Léo Ortiz reveals internal self-criticism at Flamengo regarding performance drop in the second half of matches.
Flamengo secured a crucial 3-0 victory over Botafogo last Sunday in the 25th round of the Brazilian Serie A. However, the team’s oscillating performance in the second half, a recurring pattern, once again raised concerns and internal discussions within the squad. After the match, defender Léo Ortiz shared the group’s perception of this instability.
Internal Demands and the Search for Solutions
Léo Ortiz admitted that the drop in performance in the second half of matches is a constant focus during the training week. The concern intensifies given the fierce competition for the Brazilian Serie A title and the Copa Libertadores, where losing points can be fatal. He emphasized the need to find more effective solutions than just halftime adjustments.
“We notice this during the week; it’s not the first game this has happened. So, we’ve been working to improve because, especially in the Brazilian league, with the small margin we have to catch Palmeiras, we cannot afford to lose points, like we did in a similar game today against Cruzeiro, where we dropped off significantly in the second half and ended up losing control of the match. We have to work on this during the week, we have to understand it better, because just halftime adjustments aren’t working. We need to understand what’s really happening, because in such a competitive league and such a competitive Libertadores, we also cannot afford to lose these points and suddenly lose a positive result at home“, the defender vented.
Statistics Reveal Performance Decline
Statistical data corroborates the defender’s perception. In the first half against Botafogo, Flamengo dominated possession with 71% and was incisive in their attacks, with 12 shots. In the second half, possession dropped to 55%, and the number of shots decreased to six, while Botafogo increased their pressure with ten shots. This reversal of dominance reflects a tactical and physical problem that the coaching staff is trying to solve.
Victory Narrows Gap to the Leader
Despite the inconsistent performance in the second half, the victory over Botafogo allowed Flamengo to reduce the gap to leader Palmeiras, who drew with Mirassol. With the result, the Rubro-Negro reached 48 points, taking second place, four points behind the Alviverde leader. Flamengo‘s next challenge will be against Mirassol in a rescheduled match from the fourth round of the Brazilian Serie A, this Wednesday (02), at 7:30 PM, at the Maracanã.
