Ceni snubs Fluminense, hails Flamengo after Bahia exit | OneFootball

Bahia's coach, Rogério Ceni, compares eliminations to Flamengo and Fluminense in the Brazil Cup

Last year, Bahia fell in the quarterfinals of the Brazil Cup to a team from Rio, at Maracanã. In 2025, the end repeated itself. Flamengo and Fluminense were the executioners of Rogério Ceni's team. After the most recent elimination, the coach of the Salvador team was questioned about the 'easier path' in 2025, but, even so, he did not succeed.

— I can't explain. We worked all week on possibilities for the game. Of course, Fluminense deserves credit, but we produced nothing. We fought little, we didn't even have competitiveness, which is the minimum expected in a knockout competition. Losing is part of the game, but today we lacked a lot —, said Rogério Ceni, at a press conference.

— I can't explain this drastic change on the field. This is not what we preach. Winning or losing is part of it, but we played very little. I repeat, even the defense, in a low line, we managed to hold well in the first half. But we didn't have counterattacks, we didn't combine passes. Fluminense's team was much more possible than Flamengo last year —, he added.

HOW WERE CENI'S ELIMINATIONS TO THE RIO TEAMS?

In 2024, Flamengo won both games 1-0. In the first leg, at Arena Fonte Nova, Bruno Henrique scored the winning goal. At Maracanã, Arrascaeta secured Mengão's qualification to the semifinals and, consequently, Bahia's elimination in the Brazil Cup.

In 2025, Bahia was closer to the spot. That's because, Rogério Ceni's team won the first leg, 1-0, with a goal from Luciano Juba. However, at Maracanã, the Salvador team had an unrecognizable performance and suffered a comeback from Fluminense, with goals from Canobbio and Thiago Silva. So, another coincidence.

After all, Flamengo eliminated Bahia in 2024 with a goal from a Uruguayan (Arrascaeta) and a header from a club's historical idol (Bruno Henrique). With Fluminense, the Uruguayan Canobbio shook the nets, and Thiago Silva headed the ball to keep the Laranjeiras team alive in the competition.

WHEN DOES FLAMENGO RETURN TO THE FIELD?

After Ceni's slight 'jab' at Fluminense, Flamengo is preparing for the Brasileirão. This Sunday (14), the Rubro-Negro faces Juventude, for the 23rd round. The ball rolls from 4 pm (Brasília time), at Alfredo Jaconi Stadium, in Caxias do Sul.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.