Varela opens up on Flamengo's form and admits issue: “It's how we play” | OneFootball

Full-back said Flamengo’s problem is the way the team plays

Flamengo drew again in the Brazilian Championship. This time, it was a 1-1 draw with Internacional last Wednesday (29), in the 21st round of the Brasileirão. After the match in Porto Alegre, Guillermo Varela gave a thoughtful interview and spoke openly about the current moment for the red-and-black team.

During the interview, Varela said that Flamengo’s problem is no longer about results or points earned. According to the full-back, now is the time to focus on changing the way the team plays on the pitch.

— It’s no longer about results, it’s not about points, it’s about the team, it’s about the way we play. We’re not in our best moment. We have to work. Now we have about 15 days to close the doors, start over and work. We have to work -, he said.

Watch the video:

How was the match against Internacional?

In short, Flamengo delivered another unrecognizable performance on Wednesday night (29). In the first half, Leonardo Jardim’s team failed to impose its rhythm and saw the opponent create the main chances. In fact, it was the club from Rio Grande do Sul that opened the scoring in the 27th minute, through Vitinho.

Trailing on the scoreboard, Rubro-Negro returned from the break with more possession, but still struggled to threaten goalkeeper Matheus Cunha. Then, in the 34th minute, Samuel Lino equalized after a scramble in Internacional’s box, preventing a Flamengo defeat.

What is Flamengo’s next match?

Now, Flamengo will only return to the field on August 9, to face Vitória in the 22nd round of the Brasileirão. The match is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Maracanã. In other words, coach Leonardo Jardim will have ten days to try to solve the team’s problems.

What is the situation in the standings?

In short, if fans hoped to see Flamengo cut the gap to leaders Palmeiras, what happened on Wednesday (29) was the opposite. That is because, instead of reducing the disadvantage to three points, Fla saw the gap grow to eight.

That is because, with Flamengo’s 1-1 draw against Internacional combined with Palmeiras’ win over Vitória, Leonardo Jardim’s team’s situation became complicated. While the São Paulo side has 47 points, Fla are in second place with 39.

What is the author’s opinion?

— It is important to highlight that Varela’s interview raised concerns among the fans about manager Leonardo Jardim. That is because some supporters started to think that Flamengo’s players are not managing to absorb the coach’s ideas -, believes journalist Nathalia Coelho.

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