Soccer

CHECK THE CURRENT SITUATION OF FLUMINENSE, BEFORE ENTERING THE FIELD AGAINST FLAMENGO

Understand how Tricolor reached the bottom of the Brazilian Championship, as well as the absences that will not be in the game

Fernando Diniz, Fluminense coach / MAURO PIMENTEL

22 Jun 2024 | 15:18 |

Flamengo had little time to celebrate the victory over Bahia and now needs to focus on the classic against Fluminense, this Sunday (23), at Maracanã, at 4pm, for the 11th round of the Brasileirão. Leader, Mengão arrives with high morale due to the positive results with a missing team, they want an advantage at the top and still have the chance to sink their rival even further into the bottom.

Flamengo leads the Brasileirão with 21 points, while Fluminense is experiencing a crisis. The team could open up a three to four point lead if Botafogo and Palmeiras stumble, tied with 20 points in second place. Fluminense is going through a major crisis and has just six points in last place. Fernando Diniz's team has just one win, three draws and six defeats in the competition. There have been 10 goals scored and 18 conceded so far, which represents an average of one goal scored and 1.8 goals conceded per game. No wonder the coach is under greater pressure since taking over the team in 2022.

The only victory came in the third round in the classic against Vasco. Therefore, they are from the fourth to the 10th round without winning, with four defeats and three draws. Of these four setbacks, three were in sequence in the last rounds: 1-0 for Botafogo, 2-1 for Atlético-GO and 2-0 for Cruzeiro.

If in 2023 he managed to win football to become champion of the Libertadores, Fluminense's 2024 on the field is the opposite. The team still tries to emulate the ideas of ball possession, approach and short passes from Fernando Diniz's defense, but the much lower performance increases the tone of criticism and demands for changes.

The coach, on the other hand , guarantees that the debate was part of his entire career as a coach and will not change at this moment. A scenario that makes Flamengo very favorite for the game and could make the rival's crisis, which already seems big, go to an even greater level. A defeat to Mengão, depending on how it plays out on the field, and a possible three-point disadvantage in the bottom position would certainly increase the pressure.

Fluminense's player numbers explain the team's very bad year. The top scorer is midfielder Jhon Arias, who has seven goals and is missing from the Copa América. Second top scorer is Lelê, who is injured and hasn't played since the beginning of April. This leaves Cano and John Kennedy fighting for the title and trying to take over as a goalscorer in this turbulent time. The phase of both is not good, but the red and black defense needs to pay attention. One of the two will probably start playing, or maybe even both, and the offensive plays will certainly be aimed at the athletes.

Germán Cano scored five goals in 2024, while John Kennedy has four. But it is worth highlighting that the Argentine played 2,004 minutes and the 22-year-old striker less than half: 846. On the other hand, the young man did not score in the Brasileirão.

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Rossi preaches focus on Flamengo despite dreaming of playing for the Argentine national team

The goalkeeper doesn't deny that reaching the current world champion is a goal, but says it's necessary to keep his head in his work at Mengão

Rossi doesn't deny his dream of wearing the Argentine national team shirt, but he urges focus on Flamengo - Photo: Adriano Fontes/Flamengo

16 Set 2025 | 22:00 |

In a press conference at Ninho do Urubu, goalkeeper Agustín Rossi spoke about his desire to be called up to the Argentina national team , the current world champion. Despite his dream, the goalkeeper made it clear that his priority remains Flamengo.

Rossi on his dream of joining the Argentine national team: "My job is for Flamengo"

"Obviously, I've always wanted to be called up. I think Brazilian football is very strong, not only in South America, but worldwide as well. In the last call-up, there were players from here. But I'm not thinking about that right now . I think that if I do my job well, that call-up could come," Rossi stated.

TOTAL FOCUS ON FLAMENGO

The Argentine stressed that he keeps his feet on the ground and that his main goal is to continue showing consistency for the Rubro-Negro , who have the best defense in the Brasileirão, conceding only 10 goals in 22 games. At Maracanã, the Mais Querido conceded only three goals.

"I'm in no rush, because my job is for Flamengo , day to day, game to game. My biggest focus is to maintain this streak so that the call-up can come. Of course I have that desire, but I don't treat it as a requirement . I'm Flamengo's goalkeeper, I'm responsible for Flamengo. If the call-up comes, I'll welcome it," he added.

INCOME AND TITLES WITH THE MANTLE

Since joining Flamengo in 2023, Rossi has already won four titles. Last season, he was a key player in the undefeated Carioca Championship and also played in the Copa do Brasil victory. In 2025, he maintained his starting spot in the Supercopa do Brasil and the Campeonato Estadual . In total, he has represented Flamengo in 125 official matches, establishing himself as a pillar of the team.

CHECK THE CURRENT SITUATION OF FLUMINENSE, BEFORE ENTERING THE FIELD AGAINST FLAMENGO