Dorival fits the duo Gabigol and Pedro in the conquest of the Libertadores tri

One of the great merits of coach Dorival Júnior in Flamengo’s winning campaign in the Copa Libertadores was finding a way to put Gabriel Barbosa, Gabigol, and Pedro together in the red-black attack.

While shirt number 9 has always been an undisputed starter, Pedro has bitter the reserve with the different technicians who have passed through Gávea since his arrival at the club, in 2020, in the final stretch of the passage of the Portuguese Jorge Jesus. He even had more shooting with Domènec Torrent, but only during a period in which Gabigol was recovering from injury.

When Dorival agreed to return to Flamengo, in June, one of the first things he expressed was his desire to fit in an attack formed by the duo.

“I had Gabriel at Santos with Ricardo Oliveira. Why not with Pedro?”, then asked the coach.

The coach’s insistence paid off. In part, the opportunity for shirt 21 appeared with the injury of the holder Bruno Henrique. But since his entry into the starting lineup, Pedro proved the commander’s expectations.

In Libertadores, the duo accumulated more than half of the team’s goals, with Pedro being the tournament’s top scorer, with 12 goals. Gabigol is the team’s second-highest scorer, with six now, scoring in this final.

Considering the entire season, Gabigol played 67 games and scored 31 goals. Pedro also hit the net 30 times, but in fewer games, 59.

“When the opportunity arose, he [Pedro] was prepared. I think that’s the difference: the player is aware that at some point he will have the opportunity”, praised Dorival.

The dynamic between the two worked, above all, for two factors.

First, Pedro was chosen to be more advanced, in a position where he can also help the marking, giving the first fight.

Second, the coach positioned Éverton Ribeiro on the right, leaving Arrascaeta free to float in midfield, in addition to allowing Gabigol to change positions freely in front, as a way of confusing the markers.

With that, Dorival managed to climb the attacking duo without losing strength in midfield and defense. That’s how he forged Pedro as the top scorer and made Gabigol more supportive. In addition to goals, shirt 9 started to give more assists with the coach. at Libertadores there were three.

Throughout the playoffs, the two did not forgive any of the team’s rivals and left their marks at every stage of the playoffs on their way to the decision.

Pedro scored four times in the same game, against Tolima (COL), in the 7 to 1 of the return match for the round of 16. Then, he scored one more against Corinthians in the quarterfinals and returned to score four times in the duels with Vélez Sarsfield (ARG) in the semifinals.

Gabigol also scored against Tolima and Corinthians and, against the Argentines, provided an assist.

No wonder Pedro caught the attention of coach Tite. The coach of the Brazilian team gave in to the campaign made by the Flamengo player and started to give him opportunities.

The red-black shirt 21 was part of the group in the last FIFA dates for friendlies, in September. Against Ghana, he was on the bench. Against Tunisia, he entered the second half and scored the last of the 5-1 rout.

He left the field even more highly rated to join the Brazilian delegation at the World Cup in Qatar.

For Flamengo fans, after winning the Copa do Brasil and Copa Libertadores, the attacking duo of the red-black team has already proved that it can be an important weapon for Brazil on the biggest stage in world football.