Update: De La Cruz could be back by the weekend

The clash between Flamengo and Grêmio, held this Sunday (31) at Maracanã, for the 22nd round of the Brazilian Championship , ended in a 1-1 draw. Mais Querido opened the scoring early in the final stage, with Arrascaeta finishing after a good exchange of passes. However, in the decisive stretch , Tiago Volpi converted a penalty and guaranteed the draw for the visitors.

In the first half, Filipe Luís 's team dominated, maintaining possession and pressuring the opposing defense. Pedro and Léo Pereira created good opportunities, forcing Volpi into crucial saves, and Noriega blocked a shot almost on the line . On the Grêmio side, counterattacks were neutralized, leaving Rossi with little trouble in the red-and-black goal.

FLAMENGO WILL HAVE TWO WEEKS

With the draw, Flamengo remains top of the Brasileirão and will now have a two-week break due to the FIFA World Cup. The Brazilian national team will play its final rounds of World Cup qualifying between September 1st and 9th.

The red-and-black team returns to action on the 14th, against Juventude, at 4 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Alfredo Jaconi stadium, with coverage on Globo and Premiere. In the first round, the match ended in a 6-0 rout at the Maracanã stadium, a match that marked Pedro's return from a serious injury, with the striker scoring two goals.

FLAMENGO CALENDAR

After facing Juventude , the Rubro-Negro will have a busy next match, facing Vasco in the Brasileirão and, in the middle of the schedule, hosting Estudiantes in the Libertadores. The break is seen as an opportunity for tactical adjustments and physical recovery for the squad, which aims to maintain its lead in the national tournament and advance in international competitions.

Gerson's start at Zenit, after leaving Flamengo in the last transfer window, has been difficult. The midfielder, who joined the Russian club shortly after the Club World Cup, has yet to establish himself as a starter and has seen few minutes on the pitch . To make matters worse, he missed the team's last match due to an injury. In previous matches, he had only been used occasionally.

SAUDI CLUB OPENS CONVERSATIONS

This Sunday (31), information emerged that Al-Ittihad , from Saudi Arabia, had started talks to sign the Brazilian. The news surprised the red-black fans, as the negotiation would take place just 45 days after Gerson's departure from Flamengo.

Marcão, Gerson's father, ex-Flamengo: "I haven't been notified yet"

PLAYER'S FATHER AND MANAGER SPEAKS OUT

In contact with journalist Julio Miguel Neto, Marcão, Gerson 's father and manager, denied having received any official proposal so far , despite the strong rumor after a post by journalist specializing in the transfer market Fabrizio Romano about a possible negotiation.

"If anything has come, it's been from club to club; I haven't been officially notified by anyone yet. I haven't offered him to any club ," he declared. Despite this, Marcão acknowledged the possibility that the Arabs first approached Zenit before any direct talks with the player.

NUMBERS BY ZENIT

Since arriving in Saint Petersburg, Gerson has played 340 minutes in six matches . So far, the midfielder has not scored or provided any assists, according to data from the Transfermarkt portal.

FLAMENGO REMAINS FOCUSED ON THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Meanwhile, Flamengo , the player's former club, takes to the field this Sunday (31) for the Brazilian Championship. Leader of the competition, the team led by Filipe Luís faces Grêmio , at Maracanã, at 4 pm (Brasília time).

The duel between Flamengo and Grêmio this Sunday (31) , valid for the 22nd round of the Brazilian Championship, ended in a 1-1 draw at Maracanã. Mais Querido opened the scoring at the beginning of the second half with Arrascaeta, but saw goalkeeper Tiago Volpi convert a penalty and leave everything equal in the final stretch of the match.

The first half was marked by Flamengo 's control, maintaining possession but struggling to overcome Mano Menezes's tight marking. Pedro and Léo Pereira's key chances came from moves that forced Volpi into crucial saves and Noriega into a clearance on the line. For Grêmio, counterattacks were ineffective, and Rossi barely played in the first 45 minutes.

ARRASCAETA OPENS THE SCORING WITH A FAST PLAY

Just seven minutes into the second half, Mengão managed to convert the pressure into a goal . After a quick exchange of passes, Arrascaeta exchanged passes with Pedro and shot low, leaving Volpi with no chance, sending the red-and-black fans into an eruption in the stands.

However, the balance returned in the 37th minute. Pavón attempted a cross from the right, but the ball deflected off Ayrton Lucas's hand inside the box . The referee awarded the penalty, which goalkeeper Tiago Volpi skillfully converted: the ball went into one corner, Rossi into the other.

FLAMENGO INSISTS ON SEARCHING FOR VICTORY

After the equalizer, Flamengo launched an attack. Bruno Henrique and Emerson Royal came on to provide some breathing room, but their attempts were thwarted by the Gaucho team's marking and Volpi's solid defense . With the result, Flamengo remains in the lead, but its lead in the standings is under pressure.