EYE ON THE RIVAL! FLAMENGO'S NEXT OPPONENT IN THE BRASILEIRÃO, VASCO LOSES PLAYER

Bahia's 2-1 defeat to Cruzeiro last Monday (15) represented not only the Celeste's turnaround at Fonte Nova, but also the end of a taboo. This is because the Bahian team was undefeated as home team in the Brasileirão. Now, only Flamengo and Mirassol remain unbeaten at home in this edition of the competition .

Bahia opened the scoring with a beautiful strike from Flamengo product Jean Lucas, but Cruzeiro responded with goals from Sinisterra and Gabigol. The result marked the Tricolor's first home defeat after a ten-game unbeaten run .

FLAMENGO DEFENDS ITS STRENGTH AT MARACANÃ

With Bahia's relegation, Flamengo now carries the exclusive title alongside Mirassol. The league leader, Flamengo, has played 12 home games, winning nine and drawing three . Their last loss at Maracanã came on July 31st, to Atlético-MG, in the Copa do Brasil. On that occasion, the Rio de Janeiro team was superior but was ultimately punished for a mistake in the clearance.

MIRASSOL SURPRISES

Mirassol , a major surprise in the 2025 Brasileirão, also remains undefeated at home. They've played 10 games, winning six and drawing four , demonstrating that the interior of São Paulo has become one of the most difficult places to earn points.

FLAMENGO GAMES AT MARACANÃ FOR THE 2025 BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

• Flamengo 1x1 Internacional (1st round)
• Flamengo 6x0 Juventude (4th round)
• Flamengo 4x0 Corinthians (6th round)
• Flamengo 1x0 Bahia (8th round)
• Flamengo 0x0 Botafogo (9th round)
• Flamengo 5x0 Fortaleza (11th round)
• Flamengo 2x0 Sao Paulo (13th round)
• Flamengo 1x0 Fluminense (15th round)
• Flamengo 1x0 Atlético-MG (17th round)
• Flamengo 2x1 Mirassol (19th round)
• Flamengo 8x0 Vitória (21st round)
• Flamengo 1x1 Grêmio (22nd round)

NEXT CHALLENGE

Flamengo's next match will also be at home, but for the Copa Libertadores. Rubro-Negro faces Estudiantes (ARG) this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the first leg of the quarterfinals.

Even with a contract valid until December 2026, Flamengo intends to start in the next few days Negotiations to renew Arrascaeta's contract are underway. In an interview with "UOL Esporte," director José Boto revealed that he will contact the player's representatives for a "more serious conversation" about extending his contract, following initial contact in the first half of the year.

Traditionally, under president Luiz Eduardo Baptista, the football department, led by José Boto, prioritizes agreements with players in the final year of their contracts . This isn't the case with Arrascaeta, but the Portuguese director explained that the early negotiation is a "reward" for the midfielder's performance and commitment to the club.

Boto praises Arrascaeta's moment at Flamengo: "He's an example"

"Arrascaeta has another year on his contract. The president always advocates, and I agree, that workers who dedicate a lot to Flamengo should be recognized. Right now, Arrascaeta is having his best season for the club and is an example of dedication . He invests time and effort to perform at a high level, and for that, he deserves this recognition," stated José Boto.

ARRASCAETA'S POSTURE AND PERFORMANCE

For Boto, the number 10 stands out not only on the field but also off it. "He's one of the first to arrive and one of the last to leave because of the work he does. That's the kind of player we want at Flamengo. When they have this attitude, players are rewarded . That's what will happen with Arrascaeta, probably with a renewal before the due date," the director added.

FLAMENGO HAS ALREADY RENEWED WITH OTHER NAMES

In recent months, Flamengo has prioritized players with contracts that expire in December 2025. Cases like Erick Pulgar, who extended his contract until December 2028 , and Guillermo Varela, who extended his contract until December 2027 in August, reinforce this policy. The early negotiation with Arrascaeta, therefore, demonstrates the Uruguayan's importance to the squad.

A longtime Flamengo idol, Adriano Imperador made history in 2009 by leading the team to the Brazilian Championship title. However, after the successful season, the striker left the club to join Roma (ITA) in 2010. Today, the former player recognizes that the decision wasn't the best of his career.

Adriano on leaving Flamengo for Roma in 2010: "I think it was the wrong decision I made"

"I think it was a wrong decision I made, and it's not even about the money. I think I agreed to return to Rome more out of excitement than because it was something I really wanted ," Adriano said in an interview with Romário TV .

The Emperor also explained that he felt a kind of duty to Italian football: " Although I owed it to the Italian people , because when I left Inter I kind of left, I didn't give any explanations. It was something I felt I needed to do," he added.

ADRIANO'S TIME AT FLAMENGO

Revealed in Flamengo 's youth academy, Adriano made his professional debut in 2000 and transferred to Inter Milan in 2001. His return to Rubro-Negro took place in 2009, with a huge impact: decisive goals, idolatry and the national title.

In total, adding up both spells, the striker played 92 matches, scored 45 goals and won the 2009 Brasileirão and the 2001 Carioca , establishing himself as one of the greatest idols in the club's history and is still in the fans' imagination.

MENGÃO'S NEXT CHALLENGE

While Adriano now follows as a fan, Flamengo returns to the field this Thursday (18) to face Estudiantes (ARG) , at Maracanã, for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. The match will be broadcast by ESPN (pay TV) and Disney+ (streaming), starting at 9:30 pm (Brasília time).