Soccer
27 Out 2023 | 09:38 |
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This Wednesday (25), Flamengo played against Grêmio, losing 3-2, coming from behind. The attacking scheme that Tite opted for in this match was made up of Pedro, Arrascaeta, Gerson and Everton. Both Bruno Henrique and Gabigol started the match on the bench, only being called up in the second half.
However, unlike number 27, Gabriel is already facing the bench with some regularity. This was the seventh game in a row in which the number 10 started from outside the field, which is his personal record. Since arriving at the team in 2019, he had never spent so many games in a row without starting.
The last match in which Gabriel Barbosa started for Fla was in the first game of the Copa do Brasil final, against São Paulo, on September 17th, when the team was still under the command of Sampaoli. Gabigol was a reserve in Goiás X Flamengo (20/09) and in the national championship decision.
When interim coach Mário Jorge took over the team, after the Argentinian's dismissal, he maintained this standard for two matches, as did Tite.
Pedro is the one who is benefiting most from this new 'phase' of Gabigol. The striker didn't have many chances to show his talent throughout the year, even though he was Mais Querido's top scorer this season, but now he is the coach's first option. But why?
The coach is giving space for the two to show their talents on the field, but seems to rely more on Pedro for his tactical scheme, considering that he intends to reformulate the team's defensive system .
Since arriving at Mengão, Tite has made it clear that he will not give up Flamengo's defensive balance, despite the talent in the midfield. Therefore, he has no problem keeping the duo in games, prioritizing the youngest, who has a more backwards style of play. The coach already has some experience with the striker, having collaborated with him at the World Cup in Qatar last year.
However, one should not imagine that Tite has left Gabriel aside. He actually has a plan for the star: play vertically. In fact, all the personalized and specific physical work that the ex-Brazilian team's team has done with the number 10 is with this focus.
The striker was the main highlight of Shabab Al-Ahli, from the United Arab Emirates, and was honored with an important individual award.
13 Ago 2025 | 09:09 |
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Brazilian champion with Flamengo in 2020, Guilherme Bala is enjoying a special phase in his career . Currently with Shabab Al-Ahli in the United Arab Emirates, the striker was a standout in the 2024/2025 season , winning four titles and being a key player in the team's success.
The performance earned the player, who was born at Ninho do Urubu, the award for best under-23 athlete from the local federation . An emotional Bala celebrated the achievement, highlighted the collective effort, and celebrated the most memorable moment in his career.
Guilherme Bala, ex-Flamengo: "It was the best season of my career"
"I'm very happy to win this award. It was a very special season, things went perfectly, and it was definitely the best season of my career. This is the culmination of hard work, dedication, and commitment . I also want to dedicate this award to my teammates, coaching staff, and the entire club staff. If I managed to win, everyone has a hand in it."
Under former Flamengo coach Paulo Sousa, Guilherme Bala recorded his best stats: 35 appearances, eight goals, and 12 assists , totaling 20 direct goal involvements. He also helped Shabab win the UAE Pro League, the Emirates Super Cup, the Challenge Shield, and the UAE President's Cup.
Since joining the club in 2021/2022, Bala has played 95 matches, scoring 18 goals and providing 26 assists. In addition to the Golden Boy award, he was also named to the All-Star Team of the Season . The striker also outlined his goals for 2025/2026:
"After a season with so many titles, it's always difficult to maintain the level of achievements. We know that all our opponents will be even more motivated to play against us. But our team is very strong, and we have important trophies to defend, not to mention the Asian Champions League . We'll work hard and stay focused to have another great season, full of titles."
Guilherme Bala played for Flamengo between 2019 and 2020. Last year, he played in three matches for the first team . Two games marked his time: the 4-0 victory over Independiente Del Valle (EQU) in the Libertadores, and the 1-1 draw against Palmeiras at Allianz Parque, where he played 71 minutes.
Presenter sees Mengão's dependence on defensive players to score goals and reveals disappointment with expectations
13 Ago 2025 | 08:38 |
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Despite leading the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo received criticism from Galvão Bueno. The commentator expressed concern about the team's offensive output , highlighting its reliance on goals scored by defenders like Léo Pereira and Léo Ortiz. He believed that a team with such a capable attack should be more lethal and not rely on aerial plays as its main weapon. During the Band program "Galvão e Amigos," the host praised Filipe Luís's work but questioned the lack of effectiveness of the attacking players.
Galvão Bueno criticizes Flamengo's attack: "Only the defenders score the goals"
"Everyone knows Flamengo has a great team, and the coach's work is excellent. Flamengo doesn't have a bench, it has a comfortable reserve squad , but only the defenders score the goals. How can this be? What's wrong with Flamengo dominating the game and not being able to score? Is the work done for the defenders to score goals from crosses into the box?"
Galvão emphasized that, at the beginning of the Brasileirão, the attack was functioning well, but in recent matches the team has struggled to break down tight defenses , becoming reliant on set pieces to secure victories. According to him, this change in pattern indicates that adjustments are necessary to maintain a high level of competition.
"Flamengo started with a very powerful attack. But, in recent games, the teams have been closing down, and Flamengo has lost its way in the attack. Then, they started scoring goals from set pieces with their defenders. I expected even more from Flamengo . They're a very well-managed team, with an exceptional squad, and they have everything they need to come out swinging."
Second top scorer in the Brasileirão, Arrascaeta took over as Flamengo 's top scorer in 2025. Despite the Uruguayan's excellent performance , Galvão believes that the other forwards and midfielders need to contribute more.
"Maybe something is missing to break down the opposing defense because every team plays defensively against Flamengo. With the squad they have and Filipe Luís's ability to work, I would imagine Flamengo would be scoring more goals . They've been missing a lot of goals. The forwards and midfielders who arrive have opportunities, but they aren't scoring. They're missing goals that aren't scored by defenders."
Mengão hosts Colorado this Wednesday (13) and will have to deal with important absences in the first leg at Maracanã
13 Ago 2025 | 07:53 |
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Flamengo returns to the field this Wednesday (13) to face Internacional, in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores. The match will be at Maracanã, and coach Filipe Luís should field Luiz Araújo in place of Arrascaeta , who is suspended.
With the absence of the number 10, the tendency is for Filipe Luís to send a Flamengo team onto the field with: Rossi; Varela (Emerson Royal), Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, Alex Sandro; Jorginho, Allan; Luiz Araújo, Plata, Samuel Lino and Pedro.
The main news will be the return of Jorginho , who returns to the team after serving a suspension in the Brasileirão victory over Mirassol . Arrascaeta, on the other hand, will be out due to a backlog of yellow cards in the continental competition.
In addition to the Uruguayan midfielder, Flamengo will be without Erick Pulgar (right foot surgery), De La Cruz (left knee injury), and Danilo (right thigh injury). Expectations also lie with the squad list. With an excess of players on the roster, coach Filipe Luís has been cutting key players from matches.
The duel between Flamengo and Internacional starts at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), with live broadcast on Rede Globo, on open TV, and on Disney+, via streaming . The return match is scheduled for next Wednesday (20), at Beira-Rio Stadium, in Porto Alegre.
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