Flamengo's newcomer causes controversy upon arrival at Sporting - Understand

Conmebol has defined the refereeing for the match between Flamengo and Internacional , valid for the first leg of the round of 16 of the 2025 Copa Libertadores da América. The match will take place on August 13th, at Maracanã, and will be officiated by an all-Argentine team.

The referee will be Dario Herrera, an experienced and respected figure in South American football . Accustomed to officiating high-level, high-pressure matches, Herrera will be responsible for overseeing a match that promises to be intense and technically skilled. The assistant referees will also be Argentine: Gabriel Chade and Facundo Rodríguez. Hernán Mastrángelo will be in charge of VAR, maintaining the uniformity of the refereeing team.

The selection of an all-Argentine team reflects CONMEBOL's efforts to ensure impartiality, consistency, and neutrality , especially considering this is a matchup between two Brazilian clubs with a long history in the competition. Flamengo and Internacional have already played remarkable matches in the Copa Libertadores—constantly evenly matched and packed with excitement.

LIBERTADORES RETROSPECT

Flamengo and Internacional met for the first time in the Copa Libertadores in 2019, also in the round of 16. In the first leg, played at Maracanã on August 21, Flamengo won 2-0, with Bruno Henrique scoring both goals and leading a strong collective performance.

In the return leg, at Beira-Rio, Internacional took the lead with a goal from Rodrigo Lindoso, but Gabigol scored the equalizer, making it 1-1 and securing Flamengo's qualification with an aggregate score of 3-1. That match was part of the historic campaign that culminated in the second Libertadores title, ending a 38-year drought for the Rio de Janeiro club in the competition.

EXPECTATION FOR THE CONFRONTATION

A full house is expected at Maracanã, with the red-and-black fans supporting from the first minute . On the other hand, Internacional arrives motivated, looking for a positive result away from home to decide the spot in Porto Alegre the following week.

Eliminated by Atlético-MG in the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil , Flamengo now focuses its attention on the Brazilian Championship, considered the main priority of the season . The fall happened last Wednesday (06), after a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat at Arena MRV, despite winning 1-0 in normal time.

With no time to regret, the red-black squad will return to Ninho do Urubu this Thursday (07) and train at 3:30 pm , already looking ahead to the match against Mirassol, scheduled for Saturday (09), at 6:30 pm, at Maracanã, for the 19th round of the Brasileirão. The preparation will be short: the group will have only two training sessions — Thursday and Friday — before returning to the field.

HOW WAS THE ELIMINATION?

Flamengo overturned the score from the first leg in the first half, with a goal from Everton Cebolinha, and beat Atlético-MG 1-0. However, as the aggregate score ended in a draw (1-1), the decision went to penalties .

In the dispute, Rossi saved Júnior Alonso's shot , but Atlético wasted two chances: Samuel Lino stopped Everson and Wallace Yan sent it over . With that, Atlético secured their place in the quarterfinals.

WHAT'S AHEAD?

Now, Flamengo returns to the field on Saturday against Mirassol , seeking to maintain its lead in the Brazilian Championship. The match will be broadcast live on Premiere (pay-per-view), starting at 6:30 pm (Brasília time).

After Flamengo's elimination to Atlético-MG in the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil, coach Filipe Luís sought to shift focus and reinforce the team's commitment to the rest of the season. Flamengo won the second leg 1-0, with a goal from Everton Cebolinha, but was eliminated 4-3 on penalties at Arena MRV .

Filipe Luís after elimination from the Copa do Brasil: "Our obligation is to give our lives for the Flamengo shield"

In the press conference after the match, Filipe dismissed the idea that winning the Brazilian Championship and the Libertadores had become "obligations" after the setback in the national tournament: “Our obligation is to give our lives for the Flamengo shield, to work and to put Flamengo as a priority ”, declared the coach.

BET ON A COMPETITIVE CAST

Even without using the term "obligation," Filipe made it clear that the club's ambition remains high. The coach highlighted the strength of the group and assured that the team will continue to fight for titles until the end of the year . Flamengo is leading the Brasileirão and is in the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil.

"The qualified squad gives me the ability to fight for the title, and you can be sure they will fight until the end. I have faith in these players; I trust them with my life. We're going to have a great season from now on ," the coach stated.

POST-BRAZIL WORLD CUP PATH

With the dream of a sixth Copa do Brasil title over, Flamengo now focuses its attention on the Brasileirão, where it leads the table, and the Libertadores , in search of its fourth continental title. The next match will be on Saturday (09), against Mirassol, at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the 19th round of the Brazilian Championship. On Wednesday (13), the team returns to the field for the Libertadores, against Internacional, also at Maracanã, at 9:30 pm, for the first leg of the round of 16.