Flamengo and São Paulo decide on the cup in times of instability – 09/16/2023 – Sport

Fans of Flamengo and São Paulo were angered by the prices charged for tickets in the Copa do Brasil decision. Included in the bill is the first game, this Sunday (17th), at Maracanã, and the return game, the next (24th), at Morumbi, the lowest face value of a ticket is R$200 (there are discounts for members- fans).

Even Procon-RJ, the consumer protection body of the Rio de Janeiro government, demanded explanations. But the prices were maintained, another headache for those going to the matches. Supporters of both teams have reason to view the final with some caution, after worrying results in recent clashes.

Flamengo is basically a finalist in crisis. There is an evident atmosphere of unrest within the cast, with at least two recent internal cases of aggression. The players’ environment with coach Jorge Sampaoli is not good, whose style and choices are questioned inside and outside the red and black association.

A victory over rival Botafogo, leader of the Brazilian Championship, sparked excitement at the beginning of the month. But, after the break in the calendar for matches between national teams, the team lost 3-0 to Athletico Paranaense, in Cariacica, last Wednesday (13), in the national straight points tournament, and the air of tension returned. .

“These are defeats that hurt, that hurt,” said midfielder Everton Ribeiro. “We give ourselves. There’s no lack of desire. If it were easy to solve, we would have solved it. What we have to do is go home, work and win a game that is very important”, said Gabigol, who asked for support from the fans at the River.

“The atmosphere has to be positive. If I’m not mistaken, São Paulo also lost. They haven’t won the Brazilian Championship for a long time, I’m sure they’ll come motivated to win at Maracanã, like us too. I think it’s a reminder the moments when the fans supported us and made us champions. We need them”, added the striker.

Gabigol is right. Also on Wednesday, São Paulo lost, 2-1, to Internacional, in Porto Alegre, another in a series of negative results. Since eliminating Corinthians in the semi-finals of the Copa do Brasil, a month ago, the tricolor team has only won one of their five games: a bitter triumph over LDU, from Ecuador, with elimination from the Copa Sudamericana on penalties.

There was also a draw with Botafogo (reserve) and defeats to LDU and América-MG, something minimized by Dorival Júnior. “Sunday’s game is another moment, another characteristic. Honestly, the past, this little history, is not a problem at all. We have to be focused and determined for two very important games in the club’s history”, said the coach.

São Paulo has never won the Brazilian Cup. And the competition has its only chance of winning the season, as the distance to the leader of the Brazilian Championship is enormous. The same goes for Flamengo, which had multiple failures this year and is playing its last chips in the knockout stage.