything off the field."
The issues transcended the football field. Lingering tensions and unresolved conflicts from a past confrontation between the two players had created a significant divide. Pedro Ivo Almeida detailed further: "It's about everything outside of football. There is an open wound resulting from Pedro's past behavior during that confrontation. Gabriel and Pedro don't understand each other; they are different people with different customs, circles of friends and distinct interests. They were unable to successfully navigate this coexistence."
Jorge Sampaoli, Flamengo's previous coach, initially experimented with the Pedro-Gabigol partnership during the early stages of his tenure. However, over time, he began to favor one over the other. Initially, Gabigol received more opportunities, but towards the end of Sampaoli's tenure, Pedro secured a regular starting position. This change saw the number 10, usually worn by Gabigol, relegated to the bench for the final three matches of the season.
With the arrival of Tite as the new coach, both Gabigol and Pedro now face the challenge to convince the coach and reignite his competition for the striker position. Gabigol appears to have an advantage, given that the coach had selected him for the national team's World Cup squad when he was in charge of the Brazilian team. The holder of the number 10 shirt has just one week to present a convincing case before the clash with Cruzeiro, scheduled for next Thursday at Mineirão. The competition for supremacy in Flamengo's offensive formation promises to be one of the most closely watched narratives of the season.
The teams play the first game of the quarterfinals at 7 p.m.
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Tite defined Flamengo and announced the 11 starters who will face Peñarol, this Thursday, at Maracanã, at 7pm. De la Cruz returns to the starting lineup in place of Léo Ortiz, and Alex Sandro and Plata were retained. The duel with the Uruguayans is the first between the teams in the quarter-finals of the Copa Conmebol Libertadores.
Follow the Red and Black lineup:Rossi, Varela, Fabrício Bruno, Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro; Pulgar, De la Cruz, Gerson and Arrascaeta; Plata and Bruno Henrique.
Alex Sandro and Plata, debutants in last Sunday's classic, remain in the team after having good performances in the draw against Vasco. Gabigol is now out of the relationship due to fibrosis in the posterior muscle of his right thigh. Flamengo, in a statement, reported that the athlete did not suffer any injury in the region. Check it out:
"The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo informs that the athlete Gabriel Barbosa underwent tests that did not diagnose an injury to the posterior muscle of his right thigh. However, the Technical Committee opted for precaution and did not list him for the duel against Peñarol due to fibrosis in the region. Gabi is handed over to physiotherapists and physical trainers for the series of decisive games of the season."
Match starts at 7pm this Thursday
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Flamengo faces Peñarol (URU) in the first game of the CONMEBOL Libertadores quarter-finals and, here, you can watch the broadcast, live, with 2h30 of pre-game, interviews, the team's arrival at Maracanã and everything more.
Follow the match live here:
This lack of space for young people could also have an impact on Flamengo's own market strategy
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In recent weeks, the discussion about the use of young players in Flamengo came back to the fore, especially in relation to Victor Hugo and Everton Araújo. Both athletes, considered promises in the youth categories, have faced difficulties in securing space in the main squad under Tite's command.
Victor Hugo, who became one of the club's main hopes, had a role greatly reduced in the last ten games. During this period, he was only used in a single match, against São Paulo, in the Copa do Brasil. It is worth noting that, on this occasion, Flamengo entered the field with a reserve team, which highlights the coach's lack of confidence in the young midfielder for games considered more important. On this occasion, Victor Hugo only had 30 minutes to show his football, which raises questions about the club's planning for the development of young talent.
Everton Araújo's situation is also worrying. The player has not been used for 12 consecutive matches, which shows that he has lost space within the squad. Everton, who arrived at Flamengo with great expectations, finds themselves increasingly distant from a concrete opportunity to show their service on the field. The prolonged absence from official games is a clear indication that he is not in the coach's immediate plans, which could affect not only his morale, but also his evolution as an athlete.
The lack of opportunities for these players brings up a debate about the policy for using youth teams at Flamengo. The club, historically known for revealing great talents, appears to be going through a moment of transition, in which the preference for more experienced players or recent signings ends up harming the space for young players.
The case of Victor Hugo is particularly emblematic . The young midfielder has already shown potential in other opportunities, but the lack of continuity in his participation could be detrimental to his career. Gradual and consistent inclusion in games is essential for a young player to develop confidence and show their true value. However, with just 30 minutes on the field in the last ten games, it is difficult to imagine that he will be able to gain pace and evolve as expected.
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