Strikers compete for top scorer of the season
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In addition to the leadership of Brasileirão, the game between Athletico-PR and Flamengo is also worth the country's artillery. In 2024, no one scored more goals than Pedro on national soil. The Mengão star found the net 21 times in 27 official games, disregarding the pre-season in the USA. But Gonzalo Mastriani, the opponent's player this Sunday (16), is the one who comes closest.
The Athletico-PR player, who hosts Flamengo at 4pm (Brasília time), at the Arena da Baixada, scored 18 times in the season. To do so, he needed 24 matches. In other words, the average of 0.7 goals per match is the same for both players. In addition to the victory to distance himself in the table, it is important for Pedro to score and move even further away from the rival player.
Mastriani has the same 18 goals as Nicolas, from Paysandu, and the list of Brazil's top scorers in 2024 continues with Anselmo Ramon, from CRB, and Júnior Santos, from Botafogo, both with 17 goals. Pedro's advantage is good, but a hat-trick from Mastriani would be enough to equal Mengão's Shirt 9. The match ends up marking a separate duel between the players.
Even because the promise is of many finishes. Athletico-PR and Flamengo are in the Top 3 of the Brasileirão clubs that take the most shots on goal. Only Palmeiras appears ahead, with an average of 17.9 shots per game. Flamengo's average is the second to appear: 16.6. With 15.9, Athletico is the third team that takes the most risks. Therefore, the chance of one of the players leaving their mark is high.
Pedro appears in the probable for Athletico-PR x Flamengo, but became doubtful after Gabigol's trainingThe team has several absences for Athletico-PR x Flamengo, with even coach Tite suspended for the match. But Pedro became a doubt after the rotations between Camisa 9 and Gabigol among the starters in the last training session before the game against Athletico. In principle, the striker should play, but there is a possibility that the duel with Mastriani will not happen. At least, not during the 90 minutes.
With Varela, Viña, De La Cruz and Arrascaeta in the Uruguayan National Team and Pulgar in the Chilean National Team, the team also has the absences of Allan, Cebolinha and Ayrton Lucas, with muscle problems, Igor Jesus with an ankle sprain. The probable lineup of the team that will be led by Matheus Bachi, Tite's assistant, for Athletico-PR x Flamengo is as follows:
Rossi, Wesley, Fabrício Bruno, David Luiz and Léo Pereira; Léo Ortiz, Gerson and Lorran; Luiz Araújo, Bruno Henrique and Pedro (Gabigol).
The club has a different point of view from the coach
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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 MISTAKE THAT COSTED EXTREMELY DEARLYThe 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.
The club has its greatest moment of inconstancy
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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.
CAN IT GO BAD AT THE MOMENT?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.
The player reached the mark of 20 goals this season and could surpass Mais Querido's number 9
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The Brazilian season is not over yet and with that the artillery remains busy with national and international competitions. Pedro, leader of Flamengo with 30 goals, he will miss the rest of the year after suffering a serious injury and will have to watch another player surpass him. One of those could be Flaco Lopez, from Palmeiras, who has reached 20 goals scored so far.CHECK OUT THE TOP-10 GENERAL GUNERS OF THE SEASON
1st Pedro (Flamengo) - 30 goals
2nd Juan Martín Lucero (Fortaleza) - 23 goals
3rd Gonzalo Mastriani (América -MG and Athletico-PR) - 22 goals
4th Anselmo Ramon (CRB ) - 21
5th Isidro Pitta (Cuiabá) 21 goals
6th Flaco López (Palmeiras) - 20 goals
7th Nicolas (Paysandu) 20 goals
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8th Luiz Fernando (Atlético-GO) - 19 goals
9th Júnior Santos (Botafogo) - 18 goals
10th Pablo Vegetti (Vasco) 18 goals
PEDRO OUT OF SEASONO Flamengo suffered a major absence for the remainder of the season. This is because Pedro suffered a ruptured ligament in his left knee while training with the Brazilian team. Thus, the deadline for the number 9's return to the pitch is 6 to 9 months.
In this way, Pedro will only be able to play for Flamengo again in 2025, leaving him out of the final stretch of the Brasileirão, Copa do Brasil and Libertadores. However, Mais Querido counts on Carlinhos and Gabigol to supply the player.
FOCUS ON THE NEXT GAMEWithout Pedro, Tite continues preparing the red and black squad for the first game of the Libertadores quarter-finals. Mais Querido faces Peñarol on Thursday (19), at 7pm, at Maracanã.
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