Smooth wire: With Tite, Flamengo has its worst goal average in the Landim era

Flamengo's opponent in this Sunday's clash (28) for the Brasileirão, Athletico-PR has encountered difficulties in recent years when facing Rubro-Negro. In the ten most recent meetings between the teams, Flamengo won five times, there were two draws and Athletico-PR triumphed on three occasions. In the overall history of the confrontation, Flamengo maintains a tight advantage: 32 wins against 29 for the Paraná team, in addition to 19 draws.

This Sunday's game marks the meeting of two teams that are going through troubled moments in the season. Both were eliminated from international competitions recently and enter the 28th round of the Brasileirão with different objectives. With Tite under pressure in his position, Flamengo is looking for a victory to remain in the G4, while Athletico-PR, which has a new coach, is trying to score points to move away from the relegation zone.

Flamengo x Athletico-PR: last 10 clashes include Libertadores and Copa do Brasil decisions

The recent balance between Flamengo and Athletico-PR goes beyond statistics and rivalry, standing out in decisive duels by titles and classifications. The last “decision” between the teams was in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Copa do Brasil. On that occasion, Flamengo won the first game 2-1 away from home and secured qualification with a 2-0 victory at Maracanã.

Before that, in 2022, the two clubs also faced each other in the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil, with Flamengo emerging victorious and, later, winning the competition title. However, the most notable confrontation between the teams was the 2022 Libertadores final, when Flamengo defeated Athletico-PR to win the third title of the continental tournament.

In 2024, Flamengo and Athletico-PR will already they faced each other in the first round of the Brasileirão, in a dramatic draw, with Flamengo snatching the result in the final minutes, at the Ligga Arena.

Flamengo already knows their opponent in the Carioca U20 final. The team led by Filipe Luís, the fans' favorite to take over the main team in the event of Tite's departure from command of Mais Querido, will face Vasco again in the decisive game of the category's state championship. The confrontation is repeated after Cruzmaltino beat Mengão last year on penalties (5 to 4).

This Saturday morning, in São Januário, Vasco eliminated Fluminense after another draw – as well as in the first game in Xerém, the score ended 1-1. Léo Jacó scored for Cruzmaltino in the 41st minute of the second half, from a corner kick, when Tricolor was close to qualifying for the final. With the best campaign in the Guanabara Cup, Vasco had the advantage of the two draws.

Flamengo advanced after eliminating Boavista. After the 1-1 draw away from home, they won the second game 2-0, under the command of coach Filipe Luís, in a match played last Thursday.

For the final, Vasco You won't have the advantage of a draw, but you can choose whether you prefer to start the match at home or play the second leg in São Januário. Cruzmaltino will have the presence of some players who usually play for the professional team, such as JP, GB, Luiz Gustavo and Lyncon, who were listed by the technical committee of the under-20 team.

Flamengo, in turn, hopes to maintain the good form of the U20 team, which won the World Cup in August, by beating Olympiacos, from Greece, 2-1 at Maracanã. Garotos do Ninho can also have reinforcements from players who are integrated with professionals such as Matheus Gonçalves and Lorran.

Idol of Flamengo, coach Jorge Jesus has not forgotten Brazil and still dreams of coaching the Brazilian team. JJ sees Canarinho as the greatest ambition of his career, and made it clear that he is still thinking about returning to the country to be in charge of the CBF team and would not refuse an offer.

The statement was made to the newspaper A Ball, from Portugal. Jorge Jesus had already spoken about his desire and dream of managing the Brazilian team previously, but this time, he did not let his name fall into oblivion, but admitted that it is difficult to be chosen.

“The Brazilian Team it's different. It's an ambition, I don't deny it. But it will be difficult. In Brazil, it is difficult for a foreign coach to be hired for the Brazilian team. It may change, but it will hardly happen”, begins the Mister.

Despite his opinion, Jorge Jesus believes that if the CBF decides to hire a foreign coach for the Brazilian team, he would be the first name to be remembered .

“They're not very aware of a foreign coach, whoever it is, coaching the Brazilian team. If I'm a foreigner, I think I'll be the one who can be closest because of what I did at Flamengo”, he comments.

Jorge Jesus' numbers at Al Hilal

< If the CBF decides to sign the Lusitanian, it will have work to get him out of Saudi Arabia. This is because Jorge Jesus is very well paid in the same team that also pays Neymar's salary. To begin with, Jorge Jesus's termination fine is R$40 million.

In addition, Jorge Jesus' salaries are also multimillion-dollar. The former Flamengo coach receives R$70 million, which amounts to around R$6 million per month, a value well above the Brazilian market.