August 16 – Flamengo defeated Bolivar 2-0 to take a major step toward the last eight of the Copa Libertadores, but manager Tite lamented the demands the calendar puts on his squad.
At the Maracana, the Rio club laboured to victory against the Bolivians with goals from Luis Araujo and Leo Pereira. Star strikers Gabigol and Pedro both limped off injured and they will be a doubt for next week’s return leg in the Bolivian capital La Paz where the Rio club will play at an altitude of 3,640 metres.
Tite criticised the calendar again, referring to a column by Brazilian journalist Carlos Eduardo Mansur, who argued that the calendar will be the biggest opponent of Brazilian clubs in the knockout phase of Copa Libertadores. Before the first-leg tie with Bolivar, Flamengo had already played 46 matches in 2024. In an all-Brazilian round of 16 clash against Palmeiras, Botafogo played their 52nd match this year.
He said: “I would like to stay at Flamengo for a long time, but I know that every day that passes is one less day that I will be here. But for the greatness of Flamengo, of its athletes, I wish I was wrong when I talked about the calendar. But look at what is happening. There are a number of people in the press who are conscientious. (Carlos Eduardo) Mansur. Read his column when he talks about the calendar. And there is no point in giving me sweet candy when the athletes’ union says: “Oh, I thanked Tite because he said so, but the calendar was there and we accepted 66 hours”. You don’t have to accept it, no. We, as coaches, have to fight back, the athletes will be liberated.”
Flamengo won the Copa Libertadores in 2019 and 2022, but their demanding fan base also expects the club to compete at the domestic level. Tite ruled out rotating his team for the crunch against league leaders Botafogo in the Serie A on Sunday.
“I don’t protect or spare anyone. The medical department has the authority to remove or block a player because the player’s health comes first. I’m not going to do that. I’m a former athlete who had to stop playing at 27 because he blew out both knees. I didn’t play much, but all the chances I had of playing were gone, and I had to support my family. That’s why I’m so vehement,” said Tite.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734832013labto1734832013ofdlr1734832013owedi1734832013sni@i1734832013tnuk.1734832013ardni1734832013mas1734832013