AT AGE 17, LORRAN DO FLAMENGO ENTERS LIBERTADORES HISTORY WITH ASSISTANCE - SEE

On the eve of the classic between Flamengo and Vasco for the Brasileirão , Rômulo , a former midfielder who played for both clubs, starred in one of the most surreal and talked about videos of Friday (18). In an unlikely comparison between Vasco in 2011, which only won one Copa do Brasil due to the away goals criterion , and Flamengo in 2019, Brazilian champion with a historic campaign and winner of the Libertadores , the former Mengão player predicted Vasco's victory by 9 to 3.

ABSURD COMPARISONS

The analysis caused outrage among fans, mainly due to the dubious logic behind the choices. In defense, Rômulo gave Vasco a total advantage: Fernando Prass beat Diego Alves , Fagner beat Rafinha , and the duo Dedé and Anderson Martins got the better of Rodrigo Caio and Pablo Marí . The first victory for the red-and-black team came only on the left side, with Filipe Luís beating Márcio Careca.

In the middle, Rômulo placed himself ahead of Willian Arão , claiming: “At the time, I think I.” However, he was forced to admit Gerson was superior to Juninho Pernambucano . The choices in attack, however, took the comparison to an even more questionable level .

Everton Ribeiro lost to Felipe , while Arrascaeta was outperformed by Diego Souza , according to Rômulo, "for what he represented, for my team". Bruno Henrique was also overlooked in favor of Éder Luis , classified as a "buddy". Flamengo's only clear victory came with Gabigol over Alecsandro . As coach, Rômulo preferred Ricardo Gomes to Jorge Jesus , justifying the choice by his personal relationship with the former Vasco coach.

PASSAGE DELETED BY FLAMENGO

The controversial comparison may be related to Rômulo's personal frustration during his time at Flamengo . Signed in 2017, after years in Russia, the midfielder failed to establish himself . That season, he played in 26 matches , totaling 1,404 minutes — an average of 54 minutes per game — with only one goal and no assists .

The following year, he had even less space : 13 games and 502 minutes on the field, without direct participation in goals. In 2019, he was loaned to Grêmio and left Flamengo permanently shortly after, heading to Chinese football.

The Torcida Jovem Fla (TJF) made a statement this Friday morning (18), through an official note, and asked that ticket prices be reduced by the red-black board. In addition, the fans confirmed that they will not be present at the classic against Vasco , this Saturday, even after meeting with the board. However, the note thanks the management for helping them return.

Jovem Fla was punished in 2023 for acts of violence before a game between Flamengo and Vasco, and received a five-year ban from states across Brazil. The fans even organized a return for April and met with the board to "discuss improvements" and "seek support in getting closer to the club". According to the note, Flamengo has shown a willingness to help with the return to the stadiums.

CHECK OUT THE OFFICIAL NOTE FROM JOVEM FLA

We would also like to request that the current Flamengo board reevaluate its ticket pricing policy.

We inform the authorities that, considering that the punishment of our teams is still pending, we will not be present at the game against Vasco da Gama. We understand that, at this moment, it is necessary to retreat so that we can soon achieve our long-awaited return to the place we should never have left.

We hope that any potential problem involving public safety in this game will be dealt with individually, with the CPF of the person involved being held responsible, and not the CNPJ of the institution.

We would also like to ask that the current Flamengo board reevaluate its ticket pricing policy . We understand the financial readjustment process that the club is facing, but we believe that it is possible to reflect and, as soon as possible, adjust the prices so that the popular fans can return to Maracanã — the stage of so many joys and memories.

We would also like to thank the current board of Flamengo for their willingness and willingness to help bring our institution back to the stands and for understanding the great lack of our presence in the stands throughout Brazil.

TICKET PRICES HAVE GENERATED CONTROVERSY

This is not the first demonstration against Flamengo's current pricing policy, however. Last Wednesday, against Juventude, the fans protested with chants and banners, demanding cheaper tickets. Other figures have already spoken out with comments on the subject, such as idol Júnior, former player Felipe Melo and commentator José Carlos Araújo, among others.

Defender Danilo himself, who scored his first goal for his beloved club against Juventude, admitted that it would be more exciting to play with a full Maracanã . Against the team from Rio Grande do Sul, just over 31 thousand people were in the stadium, which had two sectors closed: Upper East and part of the South. The board's plan is to only open if there is demand.

Fans, on the other hand, argue that there is no demand due to the prices . If they were lower, fans believe the team would have no problem filling every space in the stadium.

Flamengo will face Vasco this Saturday, at Maracanã, but with the rivals at their disposal. The match, valid for the fifth round of the Brasileirão, starts at 6:30 pm (Brasília time). Tickets are on sale for the red-black fans.

After months away, Pedro shone again wearing the Flamengo shirt. The striker scored two goals in the rout over Juventude , last Wednesday (16), crowning his return to the pitch after a serious injury to his left knee, suffered in September 2024.

According to the 'Uol' portal, the number 9 dedicated himself intensely to his recovery . In addition to the treatments at Ninho do Urubu, Pedro set up a medical structure at home , with all the necessary equipment to speed up the rehabilitation process. He even had three physiotherapy sessions a day at his home , which contributed to a faster return to mobility after surgery.

As his recovery progressed, the focus shifted to physical strengthening and then technical work with the ball. Pedro returned to the field for the first time on April 9 , against Central Córdoba, coming on in the second half. Against Juventude, Filipe Luís doubled his playing time: 33 minutes and two goals .

GRADUAL RETURN TO THE STARTING TEAM

Pedro can't play as a starter yet.

Despite his recent prominence, Pedro will not be a starter yet . In an interview after the victory over Juventude, coach Filipe Luís explained that the striker is still in the process of reconditioning.

“The data is more than enough to give us the confidence to put him on the field. Of course he lacks rhythm, he lacks some things. He will get better as he trains and gets more minutes on the field . But I don’t think I can put him in the starting line-up yet. Pedro can’t play as a starter yet. He has to progress,” said the coach.

Filipe also reinforced that injuries are part of football and that the risk always exists, citing his own experience, when he broke his leg twice during his career and managed to return.

PEDRO AVAILABLE FOR FLAMENGO X VASCO

With Pedro at the disposal of coach Filipe Luís, Flamengo faces Vasco this Saturday (19) for the 5th round of the Brasileirão. The match will be at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã and will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video (via streaming) throughout Brazil, with narration by Galvão Bueno and commentary by Romário .