Opinion – Tostão: Atlético-MG did not show any tactical novelty, but it did well as planned

Before starting the Brazilian, one of the most commonplaces, among so many, is that all matches are equal and that all victories are worth three points. Atlético-MG took this seriously. In addition to the quality, the cast and the set, the team played each game as if it were the only and the last. Atlético didn’t have any great tactical news. More important than the strategy was the execution of what was planned well. Cuca likes to lament, even in victories, because he seeks perfection.

Flamengo, runner-up, did not have the same seriousness and regularity. More than that, he didn’t free himself from the ghost of Jorge Jesus. Domènec Torrent was not pleased because he had his own ideas. The serious and pragmatic Rogério Ceni is obsessed with scientific details, but he didn’t have a good affective relationship with the players. Renato Gaucho was the opposite. Buddy, good-natured, was fired for not being so detailed in training.

No coach will please Flamengo. As commentator Caio Ribeiro said, there is only one solution, that of rehiring Jorge Jesus, to see him fail and, with that, exorcise the ghost. This is more or less what happens in mourning. We need to experience it, to get used to the lack, the absence.

The Brazilian is still exciting, as it will define the classifieds for the Libertadores, for the Copa Sudamericana and the relegated ones. If Grêmio goes down, it will join Vasco, Cruzeiro and maybe Bahia, all big clubs.

Luxemburg’s stay in Cruzeiro is beneficial, as the work continues, as long as he doesn’t win as if he were a coach of one of the main teams in Serie A, nor does he also become a manager. It makes no sense to compare him to the legendary Alex Ferguson, as some have done, for successfully carrying out this dual role at Manchester United. Behavior and credibility are quite different.

Grêmio had a great performance in the 3-0 victory over São Paulo. This Sunday (5), away from home, he faces Corinthians. Why is Grêmio, an organized club, without major debts, with salaries on time, with a good cast and experienced coaches, so close to Serie B? It’s a mystery.

Gremista midfielder Jean Pyerre, a great prospect, was a failure, called the new Ganso, due to his lack of vibrancy and intensity. In addition to the player’s inability to react, to put his soul on the field, Jean Pyerre is a victim of the inefficiency of his coaches at the club, who, in addition to not guiding him, insisted on casting him in the wrong place, like an attacking midfielder, to score goals. Jean Pyerre would have to play from behind, from the field itself. I no longer expect him to become a star, but I won’t be surprised if he does very well at Alavés, in Spain, where he should play.

Without wanting to compare, Maicon, ex-Grêmio, and Casemiro, in São Paulo, were also treated as lazy, indolent. The Brazilian Jorginho, Chelsea and Italian national team holder, elected the third best player in the world in 2021, would be challenged in Brazil and criticized for giving short passes and playing in small spaces.

At Chelsea, Jorginho is accompanied by Kanté, who is tireless, with great movement and who defends and attacks. The two complete each other. There is a place in football for players with different styles.

The intolerance and radicalization of Brazilian society also affect football. We need diversity, citizens, politicians, players and coaches with different opinions and behaviors, that unite soul, seriousness and talent.