The 4-1 thrashing suffered by Flamengo, with a poor performance in the first half, opened up Vasco’s worst moment since 777 Partners took control of football, in August 2022. It was the worst defeat of the SAF era at the club .
A result that further exposed planning errors and the fragility of the squad assembled for the return to Série A. And, of course, increased pressure on managers and Maurício Barbieri. After the game, the coach stated that the work continues.
The boos and protests at Maracanã, with shouts of “shameless team” and curses from the first half, echoed and show that the fans lost patience with the team, with the coaching staff and with the directors. The initial honeymoon with the 777 is over. The revolt spread to São Januário during the early hours of the morning. Fans tried to invade the stadium with mortars, but were stopped by the police.
The main targets of the protests have been coach Maurício Barbieri, football director Paulo Bracks, SAF CEO Luiz Mello and Vasco president Jorge Salgado.
But how is their situation?
The coach, for example, has the support of 777 and, last week, Paulo Bracks ensured his permanence in the project. The leader stressed that he does not intend to repeat past mistakes, when the associative club had the habit of dismissing one coach after another.
But the speech can change with the need to point out a culprit. Even more so after last night’s protests. Immediate exit is not ruled out, although the internal feeling is not that. The football department knows that it left gaps in the formation of the cast and Barbieri did not have all requests answered, but the lack of evolution, even with time to train, is worrying.
After the defeat in the classic, Barbieri was the only one to speak. There was no mixed zone with athletes and no leader manifested. When asked about his permanence, the coach, under the eyes of Bracks and Mello, said that the matter was not addressed in the locker room and said he was convinced that Vasco would be able to overcome the crisis.
– I didn’t have any conversation in that sense (dismissal). I am convinced that the team has fluctuated much more than we expected at the beginning. We have had greater difficulties than we thought we could have, but I remain convinced that we can reverse this situation – said Barbieri.
The dismissal of the coach, if it happens, must also have the endorsement of 777 Partners. Meetings this week should set the tone for the future. It is certain, however, that Barbieri was never so close to being dismissed as he was at that moment, after a painful defeat in the classic.
As for the leaders, the pressure is external. Fans, advisors, members of the opposition and even Vasco da Gama’s administrative board question the moment of football.
Last week, a letter signed by President Jorge Salgado and his peers, addressed to the SAF Board of Directors, demanded explanations about the “alarming” moment in Vasco football. The parties agreed to meet, but publicly explanations were few. In addition to football, CEO Luiz Mello is questioned about debts to clubs and players. Vasco has faced a series of collections from creditors and claims cash flow for late payments.
No senior group leader from 777 Partners has yet commented. Only Paulo Bracks, director of football, gave an interview last week, admitted mistakes in assembling the squad, said he already had the diagnosis and promised corrections in the next window.
Much questioned, Mello has not given interviews. Two weeks ago he spoke informally with journalists to deny raids with Paulo Bracks. The football man was the only SAF director who was not chosen by Mello. Bracks was an option in the sport part of the 777 group.
It is understood that there is a political movement in Vasco as well. Mello’s name, for example, reverberated badly within the club when announced to be the CEO of SAF. Since then, a current within the association has disapproved of the executive’s work.
Faced with so many uncertainties after a dismal start to the campaign in the Brazilian Championship, Vasco is betting on the next transfer window, which takes place between July 3 and August 2, to correct planning errors and save the season. Until then, the team will need to reverse the situation with the current group, very mentally shaken by the moment. Captain Léo, for example, said that he has had difficulty even sleeping because of the phase.
It was Vasco’s worst defeat since the club was sold to 777 Partners. The fourth loss in a row for a team that has won just one of its last 12 matches. In the Brazilian Championship, the club only defeated Atlético-MG in the debut and is in the penultimate position, there are three rounds in the relegation zone.
The fact that the biggest defeat of the SAF era occurred precisely for Flamengo is symbolic. Last year, in March, during the sale process to 777 Partners, the owner of the American fund, Josh Wander, assured, on the eve of a classic against his rival, for the semifinal of Carioca, that it would be the last time that the clubs face financial disparity. A fact that is far from reality.
Source: ge
2023-06-06 11:15:00
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