With no room for error, the former Sevilla debuts next morning in a Flamengo – Ñublense de Libertadores
The current continental champion lost on the opening day and needs to straighten the course so as not to complicate his situation
Jorge Sampaoli’s debut on the Flamengo bench should work as a boost for the reigning Libertadores champion. Having directed a single training session, the charismatic Argentine coach will make his debut this coming morning in Maracaná in the match against the Chileans Ñublense on the second day of the group stage.
The cariocas, who have the best squad on the continent, stumbled in the opening match against Aucas (2-1)so they are obliged to add the three points if they do not want to start suffering narrowness. “If I am here it is because the team is not in a good situation”has recognized ‘Sampa’, who plans to shake the initial formation.
Everything indicates that the former Sevilla will embrace his preferred game system: 3-2-5 with three centrals and two very deep wingers. It is expected that he will line up the offensive ‘double’ made up of Gabigol and Pedro.
The possible starting eleven for ‘Mengao’ would be formed by: Santos; Varela, Fabricio Bruno, Leo Pereira, David Luiz, Ayrton Lucas; Thiago Maia, Gerson; Everton Ribeiro, Gabigol and Pedro.
The pressure is maximum and there is no margin for error. Sampaoli committed to Flamengo last Friday, when he beat the Portuguese Jorge Jesus, which was the other great candidate. He arrived in Rio de Janeiro over the weekend, on Sunday he was in a box at the Maracana to see the ‘Mengao’ league win against Coritiba (3-0) on the first day of the Brasileirao 2023 and on Monday he was presented after signing his contract valid until December 2024.
With the signing of Sampaoli, the ‘naçao rubronegra’ has recovered its smile after a very tough start to 2023. Under the direction of Victor Pereira they lost the four titles at stake: the Supercopa do Brasil, the Club World Cup (where they lost in the semifinals), the Recopa Sudamericana and the Carioca Championship, which ended up forcing the dismissal of the Portuguese coach.
