Ceni fires at Flamengo’s millions after Bahia stalemate | OneFootball

Bahia manager Rogério Ceni drew attention after referencing Flamengo’s record reinforcement Samuel Lino in a press conference following Bahia’s goalless draw with Sport, according to Lance. Responding to questions about Bahia’s transfer approach after a frustrating match, Ceni used Lino’s high-profile signing as a point of comparison with his own club’s financial constraints.

Addressing the media, Ceni described the differences between club resources in the Brazilian top flight: “If it were just a matter of spending any amount, I’d bring in Samuel Lino, pay 22 million euros and instantly solve our problems, but that’s not how things work. We don’t have the capacity for a signing like that,” he stated. His comments, reflecting on Bahia’s limits in an increasingly competitive transfer market, quickly sparked discussion among fans and pundits on social media, with some agreeing it was a realistic acknowledgment and others debating whether it was an excuse.

Samuel Lino recently debuted for Flamengo as a late substitute against Atlético Mineiro and was handed a first start in the 1-1 draw with Ceará. The attacker impressed in his initial outing, drawing praise for his impact off the bench, but struggled to fully impose himself during his first appearance in the starting XI. The scrutiny on Lino and other summer signings has grown as Flamengo look to gel a substantially bolstered squad. High-profile arrivals including Emerson Royal and Saúl Ñíguez have joined in recent weeks, underlining Flamengo’s ambition—and their financial strength relative to most rivals.

Former player Felipe Melo, speaking on “Fechamento SporTV,” urged patience with Flamengo’s new arrivals amid the club’s stuttering form. Melo referenced Lino by name, noting: “Samu Lino did very well in his first game, not so much [against Ceará]. But once it clicks, and it will click, it’ll be very good. They’ll start winning matches, confidence will be high, and the squad will show what they’re really capable of.”

Flamengo’s run of two matches without a win—failing to score in the defeat to Atlético Mineiro and being held at Ceará—has heightened both expectation and pressure following a busy transfer window. While some, like Ceni, use the Lino transfer to highlight the gulf in spending power across the league, others see the recent reinforcements as reason for optimism once the squad settles.

(Source: Lance)