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Flamengo begins to enjoy the game of not being a Brazilian champion. At least, that is what it seems. After Maracanã’s tie against Atlético-GO, on a day in which direct rivals won much more complicated matches, the classification became so entangled that we can abandon once and for all the notion that bi flamenco is only a matter of time.
This notion, of course, was never part of the plans of the officials or fans of other clubs. But it has always guided my analysis, for example. Even if Flamengo wins the championship, I admit right now my reading mistake. Nobody wins on the eve of the Brazilian championship, here the randomness is much higher.
The Flamengo-2019 first team played a totally different football than we have seen in the last 20 years in the country. Another level (not kidding). But the “fantastic foursome” have been playing for 24 games without starting a game together. Jorge Jesús left. The board wanted to poke fun at the search for Domenec Torrent in Europe. The Maracana, always full and vibrant, is empty. And now, not suddenly, we have a red and black hand championship.
It is not “suddenly” because the first round has already been marked by the balance at the top of the table. But it always seemed that when Flamengo accelerated, he would have the players back, manage to regroup, start winning matches like he did last year and open up a lead advantage. The resignation of Dome and the “route correction” with Rogério Ceni, who sees and works football in a way more similar to that of Jesus, seemed to put Flamengo back on track. This can still happen, of course.
I called the Brazilian round 21 the “restart” of the championship. Because not only Flamengo, but the leader, Inter, also changed coach. Palmeiras, who also just changed command and was full of absences, would face a much more dangerous opponent than the last ones they faced. São Paulo would have to demonstrate its ability to win difficult games away from home. And Atlético Mineiro would have to show that the reaction was true, in a field where they don’t usually win.
It was a big round, like this with an asterisk on the side, to remember it in the future. And in this great round, everyone proved their worth. Or rather, almost all of them. The two best teams, new coaches, failed.
Inter, honestly, with the election of Abel Braga and the deepening political problems, seems increasingly far-fetched. Even Grêmio, despite Renato’s contempt for the Brazilian, already gives the impression of being more competitive than his rival in the competition. For the lost points, they are tied.
Speaking of lost points, Flamengo has already lost nine more than São Paulo, five more than Galo, one more in Palmeiras. It’s a lot! We have already crossed Ecuador from the championship and the marathon will continue, with Copa do Brasil and Libertadores running in parallel.
Look at this hypothesis. If Flamengo beats São Paulo on Wednesday and advances in the Brazil Cup, it will continue to participate in three competitions (in addition to Palmeiras). São Paulo will begin to dedicate itself exclusively to the championship, which is what Atlético has already done. If Flamengo is eliminated, he will be the one who will be in two competitions, in addition to São Paulo. The calendar relaxes a bit. But what about confidence?
Also on Wednesday, Galo recovers his postponed round of 16 match and receives Athlético-PR. If they win, the Sampaoli team will open five points in the lead, and then we are already talking about an important gap. It is in this scenario that Flamengo can wake up on Thursday.
The least game for Palmeiras will be at home against Vasco, still without a date. The game less than Grêmio will be at home against Goiás, on November 30 – and there is the duel between Grêmio and Flamengo, from round 23, which will remain undated.
São Paulo recovers the games less than it has in the coming weeks, since it is neither in Libertadores nor in South America. It will be the São Paulo marathon in the Brazilian, facing Ceará (day 25) and Goiás (3/12) and, at home, Botafogo (9/12).
We can arrive in the first week of December with a scenario (quite possible, not to say probable) like this: Atlético with 47 points (in 23 games, if you beat Atlético, Ceará and Botafogo), São Paulo with something like 45 points (22 matches). ), Palmeiras with 40 points (22 games) and Flamengo with 39 (beating Coritiba and reaching 22 games). We are talking about important differences and with several teams ahead.
It was a really bad round for Flamengo, who will continue in the middle of a marathon, with a new coach, with many injured people, facing more entire teams physically and who will only have direct duels against their rivals for the title back in 2021. Yes With all the mistakes, misfortunes and contexts, Flamengo left the championship open, something that seemed unimaginable a few months ago. Anyone who knows how to take advantage of it, will take a cup from there unlikely.
