Jorginho hits back at claims Flamengo disrespected Copa do Brasil

In partnership with

Coluna do Fla

·7 August 2025

Jorginho hits back at claims Flamengo disrespected Copa do Brasil

Flamengo preserved players in both games against Atlético-MG

Throughout the year, coach Filipe Luís and director José Boto have been emphatic: the Copa do Brasil is the team's third priority in 2025, behind the Brasileirão and the Libertadores. On Wednesday (06), Jorginho was questioned whether the fact that Flamengo preserved players in both games against Atlético-MG, in the round of 16, weighed on the elimination. However, the midfielder was firm in his response and highlighted the team's dedication to advancing.

— I wanted to win. You can see from the game we played. We went forward, created, tried to win the game, unfortunately, football is like that. Turn the page. Soon we have important games in the Brazilian Championship. Lift your head and move on. Every defeat hurts, we wanted to win. Today is a day we leave the competition, we wanted to keep playing. The message is clear: lift your head and keep working and playing to win —, said Jorginho, in the mixed zone of the Arena MRV.

OneFootball Videos

— What we have to do is not complain. Work even harder, recover as much as possible, and be ready for the next games. Now this question (about preserving players in both games) is raised because of the result. If we had won, this question would not have been asked. These are the options we had, and unfortunately, the results are like that. Now it's time to learn and turn the page —, added the midfielder.

HOW DID FLAMENGO PERFORM IN THE COPA DO BRASIL GAMES?

In the previous phase, against Botafogo-PB, Flamengo played with a practically reserve team in both games. Against Atlético-MG, in the round of 16, Arrascaeta, the team's top scorer in the season, did not start both games. At the Maracanã, the Uruguayan was not even related. At the Arena MRV, the number 10 entered in the second half.

In addition, Alex Sandro and Bruno Henrique were out of both games. Jorginho himself only played in the return match. Finally, Luiz Araújo did not even travel to Belo Horizonte for the game on Wednesday (06). Now, Flamengo puts more pressure on the two priorities of the year: Brasileirão and Libertadores.

WHEN WILL FLAMENGO'S NEXT GAMES BE?

Leader of the Brasileirão, Flamengo takes the field in the competition this Saturday (09), against Mirassol, at the Maracanã. Therefore, the ball rolls from 18h30 (Brasília time). Later, the 'priority two', Libertadores: Wednesday (13), also in Rio de Janeiro, against Internacional.

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