Varela after Flamengo horror show: “Close the doors and start again” | OneFootball

Flamengo played below expectations in draw against Internacional in the Brasileirão

Once again, Flamengo left a lot to be desired. This Wednesday (29), the Rubro-Negro drew 1-1 with Internacional in the 21st round of the Brasileirão. Despite the result at Beira-Rio, the performance of the Most Beloved raised concerns. Lacking inspiration, the team narrowly avoided defeat. Speaking frankly, Guillermo Varela hopes Leonardo Jardim’s squad will use the break to get back to winning ways.

— I think it’s no longer about the result or the points. It’s about the team, the way we play. We’re not in our best moment, we have to work. Now we have about ten days to shut ourselves in, start over, and work. We have to work — said Varela in an interview with Prime Video.

WHY WILL FLAMENGO HAVE A LONG PERIOD TO TRAIN?

Flamengo will only return to the field on August 9, against Vitória, in the Brasileirão. That’s because Copa do Brasil matches will be played both next weekend and in the middle of the following week. Since the Rubro-Negro was eliminated early from the competition, the team will have time to work, as Varela pointed out.

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO FLAMENGO?

Just like on Sunday (26), against São Paulo, Flamengo delivered an uninspired performance. In Porto Alegre, Internacional opened the scoring in the first half through Vitinho. However, by the skin of their teeth, the Rubro-Negro equalized in the 33rd minute of the second half through Samuel Lino.

With the result, Flamengo moved to 39 points. However, Palmeiras has the chance to widen the gap. After all, Abel Ferreira’s team plays this Wednesday (29) against Vitória at Barradão. The São Paulo side started the round with 44 points. In other words, they can extend the lead to eight.

WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION?

— Flamengo’s current moment is worrying. Two performances well below average, against São Paulo and Internacional. It’s worth noting that the São Paulo team had taken just one point from their last 15. And the side from Rio Grande do Sul had four straight defeats. A team that wants to be champion cannot drop points to teams in that situation — began Pedro Paulo Catonho, a journalist for Coluna do Fla.

— Now comes the most important moment of the season. Get those who aren’t fit back into shape, recover the injured players, and wake up in the Brasileirão. After the Vitória match, there’s already the Libertadores. Flamengo urgently needs to start playing football again — he added.

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