Soccer

Commentator suggests ideal rival for Flamengo in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup

Mengão could face Benfica or Boca Juniors in the first knockout match of the FIFA competition and former player sees a better path

ESPN commentator suggests who would be Flamengo's best opponent in the knockout stages of the Club World Cup - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo
ESPN commentator suggests who would be Flamengo's best opponent in the knockout stages of the Club World Cup - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo

23 Jun 2025 | 14:58 |

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With qualification guaranteed in first place in Group D, Flamengo now awaits the definition of Group C to find out its opponent in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup. Despite the scenario still undefined, the tendency is for Bayern Munich to advance in first place, leaving Benfica and Boca Juniors, FIFA's favorite , as potential opponents for Rubro-Negro .


Zé Elias on Flamengo in the knockout stages of the Club World Cup: "I would prefer Benfica"


Former player and commentator Zé Elias analyzed this scenario and pointed out which opponent would be more "viable" for Flamengo . Although he considers Filipe Luís' team the favorite against either of the two, he believes that facing Benfica would be the best scenario for the Rio de Janeiro team: " Whether against Benfica or Boca , Flamengo is the favorite, but each one has its own way of playing . If I were a Flamengo fan, I would prefer Benfica", stated Zé Elias.


GROUP C SCENARIO

Bayern Munich , with six points, only need a draw against Benfica to secure top spot in the group. The Portuguese side will qualify with a draw or even a defeat , as long as Boca Juniors do not make up a seven-goal difference.


To dream of reaching the round of 16, Boca need to beat already eliminated Auckland City by at least six goals and hope for a Bayern win over Benfica. A complicated combination, but still possible.

ZÉ ELIAS WARNS OF “LIBERATORS” CLIMATE AGAINST BOCA

Zé Elias also commented on the difference in styles between the possible opponents. For him, a match against Boca Juniors could bring a Libertadores-like atmosphere, with a lot of tension, hard fouls and possible anti-play by the Argentines: “Boca will become Brazil vs. Argentina. It will become a brawling match because Boca won’t want to play , they will want to hit and keep hitting. Against Boca it will be a brawl. It’s Libertadores,” he highlighted.

Recent history reinforces this assessment: in the debut against Benfica, Boca Juniors had two players sent off after a generalized brawl on the field. Flamengo, in turn, continues its preparation to face Los Angeles FC , this Tuesday (24), at 10 pm (Brasília time), at Camping World Stadium, in Orlando.



Soccer

Flamengo director explains why it took so long to announce Carrascal

The 26-year-old Colombian midfielder is presented at Ninho do Urubu after bureaucratic obstacles and direct action from the club's legal department.

Jorge Carrascal is presented with the number 15 shirt after long negotiations between Flamengo, Dynamo Moscow and the clubs involved - photo: reproduction
Jorge Carrascal is presented with the number 15 shirt after long negotiations between Flamengo, Dynamo Moscow and the clubs involved - photo: reproduction

05 Ago 2025 | 14:00 |

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The signing of Colombian Jorge Carrascal was made official by Flamengo this Monday (04), marking the end of a negotiation that dragged on for weeks. The 26-year-old midfielder was presented at Ninho do Urubu with the traditional delivery of the red-black shirt , ending a process that required management skills and strong legal action.


Led by technical director José Boto , the operation's main challenge was the bureaucratic procedures involving Dynamo Moscow, the player's former club. The director emphasized that the impasse was not related to the player's wishes or the agreement with the Rio de Janeiro club, but rather to measures to ensure that Flamengo would not suffer future financial or contractual losses.


" Finally introducing Jorge, after a long period that had nothing to do with negotiations. It had to do with a way to make the operation clear, so that Flamengo wouldn't pay a single euro more and wouldn't have any problems in the end," said Boto.


CARRASCAL SHOWED INTEREST

According to José Boto, Carrascal always expressed a desire to wear the red-and-black jersey , which facilitated the initial agreement. However, the negotiation became more difficult as it involved three clubs and depended on delicate legal and financial arrangements.


"It has nothing to do with him; it was easy for us to reach an agreement. Afterwards, it was difficult to work on it because it was a complicated operation , involving two other clubs. I'm grateful for his patience and the effort he put in to be here," said the technical director.

