Botafogo puts Flamengo of ‘pastor’ Tite on all fours

THE Flemish entered the field against the Botafogo hoping to keep the title of “King of Rio”, but ended up losing 4-1, which left even the most optimistic of the red-and-black fans with their hair standing on end. It was one of those games in which even the ball seemed to be on bad terms with the team. If it weren’t for goalkeeper Rossi, the score could have been even more embarrassing, but not even he could avoid making a mistake in the last goal, putting the cherry on the cake of this football disaster.

Tite faces absences

To Titethis was exactly the kind of nightmare he wanted to avoid before the decisive clash against Bolívar in the round of 16 of the Libertadores Cup. Now, in addition to having to deal with the absences and the altitude in La Paz, he has to calm down an angry crowd that, on social media, has already started calling for his head. After all, at Flamengo, losing to Botafogo is almost like breaking a mirror: seven years of bad luck and dirty looks at Ninho do Urubu.

Botafogo didn’t want to play around and played as if they were in the Champions League final. Flemish even tried to respond with a goal from Bruno Henrique, but Tite, perhaps inspired by some kind of genie in a lamp, made substitutions that left everyone scratching their heads. The result? Glorioso ran over Flamengo like an out-of-control tractor, leaving the team’s morale in the gutter.

Flamengo fans in trouble

The reaction of the red-and-black fans was immediate and fervent, like an erupting volcano. If it were up to the fans, Tite should already be one foot out of the club. The football department is not at all happy with the rout, and even with the absences, the excuse does not seem to be sticking. Internally, the game was seen as Flamengo’s worst performance under the coach, and we have already had some mishaps.

At the post-match press conference, Tite tried to avoid the thorniest questions, but in the locker room, the conversation was different. He demanded action from the players, who seemed to be having one of those days when nothing goes right. Now, the pressure is on the team for Thursday’s match against Bolívar, where the only thing that is non-negotiable is victory.

Reinforcements

As if the crisis weren’t enough, Flamengo, the richest team in Brazil, went through the transfer window without making a single purchase. And to top it off, it will face the Bolivian altitude without some of its main stars: Pedro, Cebolinha, Gabigol and Arrascaeta. If Tite was sleeping badly, now he may not be able to sleep at all.

For now, Tite’s dismissal is out of the question, but he is no longer the unanimous choice he once was. The match against Bolívar has become a litmus test, one of those that could determine whether the coach will stay or whether the board will start looking for a new manager. In La Paz, Tite and his team need to show that they still have the determination and football skills to turn the game around, literally.

delicate moment

Flamengo, with all its glory and history, now finds itself at a decisive moment. The fans will accept nothing less than victory, and on Thursday, the team needs to respond on the field. Otherwise, Flamengo could end up becoming a meme on social media again, and Tite, well, maybe he needs to start thinking about plan B.

Summary for those in a hurry:

• Flamengo suffers a 4-1 defeat to Botafogo, increasing the pressure on Tite.
• Goalkeeper Rossi was a standout, but he also made a mistake in the opponent’s last goal.
• Fans are calling for Tite’s dismissal, but the board has ruled out the possibility for now.
• The decision against Bolívar in the Libertadores will be crucial for Tite’s future at the club.
• Flamengo faces Bolívar without several key players, increasing the challenge for Tite.
• Flamengo’s performance in the Libertadores could define the fate of Tite and the season.