Flamengo’s apathy in the decision of the Copa do Brasil was present in Gabigol’s expression and speech after the 1-1 draw with São Paulo, at Morumbi, a result that left the red-and-black club with runner-up. Despite not being direct, the number 10, who started the duel on the bench, criticized his team’s disappointing season.
“I always say: we plant things to harvest. We don’t plant many things, we don’t harvest anything. Now we have 15 games in which we have to try to win the Brasileirão title,” said Gabigol.
Despite guaranteeing in his speech that Flamengo will still try for the Brazilian title, Gabigol mentioned several times that one of the club’s objectives this season is to win a place in the Libertadores, threatened by the red-black team’s seventh place in the Brazilian Championship.
“We are sad to lose another final. But we are going with maximum strength in the Brasileirão. We still believe in the title and we want to seek a place in the Libertadores”, he stated.
Regarding the match, Gabigol considered that Flamengo was better, but lost because they played a bad game in the first game, at Maracanã. “We played a very good game today, the final is made up of two games. We were better than them today, but in the 180 minutes they ended up being better than us.”
Before entering the match, Gabigol was seen on the bench gesturing several times with coach Sampaoli, clearly disappointed at not being on the field. When activated, it did not shine, so much so that he had no chance to decide.
Gabigol was not the only athlete disappointed with yet another Flamengo stumble. Striker Bruno Henrique, who may be playing his last season with the red-black shirt, was seen crying profusely. He received a hug from coach Dorival Júnior, with whom he was champion of the same Copa do Brasil last year. Arrascaeta was another who received love from the coach.
After another runner-up finish, Flamengo returns to the field on Saturday, at 4pm, to face Bahia, at Maracanã, in the 25th round of the Brazilian Championship.
