Sports
Palmeiras Disrespects Flamengo by Mocking Maracanã Pitch
Bernardo Ramos criticizes Palmeiras' stance, explains pitch deterioration, and demands more from Flamengo's squad.
Bernardo Ramos analyzes Palmeiras' jab regarding the Maracanã pitch following complaints from Flamengo players. The commentator details the factors behind the field's poor condition and delivers sharp criticism of Flamengo's performance in the Copa Libertadores.
Once again, Palmeiras showed institutional disrespect toward Flamengo by publishing a social media video titled "Time is the master of reason." In the post, the São Paulo club compiled statements from Flamengo players, including Léo Ortiz, to mock complaints about the quality of natural grass compared to synthetic turf, capping off the clip with a Leonardo DiCaprio meme.
In the video above, Bernardo Ramos analyzes the fallout from the publication and weighs in on the broader debate surrounding playing surfaces in Brazilian football. In the commentator's view, the conduct authorized by club president Leila Pereira is an unnecessary provocation, although Brazilian football has seen plenty of similar episodes, such as when Flamengo posted the message "enjoy" after defeating Independiente del Valle.
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The Maracanã pitch crisis and match schedule
Bernardo emphasizes that opposing artificial turf does not prevent one from acknowledging the critical condition of the Maracanã. According to information obtained by Bernardo from a source within Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, Rio de Janeiro recorded 23 days of rain, a situation worsened by an overwhelming fixture load that could reach 77 matches at the stadium this season. The schedule also features an NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys on the 27th. According to reporting by Mauro César, management is considering replacing the grass following that event.
The grievances voiced by Léo Ortiz, Rossi, and Arrascaeta are fully grounded in the pitch's actual state. In Bernardo's view, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has an obligation to regulate pitch standards nationwide to prevent matches from taking place on deteriorated surfaces. In addition, responsibility falls on the Fla-Flu Consortium management, as poor field conditions disproportionately hurt the more technical side, a problem likely to repeat itself in the match against Red Bull Bragantino.
Tactical errors and squad mentality in the Libertadores
Beyond the stadium's structural shortcomings, Bernardo Ramos directed sharp criticism at the team's display against Independiente del Valle in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals. The journalist argued that manager Leonardo Jardim made tactical mistakes, granting too much space to a well-organized opponent.
The squad's apathy in a knockout fixture drew the heaviest scrutiny. Bernardo highlighted a sequence in which Lucas Paquetá attempted a backheel pass near the edge of the box while the team was already trailing 1–0, triggering the counterattack that led to Jorginho's first yellow card. For the commentator, the team's attitude felt more like a preseason friendly, risking a historic upset reminiscent of their 2008 elimination by Salvador Cabañas' Club América under Joel Santana.
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