The echos of Gabriel Barbosa‘s brilliance on Thursday night likely reverberated all the way to the towering peak of Rio de Janeiro‘s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue looming over Flamengo‘s spiritual home. Gabigol and ascendant Flamengo once again dazzled across the continent, routing Ecuador‘s Aucas 4-0 in the first leg of their Copa Libertdores Round of 16 clash.
On the backs of a potent attacking display that conjured up memories of the club‘s 1981 Intercontinental-winning side, one of Brazil‘s most storied clubs offered a timely reminder of their present greatness. Their raucous fans crammed into every inch of the hallowed Maracanã stands to will on their heroes to a statement victory.
To fully appreciate Flamengo‘s stomping of their overmatched Ecuadorian foes, some history is required. One of the most passionately-supported teams in South America‘s football-mad country, Flamengo boasts roughly 45 million fans scattered across Brazil. They have delivered their success-starved supporters seven Brazilian Serie A titles over the years, but their 1981 Intercontinental Cup triumph over Liverpool as club world champions remains their zenith.
That once-in-a-generation "Magic Team" dazzled behind Brazilian legends Zico, Junior, and Leandro, playing an iconic brand of o jogo bonito (Portuguese for "the beautiful game") that longtime Rubro-Negro fans still wax nostalgic over. Now, a new era of Flamengo superstars may be positioned to deliver long-awaited continental glory back to Rio.
Dominant Flamengo Dissect Aucas
In securing this emphatic 4-0 first leg victory, manager Vítor Pereira demonstrated why Flamengo brought him over from China this offseason following his success guiding Portuguese giant Porto. Pereira set his side up in a versatile 4-2-3-1 to maximise their wealth of attacking talent, with strike duo Gabriel Barbosa and Bruno Henrique supported by creative maestro Giorgian De Arrascaeta in the hole behind them.
The ploy worked wonders, carving through a limited Aucas defense almost at will. Flamengo boasted nearly 60% possession on the evening while managing 15 shots, 10 on frame, underlining their complete control of proceedings.
As if playing in front of the biggest crowds in world football with the eyes of a continent upon them wasn‘t enough, Flamengo ratcheted up the intimidation factor by blaring their anthem at deafening decibel levels pre-kickoff. Aucas never settled under the sensory assault, and Flamengo‘s early goal served to fray their nerves even further.
The brilliant De Arrascaeta played provider, sliding an incisive through ball to longtime teammate Everton Ribeiro, who clinically finished for his 4th Libertadores goal of 2023. From there, the onslaught was on. Neutrals may have hoped for a tighter tie, but Flamengo gave no quarter. Still, Aucas deserve some credit for preventing things from becoming a humiliating route over the full 90 minutes.
In a ruthless 15-minute spell bracketing halftime, Flamengo struck for three more goals to put the tie fully out of reach. Another De Arrascaeta splitting pass allowed Gabigol to toe-poke a ball across goal for Bruno Henrique to confidently convert on 45 minutes. Henrique himself got on the board right after halftime, elevating above the defense to thump home a textbook header. Then Pedro, Flamengo‘s super-sub extraordinaire, turned in a loose ball in the 54th minute for the coup de grâce.
At their best, Flamengo‘s front six of Ribeiro, De Arrascaeta, Gabigol, Henrique, Pedro and center midfielder Thiago Maia can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with any attacking corps in world football. They play with a natural chemistry cultivated from Pereira‘s tactics as well as years of experience together. Gabigol now has over 100 career goals at just 26 years old, while Pedro and Henrique score nearly a goal per 90 minutes each in 2023. De Arrascaeta remains the straw that stirs the drink, ranking top five across Brazil‘s Serie A elite in chances created.
Hungry for Elusive Libertadores Title
Ever since Flamengo broke the bank to bring hometown hero Gabigol back from Europe in 2019, they have been knocking on the door of the Libertadores trophy they last lifted in 1981. Runner-up finishes in 2019 and 2021 confirmed their return to South America‘s elite, but the trophy itself continues to elude this supremely talented group.
Now, with iconic manager Vítor Pereira at the helm and the squad seamlessly blending promising young talents like Victor Hugo, Matheus França and Matheus Gonçalves alongside their battle-tested leaders, Flamengo appear well-equipped for another title push.
At 19 years old, Victor Hugo put in a eye-catching 30 minute shift last night, displaying the technique, vision, dribbling ability and boundless energy that have many viewing him as the heir to De Arrascaeta in Flamengo‘s attacking midfield. Despite his age, he looked completely comfortable in his time alongside Gabigol and company, never hiding and consistently demanding the ball to initiate attacks. Alongside defensive midfielder Thiago Maia, 22-year old Matheus França represented the next wave in Flamengo‘s seemingly endless academy pipeline. Their integration speaks highly of Flamengo‘s continual ability to unearth South American talents.
Pereira was keenly aware of the talent he inherited, saying at his introductory press conference, "Flamengo is a giant team in Brazil, with an excellent squad and obsessed with titles and I‘m equally obsessed with titles. If we‘re all pulling the same way, then for sure we‘ll be able to compete for whichever titles we‘re going for."
So far, his obsession has translated into results, with Flamengo top of their Libertadores group after four matchdays. They haven‘t lost since April 5th. While Brazilian league success still eludes them in the early goings, the Libertadores clearly remains priority number one. After last night‘s dismantling of Aucas, all signs point to a focused title push.
Gabigol, the fulcrum which Flamengo‘s attacking hypnotism revolves around, knows the weight of history in these parts. Speaking after the final whistle last night, he made it clear another Libertadores crown may soon be returning to the Maracanã trophy case:
“We know about the wonderful history of this club," he remarked. "And we want to continue making history and give back to this club and huge fanbase with a beautiful title they deserve.”
If anyone doubts Gabigol‘s sincerity or Flamengo‘s credentials after last night‘s showing, they may want to have their head examined. Written off by some as past their prime following last year‘s round of 16 exit, Flamengo issued the perfect response. Pereira‘s men played with an attitude befitting of the iconic red and black stripes, leaving rivals across Brazil and the continent on red alert.
With top-shelf talent, tactical cohesion, and renewed ambition, Flamengo‘s Libertadores destiny may just be taking shape once more under the floodlights of their famed Rio fortress. Gabigol and company look ready to make history indeed.