THE DEPARTURE OF GABRIEL NOGA: A DECISIVE TRANSITION FOR THE YOUNG FLAMENGO ZAGUEIRO

An unprecedented chapter in Brazilian football will be written this Saturday (09), when Flamengo and Mirassol face each other for the first time . The duel, valid for the 19th round of the Brasileirão, takes place at Maracanã and will also mark the debut of the São Paulo club at the traditional Rio stadium .

THE RISE OF MIRASSOL

Historically distant from the national divisions, Mirassol began its growth trajectory after revamping its training center . The turning point came in 2019, with its return to Série D, beginning a consistent path toward the top flight.

In its first participation in Series A, the team from the interior of São Paulo surprises: it occupies 5th place with 28 points , ten less than the leader Flamengo , and presents a superior performance, for example, to Santos, which is in 15th place and also moved up from Series B.

RECORD AGAINST CLUBS FROM RIO DE JANEIRO

As Flamengo has never been relegated and the two clubs have never met in the Copa do Brasil, this will be only Mirassol's fifth game against a Rio de Janeiro team . Previously, the São Paulo club faced Bangu, Portuguesa-RJ, Volta Redonda, and Vasco. Although the match against Mengão is the last of the first round, the Leão did not face Fluminense or Botafogo due to the duo's participation in the Club World Cup.

FLAMENGO MOMENT

Leading the Brasileirão with 37 points from 17 matches—one behind second-place Cruzeiro—Flamengo heads into this unprecedented clash determined to maintain its top spot . Kick-off begins at 6:30 PM (Brasília time), with exclusive coverage on Premiere (pay-per-view).

Without much time to lament the elimination in the Copa do Brasil , Flamengo is already focusing on this Saturday's duel (09), at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), against Mirassol, at Maracanã, for the 19th round of the Brazilian Championship. With absences due to injury, suspension and physical exhaustion, coach Filipe Luís may promote the debut of a reinforcement , in addition to adjusting the team aiming at the round of 16 of the Libertadores, next Wednesday (14).

MISSINGS AND PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE CAST

Arrascaeta , with left thigh pain, started on the bench against Atlético-MG. Luiz Araújo and Bruno Henrique, on doctor's orders, did not travel to Belo Horizonte due to discomfort and high fatigue, although they were uninjured. The pair will be re-evaluated, but there is a chance they will be rested for the Copa Libertadores match against Internacional .

PREMIERE OF CARRASCAL

The scenario paves the way for Jorge Carrascal 's debut. The Colombian, who couldn't register in time for the Copa do Brasil, is now registered and available for both the Brasileirão and the Libertadores . Training at the club since last week, the midfielder arrived in good physical condition after completing preseason training with Dynamo Moscow. On Saturday, he could take over in midfield, as Jorginho is suspended.

REINFORCEMENTS IN SIGHT FOR THE LIBERTADORES

Filipe Luís is working to expand his options against Inter. De La Cruz (left knee inflammation) and Danilo (right thigh injury) are making progress in their recovery . Michael, out since July 12th due to left ankle pain, has returned to training and has been cleared.

Another important return was Cebolinha. Recovered from tendinitis, the forward returned to action against Atlético-MG, starting and scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 victory that sent the match to penalties. The forward celebrated his return against Galo: " A very important goal for me, it gives me confidence . Everyone knows about the injury I had last year; it was very difficult."

Flamengo's longtime idol, Júnior, came to the defense of 20-year-old Wallace Yan, who missed the decisive penalty in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals against Atlético-MG . The target of criticism on social media, the striker received words of encouragement from the former full-back , who recalled a similar incident in 1977 involving Tita, then a promising Flamengo youth player.

"Today, seeing the repercussion of the penalty missed by @oficial.wallaceyan in yesterday's game, a memory came to me that I experienced in 1977, a situation very similar to Tita . A kid like Wallace, starting very early in the professional game, who missed a penalty in a Guanabara Cup final, and all the comments I read, heard and even asked me about, are exactly the same! He shouldn't have taken it, there were more experienced people, they could burn him with the crowd, etc.", wrote the Maestro.

SUPPORT OF THE TIME WAS DECISIVE

Júnior, who holds the record for appearances with the Sacred Mantle, said that after Tita's mistake, the entire squad rallied to support him. Years later, the striker would become a key player in the team's Libertadores , World Cup, and two Brazilian Championship victories.

"That day, after the penalty was missed and the final was won, the entire team gathered in a restaurant in Arpoador to give support and encouragement to that young man who, four years later, would become champion of everything for the club! He became one of the most important players in the conquests! That support that day for him was perhaps the starting point for the beginning of the club's golden era , which began in 78 with the Carioca going all the way to the Brazilian championship in 1983."

EXPECTATION IS THAT FILIPE LUÍS

Júnior also emphasized that he hopes to see the same concern for the striker's development in the current group. He cited the role of the coach and coaching staff in ensuring the player maintains confidence and continues to develop.

"I hope that the club, through Filipe Luís and his coaching staff, has the same concerns that we had, led by Captain Coutinho and Domingo Bosco , so as not to lose a young man who has already shown that he could become a "new" Tita for the ball, for his provocative manner and for the achievements that could come."