Flamengo and Bahia face each other this Thursday (12), at Maracanã, seeking a place in the World Cup semi-final from Brazil. Rubro-Negro enters the field with the advantage of having won the first game 1-0, in addition to having a taboo in their favor. This is because Bahia never managed to advance in the competition after losing the first leg at home.

In the previous clash, held at Arena Fonte Nova, in Salvador, Flamengo won 1-0. Now, the Bahian team needs a victory at Maracanã to maintain their chances of qualifying. In case of a tie, the place will go to Mais Querido. If Bahia wins by a goal difference, the decision will go to penalties. A victory by two or more goals guarantees Rogério Ceni's team in the next phase.

Throughout the history of the Copa do Brasil, Bahia managed to reverse defeats in the first game on four occasions (1989, 1999 , 2000 and 2012), but on all these occasions the Bahian team played the return match at home.

To advance to the semi-final, Bahia will have to break a taboo against Flamengo. The Bahian team has accumulated three defeats and two draws in clashes in the Copa do Brasil, in addition to two eliminations, one of them in the quarter-finals, the same stage as the current competition. Furthermore, Bahia has not beaten Rubro-Negro for five years, with nine consecutive defeats.

1990 (quarter-finals): Bahia 1 x 1 Flamengo (Joia da Princesa) and Flamengo 1 x 0 Bahia (Juiz de Fora)

2000 (round of 16): Bahia 1 x 3 Flamengo (Fonte Nova) and Flamengo 1 x 1 Bahia (Maracanã)

2024 (quarter-finals) : Bahia 0 x 1 Flamengo (Fonte Nova)

Flamengo and Bahia face each other again this Thursday (12), at 9:45 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the second leg of the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil.

The refereeing for the clash between Flamengo and Bahia, valid for the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil, has already been defined . The main referee will be Bráulio da Silva Machado, while Daiane Muniz will be responsible for VAR. However, both have already generated controversy in matches involving Mais Querido this season.

In one of the cases, during the 2-1 victory over Cruzeiro, the duo's performance harmed Flamengo, which could have achieved a more relaxed victory. Bráulio da Silva Machado scored a penalty in favor of Rubro-Negro after touching Ayrton Lucas in the face. Initially, Daiane Muniz agreed with the decision, but later changed her mind, calling Bráulio to review the move and cancel the penalty, claiming that the defender was looking at the ball.

“The defender is always looking at the ball. ball, this arm actually uses it as a natural action to propel his header. I redo my analysis. Bráulio, I recommend a review for a possible non-penalty. Yes, there is an arm in the face, but the defender is always looking at the ball. I understand why this action is not a mistake, okay?”, says Daiane Muniz in the VAR audio released by the CBF.

In addition to removing the penalty, which could have guaranteed greater peace of mind for Flamengo, Cruzeiro's goal, scored by Matheus Pereira, was also controversial. Lucas Silva clearly touched the ball with his hand before the shot, but Daiane Muniz did not alert the referee about the irregularity, and the goal was awarded.

Another controversy involving Daiane Muniz occurred in the game between Flamengo and Athletico-PR. On that occasion, Luiz Araújo scored a goal after a pass from Gabigol, but the goal was canceled due to a millimeter offside by Luiz Araújo. The images circulated on social media, and many pointed out that the offside line was drawn before the ball left Gabigol's feet, raising more doubts about the decision.

Corinthians, who always dreamed of signing Gabigol, once again expressed interest in the striker for a “project” in 2025. With his contract with Flamengo closing at the end of this year, Gabigol was close to agreeing a pre-contract with Palmeiras, but the deal did not materialize.

According to journalist Raisa Simplicio , from GOAL, Corinthians are seriously considering the possibility of signing Gabigol in 2025, especially after the success in negotiations with Memphis Depay, who would be attractive for Gabi to play alongside the Dutchman. Palmeiras' failure to sign the Flamengo also served as an additional boost.

Another factor It's Corinthians' financial situation. The Corinthians board plans to negotiate Yuri Alberto and Pedro Raul, the squad's attackers, which would generate resources for the signing of Gabigol. Recently, the black and white player received a proposal from Southampton, from the Premier League, for Yuri Alberto, who ended up not moving forward.

With the money from sales and the intention of getting closer to Gabigol's staff, Corinthians has a project defined for the striker in 2025. The São Paulo board believes that, in addition to the sporting return that Gabigol can offer, he would also have a significant impact on the club's marketing, just like Depay.

Close to completing six years at the club, Gabigol is considered one of the club's greatest recent idols Flamengo, with important titles such as the Libertadores, the Copa do Brasil and the Brasileirão. With his contract about to end and Pedro out until 2025, Gabigol will have one last opportunity to stand out and lead Mengão's attack in the final stretch of 2024.