Flamengo: Jardim Praises Team’s Intensity & Addresses Upcoming Match vs Corinthians

RIO DE JANEIRO – Leonardo Jardim continues to reshape Flamengo, demanding a more incisive attacking approach that yielded a comfortable 3-0 victory over Remo on Thursday night at the Maracanã. The win marked Flamengo’s third consecutive victory under Jardim’s leadership in the Brasileirão, and a fourth in all competitions, including a penalty shootout win over Fluminense in the Carioca final.

While pleased with the overall result, Jardim was particularly critical of the first half, characterizing his team’s possession as “sterile.” Despite controlling 72% of the ball in the opening 45 minutes, Flamengo struggled to penetrate Remo’s defense, resulting in fewer shot attempts than their opponents. “We had the possession, circulated the ball a lot, but weren’t aggressive enough to enter the opponent’s block,” Jardim explained post-match. “This led to some counter-attacking opportunities for them. We needed to be more effective playing between the lines than just passing the ball from side to side, and that’s what they did in the second half.”

The shift in approach after halftime proved decisive. Jardim’s halftime talk clearly resonated with the players, who emerged with renewed purpose, and intensity. Within 15 minutes of the restart, Flamengo had effectively sealed the victory, with goals from Samuel Lino and Luiz Araújo adding to Leo Ortiz’s first-half opener. “In 15 minutes, we closed the game,” Jardim stated. “After the 3-0, I rotated some players strategically because we have another game in three days, and we had more possession to manage the game.”

Lino, in particular, drew praise from Jardim for his performance. The attacker’s incisive passing and dangerous runs were instrumental in unlocking Remo’s defense, culminating in a goal and an assist. Jardim also highlighted a tactical adjustment involving the team’s wingers, encouraging them to drift inside and operate more centrally. “We have a concern, not just with Lino, but with all the wingers. Today it was Araújo. Cebolinha came on…”

Ortiz opened the scoring in the 19th minute, heading home a corner kick delivered by Arrascaeta. The goal provided a much-needed breakthrough for Flamengo, who had previously struggled to convert their dominance into tangible results. Lino doubled the lead shortly after the interval, and Araújo completed the scoring with a well-taken finish, assisted by Lino. The third goal, Jardim noted, exemplified the team’s improved attacking philosophy – a greater commitment to getting players into the penalty area.

“We have a concern with filling the area, when there are more players in the area, we can score more often. The third goal was like that, the ball came out at the feet of Luiz Araújo who was in the area. Our point is the filling of the zones in the area.”

Looking ahead to Sunday’s clash against Corinthians, Jardim will be without both Pulgar and Léo Pereira, who are both suspended due to accumulated yellow cards. However, the Flamengo manager expressed confidence in the depth of his squad. “Flamengo has an excellent squad, and whoever comes in shows they have the conditions to play for a team like Flamengo,” he said. “We have many options, Danilo and Varela in defense, the midfield with Everton Cebolinha and Paquetá. What matters is Flamengo.”

Jardim anticipates a different challenge against Corinthians but remains steadfast in his belief that Flamengo will maintain their attacking identity. “We are aware that the game against Corinthians will be different from this one against Remo, but Flamengo will certainly enter with its DNA,” he concluded.

With this victory, Flamengo climbs to fourth place in the Brasileirão standings with 13 points, trailing league leaders Palmeiras by just three points, though they have a game in hand. Remo, meanwhile, remains winless, languishing at the bottom of the table after three draws and four defeats.