Flamengo champion signs with Santos and leaves Greek football

Conmebol announced, on Friday night (19), the refereeing scale for the duel between Flamengo and Estudiantes (ARG), valid for the return of the quarterfinals of the Libertadores . The person responsible for the whistle will be the Chilean Piero Maza, who will command the match in La Plata.

The referee is familiar to Argentines: in the round of 16, he officiated the first leg between Estudiantes and Cerro Porteño (PAR), in which he awarded a controversial penalty in stoppage time. In the 47th minute of the second half, Maza signaled a foul on Guido Castillo , which Santiago Ascacíbar converted, securing a 1-0 away victory. In the return leg, in Argentina, the score ended 0-0, eliminating the Paraguayans.

Cerro coach on Estudiantes vs Flamengo referee: "I didn't think several of his decisions were correct"

CERRO PORTEÑO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE REFEREEING

After the match, coach Diego Martínez criticized Maza's performance: " I didn't like the refereeing, but I understand that he's human and can make mistakes, just like me, when making decisions . I didn't think several of his decisions were correct. He has a team that supports him, and I disagreed with those decisions," the coach stated.

The Paraguayan press also covered the incident. The Altos Noticias website called it the "biggest robbery in the history of the Libertadores ," highlighting that it was a "made-up penalty, not even the Estudiantes players complained."

PIERO MAZA'S RETROSPECT WITH FLAMENGO

The referee has already refereed three Flamengo games in history:

• 2019 – 6-1 victory over San José (BOL), at Maracanã (Libertadores).
• 2022 – 2-1 victory against Vélez Sarsfield (ARG), also at Maracanã, in the Libertadores semi-final.
• 2023 – defeat to Independiente del Valle (EQU) by 1-0, in Quito, in the Recopa final.

WHEN DOES THE GAME TAKE PLACE?

The decisive Libertadores quarterfinal clash between Estudiantes and Flamengo takes place on Thursday (25), in La Plata, starting at 9:30 pm (Brasília time). The match will be broadcast on ESPN (pay TV) and Disney+ (streaming) .

Flamengo enters the final stretch of preparation for one of the most important games of the season so far. On Sunday (21), Rubro-Negro faces Vasco, at Maracanã, for the 24th round of the Brasileirão. The definition of the starting lineup will be in the hands of coach Filipe Luís, this Saturday (20) . According to the official schedule, the squad trains at 9:30 am (Brasília time), at CT Ninho do Urubu. Immediately after the activity, Filipe should confirm the lineup for the Rio derby.

FLAMENGO'S PROBABLE LINEUP

With the absences and taking into account Thursday's game against Estudiantes, the tendency is for Flamengo to enter the field with : Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Allan, De La Cruz (or Saúl) and Arrascaeta; Plata, Samuel Lino and Pedro.

Even with the decisive duel next Thursday (25), against Estudiantes (ARG) for the Libertadores, the tendency is for Flamengo to enter the field with full strength. The only confirmed absence is Erick Pulgar, still recovering from a fracture in his left foot.

QUESTIONS FOR THE CLASSIC

The coaching staff is also monitoring the situation of Alex Sandro and Jorginho, who missed the 2-1 victory over Estudiantes in midweek. The full-back is treating a muscle injury in his left calf. The midfielder is experiencing pain in the back of his right thigh. Both participated in training on the field this Friday (19) and could be included in the squad.

SITUATION OF THE TEAMS IN THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Flamengo leads the standings with 50 points, having won 15, drawn 5, and lost only 2 times , three points ahead of second-place Cruzeiro. Vasco da Gama is battling relegation, sitting in 15th place with 23 points.

WHEN AND WHERE DOES THE CLASSIC TAKE PLACE?

The Clássico dos Milhões will be played this Sunday (21), at 5:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã , for the 24th round of the Brazilian Championship. The match will be broadcast by Rede Globo (open TV) and Premiere (pay-per-view).

After a week of South American competitions , the Brasileirão is back in the spotlight. The 24th round takes place this weekend, and Flamengo fans are not only hoping for a win in the derby against Vasco , but will also be keeping an eye on Cruzeiro and Palmeiras, direct rivals in the battle for the top spot.

NEXT FIVE GAMES FOR THE LEADERS

Flemish

• Vasco – home
• Corinthians – out
• Cruise – home
• Bahia – outside
• Botafogo – out

Cruise

• Bragantino – home
• Vasco – out
• Flamengo – out
• Sport – home
• Atlético-MG – away

Palm trees

• Fortaleza – home
• Bahia – outside
• Vasco – home
• Sao Paulo – outside
• Bragantino – home

Both Flamengo and Cruzeiro will have three away games in the upcoming rounds, while Palmeiras will play three home games . Furthermore, the head-to-head match between the Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais teams, in the 26th round, is already shaping up to be decisive in the title race.

WHEN DO THEY ENTER THE FIELD?

Palmeiras, third place with 46 points, opens the round among the leaders. This Saturday (20), Abel Ferreira's team faces Fortaleza at Allianz Parque, at 9 pm (Brasília time) . The expectation is that some starters will be rested for the duel against River Plate (ARG), for the Libertadores.

On Sunday (21), at 5:30 pm, Flamengo (leader with 50 points) faces Vasco at Maracanã. The duel will be broadcast by Globo, on open TV, in addition to Premiere, on pay-per-view . Later, at 8:30 pm, Cruzeiro (2nd place, with 47 points) measures forces with Red Bull Bragantino, at Mineirão.