Flamengo defeated Botafogo, leader of the Brazilian football championship, 2-1 on Saturday, inflicting another defeat on coach Bruno Lage, the second in a row, in a match of the 22nd round of the Brasileirão.
An own goal from Marlo Freitas two minutes later gave the ‘mengão’ the lead, the ‘cooker’ leveled with Victor Sá after 19 minutes and Bruno Henrique secured Flamengo’s triumph after 73 minutes, after which the Portuguese coach made the place available to management.
Even after the third defeat in the league, the first at home, Botafogo remains in the lead, with 51 points, 11 more than champion Palmeiras of Abel Ferreira, and 12 more than Flamengo, who is in third place.
Botafogo had lost for the first time under Bruno Lage in their eleventh game on Wednesday, when they were beaten 2-1 by Argentines Defesa y Justicia and eliminated from the South American Football Cup.
After twelve games under the management of Botafogo, in which he succeeded compatriot Luís Castro, Bruno Lage now has two defeats to his name, with four wins and six draws in the remaining meetings.
At the press conference after the defeat against Flamengo, Lage made his position available to the club management, who, after a meeting with the Portuguese coach, decided to let him take charge.
“If I just look at my career at Botafogo, I think it puts a lot of pressure on the players. And I don’t accept that. There is only one way to release them from that pressure. I haven’t spoken to anyone , I’ve been thinking a lot and at this point I’ve put my place at the disposal of the director, at the disposal of the president,” Lage said.
After admitting he would be relinquishing the prizes and contract until December, the former Benfica and Wolverhampton coach left the press conference with the same message: “What I cannot allow is for the pressure being put on me to be exerted on my players. That’s what I have to say. My place is at the disposal of those in charge, without saying anything else. Good night, thank you”.
Source: DN
