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If one word can define the way Flamengo prepared to face the rival that had imposed a resounding victory in Quito, that is adaptability. From the squad loaded with embezzlement caused by the outbreak of Covid, through the way in which he tried to score the good ball of the Ecuadorians to the decision to renounce some of the most characteristic features of his game. It did not matter to keep the ball – the team only had 32% possession – but to be quick to take advantage of the spaces behind the Ecuadorian defense. This is how Flamengo built the 4-0 victory.
Although Domènec Torrent was not on the edge of the field, the result has enough weight to restore peace to the coaching staff, although Flamengo played a game marked more by good strategy than by perfect execution. In addition, the team comes out with good results from a week in which they were devastated by the virus and, to complete, they qualify for the second round of the Libertadores.
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The first part of Flamengo was not always comfortable, but the score was built thanks to the strategic decisions of the technical committee, which yesterday had assistant Jordi Guerrero on the bench. In Quito, by advancing his two averages to mark the defenders of Independiente del Valle and causing Gabigol to press midfield Pellerano on the ball, Flamengo emptied his midfield. Yesterday was different.
First, he opted for a 4-2-3-1, with Thiago Maia and Gerson in midfield, Gabigol starting on the right and Lincoln on the left, with Arrascaeta as central midfielder very close to center forward Pedro. The idea was for the two front men to apply pressure that he didn’t always try to disarm. It varies according to the owner of the ball. If he was with the goalkeeper or with one of the defenders, the idea was to monitor and cut the passing lines to Pellerano, staying between him and the ball. That is, console yourself on the first pass. Sometimes with the help of one of the men on the sides, who looked to the side. In addition, midfielders Thiago Maia and Gerson were always occupying the midfield.
Not that it was a perfect plan, because Del Valle, good with the ball, had his chances: Flamengo allowed 21 submissions to the rival. Hugo Neneca made at least two difficult saves.
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Del Valle’s skill and audacity, coupled with Flamengo’s decision to explore the worst of their rivals, made the game attractive, with side-by-side chances. And the technical quality made Flamengo take advantage of his and reach 2-0 before the break.
What did Flamengo do? He decided that possession of the ball, this time, was not paramount. He changed his style and played exploring the spaces that a Del Valle offered him that combined early defense and little pressure in the middle: an invitation. The order was to be as vertical as possible when you had the ball, reach the goal in a few passes and, for the most part, in depth. This is how Arrascaeta and Lincoln missed their first opportunities. Until the goals came, always thanks to the intention of being vertical with the ball. A replacement from Neneca found Pedro and, two passes later, the shot was finished off by Lincoln. Four minutes later, at 29, a long ball from Thiago Maia again won the high line of Del Valle’s defense and Gabigol gave Pedro 2-0. At this point, Gabigol made the center of the attack with Pedro and Arrascaeta had moved to the right, somewhat closer to a 4-4-2. The alternation took place at various times.
But the way in which the game pattern did not change in the second half stood out: Independiente del Valle continued to show his virtues with the ball and his calamity on defense. Meanwhile, Flamengo accelerated the game with deep passes, although sometimes he waited for the opponent further back.
The Ecuadorians even continued to create scoring chances, as in the beautiful maneuver that ended in a shot by Torres and another good defense by Neneca. However, the second stage would have another mark: the rehabilitation of Bruno Henrique after irregular performances and medical problems.
He had entered Gabigol’s place before the break, which was injured. And, strictly speaking, his style and speed coincided with what the party demanded and Flamengo acted. Bruno Henrique became another weapon to explore the backs of defenders and give passing options.
It was his third goal, born in another play that sees the Ecuadorian defense run backwards while Flamengo maneuvers in a few touches: Ramón’s center, Arrascaeta’s submission and a goal from Bruno Henrique on the goalkeeper’s rebound. In a one-note game, that would also be the fourth, in a beautiful Arrascaeta pass.
