Filipe Luís v Leonardo Jardim in Brasileirão: figures show Flamengo dip | OneFootball

Goals scored, conceded, and points won reveal how Flamengo performed in 17 Brasileirão matches under each coach

Flamengo drew 1-1 with Internacional in the 21st round of the Brasileirão this Wednesday (29). The result reignited criticism from the fans over Leonardo Jardim’s work and the departure of Filipe Luís. But do the numbers really support this dissatisfaction? A comparison between the campaigns shows performance differences and helps clarify whether there has, in fact, been a drop in Flamengo’s level.

A survey conducted by Coluna do Fla considers 17 Flamengo matches (from the 4th to the 20th game) in the 2025 and 2026 Brasileirão seasons. In this way, the analysis compares offensive performance, defensive solidity, and points won to ‘measure the impact’ of the coaching changes over the two seasons.

WHAT WERE FILIPE LUÍS’ NUMBERS IN FLAMENGO’S 17 MATCHES IN THE 2025 BRASILEIRÃO?

Under Filipe Luís, Flamengo showed a high level of consistency from the 4th to the 20th match of the 2025 Brasileirão. During that stretch, the team recorded 12 wins, three draws, and only two losses, with 39 goals scored and seven conceded. As a result, it reached a 76.5% success rate, a figure that reflected its consistency and dominance throughout the competition.

Thus, the attack became one of the team’s main strengths. Flamengo posted emphatic routs, such as 8-0 over Vitória, 6-0 against Juventude, and 5-0 versus Fortaleza. Those results boosted the goal difference and highlighted the team’s ability to decide matches with authority.

In addition, defensive solidity directly contributed to the positive picture. As mentioned, the Rubro-Negro side conceded only seven goals in 17 matches, which reinforced the balance between the lines. In this way, the team secured a clear competitive edge and sustained its campaign.

SEE THE LIST OF THE 17 FLAMENGO MATCHES CONSIDERED (STARTING FROM THE 4TH ROUND) IN THE 2025 BRASILEIRÃO:

AND LEONARDO JARDIM?

On the other hand, Flamengo under Leonardo Jardim has shown more inconsistent performances across 17 matches in the 2026 Brasileirão. It is worth noting that the coach took over Rubro-Negro in the fourth round of the league.

Since then, the team has recorded ten wins, five draws, and two losses, with 33 goals scored and 14 conceded. As a result, it has a 68.6% success rate, lower than the previous season’s and directly affected by the difficulty in sustaining winning streaks.

In addition, the high number of draws affects the pace of the campaign. Repeated level-score results limit the points tally even in matches with control of possession. At the same time, the attack has shown a drop in output, while the defensive system has conceded more goals compared to the previous sample.

Thus, the team has shown less efficiency on both ends of the pitch. Leonardo Jardim’s side does create chances, but converts fewer of them and leaves more space for opponents in decisive moments. As a consequence, the overall performance falls short of the standard previously seen under Filipe Luís and helps explain the rise in criticism of the current work.

SEE THE LIST OF THE 17 MATCHES CONSIDERED (STARTING FROM THE 4TH ROUND) IN THE 2026 BRASILEIRÃO:

WHEN WAS FILIPE LUÍS FIRED?

Flamengo announced Filipe Luís’ departure on March 3, 2026, right after the 8-0 win over Madureira, a result that secured a place in the Campeonato Carioca final. Despite qualifying, the club was already viewing the start of the season as below expectations, especially after defeats in title-deciding matches such as the Supercopa and Recopa.

Afterward, Flamengo president Luís Eduardo Baptista, known as Bap, justified the decision based on the team’s collective performance. According to the president’s assessment, the level shown up to that point did not match the squad’s potential. The executive used an analogy to explain the coaching change and said that “when you get on the wrong train, you should get off at the first station.”

In addition, Bap emphasized that the choice followed institutional rather than personal criteria. Thus, the understanding was that the overall performances were not meeting the season’s objectives. In that same context, the president highlighted that Flamengo had, at that moment, one of the worst performances among Série A clubs, even with a squad considered one of the strongest in the country.

Next, the executive also addressed the profile required to be part of the club. Speaking about the dedication needed, Bap declared that “whoever wants to work at Flamengo has to be Flamengo 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” while also stressing that there is no room to prioritize individual interests over institutional demands.

Finally, even amid criticism of the performances, the president made a point of valuing Filipe Luís’ work. Bap said that “I am very grateful for what he did for Flamengo,” and added that the coach is among the relevant names in the club’s recent history. Even so, he reinforced that the decision was exclusively professional in nature and made with the club’s future in mind.

WHEN WAS LEONARDO JARDIM HIRED?

Leonardo Jardim was announced by Flamengo on March 4, 2026, to take charge of the team after Filipe Luís’ departure. In this way, the Portuguese coach signed a contract through December 2027 and became the chosen man to lead the Rubro-Negro project.

In addition, Leonardo Jardim had already been one of president Bap’s preferred names since the end of 2025. Before reaching an agreement with Filipe Luís, the executive had even approached the Portuguese coach during a difficult period in the contract renewal talks. However, the parties reached an agreement at that time, postponing Jardim’s arrival at Flamengo.

WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION ON THE SUBJECT?

“It is important to highlight that football goes far beyond numbers, and comparing Leonardo Jardim’s work with Filipe Luís’ performance may, at times, seem like an analysis made with the benefit of hindsight. However, there is one point that cannot be ignored: Flamengo’s performances under the Portuguese coach have been underwhelming.

The Rubro-Negro club kept the core of the 2025 title-winning squad and also added reinforcements such as Lucas Paquetá and Vitão, announced at the start of the season. In addition, Jardim has managed to get more out of some players, such as Samuel Lino, who has been delivering good performances. Even so, the team as a whole is still performing below what is expected of a group that won the Libertadores and the Brasileirão in 2025, and that came close to winning the intercontinental title after taking the match against PSG (FRA) to penalties.

There was an expectation of a turnaround after the World Cup break and the midseason friendly period, but the recent performances have shown a clear decline. The scenario, however, does not mean the season is already defined. With around ten days of training until the next match, against Vitória in the Brasileirão, Leonardo Jardim will have the opportunity to adjust the team and seek a reaction. In a 38-round league format, a change in performance can still put Flamengo back in contention for another national title,” said Mônica Alves.

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