Flamengo’s Rants About the Maracanã Stadium Pitch

The match between Flamengo and Independiente del Valle was not only a contest for the semifinals of the Libertadores, but also a heated discussion about the condition of the Maracanã pitch. Flamengo players, very unhappy, did not hold back in commenting on how the field can be a real challenge.

The Opinion of Center-Back Léo Ortiz

Center-back Léo Ortiz did not spare his words when talking about the pitch. He pointed out that, with a field so difficult to play on, many Brazilian clubs are increasingly choosing synthetic turf.

"I hope that whoever can do something, does. Because it really is very complicated to play, especially for a team that likes to play with the ball like we do... With pitches like this, it really motivates you to have the synthetic."

– Léo Ortiz, in the mixed zone after Flamengo 1 x 1 Del Valle.

Although Flamengo managed to draw, their attacking creativity was low in the match, and Jorginho’s red card put even more pressure on the team. If Del Valle had won by 2 to 0, it would have been even harder for Fla.

The Help From the Pitch (or Not)

Even with so many criticisms of the pitch, it also had its positive side. At the end of the game, Rossi found Arrascaeta with a good through ball, and thanks to the irregularity of the field, the ball bounced oddly and fooled the goalkeeper, resulting in a goal that gave Flamengo some relief.

However, Léo was also firm in saying that the condition of the pitch should not be used as an excuse for a performance below expectations.

"The pitch has nothing to do with the result of the match; it doesn’t serve as an excuse. We were worse than them in every factor."

– Léo Ortiz.

The Future of Pitches in Brazil

Meanwhile, in Série A of the Brasileirão, five teams have bet on synthetic turf: Palmeiras, Atlético-MG, Botafogo, Athletico, and Chapecoense. And surprisingly, the CBF does not ban the use of this type of surface in competitions.

Léo offered an interesting analysis:

"You see very few good natural pitches today, and that’s a reflection of our football. That’s why we’re seeing more and more synthetics."

Challenges and Outlook

Arrascaeta also raised an important point. According to him, a good pitch is essential for the team to assert itself on the field and that the current situation only makes things harder:

"We can’t allow, with the team we have, to have a pitch like that."

– Arrascaeta, on ESPN.

Rossi also commented on the challenges, lamenting that the field was full of mud and that, even with the NFL game coming up, improvements were still needed.

Final Reflection

In the end, the goal of getting Flamengo into the top four in America was achieved. However, the dissatisfaction with the condition of the pitch is clear, and it reflects a bigger issue that needs to be discussed in the landscape of Brazilian football.

Wouldn’t it be time for clubs and the CBF to rethink the situation of natural pitches, don’t you think? We definitely need higher-quality football and fewer excuses!