Jorge Jesus led Flamengo to a record-breaking seventh consecutive victory in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A on Saturday evening. Jesus’ side won 2-1 at Cruzeiro thanks to goals from star striker Gabriel Barbosa and Uruguayan Giorgian de Arrascaeta, meaning the Rio de Janeiro side remain top of the table after twenty rounds.
Despite the victory, Portuguese boss Jesus is unhappy with the decision of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to allow national team coach Tite to issue call-ups to two Flamengo players ahead of a hectic period, which includes the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores next month.
Flamengo’s latest victory saw them typically dominant in possession, registering 59% of the ball in the win over Cruzeiro. But it was no ordinary three points, as the win saw Fla break a club record for consecutive triumphs, meaning Jesus has made history already after just three months in the job. The previous six wins came against Gremio (3-1), Vasco da Gama (4-1), Ceará (3-0), Palmeiras (3-0), Avaí (3-0) and Santos (1-0).
“I did not know that Flamengo had never achieved this number of victories in a row,” said Jesus. “It is good, we are motivated and we played a good game but the truth is that we have not yet reached our goal. We have reached the top of the table and we have to defend our position.”
Defeat for title rivals Santos, who were beaten 3-0 at home by Gremio, was welcome news for Flamengo, who will now wait for champions Palmeiras’ trip to Fortaleza to see if their six-point lead will be reduced on Sunday. Yet Jesus seems comfortable with the growing expectation, telling journalists: “It’s a good run, but if you look at my career you’ll see that it’s not that big as I’m used to winning more,” in typical JJ fashion.
Recorde de vitórias consecutivas do Mengão! É a primeira vez que o Mais Querido alcança a marca de sete triunfos seguidos no Brasileirão! #VamosFlamengo 🔴⚫️
— Flamengo (@Flamengo) September 21, 2019
📸 Alexandre Vidal pic.twitter.com/PWE2ZHFe3a
Jesus unhappy with Brazil call-ups
The former Braga, Benfica and Sporting boss was not all smiles after the match, however, owing to Brazil’s decision to call up Rodrigo Caio and top goalscorer Gabriel Barbosa for next month’s friendlies with Senegal and Nigeria on 10th and 13th of October respectively. The South American domestic calendar continues during the international break, with the Cruzeiro match marking the start of 15 games in 52 days for Flamengo.
“We will lose players to the Brazil team and Arrascaeta (Uruguay) at a difficult moment, which is decisive in competitions,” Jesus lamented. “I didn't quite understand the decision of the Brazil coach. I thought they had said they would only take one player per team, but I must have misunderstood.
“In Argentina, for example, the coach was careful not to call up players from (Copa Libertadores semi-finalists) Boca and River, but here it is more important to play against Senegal and Nigeria. It seems to me to be a financial matter. I think the clubs, who pay the players, have to have a little more power and take a stand.”
By Sean Gillen
