TITE BELIEVES THAT FLAMENGO MUST TAKE "ONE STEP BACK" TO WIN AGAIN

The Sinergia Rubro-Negra Group (SRN), made up of influential partners from Flamengo, held a meeting last Saturday (7), at the club's headquarters, located in Gávea. The main objective of the meeting was to promote fraternization among the participants, but, inevitably, club politics ended up dominating the discussions throughout the event.

The main topic that emerged during the meeting was the support of the SRN to Rodrigo Dunshee's candidacy for president of Flamengo. Dunshee, who currently holds the position of general and legal vice-president of the club, is a prominent figure in the red-black political scene. The group, made up of members who share an aligned vision regarding the club's management, sees in Dunshee a name prepared to take over Flamengo's leadership, especially considering the upcoming electoral cycle.

During the event, members of the SRN highlighted Dunshee's role in the current administration, remembering that he was a fundamental player in several legal achievements of the Flamengo in recent years. The group believes that his experience and proximity to the club's internal processes make him the ideal candidate to succeed current president Rodolfo Landim, whose tenure ends at the end of his term. 

Although the initial objective of the meeting was a celebration between the partners, it was inevitable that the conversations turned to Flamengo's political future. The club's presidential elections are approaching, and political groups are already beginning to articulate support and strategies. The SRN, being a strong group within the red-black political structure, has stood out for its organization and capacity to mobilize members.

Those present discussed, among other topics, the possible implications of a possible Dunshee's candidacy. His name has been circulating among members for some time, but now, with the explicit support of the SRN, his candidacy is gaining strength. The members highlighted that Dunshee is a name of continuity, someone who is already part of the current management and deeply knows the challenges and needs of the club. This, in the group's view, represents a positive point, as Dunshee could continue the projects started under the Landim administration.

Flamengo continues to debate whether to look for a replacement for Pedro, a striker who is recovering from an injury. The decision is complex, involving several variables ranging from the financial cost to the availability of players on the market. One of the main points under discussion is the high cost of a possible replacement. The club is aware that signing a center forward may require a significant investment, something that needs to be carefully evaluated within the team's current budget.

In addition, Flamengofaces the challenge of downtime of players available on the market. Many of the center forwards who are free for transfer come from long periods without playing, with recent injuries or prolonged absence from the field. This situation represents a risk, as the integration of a player who is not in the rhythm of the game may take longer and be less effective initially.

The club is also considering the limited number of viable options on the market. The scarcity of attackers who meet the criteria required by Flamengo – both in terms of quality and physical readiness – is a factor that further complicates the search for a suitable replacement. 

In this scenario, the management of Flamengo assesses whether signing a new player is the best solution or whether there are viable alternatives to deal with Pedro's absence, such as adjusting the tactical formation or promoting youth players. The final decision is still being studied, and the club needs to carefully consider all aspects before making a decision.

Coach Tite, from Flamengo, recognized the club's deserved victory over Bolívar in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores, highlighting the difficulty faced by the team, especially due to the altitude of La Paz. The confrontation, which lasted 200 minutes of intense competition, it was marked by physical and strategic challenges, with Tite highlighting the exhaustion caused by the adverse conditions.

Tite, in his post-game statements, emphasized the intensity of the clash and the importance of victory, but He was also clear in exposing the difficulties encountered, especially in high-altitude games. He commented that the altitude "sucks" athletes, affecting physical performance and the ability to maintain pace during the 90 minutes. The coach revealed that even he, who was on the sidelines of the field, felt the effects of the altitude, noticing that his pulse rate was above normal.

Flamengo's victory, according to Tite, was deserved, but the coach made a point of recognizing Bolívar's value, suggesting that both teams could have advanced in the tournament. However, he reaffirmed that Flamengo, over the 200 minutes played, proved to be superior and won the classification fairly.

Tite also addressed the constant pressure that exists in football, especially in high-level competitions like the Libertadores. According to him, time is a luxury that doesn't exist in football, and things happen very quickly. This means that both athletes and coaching staff need to be prepared to make quick and efficient decisions, even under extreme conditions, as was the case in the match against Bolívar.