Pedro rescues Flamengo, but debate over discipline reignites | OneFootball

Flamengo’s narrow win over Fluminense in the latest Fla-Flu at Maracanã drew as much scrutiny for its performance as praise for the result, sparking debate among pundits about the team’s direction and player dynamics, according to UOL and Lance.

The 1-0 victory came courtesy of Pedro, who marked his return to the side after a stint out for disciplinary reasons by scoring the decisive goal late in the game. His contribution became the centrepiece of post-match discussion, particularly in light of recent internal tensions, especially an episode involving coach Filipe Luís. Columnist Mauro Cezar Pereira argued that Filipe Luís’ public demand for commitment from Pedro had a tangible effect: “Pedro showed appetite that he hadn’t demonstrated before,” he noted, comparing the striker’s energetic 17-minute cameo—two shots, a dribble, and two successful duels—to the lacklustre display Pedro gave against Los Angeles.

Pereira further pointed to a sense of unity within the squad, highlighting how teammates congratulated Pedro after his goal as a signal. “The coach demands effort from everyone; when someone doesn’t deliver, the rest notice,” added Pereira. He suggested the club had moved beyond the recent discord, though he cautioned that only future performances would confirm whether lessons had truly been learned.

Fellow columnist Arnaldo Ribeiro asserted that Pedro’s presence as a pure centre forward remains essential given the squad’s attacking struggles. "Juninho, Plata—none of these guys are better than Pedro at scoring goals, and that’s one of Flamengo’s major problems," Ribeiro said. He emphasized that with an aging squad and multiple competitions, Pedro’s consistent involvement would be crucial, especially amidst frequent injuries.

Despite the three points, questions about Flamengo’s overall display lingered. Mauro Cezar—speaking both on UOL’s Posse de Bola and in comments cited by Lance—was blunt in his assessment: “The team won, but the match was horrific. Flamengo’s performance was appalling—the first half was a disgrace.” He pointed to the statistics: Flamengo controlled 67% possession in the first half, yet failed to register a single shot on target. Fluminense, meanwhile, sat deeper, hit on the break, and threatened just once before halftime.

Second-half adjustments offered brief improvement, with Flamengo eventually capitalizing thanks to Filipe Luís’ substitutions—most notably Pedro. Still, the overall lack of creativity and urgency across the attack was a recurring theme in commentary.

As it stands, Flamengo climbed to 30 points, holding second place in the Brasileirão, three points off leaders Cruzeiro. Fluminense, meanwhile, dropped to eighth. For the Rubro-Negro, the result may have eased immediate pressure, but the substance of the performance ensures the debate over discipline, commitment, and tactical identity is far from settled.

(Sources: UOL, Lance)

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