In the last round of the Libertadores group stage, Flamengo, now under the command of coach Tite, saw its long undefeated streak as home team come to an end. The 1-0 defeat marked the end of a run of 28 matches without losing at home in the competition. The negative result was a shock for the fans, mainly because it occurred at a crucial moment in the season and because of the expectations surrounding the team led by a renowned coach like Tite.

The last time Flamengo had been defeated at Maracanã by the Libertadores was in April 2019, when Peñarol beat the red-black team by the same score of 1-0. The current setback, therefore, brought back memories of that game, creating a feeling of déjà vu among fans . It is worth remembering that, at that time, Flamengo was in a moment of transition and seeking to consolidate itself as one of the powers of South American football.

With the arrival of Tite at the helm of Flamengo, the expectation was that the team would gain tactical consistency and competitiveness in important tournaments, such as the Libertadores itself. Tite, who has a respected CV, mainly for his work in the Brazilian national team, was hired with the mission of making Flamengo become dominant again both on the national and international scene.

The defeat at home, however , served as a cold water for part of the fans who expected a quiet victory. Their unbeaten record at home was seen as one of Flamengo's trump cards in continental competition, a guarantee of strength within their domains. By losing this status, the team will now need to deal with the pressure and doubts that arise from this result.

After the 1-0 defeat to Peñarol, in the first game of the Libertadores quarter-finals, coach Tite held a press conference at Maracanã. The team did not perform well and was booed by the fans. Despite the setback, the coach remained confident for the second leg, which will be held in Uruguay.

Regarding the boos coming from the stands, Tite admitted that the fans' dissatisfaction is understandable. "Of course this hurts, especially on the human side. But experience shows that, when you deliver a good production, the fan's reaction is proportional to the love they feel for the club", said the coach, highlighting the emotional bond between the fans and the Most Dear.

The coach was also asked about the difficulty of Mengão in achieving victories away from home in the Libertadores, since 2022. The last victory away from home came on August 31, 2022, against Vélez Sarsfield, with an impressive 4-0. "We have a great opportunity to break this sequence This is part of the history of football, and I believe we are fully capable of getting there and changing this scenario", replied Tite, showing optimism.

Tite guaranteed that the team will be more effective in Uruguay, promising a better performance. "Within two or three minutes, we score the goal, and from that point on, we work on the result. In some moments we were hasty, and the opposing goalkeeper also had merit. But I'm confident that we will create half of the opportunities and convert them into goals there. You can charge me later", said the coach, projecting a positive scenario for the second leg.

The closing of the Brazilian Championship on December 6th had an unusual outcome: in addition to the match that saw São Paulo victorious over Flamengo 1-0, players from the Brazilian football elite elected, anonymously through a survey carried out by Uol Esporte, Arrascaeta as the most skilled player in the Brasileirão. On the other hand, Fagner, from Corinthians, was considered the most violent by his peers.

ARRASCAETA SHINE IN THE 2023 SEASON

At the end of the 2023 season, Arrascaeta, playing for Flamengo, competed 54 games, scoring 11 goals and providing 13 assists. With a direct participation in 24 of Mais Querido's goals, the number 14 accumulated 3,881 minutes on the field, wearing the Sacred Mantle. Despite a performance hampered by injuries throughout the season, Arrascaeta demonstrated his quality when he was on the field, contributing significantly to the team's performance.

For next year, the expectation is that the Uruguayan player will improve improve its performance. Last season was marked by physical challenges that limited his participation, but the athlete is looking to recover to contribute fully to Flamengo in 2024.

FLAMENGO IN SEARCH FOR REDEMPTION

Flamengo has closed the 2024 season without winning any trophies in seven tournaments played, including the Campeonato Brasileiro, Copa do Brasil, Libertadores and Carioca. Now, the fans and the team, led by Tite, are placing their hopes in Arrascaeta to boost the team's performance and seek redemption in the next challenges.

While Arrascaeta enjoys his well-deserved vacation, the player, who married civilly on December 19th, he is preparing for the wedding party with Camila Bastiani, scheduled for the 29th of this month, in Uruguay. The number 24 is scheduled to return to Flamengo on January 8th, at 2pm (Brasília time), to begin preparations for the next season.

The election of Arrascaeta's own colleagues as the most skilled player in the Campeonato Brasileiro highlights not only his skills on the field, but also the high esteem that his professional colleagues have for his talent. With the 2024 season approaching, the expectation is that Arrascaeta will continue to be a key player in Flamengo's quest for titles and achievements.