
Soccer
28 Jun 2025 | 11:31 |
Flamengo faces a huge challenge on Sunday in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup: they face Bayern Munich , the current German champions and considered one of the favorites for the title. But a Brazilian who knows the Bavarian team well says there are ways to overcome their European rivals.
Cacau on Bayern: "Their defense is their weak point. That's why putting pressure on the ball could be a good idea"
And it's not just any Brazilian: former striker Cacau, who spent almost his entire career in Germany and even played for the country's national team in the 2010 World Cup, knows all about facing and beating Bayern Munich. " Flamengo will give us a hard time, and our chances of winning the match are good," he says.
Cacau was one of the stars of Stuttgart, which won the German Championship title in the 2006/07 season. The victory was the team's fifth in history, and the last to date. That title was marked by a comeback by the team in the final stretch, which included a 2-0 victory over Bayern in the 30th round. Both goals were scored by Cacau, and that defeat destroyed the Bavarian team's chances of fighting for the title.
Almost three decades later, the Brazilian still follows the German League closely, and knows the current Bayern Munich squad well . The former player gave two tips for Filipe Luis' team to try to impose themselves on their opponents.
"Bayern's defense is their weak point. That's why putting pressure on the ball can be a good idea, to force mistakes," says the former striker. As for Flamengo's defense, the recommendation is to keep an eye on a trio. "They can't give space to Olisé, Musiala and Sané, who are dangerous individually."
Cacau still has a house in Germany and spends part of the year there. That's why he knows how important the Club World Cup really is for German fans. "For the clubs, it's important. But for the fans, it's a bit of an 'out of date' tournament and that's why it hasn't caught on yet," he says.
German journalist Mario Krischel, who covers Bayern's day-to-day activities for Kicker magazine and is following the World Cup in the USA, said that the club takes the match against Rubro-Negro very seriously: "Nobody, absolutely nobody at Bayern is underestimating Flamengo . The players and coaching staff know that it will be a tough game," he said.
Mengão faces Raposa at full strength at Maracanã, in a direct duel for the leadership of the Brasileirão and Gabigol's reunion with the Minas Gerais team
02 Out 2025 | 19:25 |
Flamengo takes to the field this Thursday (2), at 8:30 pm (Brasília time) , at Maracanã, to face Cruzeiro in a direct duel for the leadership of the Brazilian Championship. The match opens the 26th round of the competition and will have a full house, with tickets sold out.
After resting some players in the victory over Corinthians, coach Filipe Luís opted for a full-strength squad . Ayrton Lucas returns from suspension, while Matías Viña and Léo Pereira, cleared by the medical department, are available.
The Rubro-Negro formation for the match is: Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro; Jorginho, Saúl and Arrascaeta; Gonzalo Plata, Samuel Lino and Carrascal.
Flamengo leads the Brazilian Championship with 54 points, trailing Cruzeiro with 50 and Palmeiras, who beat Vasco 3-0 and have 52 points. The match at Maracanã is considered a "six-point" game , which could either increase or reduce the advantage at the top of the table.
In addition to the battle for the top spot, the match marks Gabigol's reunion with his former club. Currently at Cruzeiro, the striker will face the Flamengo fans, who idolized him during his time at the club between 2019 and 2024. Gabigol left Flamengo after a year of ups and downs, ending a run full of goals, titles, and a strong connection with the club.
Mengão faces Raposa this Thursday (2), at 8:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, in a duel valid for the 26th round of the Brazilian Championship
02 Out 2025 | 18:30 |
Flamengo faces Cruzeiro this Thursday (2), at 8:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, in a duel valid for the 26th round of the Brazilian Championship. The match will be broadcast by SporTV and Premiere, without showing on open TV.
The Rubro-Negro 's probable lineup for the match is: Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira (Danilo) and Alex Sandro; Jorginho, Saúl and Arrascaeta; Gonzalo Plata (Carrascal), Samuel Lino and Pedro.
Number 10 negotiates renewal with Mengão until 2029, while Filipe Luís and Rossi also discuss new contracts at the Rio de Janeiro club
02 Out 2025 | 18:00 |
Flamengo continues working behind the scenes to secure the retention of key players. With the transfer window now closed, the club has begun talks to extend the contracts of coach Filipe Luís, goalkeeper Rossi, and, most notably, Uruguayan midfielder Giorgian De Arrascaeta.
The club's board, represented by José Boto, is seeking to extend Arrascaeta's contract until 2029. The player's agent, Daniel Fonseca, is expected to meet with the club's leadership soon to finalize the final details. According to journalist Fabrício Lopes, proposals have already been exchanged between the parties, with only final adjustments remaining before the signing.
The number 10 is expected to receive a pay raise as part of the deal. Arrascaeta is considered a key player in Filipe Luís' squad, racking up 14 goals and 10 assists in 22 Brasileirão matches this season. The star's goal is to play for Mengão until the end of his career. In 2029, he will be 35 years old.
In addition to Arrascaeta, the board is working to retain Filipe Luís. The coach, who took over after retiring as a player, has publicly stated his desire to stay for the long term. His current contract runs until December, and a smooth renewal is expected.
While negotiating behind the scenes, the team focuses on the Brasileirão. Flamengo hosts Cruzeiro this Thursday (2), at 8:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the 26th round of the competition. The duel is direct in the fight for leadership and can increase the red-black advantage at the top of the table.