REAL MADRID

The 28th round of the Brazilian Championship ended with an important victory for Mais Querido. Last Sunday (29), Flamengo beat Athletico-PR 1-0 at Maracanã, ensuring their stay in the G-4 of the competition. The result was crucial in reducing the gap to the leader, Botafogo, which is now nine points. It is worth remembering that Mengão still has one game less, which could shorten the distance even further.

Playing at home, Rubro-Negro from Rio was superior on the field and carried out most of the offensive plays during the match. However, the winning goal only came 44 minutes into the second half, with Gerson, guaranteeing the three points for CRF. The triumph was essential for the team to remain among the top four in the table.

After winning the 28th round, Mengão now turns his attention to his next commitment in the Brazilian Championship. The team will face Bahia next Saturday (05), at 7pm (Brasília time), at Arena Fonte Nova, for the 29th round of the competition. The match will be another test for the team to maintain the rhythm and continue in the fight for the title.

With the victory over Athletico-PR, the Flamengo added three more points to its Brasileirão campaign. So far, the team has 14 wins, six draws and seven defeats, with 43 goals scored and 32 conceded. The team's regularity has been essential to remain in the fight for the top positions in the tournament.

Before returning to focusing on the Brasileirão, Rubro-Negro has an important mission for the Copa do Brasil. Next Wednesday (02), Flamengo will face Corinthians at Maracanã, in the first match of the competition's semi-finals. The team led by Tite is looking for a good result at home, as the decision to place in the final will be in São Paulo.

Despite Mais Querido's victory over Athletico-PR, coach Tite did not escape harsh criticism from the fans at Maracanã. The fans' dissatisfaction, especially after the elimination in the Libertadores, was evident with boos and insults both upon the coach's arrival and departure from the stadium.

The team's irregular performance this season also contributed to the discontent of the Red and Blacks, who demanded more results and better performances.

During the post-game press conference, Tite commented on the protests from the fans, demonstrating understanding in the face of criticism. "I understand the demonstrations and the fans' love for the club. I seek to bring this maturity to the athletes so that they have the capacity to resist, resilience, to try as happened. That's why we deserve the score", declared the coach.

The pressure on Mengão increased last Thursday, when the team was eliminated from the Libertadores after draw at home with Peñarol. This result increased criticism of Tite's work and further shook the atmosphere at the club. Furthermore, the irregular performance in the Brazilian Championship, which removed the team from contention for the title, raised the tone of the fans' protests.

At the reunion with the fans, last Sunday, the frustration was evident. Even after the victory over Athletico-PR, chants of protest and dissatisfaction echoed in the stands, demonstrating that the climate of demand remains strong.

During the press conference, a journalist read a letter from an anonymous fan who questioned the coach about responsibility for the team's problems. Tite, in response, highlighted his commitment to work and dignity in the position. "I try to do my best, maybe I won't be the coach of your dreams. But the work and dignity you can be sure will always be there. Respect for you, the athletes and the entity will always be there", said the coach, showing confidence in leading the team.

When facing Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final, Jude Bellingham, from Real Madrid, could go down in history if they beat the Aurinegros at Wembley, on June 1st. The English midfielder will be only the fifth player in history to beat his former club in the final of the European competition.

To date, four players have achieved this feat by lifting the European Champions League trophy: Gerard Piqué , Brazilian Lúcio, Álvaro Morata and Portuguese Paulo Sousa, former Flamengo coach.

Bellingham was transferred from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid for 103 million euros and wore Zidane's legendary number 5 shirt, which he used when he played for the merengue club. At 20 years old, the English midfielder has scored 23 goals and 12 assists in 41 games, numbers that make this the best season of his career, tipped to be one of the winners of the Ballon d'Or.

Even in times when As a player, Paulo Sousa was one of the main players in the Champions League squad in the 1996/97 season, where the former Flamengo coach played for Borussia Dortmund and faced his former club, Juventus.

Logo After being champion in 2008 with Manchester United, the Spanish defender, Gerard Piqué, was a starter for Barcelona against the Red Devils, in the 2009 final won by the Catalans at the Olympic Stadium in Rome.

Lúcio was cut from the squad Bayern Munich by coach Louis van Gaal and the defender moved to Inter Milan, when he had the opportunity to win the Champions League final against the Bavarians at the Santiago Bernabéu, in the season.

The last Defeating his former club immediately the year after the transfer was Morata, champion in 2017 with Real Madrid over Juventus. The Blancos' star attack, with Rodrygo, Vini Jr and Bellingham could make the Spanish club win its 15th Champions League in history, further expanding its advantage in the number of titles.