The player has even helped in the sector and has even scored a goal
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Owner of the number 5 shirt, tall and with strong marking, Erick Pulgar has the physical characteristics of a 'biting' midfielder, stealing balls and little quality when leaving the game. However, at Flamengo, the Chilean discovered a role that not even he knew about: going forward. In 2023, the player scored two goals, made two assists and, in the last duel, against Bahia, he hit the post on two occasions. The athlete revealed that he never acted like this in his career and pointed out who was 'culprit' for the change.
"Actually, no (he had a habit of going forward). Lately, with Thiago (Maia) by my side, I believe that I feel more covered and so does he, when I can attack. I have the freedom to attack, thinking that Thiago is covering", said Erick Pulgar, in an interview with 'FlaTV'.
" That was the case in the match against Bahia. This (of having offensive characteristics) is more common now. The position I always played in my career was as a central midfielder, I didn't go too far into the attack, I was more focused on defense", added the midfielder from Bahia. Flamengo.
The numbers reinforce Pulgar's 'discovery' for the offensive game. Before signing with Flamengo, the Chilean had not scored a goal since March 21, 2021, when he wore the Fiorentina (ITA) shirt, in a 3-2 defeat to Milan (ITA). another year in the Florence team, he was loaned to Galatasaray (TUR) and spent 2022 at Rubro-Negro without finding the net.
In 2023, Pulgar scored two goals (against Vasco and Santos), two assists (in the two duels with Racing-ARG), some balls hit the post and several arrivals in the area to finish or pass to teammates. The number 5's quality with the ball at Flamengo surprised even an old acquaintance, Jorge Sampaoli, who called him up for the Chilean national team in 2015.
— I already knew him when he was young. I played against him in the Chilean Championship and called him up to the national team in a short period. He grew because he adapted very well to the spaces. For me, the theme of football is time and space. He understands both. So, the team improves when the ball passes them, because the ball goes up quickly. It's a virtue that I didn't know about, as I worked with him at a very young age. Over time, with his experience in Italy (Pulgar played for Fiorentina), he grew a lot — commented Sampaoli, when he was still coaching Flamengo, in June.
Now without Sampaoli, Erick Pulgar will have the chance to increase offensive marks in your career. The next opportunity will be on Saturday (07), against Corinthians, in São Paulo, for the 26th round of the Brazilian Championship. The ball rolls at 9pm (Brasília time)
The club has a different point of view from the coach
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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 MISTAKE THAT COSTED EXTREMELY DEARLYThe 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.
The club has its greatest moment of inconstancy
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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.
CAN IT GO BAD AT THE MOMENT?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.
Team led by the booed Tite, needs to reverse the result away from home
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Flamengo entered the field on Thursday night. With a packed Maracanã, Tite's men played the first match of the Libertadores quarter-finals against Peñarol (URU). The objective was to play a good game and take an advantage for the return game, next week. In this sense, the Rio team ended up disappointing the more than 60 thousand paying guests at the stadium and lost 1-0, in one of the team's worst matches of the year.
Summary
Peñarol It started well and Peñarol soon showed that it would play on the red and black error. Therefore, the Uruguayans opened the scoring after 12 minutes, with Cabrera, in a counterattack. Soon after, Flamengo responded with Plata's header hitting the post. But the red and black team had difficulty creating chances. In the final stretch of the first half, Flamengo grew and had great opportunities to draw. Bruno Henrique, alone, headed over goalkeeper Aguerre, who also made a great save from Arrascaeta's shot.
In the second half, Flamengo came back even better, but came up against the strong Uruguayan marking and the lack of creativity to reach the opponent's goal. Tite moved the sides, which gave Flamengo more speed, however, it had little effect due to a terrible night from Arrascaeta and De la Cruz. As a result, the result did not change and now Flamengo needs to reverse the situation away from home next week.
What now?
With the result, Flamengo will need to win by at least two goals to guarantee one of the places in the Libertadores semi-finals. The match takes place in Uruguay, next Thursday. However, Fla needs to turn the key, because there is a Brazilian Championship game to play on the weekend. Tite's men will face Grêmio, away from home, next Sunday, at 6:30 pm;
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