Filipe Luís: Palmeiras close, but Flamengo still in the fight | OneFootball

Flamengo missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Brazilian Championship by drawing 0-0 with Cruzeiro on Thursday at Maracanã, during the 26th round. Flamengo's coach, Filipe Luís, admitted the frustration over the missed opportunity but emphasized consistency as a decisive factor in the title race.

“We believed we could win, we played to win, we had many chances. They had theirs too, it was an open game. Unfortunately, we didn't get the points we needed. But the championship is long, it's 38 rounds. What matters is to be above the second place in the last round,” he stated in a press conference.

The result reduced the gap to Palmeiras to just three points, as the São Paulo team defeated Vasco 3-0 and remain firm in the pursuit of the leader. The coach highlighted the strength of the trio currently dominating the top of the table, emphasizing the campaign of Palmeiras, which is closing in on Flamengo.

“We are in the fight, these three clubs (Flamengo, Palmeiras, and Cruzeiro). Today was a great opportunity to leave Cruzeiro behind. We didn't manage it, but we still have a considerable points advantage over them. It's true that Palmeiras is winning games and can tie with us in points, but the important thing is that we remain in the race,” he highlighted.

With the draw, Flamengo reached 55 points, while Palmeiras reached 52, with one game less. Cruzeiro remains in third, with 51. In the next round, Flamengo will face Bahia on Sunday at Arena Fonte Nova at 6:30 PM (Brasília time).

Improvement at Flamengo

Filipe also positively assessed the team's evolution in the second half of the season, noting that the initial sequence is considered the most difficult of the championship. “The first nine games of the second half are complicated. We are better at this moment than in the first half, we have already added three more points. We will still have a direct confrontation with Palmeiras, and Palmeiras will face Cruzeiro. It's a balanced, very competitive championship, and the winner will be the most consistent team,” he said.

The coach concluded with a speech of caution but confidence in Flamengo's campaign. “It's the most competitive championship in the world. The champion will be the one with the most consistency. Therefore, keep our feet on the ground, humility, continue working, and try to be champions,” he concluded.

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