UPDATE: FLAMENGO MANAGER CONFIRMS INTEREST IN CLAUDINHO: "WE ARE EVALUATING THE BUSINESS.."

Flamengo beat Juventude 4-2 this Saturday (26), which generated the resignation of coach Jair Ventura, from Jaconero, and now directs the focus for the confrontation with Internacional, which takes place next Wednesday (30). However, the team will not be able to count on defenderLéo Pereira, who is suspended.

In stoppage time, Léo Pereira received a yellow card for a foul in the 52nd minute of the second half, < b>resulting in automatic suspension. In addition to him, Arrascaetaalso will be absent from the game in Porto Alegre for the same reason.

SUBSTITUTE FOR LÉO PEREIRA

With the absence of Léo Pereira against Internacional, coach Filipe Luís will need to adjust the defense, probably with Fabrício Bruno or David Luiz as substitute. Filipe may also choose to save some players, focusing on the first game of the Copa do Brasil final against Atlético-MG, on Sunday (3).

FLAMENGO SITUATION

With goals from Michael, Gabigol, Arrascaeta and Gonzalo Plata, Flamengo secured the victory over Juventude and reached 54 points in the Brazilian Championship, consolidating themselves in the G-4 and getting closer to Palmeiras and Fortaleza, who tied 2-2. Alviverde is in second place with 61 points and Leão do Pici is in third place with 57, Mais Querido, however, has one game less.

UPCOMING COMMITMENTS

Without Léo Pereira, Flamengo faces International on Wednesday (30), at 7pm, at Beira-Rio, in Porto Alegre, in a match valid for the 17th round of the Brasileirão. The game is a direct confrontation between Mengão in the fight for the G4 of the championship. With 54 points, Mais Querido is just two points ahead of Colorado, who could overtake them in case of victory. The duel against Inter precedes the first game of the Copa do Brasil final against Atlético-MG on November 3, at Maracanã.

Hours after 4-2 defeat to Flamengo, Juventude announced the dismissal of Jair Ventura. The decision was communicated by the club's management on Saturday night. Against Mais Querido, the jaconero was unable to play a good game and ended up defeated at Maracanã.

The Caxias do Sul team has accumulated five games without a win, with three defeats — two of them in a row — and two draws in that period. Jair Ventura led the team in 20 matches, winning just five wins, as well as six draws and nine defeats, resulting in a performance of 35% b>. In the Copa do Brasil, he took the team to the quarterfinals, but was eliminated by Corinthians.

Hired to replace Roger Machado, who left the club to take over Internacional, Jair Ventura remained at Juventude for 101 days . Along with the coach, assistants Emílio Faro and Antônio Macedo also left the club. Jair continues to be unable to complete a year at the helm of a team since leaving Botafogoat the end of 2017.

With yet another defeat, Juventude entered the relegation zone this weekend, occupying 17th place with 34 points.

Check out Juventude's note:

"O Esporte Clube Juventude, by through its Football Department, confirms the departure of coach Jair Ventura from command of the main team. In addition to the coach, assistants Emílio Faro and Antônio Macedo are leaving the club.

Jair Ventura arrived at Juventude in July 2024, for his second spell at Verdão. For his commitment and professionalism throughout his work, Esporte Clube Juventude wishes Jair Ventura success in the continuation of his career" .

In the press conference after the 4-2 victory over Juventude, Filipe Luís defended Ayrton Lucas b> after some boos from the fans during the match, recognizing that the player is not going through his best phase. With Alex Sandro out due to muscle discomfort in his thigh, Filipe recalled the importanceof Ayrton in the 2022 Libertadores final, when the full-back replaced him after an injury and helped Flamengowinning the title.

“I praise Ayrton again today, for me he had a great game. He missed a few passes, normal. He made some bad decisions with the ball, normal. What bothers me a little is that we have a player who was in the national team, who may be on a pre-list, who was recently called up, who has a tremendous future, who is an asset to the club", began Filipe Luís, before completing:

"And we ourselves, the fans, put it in check a heritage that is here. A player who gave us a Libertadores, who helped us win a Libertadores, who was crucial when I got injured, he came onand was crucial in that final. Support Ayrton Lucas because he is very important to us. With the confidence of the fans, he will be better and better, understand?”, said the Flamengo coach in the post-game press conference.

FILIPE CELEBRATES PERFORMANCE

The coach celebrated o performance of the team, which scored four goals again after almost four months. With Filipe Luís at the helm, Flamengo secured a place in the final of the Copa do Brasil and recorded three wins, one draw and one defeat in the last five matches.

“A victory that made me very happyfor the game we presented, we pressed well. Juventude has its weapons in the offensive phase. The team managed to press well, control the first half well and break their pressure. We got the goal quickly, we conceded the equalizer, but the team never let that affect us. He continued with the same way of proposing, attacking and trying to createchances. We went to halftime with a draw, then the team managed to score the goals they needed and took off”, said Filipe Luís.

O Flamengo's next challenge will be the delayed game against Internacional, on Wednesday- fair, in Beira-Rio, for the 17th round of the Brasileirão. The match is a direct confrontation for theG4 of the championship. Mais Querido is fourth in the competition with 54 points, two ahead of Colorado who also won in the round, against Atlético-MG, and could surpass Rubro-Negro in case of victory.