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Gerson regretted the elimination of Flamengo to Peñarol, this Thursday (26), in the quarter-finals of the Libertadores. The teams drew 0-0 in Uruguay — the Uruguayans had won the first game 1-0, at Maracanã. The midfielder spoke about Flamengo's anxiety in the search for a goal in tonight's game and assessed that the classification was lost in the first game. What did he say?

Anxiety about scoring a goal. We had a good first half, we accelerated the game in the second half, we got into his game. It's sad, difficult to talk about. Frustrated with the result, we lost classification on the first leg, at home.

Gerson, on ESPN

They played both series for one ball, they got it and it's their credit. That's what they planned. It's difficult to talk, it's sad, we wanted things. Now we have to raise our heads, we have Brazil and the Brazilian Cup ahead of us.

Léo Pereira

We are angry about the game we played at home, but after we scored the goal we started to accelerate a lot. We were very impatient and left something to be desired at home. Here we impose ourselves, I don't remember a clear chance for them. It's about apologizing to the fans, we still have the rest of the season, we have to work hard to win the title in the Copa do Brasil or the Brazilian Championship.

Fabrício Bruno

The team's next opponent Flamengo will be Athlético-PR, in a match valid for the Brazilian Championship. The duel is scheduled for 8pm, at Maracanã.

Flamengo was eliminated from the Libertadores after a goalless draw against Peñarol (URU), in Montevideo, and now focuses again on the Brazilian Championship. Athletico-PR, Rubro-Negro's next opponent, was beaten 4-1 this Thursday (26) by Racing (ARG) and also said goodbye to the continental competition, only to the Copa Sudamericana.

Having won the first leg 1-0, in Curitiba, Athletico-PR could even draw, which would advance to the semi-finals of the Copa Sudamericana. However, Racing opened the scoring a minute into the game through Agustín Almendra. Still in the initial stage, Adrián Martínez scored twice, and the Argentines took a 3-0 lead.

At the break, Nikão pulled one back for Athletico-PR. However, Racing once again opened up a large lead after Gastón Martínez made it 4-1 in the final stretch. The Brazilian team even looked for a reaction, but had a goal disallowed in stoppage time.

In this way, Racing advanced to face Corinthians, next Flamengo's opponent in the Copa do Brasil, with the games set for October. Finally, Cruzeiro and Lanús (ARG), who eliminated Libertad (PAR) and Independiente Medellín (COL), play the other match of the phase.

Athletico-PR has gone seven matches without winning in the Brazilian Championship. During this period, the people from Paraná stopped fighting for a place in the Libertadores and got closer to the relegation zone. Therefore, the team fired coach Martín Varini and agreed to hire Lucho González, who debuted in a rout against Racing, in the Copa Sudamericana. FLAMENGO X ATHLETICO-PRThus, with both teams focused on the Brazilian Championship, the game between Flamengo and Athletico-PR takes place on Sunday (29), at 8pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, in a duel valid for the 28th round of the Brasileirão. 

After the elimination of Flamengoin the Libertadores, the stance of some players generated great dissatisfaction among fans. Specifically, Giorgian De Arrascaeta's attitude was criticized by part of the fans. The midfielder, who is considered one of the main leaders of the red and black squad, chose to ignore the Brazilian press and spoke only to Uruguayan media outlets. The choice generated negative reactions, with fans questioning the lack of respect and explanations to the Brazilian public, who expected a direct response from the athletes after yet another performance below expectations.

On leaving the stadium, in addition to Arrascaeta, other players from the Flamengo also avoided the interview area and quickly passed through the area designated for the press, without speaking. With the silence, the only red and black voice available to comment on the result was coach Sampaoli, who, despite his statements, was unable to alleviate the frustration of the fans, who asked for more responsibility and transparency from the athletes.

In an elimination scenario that, for many, was considered an embarrassment, the lack of explanations and the players' apparent lack of interest in talking to the fans further increased the pressure on the cast and management. On social media, many fans expressed their indignation. One of them commented: "What a regrettable attitude!", referring not only to the elimination on the field, but also to the lack of commitment from the players off it. The opinion reflected the feeling of a large part of the fans, who wanted clear answers about what happened and what will be done to correct the mistakes.

The choice of Arrascaetato grant interviews exclusively to Uruguayan press generated a heated debate. For many, it was seen as an attitude of disrespect towards Brazilian fans, who expected a more transparent stance, especially from an athlete who carries leadership status within the group. The situation generated a wave of criticism and accusations of cowardice and omission. “The cowardice, lack of posture and respect towards the fans is unbelievable”, said another fan, reflecting the indignation that took over social media.