28/08/2019

Balance is essential, provided it's accompanied by improvisation.

Gabigol comemora gol do Flamengo – Imagem: Alexandre Vidal/Flamengo

Reproduction of Tostão 's column in Folha de S.Paulo.

The mathematician Marcelo Viana, in an article in Folha on Wednesday (21) entitled “The world is made of symmetries” , wrote that symmetries are present in living beings, in minerals, in physics, in painting, in music and in all other types of art.

One of the greatest human, psychological experiences is when a child discovers their image in the mirror. It's the outline of the ego.

Symmetry is also present in football. For didactic purposes, each team has, on the tactical board, a defender, a full-back, a defensive midfielder, an attacking midfielder or winger, and a striker on each side.

The two athletes in each position usually have complementary, symmetrical characteristics.

Generally, there's one tough center-back and one classic center-back; one full-back who's more supportive and another who's more defensive; one holding midfielder and one central midfielder (one for tackling and the other more skillful); one winger or wide midfielder who's faster and another who's more creative; and one striker who's more traditional (center-forward) and another who moves around more. One team's goalkeeper is the counterpart to the other team's goalkeeper.

The pursuit of symmetry must have been the reason why the English, the discoverers of football, decided that there would be ten players on each side, five pairs of two, in addition to the two goalkeepers.

In football, symmetry, harmony, and balance are essential, provided they are accompanied by moments of flexibility, improvisation, inventiveness, and crooked, curved lines. A straight line doesn't dream.

The decisions need to be made correctly, at the right time, and well executed. Unexpected, surprising plays are fundamental, important, and decisive, like Gustavo Scarpa's powerful shot in Palmeiras' goal against Grêmio.

The ball, at high speed, seemed to tumble before going into the goal. I heard, several times, that the goalkeeper made a mistake. Not even Alisson would have saved it. I also think that goalkeepers are often criticized more than they should be.

One of Flamengo's strengths is the extensive movement of its four most advanced players. They have focal points (Gabigol and Bruno Henrique in the center, and Éverton Ribeiro, Arrascaeta, or Gérson on the wings, who track back to defend), but they never stop running. They occupy all attacking positions. It's a harmonious anarchy.

In the second goal against Inter, Gabigol and Bruno Henrique were close together in the center, forming a strike partnership. Gabigol provided the pass to Bruno Henrique.

Meanwhile, Inter's efficient, symmetrical, harmonious, and balanced team, which rarely improvises, tried to repeat, against Flamengo, the same strategy from their away games in the Copa do Brasil, against Palmeiras, when they lost 1-0, and against Cruzeiro, when they won 1-0. This time, it didn't work. They lost by two goals. Inter lacked surprising plays.

Palmeiras and Flamengo have the best chances of advancing to the Libertadores semi-finals, but nothing is decided yet.

To read the full text, visit the newspaper's website or check the print version .