IF CORINTHIANS BEAT, FLAMENGO CAN TAKE THE VICE-LEADERSHIP OF THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

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 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.

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.

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 defeat of Flamengo 2-1 to Corinthians featured a bad performance, it's true, but also a match in the style of against everything and against everyone. In Itaquera, Flamengo faced some off-field factors that harmed the match. The referee's summary shows some of these problems, such as the attitudes of the ball boys at Neo Química Arena.

Judge Ramon Abatti Abel reported that he had to expel a ball boy in the 46th minute of the second when he noticed that he was emptying one of the balls of the match to hinder the progress of the game, hindering the restart and Mengo's search for the equalizing goal.

“I inform you that in the 46th minute of the second half, I expelled ball boy Alessandro da Silva from the field of play, for delaying the restart of the game, deflating the ball that was in his possession”, writes Ramon Abatti Abel.

But this was not the only case. Another ball boy expulsion had already taken place in the 25th minute, due to the delay in replacing the ball, seeking to disrupt the game and prevent Flamengo from growing in the match.

“I inform you that in the 25th minute of the second half, I expelled ball boy Thiago Mastrochirico Rezetti from the field of play, for delaying the restart of the game, taking too long to return the ball to the opposing team”, he adds.

Another factor reported in Ramon Abatti Abel's summary involved the Corinthians fans. In games, it is common for some balls to reach the fans, but they need to be returned, which usually happens. But there were two Corinthians fans who didn't return the balls.

There were two balls kicked into the stands that didn't return to the field of play. In addition, two other balls returned, but also deflated.

“I also inform you that two balls kicked towards the home crowd did not return to the field of play. These balls were not returned to the game. Two other balls returned to the playing field, deflated, they were also not put back into play”, he adds.