Lance de Samuel Lino em Flamengo x Bahia repercute: ‘Desistindo’

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – April 6, 2025 – A controversial moment late in Flamengo’s 2-1 victory over Bahia at the Maracanã Stadium has ignited debate across Brazilian football, with opposing players and analysts questioning Samuel Lino’s conduct in the 87th minute. The incident, which saw Lino appear to abandon a defensive recovery run, has been labeled “desistindo” (giving up) by critics, while Flamengo’s coaching staff maintains it was a tactical decision rooted in game management.

The match, a pivotal Brasileirão Série A encounter that moved Flamengo within three points of league leaders Palmeiras, was decided by second-half goals from Pedro and Arrascaeta. Bahia pulled one back through Gilberto, but it was Lino’s action – or perceived inaction – in the dying moments that dominated post-match discourse.

With Flamengo leading 2-1 and Bahia pressing for an equalizer, Lino, deployed as a left wing-back in Jorge Sampaoli’s 3-4-3 formation, was caught high up the pitch after a Bahia counterattack. Television replays showed the Brazilian international slowing significantly as he tracked back, allowing Bahia’s Adrien Silva to advance unchallenged down the left flank before crossing for a headed chance that was ultimately cleared.

“It looked like he stopped running,” said Bahia midfielder Cauly in a post-match interview with ge.globo. “When you witness a player not making the effort to recover, especially in a tight game, it sends a message. We felt it was a moment of desistência.”

The term quickly spread across social media and Brazilian sports outlets, with Lance! running the headline “Lance de Samuel Lino em Flamengo x Bahia repercute: ‘Desistindo’” – a direct translation of the accusation circulating in Belo Horizonte and Salvador.

Flamengo’s assistant coach, Márcio Henrique, pushed back firmly in his own press conference. “Samuel executed the game plan exactly as we asked,” he stated. “In the final minutes, with the lead, we prioritized compactness and denying central spaces. His positioning was to cut off the passing lane to Gilberto, not to chase Silva into the corner. That’s not giving up – that’s intelligent defending.”

Henrique’s explanation aligns with tactical analysis from Fonte: the Brazilian Football Confederation’s official match report shows Flamengo successfully forced Bahia wide 12 times in the second half, limiting the visitors to just two shots on target after the 60-minute mark. Lino completed three tackles and two interceptions in the match, according to Stats Perform data verified by Archysport.

The incident underscores the fine line between tactical discipline and perceived effort in modern football. Sampaoli, known for his high-intensity pressing systems, has increasingly relied on positional discipline over relentless chasing in recent months – a shift necessitated by congested fixtures and player workload management.

Lino, who joined Flamengo from Atlético Madrid in January 2024 for a reported €8 million fee, has been a consistent starter under Sampaoli, logging 2,100 minutes across all competitions this season. His average of 2.1 recoveries per 90 minutes in Brasileirão play ranks seventh among left-sided defenders, per FBref.

For Bahia, the result extends a frustrating run: they have won just one of their last six league matches, leaving them 11th in the table with 34 points. Coach Rogério Ceni acknowledged his team’s failure to convert chances but declined to single out Lino. “We had opportunities to equalize,” Ceni said. “We didn’t take them. That’s on us, not on what the opposition did or didn’t do.”

The Maracanã, operating at approximately 85% capacity (58,000 spectators), hosted the match under clear skies and 26°C (79°F) temperatures – typical for early autumn in Rio de Janeiro. Kickoff occurred at 16:00 BRT (19:00 UTC), as confirmed by the Brazilian Football Confederation’s official match schedule.

The victory moves Flamengo to 58 points from 24 matches, tightening the race at the top. Palmeiras leads with 61 points, while Internacional sits third on 56. Flamengo’s next fixture is away to Fortaleza on April 13, a critical test in their title pursuit.

As the Brasileirão enters its decisive phase, moments like Lino’s late-game positioning will continue to be scrutinized – not just for what they reveal about individual effort, but for what they say about the evolving demands of elite football in Brazil.

What do you think? Was Samuel Lino’s action a tactical smart play or a lack of effort? Share your take in the comments below and join the conversation on Archysport’s social channels.