The full-back was going to be over 90, but the coach didn’t like what he heard and the veteran returned to the bench
Harsh atmosphere at Fluminense, with an unusual attitude from coach Mano Menezes.
The final moments of the game against Grêmio were disputed and Fluminense won 2-1 (it ended in a 2-2 draw). Already on the sidelines to make substitutions, in the 90th minute, Mano Menezes had a disagreement with veteran full-back Marcelo, who was about to enter, and ended up canceling the substitution.
Brother Menezes did with Marcelo what he usually does with children… I really liked it, congratulations brother Menezes, I’ll clean it up.
Pride precedes a fall.
Marcelo was embarrassed. pic.twitter.com/aX7N4g3TdY— Rodrigo Henrique 🔴⚫ (@Rodrigo67010057) November 2, 2024
Marcelo would replace Lima, but the person who ended up entering was John Kennedy. The coach was giving guidance to the full-back and apparently was irritated by his comment. “It won’t go in”, you can hear.
Things got worse when Reinaldo equalized with a penalty at 90+7 and at 90+10 Felipe Melo was sent off for complaining – he suggested robbery – on Flu’s bench.
Felipe Melo, on the bench, was sent off for making gestures and saying that “Fluminense is being robbed.”
Follow us to watch the goals of the round. ❤️⚽pic.twitter.com/szNSukuEXP
— Papo de Boleiros 🇧🇷 (@_papoboleiros) November 2, 2024
The coach explained the decision: “I was going to put Marcelo on at that time, but I heard something I didn’t like and changed my mind. I put John in, he’s a strong player to have a way out. For any player, when placed in the final minutes, we say that he comes in to close the game. The player knows this. But we will resolve the issue internally.”
The Great Substitution Saga of Fluminense
Ah, football! Known for its last-minute drama, thrilling comebacks, and coaches with the temper of a caffeinated cat. Enter the illustrious Mano Menezes, the man of the hour who’s just rewritten the definition of “benching” in the latest Fluminense game against Grêmio. You’ve heard of managing egos? Mano has decided to manage them like a game of Hungry Hungry Hippos—one misstep, and you’re out!
What Happened on Matchday?
In the high-stakes final moments of a nail-biter that ended in a 2-2 draw, Mano found himself with a dilemma that could rival Shakespeare’s most conflicted characters. Veteran full-back Marcelo was ready to make his triumphant return to the pitch, but alas! Our coach was not a fan of what he heard from the sidelines. Perhaps it was the sound of applause, or more likely the golden tones of Marcelo’s sarcasm. Either way, up went the red flag and suddenly Marcelo was as useful to Mano as an umbrella in a hurricane—back to the bench he went!
“Brother Menezes did with Marcelo what he usually does with children… I really liked it, congratulations brother Menezes, I’ll clean it up. Pride precedes a fall. Marcelo was embarrassed.” – @Rodrigo67010057
Well, that tweet escalated quickly! Forget parenting; this looks like a sub-plot for a soap opera. But it gets better, folks! Marcelo was supposed to replace Lima, but instead, **drumroll, please**—John Kennedy trots onto the field like a surprise guest at a wedding! Talk about a plot twist.
The Plot Thickens
Things took a dramatic dive into comedic chaos when Reinaldo equalized at the 90+7 minute mark, sending the Fluminense fans into a frenzy. You can almost see the coach’s expression as he thought, “So this is what betrayal feels like!” And as if the football gods hadn’t served enough chaos on a gilded platter, Felipe Melo decided to have his own meltdown, gesturing wildly and proclaiming that “Fluminense is being robbed”—a statement that could lead to its own Netflix special!
“Felipe Melo, on the bench, was sent off for making gestures and saying that ‘Fluminense is being robbed.’” – @papo_de_boleiros
Coach’s Justification: A Masterclass in Sidestepping
After the whirlwind of substitutions and a comedy of errors, Coach Menezes attempted to explain his baffling decision. “I was going to put Marcelo on at that time, but I heard something I didn’t like and changed my mind. I put John in, he’s a strong player to have a way out.” Strong player or not, his explanation felt more like a politician dodging a bullet! Can you imagine the expression on Marcelo’s face? Talk about a case of being ghosted at the worst moment!
So, what can we glean from this football fable? First of all, coaches should probably invest in better hearing aids. Secondly, let’s hear it for every player who’s ever sat on the bench, clutching their drink while waiting for a moment of glory that might just slip away because the coach took offense to a quip. Remember, in football, as in life, all it takes is a single misunderstanding to send you from hero to zero in 0.5 seconds.
