August 19 – After a 2-0 defeat with a reserve team against Bahia, Gremio manager Renato Portaluppi added his voice to those of discontent, slamming the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) over the match calendar.
On Saturday, Portaluppi (pictured) fielded a second-string side in a loss to Bahia to rotate ahead of the round of 16 Copa Libertadores return leg against Fluminense on Tuesday. The manager decided to prioritise the continental competition and cricitised the CBF.
“The CBF want money, they make the schedule thinking about their coffers. Screw those who work in football. Football is the profession that employs the most incompetent people in the world. You have to field a different team, the team work is not good but still, everyone wants the result,” said Portaluppi.
Last week, Flamengo manager Tite also complained about the demanding calendar with his club competing on multiple fronts after strikers Pedro and Gabigol were injured in their Copa Libertadores victory against Bolivar.
On Sunday, Flamengo lost 4-1 to league leaders Botafogo in Rio de Janeiro and the sequence of matches remains relentless. On Thursday, the club will play Bolivar at the altitude of La Paz before hosting Bragantino at the Maracana three days later.
Portaluppi said: “I saw Tite complaining and I fully support him. And look, Flamengo has an aircraft available whenever they want, a great squad, a stadium and they play every three days too. People always demand great performances and victories. It’s impossible with the schedule. When you spend money to have a strong team and you can’t use it, it gets difficult. Players are human. If you always put out the same team, you won’t get anything.”
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