LEGAL DEPARTMENT TAKES ACTION

In a relieved mood, Boto celebrated the reinforcement's arrival. Carrascal received the number 15 jersey and posed for photos as a new player in the main squad. " I want to say that everything was done, as I said, so that Flamengo wouldn't have to pay a single euro more . Bap knows all about these things, obviously, just as he knows everything that goes on here. I'm very happy that he [Carrascal] is here."




Soccer

Former Flamengo player close to buying SAF from Rio de Janeiro team

Amid serious financial difficulties, the club from the North Zone of Rio begins a new phase with the sale of SAF to a consortium led by big names

Olaria sells SAF to a consortium with Marcos Braz, L7nnon and Ric's aiming at financial and sporting restructuring of the club - photo: reproduction
Olaria sells SAF to a consortium with Marcos Braz, L7nnon and Ric's aiming at financial and sporting restructuring of the club - photo: reproduction

05 Ago 2025 | 13:00 |

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On the night of last Monday (04), the members of Olaria Atlético Clube approved the sale of their Sociedade Anônima do Futebol (SAF) to a consortium that promises to transform the scenario of the traditional Rio de Janeiro club. The group is formed by rapper L7nnon, former Flamengo director Marcos Braz , and the sports marketing company Ric's, which had been managing the club's football since 2020.


The move represents an attempt at a definitive restructuring for the club from Rio de Janeiro's North Zone, which has faced serious financial and administrative problems for years. The SAF was authorized weeks ago, paving the way for the entry of investors and a complete overhaul of the team's sporting and structural management.


MOMENT IS CONSIDERED DECISIVE


Olaria president André Luiz "Batata" celebrated the proposal's approval, highlighting the importance of the new management model for the team's future: "This represents a way out of the crisis and an opportunity to rebuild the club. Having investors is essential to turning the situation around," he stated.

The new SAF will be managed by a consortium composed of DTS Serviços Integrados de Telecomunicações, which has Marcos Braz among its partners, DLA Investments, linked to the artist L7nnon, and Ric's, led by Ricardo Gonzaga. The latter also highlighted the limitations faced so far: " There are always too many liens and I can't manage them fairly. With SAF, things can flow more efficiently," he stated.


RAPPER L7NNON AND MARCOS BRAZ

Since Ric's took over the football department, Olaria has shown significant improvement on the field, jumping from Série B1 to Série A2 of the Campeonato Carioca. The club currently finds itself in the semifinals of the state's Second Division after a surprising run.


Soccer

Flamengo will have important reinforcements to face Atlético-MG, in the Copa do Brasil

After losing the first leg, the Rio de Janeiro team receives the return of Cebolinha and Michael and could have an unprecedented attack in its quest for a place in the Copa do Brasil.

Filipe Luís prepares Mengão with reinforcements and a new attacking trio to seek qualification in the Copa do Brasil against Atlético-MG - photo: reproduction
Filipe Luís prepares Mengão with reinforcements and a new attacking trio to seek qualification in the Copa do Brasil against Atlético-MG - photo: reproduction

05 Ago 2025 | 11:56 |

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Flamengo continues to work with full focus on the decisive clash against Atlético-MG , valid for the second leg of the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. The duel is scheduled for this Wednesday (06), at 7 pm, at Arena MRV . After the 1-0 defeat at Maracanã, Mais Querido needs to win to stay alive in the dispute for the national title.


Coach Filipe Luís will have two important players back: Everton Cebolinha and Michael. Both participated normally in the activities held last Monday (04), at CT Ninho do Urubu, and are options in the squad for the decision.


CEBOLINHA AND MICHAEL TRAIN


Everton Cebolinha, number 11, hasn't played since the 1-0 win over Fluminense on July 20. He was named in the Brasileirão match against Atlético-MG , but wasn't called up. Michael has been absent since June 24, when he played in the 1-1 draw with Los Angeles FC in the Club World Cup playoffs.

UNPRECEDENTED ATTACK AND POSSIBILITY OF CHANGE


Flamengo 's likely starting lineup for the game is: Rossi; Varela, Léo Pereira, Léo Ortiz, and Viña; Allan (Saúl), Jorginho, Arrascaeta; Luiz Araújo, Samuel Lino, and Pedro (Bruno Henrique). The lineup may undergo adjustments before the match, but it indicates a clear attacking approach.

For the first time, Luiz Araújo, Samu Lino, and Pedro are expected to form Flamengo's attacking trio , representing an attempt to surprise the Minas Gerais defense with a new attacking dynamic. The presence of Bruno Henrique as an option also expands the tactical possibilities.


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