ATLÉTICO-MG EVALUATES PROPOSAL THAT COULD COST EX-FLAMENGO'S PERMANENCE IN ITS CLUB

Flamengo returns to the field this Wednesday (06) to face Atlético-MG, in the second leg of the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. The match will be played at Arena MRV, at 7 pm (Brasília time), and will be refereed by Gaucho Rafael Klein , according to the schedule defined by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).

The organization also confirmed the entire refereeing team for the decisive match. The assistant referees will be Bruno Raphael Pires (GO) and Rafael da Silva Alves (RS) . The video referee will be Wagner Reway (SC). This will be Flamengo 's second match with Rafael Klein in charge.

FULL ARBITRATION SCALE

• Main referee: Rafael Rodrigues Klein (RS)
• Assistant 1: Bruno Raphael Pires (GO)
• Assistant 2: Rafael da Silva Alves (RS)
• Fourth referee: José Mendonça da Silva Junior (PR)
• VAR: Wagner Reway (SC)

RAFAEL KLEIN'S EXPERIENCE WITH FLAMENGO IN 2025

So far, Rafael Klein has refereed only one Flamengo match this season: the 2-1 victory over Vitória in early April in the Brasileirão . In the Copa do Brasil, he was on the field last week for the goalless draw between CSA and Vasco in the first leg of the third round.

HOW WAS THE FIRST GAME?

In the first match between Flamengo and Atlético-MG, played at Maracanã, the Red-Blacks had the majority of possession but failed to find the net. The Minas Gerais team capitalized on a mistake by Léo Pereira when clearing the ball and scored through Cuello , securing a 1-0 lead.

NEXT CONFRONTATION

With the defeat in the first leg, Flamengo needs to beat Atlético-MG by two or more goals to guarantee direct qualification. If they win by one goal, the decision will be on penalties . This Wednesday's duel (06) starts at 7 pm, at Arena MRV, in Belo Horizonte.

Flamengo's football director, José Boto, spoke with coach Filipe Luís to discuss the team's playing style . The manager's plan is to make adjustments that will make the team even more competitive . The information was released by journalist Mauro Cezar Pereira.

Mauro Cezar Pereira on Flamengo: "It's Filipe Luís's obligation to have an ace up his sleeve"

CHANGES MAY START THIS WEDNESDAY

According to MCP, fans are expected to start noticing changes in the Copa do Brasil clash against Atlético-MG. He believes Filipe Luís needs to offer tactical alternatives during matches: " Today, for example, it's Filipe Luís's responsibility to have an ace up his sleeve ," the journalist stated.

Mauro also welcomed Boto's initiative, emphasizing that the red-and-black coach should be held accountable internally: " When Boto was hired, he came with this more technical profile, as a sporting director . So, these conversations are natural and important. It's up to him to question the coach's strategies and decisions," he explained.

CRITICISM OF THE MONOTATIC STYLE

The journalist took the opportunity to analyze Filipe Luís's work so far and made a direct criticism of Flamengo 's lack of variation in play under his command: " The team has been monotactic — it always plays the same way , without many tactical variations."

Finally, Mauro emphasized that pressure is part of the maturation process for a coach still at the beginning of his career: "Only established coaches, like Guardiola, Klopp, or Simeone, achieve a degree of complete autonomy . Until then, pressure is natural."

Flamengo recently received an official offer from RB Leipzig of Germany for defender Léo Ortiz , a standout player on Filipe Luís's squad. The offer was around €15 million (approximately R$95.6 million), with €12 million fixed and €3 million tied to targets. However, Flamengo promptly rejected the offer, maintaining its policy of not releasing key players at this stage of the season.

In addition to Leipzig, Sporting from Portugal has also entered the fray. According to Portuguese broadcaster SIC Notícias, the club is considering making a similar offer: €15 million, plus bonuses for targets achieved.

Despite the move, sources close to the club's board of directors assure that the defender is not for sale. People close to the player also state that he himself has no desire to leave the club at this time.

LÉO ORTIZ IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE

Flamengo 's board considers Léo Ortiz essential to the team's success in national and international competitions. Signed in March 2024 for €7 million, the defender has made 74 appearances for Flamengo, scoring six goals and providing four assists. His performance has been crucial in campaigns such as the Brazilian Championship, where the club leads with defensive solidity.

TERMINATION CLAUSE

Ortiz's release clause is another factor that reinforces Flamengo's firm position. Valued at €80 million (approximately R$514 million) , the amount is far above the offers received so far for the player, who is important to Filipe Luís.