Palmeiras took advantage of Léo Ortiz‘s criticism regarding the Maracanã pitch to take a dig at Flamengo, reigniting the debate over the use of synthetic turf in Brazilian football.
The controversy surrounding the condition of the Maracanã has gained a new chapter off the pitch. Even after securing their spot in the Libertadores semifinals, Flamengo found themselves the target of a taunt from their biggest modern-day rival.
Palmeiras used social media to mock the Rio de Janeiro club, referencing recent statements from Rubro-Negro players who condemned the state of the stadium’s grass.
The trigger for the São Paulo club’s post was an interview with defender Léo Ortiz, who, while assessing the difficulty of playing at the Maracanã following the match against Independiente del Valle, admitted that the poor quality of the pitch makes the choice of synthetic turf—the model used at Allianz Parque—a more understandable option.
Palmeiras took the opportunity to state:
Time is the master of reason.
Léo Ortiz’s statement
Although his words were used as ammunition by their rival, the Flamengo player clarified that his comments were not meant to praise artificial turf as an ideal model, but rather to highlight the unviability of the Maracanã‘s current surface.
The defender was emphatic when listing the problems faced by the squad:
I will complain about the pitch, but that has nothing to do with the game’s result; it doesn’t serve as an excuse. But the pitch is practically unplayable. At times, this is why people talk about synthetic turf, and sometimes you have to agree. With a pitch like this, it’s better to have synthetic turf.
Pressure at Flamengo
Despite the scathing criticism regarding the stadium’s management, Flamengo remains focused on their goals for the season. The club overcame Independiente del Valle with a 3-1 aggregate score and is now preparing to face Estudiantes from Argentina in the next round of the continental competition.
While the board of directors looks for solutions for the pitch—which will face even more pressure due to events like NFL games—the team is shifting its focus to the Brazilian Serie A.
The squad led by their coaching staff faces Red Bull Bragantino this Sunday (20) at 6:30 PM (Brasília time), once again at the venue that has caused so many headaches. The match will be broadcast live on SporTV and Premiere.
To follow the developments of this rivalry, stay tuned to the coverage from the M360 Team. The competitive landscape between Palmeiras and Flamengo promises to remain heated, both on and off the pitch.
