By Matheus Trunk
O Flemish played the entire second half with one less player. The unusual expulsion of Carrascal determined the result of the Super Cup. The attacking midfielder made a foul on Can at the end of the first stage. But the referee Rafael Klein decided to give the red card after the break. “I had never seen that in my life. I don’t know if it had ever happened anywhere else. The players waited on the field and returned to the locker room as if the move had already been reviewed. We prepared the entire plan to play eleven against eleven”, analyzed the coach Filipe Luís.
The Gávea club had a practically perfect 2025. Last year, the team lifted four cups: State, Super Cup, Libertadores and Brasileirão. But this year, the team continues to perform poorly: four defeats in six matches. Visibly uncomfortable with the result, the red-and-black coach declared that there is no excuse for the bad results. “There’s no excuse. The pre-season is over and we’re in full competition. I expect the highest level from my players, my demand is the highest I’ve ever seen them perform and that’s my rule.”
Filipe Luís said that each game has its context. But he does not wish to give a “message” or explanation to Flamengo fans for the below-expected performance of their athletes. “The only path we have is to work to win again. The message to the fans has to be passed on the field, with commitment and dedication.”
Marcos Paquetá
Starting between Flemish e Corinthians marked the midfielder’s debut Lucas Paquetá who left Gávea in 2018. He went through Milan from Italy, Lyon of France e West Ham of England. The Rio club invested 42 million euros (R$260 million) for your return. The athlete returned to Brazil on Thursday and entered the second half of the Super Cup final. The coach explained that the midfielder will be very useful for the squad and explained how he intends to use him. “A very different player, much above average. A player who will give us many solutions for the team, especially with these defenses in individual marking. With the number of games and the calendar we will have, we need these players who can perform several different functions”.
Specific adjustments
Filipe Luís explained that he will learn from the team’s mistakes and seek to solve possible tactical problems. But he was emphatic in highlighting that he does not promote rotation among the entire squad, but likes internal competition among his players. “I have to make certain specific adjustments to be able to do what is best for the team.”
Many games
O Flemish will have a vigorous sequence of games this year. In February alone there will be six more matches in three different competitions. The Gávea club will play against International next Wednesday at Maracanã for the Brasileirão at 7pm. The team from Rio Grande do Sul has had a good, irregular performance this year: it leads its State championship in isolation, having beaten its rival Grêmio with a convincing 4-2. But Colorado lost at home in the first round of the national competition against Athletico-PR for 1 to 0.
