Not sure why I never replied here. Definitely expected better from Flamengo today, especially after the early goal. They did create chances, had 2 goals called back for offside, but the second half was awful. Eventually Corinthians tied and it went to PKs. Cássio saved the first one but luckily two Corinthians players missed and, of all people, it was Rodinei who scored the winning PK. Prize money for Copa do Brasil is huge nowadays. But prestige-wise, this won't be anything more than a consolation prize if it's all Flamengo win this year. Flamengo now has two matches which will certainly be reserves only (except Santos) while the starters prepare for the Libertadores final in 10 days.
Congratulations. Campeonato Brasileiro and Libertadores before tonight's Copa do Brasil title.... and now, the possibility of another Libertadores title. However, if your team plays the way it did in the second half, Scolari pode aprontar....
Flamengo win the Libertadores! A deserved win based on their performances under Dorival especially, but an underwhelming final today. Gabigol gets the only goal of the match, his 4th in 3 Libertadores finals, making him even more of a club legend. Pedro had a poor match. De Arrascaeta clearly needs rest. I doubt he'll play again before the World Cup. Athletico were better in the beginning but Flamengo eventually started to dominate midfield and CAP got some yellows trying to slow them down. One of them was extra costly as Pedro Henrique ended up getting a second for a slide tackle on Ayrton Lucas resulting in an automatic red, no revision possible. Defense was solid individually, but as a team it's clear the legs were not there to replicate performance from earlier in the season. Credit to Felipão too for getting CAP this far and for the performance today. Flamengo won't win the Brasileirão this year, but that's ok now. Going to keep trying to build a team that can win everything in one year until it happens, but part of the challenge is the Brazilian calendar.
Congrats !!! Yep it was a fairly even game in the 1st half. I was surprised that Athletico weren't bunkering specially in the beginning. But as you said, I think the long season took a toll on the team and that played a part. The 2nd yellow was warranted IMO. No controversy there. Maybe next year we get to meet again.
Congratulations to all Flamenguistas on BigSoccer. It's easy to say this now, and I certainly give credit to Scolari for how far he brought Athetico Paranaense, but Flamengo was and is the superior team, with a far deeper squad. Bruno Henrique killed his team's chances. There was no way Flamengo would not score once Athletico was down to 10 men. They did a good job of making life difficult for Flamengo for much of the first half with their marcação individual, but any chances they may have had all but vanished after Gabigol scored. The past four Libertadores were won by either Flamengo or Palmeiras; this four-year streak of Brazilian champions was last seen between 2010 and 2013. But at that time, there was no one truly outstanding team with the level of financial resources and stocked roster that Flamengo and Palmeiras (and to a different extent, Atl.-MG) have had in recent years. Flamengo has won a massive amount of prize money this year - first Copa do Brasil and now the Libertadores. If the cartolas do their homework, they can present an even stronger Flamengo team in the 2023 Libertadores. Palmeiras is a heartbeat away from the 2022 Campeonato Brasileiro, and with Abel still under contract, Palmeiras has the means to make at least one more run worthy of a top contender next year. No one knows the future, but given things have been going (by observing both what Brazil has brought to the table and what other South American countries' teams have been able to offer), it doesn't appear too likely that any team will reach Flamengo's or Palmeiras' patamares anytime soon. A team from a neighboring country knocked out the last non-Brazilian champion in the round of 16; that team eventually reached the semifinals where it met Flamengo, but Flamengo won both matches with a global 6-1 score. Scolari has (somewhat) redeemed himself. He did win the 2018 Campeonato Brasileiro, and he took Athletico Paranaense to the Libertadores final after its first appearance 17 years ago (I was already on BigSoccer then - it's crazy how much time has passed and how fast it has happened). With tons of titles on his resume, it's safe to say he can retire now with his pride restored and his head held high. Lastly, Pedro and Gabigol have, in my view, secured themselves seats on the CBF aircraft to Qatar. Everton Ribeiro, maybe. Another year, another final de Libertadores brasileira, another campeão da América brasileiro. I hope it stays that way as long as possible (I also hope SPFC becomes a contender again, but it does appear that'll take a while...)
I still think it'll be Pedro and maybe Everton Ribeiro for the national team and that's it. Another interesting question though is who will leave. Pedro might, but depends a lot on the market - is there a team that can afford to buy a Flamengo star that needs a forward? João Gomes also might leave. Filipe Luis should be retiring, and his intention is to go into coaching, apparently with Flamengo. Diego and Diego Alves need to retire, but will they? Also, who will challenge next year? Flamengo will probably bring in a few names but the big question is who will be the coach in 2024? Dorival? If they don't keep him and someone new comes in, like Gallardo for example, what will the adjustment period be like? Palmeiras will have Endrick for the full season next year, and may be able to focus on some other positions instead. They will lose Scarpa and (probably) Danilo and a few others. Corinthians have to wait and see if VP will stay and that seems very uncertain now. Atletico Mineiro seem out of the picture for now, will they regroup next year? Right now they'd have to play the qualifying rounds. Can teams like Inter and Fluminense make good runs? It's hard to see anyone besides Palmeiras and Flamengo, as you said above, CB, but once things are underway we'll see if any draws in the groups or knockouts have the potential to throw a wrench in there.
Gabigol ? He has been out of Tite's radar for a while now. I'd be surprised if he gets called. Specially since he is playing more wide where the competition is brutal.
Valencia with the nice finish to take Inter up a goal. Important goal in the altitude. Bolivar 0 x 1 Intter