Geração Gabigol does what Zico could not and repeats triumph in Libertadores

Flamengo fans, when they get excited, sing the song “Em December 81”, remembering the conquest of the World Cup that year. It is impressive the number of red-black parents who, to this day, name their children Arthur, in honor of Zico. For now, there seems to be no doubt as to which is the greatest generation in the club’s history.

The current red and black group, however, achieved something that not even the group of the 1980s achieved: winning two editions of the Copa Libertadores. On Saturday afternoon (29), in Ecuador, Filipe Luís, Éverton Ribeiro, Arrascaeta and Gabigol repeated what they had done in 2019 and lifted the main South American cup.

The trophy was received after a 1-0 victory over Athletico Paranaense at the Monumental stadium in Guyaquil. In the final in a single game – the third in a row that only had Brazilian clubs –, the team from Rio de Janeiro struggled until Pedro Henrique was sent off at the end of the first half. Shortly after, Gabigol decided.

The triumph allows Gabigol’s generation to dream of what only Zico’s generation achieved in red and black, in December 1981. Qualified for the World Cup, Flamengo will try to win the championship on a date and place that will still be defined by FIFA (Federação Internacional de Futebol ) – the United States, in February, is the most real possibility.

But, even without the possible bi-intercontinental, the list of achievements accumulated since 2019 – when the financial reorganization of the times of President Eduardo Bandeira de Mello (2013-2018) started to give sporting results, under Rodolfo Landim (president since 2019) – is impressive. .

Initially organized tactically by the Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, the club experienced glory in the Brazilian Championship and in the Copa Libertadores in 2019. Then came another Brazilian (2020), two Brazilian Supercups (2020 and 2021), a South American Recopa ( 2020) and a Copa do Brasil (2022). Not to mention the Cariocas.

Zico, the greatest exponent of the 1980s, won four Brasileiros (1980, 1982, 1983 and 1987), a Libertadores (1981) and a Mundial (1981). He didn’t manage to win the second Libertadores – the red-black campaigns after the original conquest were disappointing –, but he has been vibrating with the achievements of the current group.

That had difficulties from the moment Jesus decided to return to Europe, in the middle of 2020. The highly qualified squad continued to raise trophies, with different coaches, but without the same shine, without a triumph of the size of a Libertadores and with signs of fatigue. The 2022 season started with another Portuguese on the bench, Paulo Sousa, and everything was going wrong.

In June, an old acquaintance, Dorival Júnior, was called, previously called in two emergency situations. It was an emergency again, but with a highly qualified cast. The 60-year-old coach’s strategy was to speak the simple and, in his words, “regain the athletes’ confidence”.

He practically gave up the Brazilian Championship, using reserves in the lineup frequently, but he won the Copa do Brasil and reached the Libertadores decision in good conditions. And he did what Renato Gaúcho couldn’t in the previous decision, against Palmeiras, in Montevideo.

Flamengo was defeated in last year’s final, in extra time, with difficulty to impose its technical superiority. “We’ll be back next year,” warned Gabigol, who in 2019 had scored a 2-1 comeback victory over River Plate in Lima in 2019, and can now say with even more propriety that he is among the great players. red and black in history.

Against Athletico, led by the two-time South American champion Luiz Felipe Scolari, he opened the scoring in the 49th minute. It was a good end of the first half for a team that had started the stage badly, with problems to overcome the marking and with defensive flaws that gave chances to the opponent.

At 12 minutes, David Luiz missed dominance and allowed Vitinho to finish, defended by Santos. Soon after, after a side kick, Alex Santana dominated at the entrance of the small area and, with the ball high, hit over. The face of the game could have changed if the clear opportunity had been taken.

It changed, but because left-back Filipe Luís had to leave, injured, at 20. Ayrton Lucas came in, more aggressive in attack. Even so, the Paraná formation defended itself well, in an individual combat scheme –Hugo Moura did not let go of Arrascaeta. Until Pedro Henrique, nervous, committed two hard fouls – the second on Ayrton Lucas – and was sent off, at 43.

Flamengo, who already had possession of the ball, but couldn’t find the space, found it. At 49, Éverton Ribeiro scored with Rodinei and crossed for Gabigol to complete with his left foot. Felipão’s plans were frustrated, as he found himself with one less player and 45 minutes to try to avoid the almost inevitable defeat.

Athletico did what they could, looking for arrivals in crosses, but it was Dorival Júnior’s team that had the ball, with dangerous finishes from Gabigol and Pedro. Felipão’s team made a worthy effort, with moments of dominating possession of the ball. It wasn’t enough to change the course of the decision.