If the Supercopa do Brasil does not represent the main objective of Flamengo and Atlético-MG in the season, the dispute this Sunday (20), at 16:00, at the Pantanal Arena, could mean another step towards the intentions of Gabigol and Guilherme Arana to compete, at the end of the year, the World Cup in Qatar.
Nine months away from the World Cup, with the opening scheduled for November 21, having an important participation in big games is a way to get Tite’s attention. Despite having few doubts, the coach of the Brazilian team has not yet closed the group for the competition.
The trophy that will be at stake in the clash in Cuiabá is usually disputed between the Brazilian champion and the winner of the Copa do Brasil. As the Minas Gerais team won both titles in 2021, the Carioca team entered the dispute as national runners-up — Globo and SporTV will air the confrontation.
Atletico’s performance last season led Arana to accumulate more recent trophies than Gabigol. In addition to the national and state titles for the club, the side also won the gold medal with the Olympic team at the Tokyo Games.
The Flamengo striker, on the other hand, celebrated only the conquests of the Supercopa do Brasil and the state, in addition to being a finalist in Libertadores. On the other hand, Gabigol was present in Tite’s most recent call-up, for the games against Ecuador and Paraguay, for the Qualifiers — he played for 12 minutes in the 1-1 draw with the Ecuadorians.
With Brazil already classified, the matches were used by the coach to test the team, but even so, the Flamengo player managed to accumulate more minutes. Constantly called up, however, he was present in 9 of the country’s 15 games in the qualifying tournament. Holder four times, he scored two goals.
As Roberto Firmino, from Liverpool, and Richarlison, from Everton, are not having a good phase, the number 9 of the Rio de Janeiro team has conquered more space and even won praise from Tite. The coach valued the fact that the athlete took care of himself during the holidays and presented himself in good shape for the matches at the beginning of the season.
“When he comes back with a consistent weight, fat percentage and muscle mass condition, he already has the whole interpretation of the physiology department’s staff that he was taken care of. This shows maturity”, highlighted the commander.
Arana, on the other hand, ended up being passed over in the last call-up even with the absence of Renan Lodi, from Atlético de Madrid, who was not considered on the list for not having been vaccinated against Covid-19. Tite preferred to take Alex Sandro, from Juventus, and Alex Telles, from Manchester United. The dispute on the left, therefore, is among the fiercest in the canarian team.
Competing with opponents who are in big clubs in Europe, the player formed at the base of Corinthians does not intend to leave Brazilian football again in the near future precisely to have more chances of winning a spot in the selection. He has already played for Spain’s Sevilla and Italy’s Atalanta, without being able to establish himself.
“I want to do my best within my club to win this spot. There are great players in my position, so I let Tite choose the best option. As I said, I’m doing a good job here at the club and dedicating myself to I’m sure I can win this chance to play in a World Cup. That’s my goal”, said the athletican.
Until the beginning of the Cup, the selection will have five more matches of the Qualifiers (Ecuador, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia and Argentina). There is also a forecast of five friendly matches, not yet confirmed by the CBF. These games will define the country’s representatives at the World Cup.
Players who are still fighting for space know that they need to present a good level in their clubs. For Arana and Gabigol, who fit the profile, a good performance in a national classic, worth a cup, could be an important step towards Qatar.
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