Federation says that Botafogo agreed with the postponement of the classic with Vasco. Luís Castro complains.

Do you remember that it was not long before Luís Castro’s Botafogo ranked among the top eight in last year’s Brazilian Nationals, right?

With another victory, the team assembled in full competition would have obtained at least one place in the qualifying phase of Libertadores.

Work without pre-season, done by a coach who had never managed Brazilian teams and ahead of a group of players from different points.

Quite a feat, which ended up little noticed.

Well, the 2-1 victory over Volta Redonda on Thursday (19) with the starters on the field revived my expectations of seeing the Portuguese coach’s team in action.

And not for the result.

But because Luís Castro has clear ideas (we saw it on Sportv during the World Cup!) about building competitive teams.

From the technical support needed to build the work structure to the tactical standard applied to the game system.

Things that can only be noticed with time for the players to adapt, the repetition of training sessions and the improvement of concepts.

If Luís Castro’s team reached a 47% success rate in an adverse scenario, it is plausible to believe that their performance this year could exceed the 50% barrier.

Mainly if the alvinegros accept that the rebuilding to the desired level will happen with the frequent presence in the block of those who fight at the top.

What is not yet the case: the phase is still one of assembly and a team is not made just by buying an endless number of good players.

THE FIRST CLASSIC.

Perhaps, for this reason, the alvinegra board agreed to postpone the game against Vasco to February 16, which was supposed to take place this Monday (24).

The request from Vasco da Gama took into account the fact that Maurício Barbieri’s main team was traveling in the United States.

And Botafogo’s agreement, confirmed by the Federation, seems to be based on what was most convenient for them with a view to using Luís Castro’s starters.

With another 25 days of work, the expectation of a good confrontation improves – and that favors both sides.

It doesn’t seem to me, therefore, that there are reasons for the coach’s complaints – although the ideal would be to comply with the table.

The postponement has its positive aspects, but it can distance them from the four that qualify for the final phase of Carioca – and that generates pressure!

Botafogo and Vasco still don’t have the team adjusted and are supporting players in the fight for the state title.

But to the extent that its fans accept the mishaps of this construction phase, the journey to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A will be lighter…

SUBTITLES / CREDITS:

Photo 1: Luís Castro complained about the postponement of the game with Vasco, claiming a break in planning – Vítor Silva / Botafogo

Photo 2: Maurício Barbieri led the starters in friendlies in Florida and will have time for the classic with Botafogo – Daniel Ramalho / Vasco