As a Flamengo fan, you must be wondering about the changes Filipe Luís has brought to the team. When a new coach takes over, there are always... expectations e uncertainties.
Will the team maintain the intensity they showed against Corinthians? Will the emotional impact of the change in management be lasting? These are natural questions, but the answers are not yet clear.
What we can do now is analyze the first signs of Filipe Luís' debut as manager.
Defensive Strategies
One of Filipe Luís' first points of intervention was in defensive lineWhen Léo Ortiz was chosen, there was a lot of talk about his ability to play the ball out from the back.
Along with Léo Pereira, Alex Sandro, and Wesley, Flamengo's defense showed constant concern in shorten the field.
When Corinthians had possession of the ball and were under pressure, the defense pushed forward, making it difficult for the opponent to create plays. This was a consistent pattern throughout the game.
Pressure and Ball Recovery
This defensive strategy created better conditions for Flamengo to pressure their opponent. In football, actions with the ball often determine what happens without it.
The quick recovery of the ball impacted Bruno Henrique's performance, for example. He's not a player who dribbles in tight spaces, but rather someone who excels at progression, with space to run.
In Filipe Luís' debut, Flamengo managed to create these... opportunities for Bruno Henrique, even when playing as a left winger.
Offensive Organization
On the offensive side, Flamengo also showed some intent. Gérson, for example, started on the right wing, but soon joined Arrascaeta in the middle, forming a midfield duo behind Gabigol.
This allowed for shorter passes and more close support. There was a certain asymmetry in the team: Pulgar and De La Cruz were the holding midfielders, with Wesley on the right wing and Bruno Henrique on the left, alongside Alex Sandro.
This allowed for interesting triangulations, such as the one that resulted in Gabigol's backheel finish.
Impact on the Attack
This more active and dynamic Flamengo team managed to quickly implement some of the new coach's ideas. This included stopping a series of worrying games due to a lack of aggression.
Previously, the team had possession of the ball, but the actual goal-scoring opportunities were not proportional to the volume of play.
Against Corinthians, whether Alex Sandro or Bruno Henrique played on the left, Gabigol was in the center, and Wesley or the midfielders were there, there were attacking runs into space. In that respect, Arrascaeta could benefit doubly.
Gabigol's Role
Gabigol, one of Filipe Luís' most impactful signings, has yet to fully shine. However, he attempted to execute his characteristic attacking moves and was more involved in the game than in recent months.
In the reality of a Flamengo team without Pedro, perhaps Gabigol is the closest thing to a "number 9" that Filipe Luís has to rely on.
Future Challenges
Despite the positive signs, it's too early to determine what this new phase of Flamengo will entail.
Comparing performances is unfair, but it's safe to say that in the first game, the team responded well to some stimuli, which is a good sign.
It was like the unveiling of a letter of intent. From now on, new challenges arise: other opponents and a relentless schedule, especially for a type of game that demands great physical effort.