Part 4/10:
Mano Menezes faced immediate hurdles upon his appointment, including a challenging start to his tenure. With a record of only six points in eleven matches, the team needed to reassess its approach. Various analyses suggested that the rigorous schedule—particularly the early Recopa—resulted in significant physical strain on the players. Compounded by numerous injuries, Fluminense concluded the season with a staggering 53 player absences, the most among Brazilian Serie A teams.