Vítor Pereira says Flamengo was not prepared for decisions

Coach Vítor Pereira stated that the Flamengo was not prepared for the title dispute at the beginning of the 2023 season. The statement was made at the press conference after the defeat to Fluminense, at the turn, in the Campeonato Carioca.

“We started the work and we had to play for three consecutive titles without being prepared for this level of play. That for me is very clear”, said Vítor Pereira, in a press conference.

Before losing the symbolic title of the Guanabara Cup, the rubro-negro club accumulated three stumbles. The team was runner-up in the Supercopa do Brasil and Recopa Sudamericana, in addition to being third in the FIFA Club World Cup.

The Portuguese coach was hired by Flamengo in December last year, about two weeks after the departure of Dorival Jr. The former commander left the team after winning the Copa do Brasil and Libertadores in 2022.

WORKING TIME

Pereira started in charge of the club the following month and still hasn’t managed to win the decisions he played. Flamengo did not even win a classic with the coach at the edge of the field, it was assistant Rui Quinta who led the team in the victory over Botafogo.

He lives in a delicate situation at the club and faces pressure from the fans. The Portuguese came to be called “dumb” when replacing Gabigol and Arrascaeta in the second half against Fluminense.

Vítor Pereira emphasized that the squad is united and focused on improving. He also regretted the number of injuries that made him climb a mix for the Guanabara Cup decision.

We are working, focused on making the team evolve. Team believes in what they are doing, players with total commitment. Those who work with us on a day-to-day basis feel the union. We are on the way, victories have to appear to consolidate the work”, he concluded.