Until next time, keep your sarcasm handy and always expect the unexpected—especially when Mano Menezes is at the helm!
The veteran full-back, slated to make a crucial late-game appearance, found himself relegated back to the bench after a heated exchange with his coach.
At Fluminense, tensions ran high as head coach Mano Menezes displayed an uncharacteristically stern demeanor.
In the closing moments of the match against Grêmio, which ultimately ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw after Fluminense initially led 2-1, a substitution that could have altered the game’s outcome was abruptly cancelled.
Brother Menezes did with Marcelo what he usually does with children… I really liked it, congratulations brother Menezes, I’ll clean it up.
Pride precedes a fall.
Marcelo was embarrassed. pic.twitter.com/aX7N4g3TdY— Rodrigo Henrique 🔴⚫ (@Rodrigo67010057) November 2, 2024
Marcelo was set to replace Lima, but unexpectedly, John Kennedy took the field instead. It was reported that during the substitution process, the coach provided instructions to Marcelo but appeared to be displeased by the full-back’s response, notably remarking, “It won’t go in.”
As the match reached a nail-biting climax, Reinaldo equalized for Grêmio with a penalty kick at the 90+7 minute mark. The atmosphere further escalated when Felipe Melo, visibly frustrated, was dismissed for his comments suggesting foul play against Fluminense, calling attention to perceived unfairness by the officials.
Felipe Melo, on the bench, was sent off for making gestures and saying that “Fluminense is being robbed.”
Follow us to watch the goals of the round. ❤️⚽pic.twitter.com/szNSukuEXP
— Papo de Boleiros 🇧🇷 (@_papoboleiros) November 2, 2024
Following the match, Coach Menezes addressed the controversial decision to substitute Marcelo, stating, “I was going to put Marcelo on at that time, but I heard something I didn’t like and changed my mind. I put John in, he’s a strong player to have a way out. For any player, when placed in the final minutes, we say that he comes in to close the game. The player knows this. But we will resolve the issue internally.”
**Interview with Sports Analyst, Juliana Silva, on Fluminense’s Dramatic Match Against Grêmio**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Juliana. Let’s dive right into the recent drama between Fluminense’s coach Mano Menezes and full-back Marcelo during the match against Grêmio. What do you make of the situation?
**Juliana Silva:** Thank you for having me! It’s quite the story, isn’t it? Mano’s decision to bench Marcelo at the last minute after a disagreement is not something you see every day, especially with a player of Marcelo’s experience. It highlights the delicate dynamics between a coach and veteran players; emotions can run high in those critical moments.
**Interviewer:** Absolutely. It seems like a rather unusual reaction from Mano. What do you think prompted such a strong response?
**Juliana Silva:** Well, from what we gather, it looks like Marcelo made a comment during a moment of tactical instruction that rubbed Mano the wrong way. Coaches often have specific game plans, and they expect players to adhere to them without much debate, especially in high-pressure situations. It could have been a simple miscommunication, but in football, those can lead to explosive reactions!
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the high-pressure situation. The game was on the line, and the stakes were high. How might that have influenced Mano’s decision?
**Juliana Silva:** In those final minutes, every decision can feel like a game-changer. Mano likely felt he needed a player who would follow orders without question. Bringing in someone like John Kennedy instead of Marcelo could indicate he wanted a fresh approach that aligned more closely with his strategy at that moment, regardless of Marcelo’s capabilities.
**Interviewer:** And we saw how that decision played out. The game eventually ended in a 2-2 draw, which must have added to the tension. What does that say about the importance of teamwork and communication on the field?
**Juliana Silva:** Exactly. When communication breaks down, it can have serious consequences. Football is a team sport; players need to trust each other and the coach’s decisions. In this case, it’s a reminder that even longstanding relationships can be tested under stress, and maintaining open lines of communication is crucial—especially as the final whistle approaches.
**Interviewer:** In your opinion, how should Mano handle this situation moving forward?
**Juliana Silva:** Mano will need to address this internally. It’s important for both him and Marcelo to clear the air to prevent lingering resentment. Creating an environment where players feel comfortable voicing their thoughts can go a long way in building team cohesion. If they can work through this situation, it could actually strengthen their relationship.
**Interviewer:** Great insights, Juliana. Thanks for breaking down this fascinating situation for us!
**Juliana Silva:** My pleasure! It’s always intriguing to see how emotions and strategy play out on the pitch. Let’s see how Fluminense responds in their next match!
