AWAY FROM INJURY FOR 8 MONTHS, JOIA DA BASE STARTS TRAINING WITH THE PROFESSIONAL CAST

Last Saturday (02), Flamengo officially signed Colombian midfielder Jorge Carrascal as the fourth reinforcement of the current transfer window. The player has already undergone medical examinations, signed a four-year contract and was presented this Monday (04), in a press conference at Ninho do Urubu. Carrascal will wear the number 15 shirt and arrives as an option for Mengão's midfield.

To secure the 26-year-old's talent, the Rubro-Negro paid €12 million, equivalent to approximately R$77.1 million. The negotiation involved Dynamo Moscow and also involved Atlético-MG, due to the parallel sale of Rubens, which contributed to the delay in the process of releasing the documents.

Despite already being integrated into the squad and physically fit, Jorge Carrascal is still awaiting his name to be published in the CBF's Daily Information Bulletin (BID). Regularization is essential for the midfielder to officially debut for the Mais Querido . The coaching staff, led by Filipe Luís, is already evaluating his fitness to use him once he's fit.

PREMIERE EXPECTATION

Internally, there is optimism that Carrascal will be available on Saturday (09), when Mengão faces Mirassol in the Brazilian Championship. If the regularization happens by then, the Colombian will be able to play alongside Arrascaeta and reinforce the team's creative sector, increasing the coach's offensive options.

FLAMENGO FACES ATLÉTICO-MG

While finalizing the bureaucratic procedures of the hiring, Flamengo turns its attention to the decisive game against Atlético-MG this Wednesday (06), at 7 pm, at Maracanã, for the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. The duel will be broadcast by SporTV and Premiere , and promises strong emotions for the red-black fans.

On Sunday night (4), Ceará and Flamengo faced each other in a match valid for the 18th round of the Brazilian Championship, at Arena Castelão. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with goals from Arrascaeta, for the Rio de Janeiro team, and Pedro Raul, for the home team.

Despite the setback, Flamengo remains top of the competition , even with a game in hand over its main competitors. The result, however, reduced the advantage over the second-place team, which puts the team on alert for the rest of the season.

FILIPE LUÍS HIGHLIGHTS ENGAGEMENT

In a press conference after the draw, coach Filipe Luís evaluated the team's performance and highlighted the difficult schedule and the adaptation process of recent reinforcements: " If I'm not mistaken, there were nine shots in the first half. We had the ball, chances, shots, arrivals in the opponent's area and we had a great first half," he said before concluding.

"It's true that we have new signings. It's an extraordinary window for the club, and some players arrived without having had training time with the team they were already playing. Some were on vacation. Today, Lino played 90 minutes. I don't know if he was right for it, but he'll adapt, and he's already adapted quickly to our style of play," analyzed Filipe Luís.

POOR PERFORMANCE AGAINST ATLÉTICO-MG

Flamengo 's coach also commented on the below-average performance in the recent defeat to Atlético-MG, in the Copa do Brasil: "The subpar performance against Galo was largely their merit. They caused us difficulties . The team ended up inside their own box, due to the result. Games after three days, the team feels it. Even though some players didn't play", analyzed the coach.

Filipe Luís comments on Flamengo's poor form: "I believe it's largely due to the timing of the game"

"I don't think it's a physical problem. I think we're all in the same situation because of the schedule. I think it's largely due to the timing of the game, the fans' support, which made it difficult for us to occupy spaces. We ended up giving the opponent a chance, which was a corner kick. The team was defending our area quite well. We'll continue working and improving," concluded the coach.

On Sunday night (31), Flamengo drew 1-1 with Ceará at Arena Castelão, in a duel valid for the 18th round of the Brazilian Championship. The result kept the Rio de Janeiro club at the top of the competition , even with one game less, but raised an alert for the rest of the season, as performance in the final stage dropped drastically.

After the final whistle, Mais Querido's coach, Filipe Luís, didn't hide his frustration with the result . In a press conference, the manager admitted that the team left something to be desired in the second half and stated:

"I like to come right after the game with my heart still warm because I'm expressing what's inside me. A feeling of disappointment. After having played a great first half, creating scoring chances and finishing many times on the opponent's goal, we suffered a significant drop in the second half and, due to our carelessness, on a set piece, we conceded the equalizer. Of course, the feeling is one of disappointment. We have no other choice but to work hard and continue to improve."

ARRASCAETA SCORES FOR FLAMENGO

Flamengo got off to a promising start. They dominated the game and opened the scoring with Arrascaeta in the first half, creating several opportunities to extend their lead. However, the team failed to maintain the same momentum after the break. Pedro Raul, in a set piece, capitalized on a defensive error and leveled the score, thwarting Flamengo 's plans to extend their lead at the top.

FOCUS ON THE BRAZIL CUP

Mengão now turns its attention to the Copa do Brasil. Next Wednesday (6), it faces Atlético-MG, at 7 pm, at Arena MRV , for the second leg of the round of 16. Filipe Luís' team will seek to recover the good football shown in the first 45 minutes against Ceará, with the mission of confirming its place in the next phase of the national tournament.