Filipe Luís v Leonardo Jardim in Brasileirão: Flamengo dip after switch | OneFootball

Goals scored, conceded, and points earned 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 fan criticism of Leonardo Jardim’s work and the departure of Filipe Luís. But do the numbers really support this dissatisfaction? A comparison between the campaigns shows differences in performance and helps explain whether there has, in fact, been a drop in Flamengo’s level.

A survey carried out 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 attacking performance, defensive solidity, and points earned 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 span, the team recorded 12 wins, three draws, and only two losses, with 39 goals scored and seven conceded. As a result, they reached a 76.5% points rate, a figure that reflected their consistency and dominance throughout the competition.

As such, the attack became one of the team’s main strengths. Flamengo produced emphatic routs, such as an 8-0 win over Vitória, 6-0 against Juventude, and 5-0 over Fortaleza. These results boosted the goal difference and highlighted the team’s ability to put games away with authority.

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

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

WHAT ABOUT LEONARDO JARDIM?

On the other hand, Flamengo under Leonardo Jardim has shown more inconsistent form across 17 Brasileirão matches in 2026. 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% points rate, lower than the previous season and directly affected by the difficulty in maintaining winning streaks.

In addition, the high number of draws affects the pace of the campaign. Repeated level-score results limit the points total even in games where the team controls possession. At the same time, the attack has shown a drop in output, while the defense has conceded more goals compared to the previous sample.

In this way, the team has been less efficient on both ends of the pitch. Leonardo Jardim’s side does create chances, but converts fewer of them and gives opponents more space in decisive moments. As a consequence, the overall performance has moved away from the standard previously seen under Filipe Luís and helps explain the increase 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 already viewed the start of the season as below expectations, especially after defeats in finals such as the Supercopa and the 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 stated that “when you get on the wrong train, you should get off at the first station.”

In addition, Bap stressed that the choice followed institutional rather than personal criteria. Thus, the understanding was that the overall performances did not meet the goals set for the season. In that same context, the president pointed out that Flamengo had, at that moment, one of the worst performance levels 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 above institutional demands.

Finally, even amid criticism of the performance, the president made a point of valuing the work done by Filipe Luís. Bap stated that “I am very grateful for what he did for Flamengo,” and added that the coach is part of the group of important 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 the departure of Filipe Luís. In this way, the Portuguese coach signed a contract valid until 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 negotiations. However, the parties reached an agreement at that time, postponing Jardim’s arrival at Flamengo.

WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION ON THE MATTER?

“It is important to point out that football goes far beyond the 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 left a lot to be desired.

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 putting in good performances. Even so, the team as a whole is still delivering a level below what is expected from a group that won the Libertadores and the Brasileirão in 2025 and came close to winning the intercontinental title after taking the clash against PSG (FRA) to penalties.

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

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