The entry of Pedro and Paquetá, coming from the bench, was enough for a minute to transform Flamengo’s performance on the field. The 1-1 draw with Cruzeiro at Mineirão, on August 13, 2026, traditionally a good result in Libertadores knockouts, left the impression that the outcome could have been more favorable if the duo had played for longer. However, the team managed to adjust the route during the match, keeping the tie’s decision open for the game at Maracanã.
Before focusing on tactical adjustments, it is essential to contextualize the scenario, preventing expectations from exceeding the reality of the competition. Even with Flamengo’s technical and financial capacity, the team faced a worthy opponent. Cruzeiro proved to be a very difficult opponent, requiring great overcoming capacity from the red and black athletes to not lose control of the eliminatory dispute. Assessing risks is part of the maturity of a high-level team.
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The initial option for Pedro and Paquetá on the Flamengo reserve bench
The starting point for evaluating the match is the starting lineup chosen by Leonardo Jardim. The decision to select Bruno Henrique and Plata from the beginning, replacing Pedro and Carrascal, indicated a tactic of pressuring Cruzeiro’s ball with greater speed and exploiting the opponent’s advanced defensive line. This strategy, although promising in theory, presented both positive and negative points during the game.
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Although the performance was not spectacular, Flamengo demonstrated competitiveness, maintaining a well-known style of play, which does not always fully please the fans. Coach Jardim observed that his team had possession of the ball at times, but proved to be more effective when counterattacking at speed. The team did not allow Cruzeiro to feel comfortable, even when the opponent had possession, which forced them to give up their main characteristics.
On the other hand, the lack of Pedro and Paquetá resulted in a decrease in Flamengo’s finishing potential. Without the quick transition, the team displayed uncreative ball movement. Attempts were limited to crosses or long-distance shots. Whenever Cruzeiro managed to reorganize its defense, Flamengo found it difficult to infiltrate the opponent’s area. In other words, the team showed little forcefulness against a very closed rival.
The situation became more complicated in the second half, when Cruzeiro managed to adjust to Flamengo’s tactics. Plata, who had been important, had his performance neutralized, and Bruno Henrique found fewer spaces, being easily overcome. The Minas Gerais team gained strength and scored their goal with Arroyo, putting Flamengo in a period of great difficulty eight minutes into the second half. The risk of defeat at that moment was real.
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The reversal of strategy and the team’s reaction after substitutions
Then, coach Jardim made the necessary changes, abandoning the initial tactic and allowing individual talent to manifest itself by placing Paquetá and Pedro on the field. In just one minute, the duo scored the equalizer. This move signaled a change in Flamengo’s attitude in the following minutes: the team became faster, with greater movement, and began to dominate the game. The score could have been turned around if it weren’t for goalkeeper Otávio’s excellent saves.
Subsequently, the team needed to go into risk management mode. Flamengo’s offensive intensity gradually decreased, suggesting that the team was focused on resolving the classification in the return game, at Maracanã. Although the board will not declare it openly, the draw result was positive against a quality opponent. Victory was possible, but returning to Rio de Janeiro with a point is more advantageous than facing defeat.
With this result, Flamengo guarantees its classification if it achieves a victory by any score in the return match, scheduled for Maracanã next week. The main hope is that the team will not need to make drastic tactical corrections during the game. For this, Pedro and Paquetá’s starting position in the decisive clash is considered crucial.