Carlo Ancelotti to attend Flamengo's decisive match at Maracanã

The Crias do Ninho continue preparing for the big decision of the U-20 Club World Cup , which takes place this Saturday (23), against Barcelona (ESP) , at Maracanã. On the other side, the coach of the Spanish team, Juliano Belletti, celebrated the return to the stadium and highlighted the strength of Flamengo and the Nação Rubro-Negra.

Barcelona coach Belletti on Flamengo: "a great story with an impressive fan base"

"Being able to return to Maracanã, now as a coach, was something I saw as very difficult years ago. Today, returning to represent Barça, the club where I played and won titles , in front of a Flamengo team with a great history and an impressive fan base, is an experience that needs to be lived with the utmost intensity possible," Belletti told Lance!.

The coach also emphasized the importance of the match: " It will be Barcelona's first official game in Brazil in 125 years . And it will be at the Maracanã. More than anything, it's about representing the institution well, respecting Flamengo —the current Libertadores champion in this category—and showing what everyone expects: the club's DNA."

WILL FLAMENGO HAVE REINFORCEMENTS FOR THE FINAL?

Bruno Pivetti's team will have important reinforcements from the professional squad. João Victor, Matheus Gonçalves, Daniel Sales, and Lorran were released to join the under-20 group in the final . The Rubro-Negro won the title in 2024, defeating Olympiacos (GRE) 2-1 at Maracanã. Now, they will have the chance to win their second championship in front of their home fans.

WHEN IS THE GAME BETWEEN FLAMENGO AND BARCELONA?

The final between Flamengo and Barcelona, led by Belletti, takes place this Saturday (23), at 4:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, with a full house expected at the stadium. The match will be broadcast on Rede Globo (open TV) and SporTV (closed TV).

The Red-Black Nation once again promises to fill the Maracanã . Unlike many Brazilian football fans, Flamengo fans show up in force regardless of the day or time of the match. This Monday (25), Flamengo faces Vitória , at 9 pm (Brasília time), for the 21st round of the Brasileirão, and the Sacred Temple is expected to receive a large crowd.

So far, more than 35,000 tickets have been sold , with tickets still available for all sections of the stadium. More than 50,000 fans are expected to attend the match between the red-and-blacks at Maracanã.

HOW TO BUY TICKETS FOR FLAMENGO X VITÓRIA?

Tickets are still on sale at ingressos.flamengo.com.br . For the general public, prices range from R$80 (R$40 half-price) to R$400 (R$200 half-price) . Supporters receive special discounts.

DOES FLAMENGO HAVE ANY CONFIRMED SKILLS?

Filipe Luís 's team will definitely be missing one player: Pulgar. The midfielder is still recovering from a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot . The Chilean is expected to return to action in late September, with the coach optimistic that he'll be available for the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals.

WHEN DO THE TEAMS FACE EACH OTHER?

The ball rolls for Flamengo x Vitória this Monday (25), at 9 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, in a duel valid for the 21st round of the Brazilian Championship . Mengão is the leader of the Brasileirão with 43 points, four more than Palmeiras, in second place. Leão is 17th, opening the relegation zone.

The saga involving Claudinho and Flamengo was one of the most significant in recent years in the transfer market. Flamengo attempted to sign the midfielder on several occasions, but always met with resistance from Zenit (RUS). Now, at Al Sadd (CAT), the player has opened up and blamed the Russian club for the failed negotiations.

Claudinho on failed negotiations with Flamengo: "they (Zenit) wouldn't release him"

"If I went to some team, like Flamengo or Palmeiras in Brazil, I might have had a chance with the national team too. But it turned out that they (Zenit) wouldn't release me and renew my contract to try to please the fans, and myself as well, so I wouldn't be sad at the club . They knew I wanted to leave, but they wouldn't release me, and when the window closed, they came and renewed it," said the midfielder in an interview with Flashscore.

Claudinho also made it clear that he genuinely wanted to play for Flamengo: "I really wanted to. I even spoke to some people at Flamengo . We had almost everything sorted out, but we just couldn't get it right with Zenit. These people sometimes think I used the offer to renew, but no. I really wanted to go."

WHEN WAS FLAMENGO'S LAST ATTEMPT FOR CLAUDINHO?

The last major move came in 2024, when then-president Rodolfo Landim confirmed a deal with Zenit . However, even after accepting the conditions proposed by the Rio de Janeiro club, the Russians backed down and abandoned the sale.

With negotiations falling through, Flamengo signed Argentine Charly Alcaraz, who cost R$110.6 million , becoming the club's most expensive signing. Lacking space under Filipe Luís, the midfielder was loaned to Everton (ENG), which exercised its purchase option.

WHAT IS FLAMENGO'S NEXT GAME?

While Claudinho remains in Qatar, Flamengo focuses its efforts on the Brazilian Championship . Filipe Luís' team faces Vitória this Monday (25), at 9 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the 21st round of the competition.