Soccer
06 Jul 2024 | 07:17 |
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Flamengo formed a midfield full of Uruguayan class this season, after signing Nicolás De La Cruz to form a partnership with Giorgian De Arrascaeta, a reference for the red-and-black team since 2019. However, in the Uruguay team , the two are competing for position, a dispute won by De La Cruz. This midfielder promises to raise the team's level, combining technique and game vision. Fans are eager to see this duo in action. Integration between them could be the key to Flamengo's new achievements.
The Uruguayans have in Nicolás De La Cruz, ex-River Plate, a fundamental pillar for their coach Marcelo Bielsa's team. Bielsa values intense movement and sees De La Cruz as an essential piece. The greater physical capacity of Flamengo's number 18 justifies his usual place among the Uruguayan team's starters. In addition to his physical strength, De La Cruz is very creative, a vital characteristic for the style of play proposed by Bielsa. This combination of skills makes him a complete and essential player.
The fixed tactical scheme with two wingers, Maximiliano Araújo and Facundo Pellistri, a center forward, Darwin Núñez, and two combative midfielders, Federico Valverde and Manuel Ugarte, allow space for just one attacking midfielder. In this scenario, De La Cruz manages to stand out. The team's priority is to put high pressure on the opponent's defense, favoring players with great physical capacity and mobility. De La Cruz fits perfectly into this strategy, earning coach Bielsa's preference.
At 27 years old, Nicolás De La Cruz is not only younger than Arrascaeta, 30 years old, but also has a more versatile playing characteristic. De La Cruz can play on the sides of the field or retreat as a midfielder, demonstrating “more lungs” on the field. In the current Copa América, he already has two assists, while Arrascaeta has just one. This versatility and physical resistance are attributes that make De La Cruz a natural choice for Uruguay's dynamic style of play.
Brazilian fans, accustomed to following Arrascaeta Since their time at Cruzeiro, they know that number 10 values less hustle and more about refined touches. Arrascaeta makes the ball flow and organizes the game with precision. At Flamengo, the team molds itself around him, allowing him to not have to spend so much time recovering the ball. This approach allows Arrascaeta to shine in offensive plays and maintain its high level of performance.
In Uruguay's dominant 2-0 victory over Brazil in October Last year, in the World Cup qualifiers, De La Cruz was a starter and also scored one of the goals. This performance reinforced his importance in the Uruguayan team and justified Bielsa's choice. De La Cruz proved to be decisive in big games, raising his international reputation. The victory over Brazil was an important milestone, consolidating confidence in his abilities.
Today, De La Cruz must continue leaving Flamengo's teammate, Arrascaeta, in the selection bench. This situation exemplifies the intense competition and quality that exists in the Uruguayan midfield. While De La Cruz stands out for his energy and versatility, Arrascaeta continues to be a key player at Flamengo. The dispute between the two players only enriches Uruguayan football, offering several tactical options for coaches. Flamengo, in turn, benefits from having two of the best midfielders in South America.
Mengão takes victory to the return game against the Argentines that takes place on the 25th, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at the Jorge Luis Hirschi stadium
18 Set 2025 | 23:24 |
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Flamengo defeated Argentina's Estudiantes 2-1 at the Maracanã Stadium . The red-and-black team decided the match in the first half with goals from Pedro and Varela. Mengão gave Estudiantes no time to breathe in Rio de Janeiro with a lightning goal.
Just 15 seconds in, Pedro capitalized on a pass from Plata, turned on his marker, and fired a left-footed shot to open the scoring. The quick goal undermined Argentina's strategy and galvanized the Rio de Janeiro team, who continued to press. A few minutes later, Ayrton Lucas crossed from the left and Varela hit a beautiful volley into Muslera's corner, extending the red-and-blacks' lead in the first half.
Even with a two-goal lead, Flamengo maintained control and nearly made it three with Pedro, whose shot was spectacularly saved by the Uruguayan goalkeeper. Estudiantes , for their part, barely threatened Rossi's goal and only managed to partially level the score in the final minutes of the first half . The feeling at Maracanã was that the 2-0 scoreline was a cheap one for the visitors.
In the second half, the pace dropped. Coach Eduardo Domínguez made substitutions, trying to give the Argentine team more momentum, but he ran into the red-and-black defense. The match was not without its tense moments, with cards for Saúl, Samuel Lino, and Alexis Castro, and Plata's sending-off after a second yellow card in a dispute with Facundo Rodríguez . At the end of the second half, Estudiantes scored in the 46th minute to leave the match open in Argentina.
With the 2-1 victory, Flamengo takes the lead in the quarterfinals of the Libertadores. The return leg is scheduled for the 25th, at 9:30 pm, at the Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium, in Argentina. Before that, the team led by Tite faces Vasco next Sunday (21), for the Brazilian Championship, again at Maracanã.
Striker scores after 14 seconds against Estudiantes, surpassing the records of former players and consolidating himself as one of the club's top scorers
18 Set 2025 | 22:53 |
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Forward Pedro needed just 14 seconds to open the scoring for Flamengo against Estudiantes in a Copa Libertadores quarterfinal match. The lightning strike became the Rubro-Negro's fastest goal in the competition's history , surpassing Gerson's record and also surpassing Lucas Paquetá's historic mark, which held the club's fastest goal in an official match.
Until then, Flamengo 's fastest goal in the Libertadores was Gerson's, who had scored after 56 seconds against Bolívar, in 2024. Even so, in the current edition of the tournament, Pedro's goal was the second fastest overall , behind only Artur's goal, from Botafogo, which shook the net against LDU after 13 seconds in the round of 16.
293 games
148 goals
35 assists
According to an investigation by Gazeta do Urubu, the club's board intends to renew the contracts of Filipe Luís and Arrascaeta in 2025. Pedro and goalkeeper Rossi are expected to have their contracts extended next season. Internally, there's no sign of the striker's dissatisfaction with the club.
After beating Estudiantes at Maracanã this Thursday (18), Mengão faces Vasco next Sunday (21), for the Brazilian Championship. The match takes place again at the Rio de Janeiro team's stadium.
The striker opens the scoring against Estudiantes at a packed Maracanã stadium, reaching his 150th goal in the red and black jersey and consolidating an important milestone in the Libertadores Cup
18 Set 2025 | 22:37 |
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Flamengo won an important chapter this Wednesday (18), in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores . After just 15 seconds, Pedro scored against Estudiantes at a packed Maracanã, opening the scoring for the Rio de Janeiro team. The goal not only guaranteed an initial advantage in the duel but also marked the striker's 150th goal with the red-black shirt , equaling Bebeto in eighth place among the greatest scorers in the club's history.
The goal against Argentina also represented Pedro's 26th for Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores, a figure that puts him behind only Gabigol, with 30 goals, in the club's all-time rankings in the tournament . Furthermore, the number 9 became the third-highest Brazilian scorer in the continental competition.
According to information obtained by Gazeta do Urubu, the club's management intends to renew the contracts of Filipe Luís and Arrascaeta in 2025. Pedro and goalkeeper Rossi are expected to have their contracts extended next season . Internally, there is no dissatisfaction surrounding the number 9.
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