Soccer
01 Mai 2025 | 11:49 |
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Flamengo makes its debut in the Copa do Brasil this Thursday (1st), against Botafogo-PB , at the Castelão Stadium , in São Luís (MA). The venue for the match, however, has become the target of controversy. Traditionally with a capacity for 20 thousand people, the stadium had its attendance increased to 39,622 fans — almost double — after a new report issued by the Maranhão Fire Department.
The increase in capacity was possible thanks to emergency work that began on April 25 and was completed the day before the match. Interestingly, the new report that confirmed the stadium's release was issued on April 24 , one day after Botafogo-PB began selling tickets .
According to journalist Lúcio de Castro , the previous report, dated December 10, 2024, limited the audience to 20,000 people . After the emergency work and a provisional opinion, the stadium was authorized to receive almost 40,000 fans — precisely taking advantage of the strength of Flamengo 's fans to boost ticket sales.
The interventions included reinforcement with high-resistance mortar and installation of metal beams to support compromised pillars. The new report is valid for only three months.
A technical report commissioned by the State Secretariat for Infrastructure , worth R$9,000 , pointed out serious problems in Castelão, such as advanced corrosion , partial collapse of beams, leaks and erosion in the foundations. Sector 1, previously closed, was released after palliative interventions.
The corrective and preventive actions carried out in structural systems were evaluated by specialized professionals..."
In a statement, the Fire Department stated that the expansion of capacity was carried out based on technical criteria and that structural safety was guaranteed by specialized professionals:
"The review of the public capacity of the Castelão Stadium was carried out with full technical and legal basis, following current regulations, reaching the maximum design capacity of 39,622 people without compromising the safety of the infrastructure. The corrective and preventive actions carried out on structural systems were evaluated by specialized professionals. Ticket sales must be carried out within the parameters defined in the technical report and under the responsibility of the event organizers," says the note.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) expressed “ surprise ” at the sudden change and sent a document to the general commander of the Fire Department, Colonel Célio Roberto Pinto de Araújo . In the text, the entity warns of risks to the safety of athletes, fans and professionals involved in the event:
"The CBF, through the Directors who subscribe below, expresses its deep concern about the existence of suddenly modified information, issued by state public bodies. Since such a scenario compromises not only the logistical and operational planning of the event, but also the safety of athletes, fans, professionals involved and the population in general", wrote the entity, addressed to the fire department.
Botafogo-PB's SAF, responsible for selling tickets, is cited as directly responsible for the operation. The Maranhão state government guaranteed, in an official statement, that fans will have security to watch the game and that all prerequisites for increasing capacity have been met. See the statement:
"The Government of Maranhão, through the State Secretariat for Sports and Leisure (Sedel), informs that all legal and regulatory requirements related to the security and use of the Governador João Castelo Stadium for the match between Botafogo da Paraíba and Flamengo, scheduled for May 1st of this year, were duly met. The reports regarding the maximum capacity of the stadium were updated after interventions carried out throughout the years 2024 and 2025, increasing the capacity from 20,000 to 39,622 people. This update is in accordance with the number of tickets made available for the event. We emphasize that all measures and adaptations were implemented in accordance with the parameters established by the competent bodies, with the aim of guaranteeing the safety and well-being of all users."
After a serious injury suffered at the Club World Cup, the Chilean continues physiotherapy at the Mais Querido training center; Alex Sandro and the Italian are also recovering.
17 Set 2025 | 18:23 |
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Flamengo released this Wednesday (17) an update on the clinical condition of midfielder Erick Pulgar . The player suffered a serious injury in June, after a clash with Harry Kane during the Club World Cup round of 16 clash against Bayern Munich.
Pulgar had to be replaced immediately and taken to the hospital. After more than two months away, the Chilean returned to the club's Training Center , where he is undergoing physiotherapy work on the pitch.
Flamengo reported that, this Wednesday (17), all players trained on the field. Erick Pulgar continues with physiotherapy activities on the lawn, as previously announced . The athlete may return to the club next month.
Alex Sandro and Jorginho, also injured, are in the transition phase and are completing conditioning exercises under the supervision of physiotherapists. Both remain unavailable for Filipe Luís's squad. The rest of the group trained normally.
Flamengo takes the field this Wednesday (September 18th) at 9:30 pm at Maracanã Stadium to face Estudiantes in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. Coach Filipe Luís is looking to lead the red-and-black team to the semifinals of the continental competition . In the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo leads with 50 points. The next match in the tournament will be on Sunday (September 21st) at 5:30 pm against Vasco da Gama.
The decisive classic takes place this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm, with live broadcast on ESPN and Disney+, and teams with important returns and absences
17 Set 2025 | 18:00 |
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On the evening of this Thursday, September 18, Flamengo and Estudiantes face each other at the Maracanã Stadium , in Rio de Janeiro, for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores 2025. The ball rolls at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), with live broadcast on ESPN and on Disney+ streaming.
Coach Filipe Luís will have important reinforcements for the match , with the return of Bruno Henrique, who was rested due to thigh discomfort, and full-back Varela, who has recovered from pubalgia and is training normally.
On the other hand, Jorginho , Alex Sandro, and Erick Pulgar are still undergoing treatment for injuries and are unlikely to be included in the squad. The likely starting lineup includes: Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, and Ayrton Lucas; Saúl, De La Cruz, and Arrascaeta; Plata, Pedro, and Samuel Lino . Coach: Filipe Luís.
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Coach Eduardo Domínguez projects a tough match, but believes in the Argentine team's ability to achieve a good result away from home. Estudiantes had a solid campaign in the group stage and eliminated Cerro Porteño in the round of 16 , with three away wins and only one loss to Botafogo.
Despite being without Eric Meza and Joaquín Tobio Burgos, who are injured, Domínguez emphasized the need for physical and mental focus to create difficulties for Flamengo at the Maracanã. The likely starting lineup is: Muslera; Román Gómez, González Pírez, Facundo Rodríguez, and Arzamendía; Ascacíbar, Amondarain, Palacios, José Sosa, and Cetré; and Facundo Farías . Coach: Eduardo Domínguez.
The Argentine team begins training at Fluminense's training center and should play more defensively at Maracanã against Mengão this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm
17 Set 2025 | 15:15 |
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Estudiantes is already in Rio de Janeiro for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals against Flamengo , scheduled for Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã. The Argentine team trained at Fluminense's facilities , preparing for the decisive duel.
Coach Eduardo Domínguez tested a more conservative formation, including an extra defensive midfielder in midfield, as a strategy to contain Flamengo's attacks. According to Radio Província 1270 in La Plata, the change could result in only one striker on the field , demonstrating a more solid defensive posture.
Estudiantes ' likely lineup for the clash includes: Muslera; Gómez, Nuñez, Rodríguez, Arzamendia; Ascacibar, Piovi, Amondarain, Medina, Tiago Palacios; Carrillo.
It's not yet clear whether Piovi will play as an extra midfielder or be replaced by Castro . Amondarain, despite being an attacking midfielder, could drop back and act as a third midfielder, depending on Domínguez's strategy in recent training sessions.
With the prospect of a more closed Argentine team, Flamengo, under the command of Filipe Luís, will have to work hard to break down Estudiantes' defense and seek a positive result in the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals.
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