Andreas Pereira shines, Palmeiras thrashes and closes in on leaders Flamengo in the Brasileirão

Flamengo's lineup for the clash with Vasco, valid for the 24th round of the Brazilian Championship, remains undefined . With the ball rolling at 5:30 pm this Sunday (21), at Maracanã , coach Filipe Luís has not yet confirmed the team that will enter the field.

Alex Sandro, Jorginho and Saúl trained normally with the rest of the squad, but could be spared thinking about the decisive Libertadores match against Estudiantes, scheduled for next Thursday (25).

JOURNALIST POINTS OUT POSSIBILITY

According to journalist Venê Casagrande, the trio is cleared to play in the derby, and it's up to the coach to decide whether or not to use them. "Jorginho, Saúl , and Alex Sandro trained normally on the field. A large part of it was with the players and a part individually. Their presence in the derby depends largely on Filipe Luís . If he wants to use them, he's free; however, if he feels it's time to rest them, that's also his decision," he explained.

For Venê, at least one of the midfielders should be selected, considering the need for greater technical quality in the midfield. " I think Jorginho or Saúl will play . It's unlikely he won't play both; it would be risky. What would the defensive midfield pairing be? De la Cruz and Allan? De la Cruz and Evertton Araújo, Allan and Evertton Araújo? On the left, he has Ayrton Lucas and Viña," he added.

A likely Flamengo squad to face Cruz-Maltino includes: Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, and Ayrton Lucas; Allan, De La Cruz (Saúl), and Arrascaeta; Plata, Samuel Lino, and Pedro. The official roster will be released shortly before the game.

WHERE TO WATCH FLAMENGO X VASCO

The classic between Flamengo and Vasco will be broadcast live on Globo, on free-to-air television, and on Premiere, on pay-per-view. The ge TV channel on YouTube will also broadcast the match . Luis Roberto will be the commentator, with Junior and Roger Flores as commentators.

Vinícius Júnior's future at Real Madrid has become increasingly uncertain. According to Spanish newspaper As, the club and player have not aligned expectations in negotiations over a contract renewal . With his untouchable status on the roster gone, the Brazilian is facing a situation of uncertainty in Madrid.

The 2025/26 season started differently for Vinícius. With the change in coaching, the striker lost the prestige and undisputed starting position he had achieved under Carlo Ancelotti.

CONTROVERSIAL EXIT IN LAST VICTORY

In Real Madrid's victory over Espanyol last Saturday, Vinícius returned to the starting lineup after starting the Champions League season on the bench. He contributed an assist to Mbappé's goal, but was replaced in the second half by Rodrygo. In a press conference, coach Xabi Alonso justified the former Flamengo player 's change.

" The only thing Vinícius was missing was a goal. It's true that he left when he was feeling better, and I could have waited a little longer to replace him , but I understood that we needed new players to maintain control," said the coach.

XABI ALONSO HIGHLIGHTS ROTATION

So far, Vinícius has started four of Real Madrid's six games this season—five in La Liga and one in the Champions League. In the remaining matches, Rodrygo has been deployed on the left wing. Alonso has previously stated in press conferences that he intends to vary the lineup and that the Brazilian striker shouldn't feel undervalued.

" Vinícius wanted to stay (in the game) because he was feeling good. Mastantuono too, for example. Angry? He wasn't very happy, but neither was Franco . It happens to everyone, but I'm very happy with Vinícius's performance. The schedule is demanding, and we have to keep going," added the coach.

Maracanã will be the stage for another chapter of the traditional Clássico dos Milhões this Sunday (21), at 5:30 pm (Brasília time). Flamengo arrives at the match as the isolated leader of the Brazilian Championship, with 50 points , boosted by two consecutive victories: 2-0 over Juventude, away from home, and 2-1 over Estudiantes, in the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals, played at Maracanã.

The team led by Filipe Luís has not lost in ten games and is looking to maintain the rhythm to further consolidate itself at the top of the table before the decisive clash in Argentina, scheduled for Thursday (25). The ball rolls at 5:30 pm this Sunday (21), at Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro. The broadcast will be made by TV Globo, on open signal , and by Premiere, on pay-per-view, for all of Brazil.

FLAMENGO'S PROBABLE LINEUP

Rossi; Varela (Emerson Royal), Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas (Viña); Allan (Saul), De la Cruz and Arrascaeta; Samuel Lino, Plata (Luiz Araújo) and Pedro . Coach: Filipe Luis.

ABSENCES AND POSSIBLE CHANGES

Flamengo 's confirmed absence for this Sunday's derby is Erick Pulgar, who is recovering from surgery on the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. The Chilean midfielder is already undergoing physical therapy on the field, but has not yet been cleared to play.

Alex Sandro and Jorginho, who missed the last few matches and were doubtful against Estudiantes due to muscle injuries, have a chance to return but are expected to be rested for the second leg in Argentina. Saúl also felt pain in his left foot and may be rested for today's match.