Jardim defies Filipe Luís, praises Pedro's versatility at Flamengo | OneFootball

What did Flamengo coach Leonardo Jardim say about Pedro?

Flamengo beat Bahia 2-0 this Sunday (19), in the 12th round of the Brasileirão. Starting the match, Pedro was involved in Flamengo’s first goal by assisting Arrascaeta and, in the post-match press conference, once again received praise from Leonardo Jardim.

— We’ve already talked about these matters. Every player who plays for Flamengo can represent his country. Every player who plays for a big European club can represent his national team. Here in South America, playing for Flamengo can give you that passport if you play well. Pedro has been improving -, he said before concluding:

— The numbers have shown attitude and reaction. He is a player who has the spirit to win the ball back, to press in a deeper block. This solidarity he shows creates positive energy for him to do what he does best, which is score goals and drift between the lines. The group values his behavior -, Jardim concluded.

What was Pedro’s situation like under Filipe Luís?

Under coach Filipe Luís, Pedro was unable to establish himself as a starter for Flamengo. That’s because the coach prefers a more mobile number 9, one who helps defensively and drops back to get the ball. It’s no surprise that the manager preferred to play Bruno Henrique and Gonzalo Plata in that position.

So, since Leonardo Jardim took charge of Flamengo, Pedro has returned to the starting lineup for Mengão. Since then, in 11 matches under the Portuguese coach, the number 9 has recorded six goals and two assists.

What are Pedro’s numbers for Flamengo in 2026?

In addition, Pedro remains comfortably Flamengo’s top scorer in the 2026 season. So far, the number 9 has played 22 matches, scoring 12 goals and providing four assists. As a result, the striker continues to establish himself as a starter under Leonardo Jardim.

What is Flamengo’s next match?

With Pedro available, Flamengo is preparing to make its debut in the Copa do Brasil. This Wednesday (22), Leonardo Jardim’s team faces Vitória at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Maracanã, in the first leg of the fifth round of the competition.

As tradition dictates, Coluna do Fla will bring all the details of the match between Flamengo and Vitória through YouTube, the website, and social media. However, Globo (free-to-air), SporTV (cable TV), and Premiere (pay-per-view) will broadcast the Copa do Brasil match.

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