It took a while but it was signed! Flamengo makes major hire for Bap management official

Once again, Flamengo fans packed the Maracanã. Last Sunday (31), 64.4 thousand paying spectators, 69.4 thousand people in total, watched the 1-1 draw with Grêmio , in the 22nd round of the Brasileirão. Driven by the historic 8-0 victory over Vitória, the Nation created great expectations for the duel, especially with the return of Torcida Jovem Fla to the stadium.

Filipe Luís makes a request to Flamengo fans: "We ask you to come and support us"

After the match, coach Filipe Luís emphasized that support needs to go beyond excitement and that the fans' presence will be essential during the season's most difficult moments: " It's important that the Maracanã is always packed, that the fans understand we need them . That the fans push us along because this Brazilian Championship won't be easy. After a rout, and a loss as well, there's a tremendous sense of euphoria," the coach began.

"But it's important for fans to know that when they come to Maracanã, we ask them to come and support us, not just wait for another rout. We need our fans until the end; I'm sure they'll make a difference with their return (Torcida Jovem Fla)," said Filipe Luís.

RECORD ATTENDANCE

With over 69,000 in attendance, Flamengo broke its own attendance record in Brazilian football in 2025. On the field, the team controlled possession and created chances, opening the scoring with Arrascaeta. However, they ultimately conceded the equalizer after Ayrton Lucas conceded a penalty in the second half.

NEXT COMMITMENTS

Flamengo will now be away from Maracanã for more than two weeks due to the FIFA World Cup. The team returns to action on September 14th against Juventude at 4 pm at Alfredo Jaconi stadium, for the 23rd round of the Brasileirão.

The reunion with the Nation is scheduled for September 18th, at 9:30 pm, when Rubro-Negro receives Estudiantes (ARG) in the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals, with the return leg the following Wednesday (25), in La Plata, Argentina.

On Sunday (31), in a duel valid for the 22nd round of the Brasileirão Betano, Flamengo only managed a 1-1 draw with Grêmio in front of almost 70 thousand fans at Maracanã. Even with the stumble, Mais Querido remains in the lead, maintaining a three-point advantage over Cruzeiro , currently in second place.

Despite maintaining the top spot in the table, the result sparked outrage among players and management. The reason was the penalty awarded by Paulo Cesar Zanovelli after a handball by Ayrton Lucas, which led to the equalizer for the Tricolor Gaúcho, converted by goalkeeper Tiago Volpi . The dissatisfaction was so great that the club's leadership is preparing a formal protest to the Brazilian Football Confederation ( CBF ).

CBF POINTS TO ACCURATE MARKING

According to journalist Paulo Vinícius Coelho (PVC), the CBF believes Zanovelli's decision was correct. During an appearance on UOL Esporte's De Primeira program, the commentator revealed the organization's official position on the controversial move.

" For the CBF, there's no controversy. It was a penalty for Grêmio . For the CBF, there's no controversy. It was a penalty for Grêmio, and they're being awarded. The CBF's understanding of the rule is different from that of the refereeing commentators," said PVC.

FILIPE LUÍS CRITICIZES CRITERIA

After the match, Filipe Luís also commented on Paulo Cesar Zanovelli's performance. The experienced full-back believes the repeated errors are a concern and hinder the flow of matches. " What I'd like is for them to hand the game over to the referee and correct what he does , for him to watch the game and see what they do wrong. And mistakes are repeated, and the rules are not corrected," he stated.

The player also emphasized that the Rubro-Negro were superior to their opponents and that the draw only occurred due to the questionable play that led to Grêmio's goal. José Boto, director of the Rio de Janeiro club, also criticized the high number of fouls awarded, which, according to him, hindered Mengão's attacking style.

Flamengo ended up conceding a draw in the Brasileirão Betano when facing Grêmio last Sunday (31), with a score of 1 to 1. Arrascaeta scored for the home team, while Tiago Volpi scored the goal for the team from Rio Grande do Sul . The result interrupted the winning streak of the Rio de Janeiro team in the championship.

After the match, goalkeeper Tiago Volpi spoke about the importance of the result for Grêmio and the significance of his goal. " Of all the goals I've scored in my career, I think this one had a very special flavor. Because of the setting, the importance of the game, and the point we needed. The Maracanã against Flamengo brings back fond memories," said the goalkeeper.

Volpi celebrates goal against Flamengo: "It gives a more gratifying feeling"

Volpi also highlighted the emotion of scoring in front of a packed stadium: " Thank God I've always had good performances here, and today is another one that will stay with me , because of this whole setting. Because it was a game in front of a packed stadium, in a more iconic setting, for me in football, it gives me a more gratifying feeling and a great sense of happiness to have scored this goal today."

HOW WAS THE GAME?

Flamengo dominated much of the match and opened the scoring eight minutes into the second half, with a one-two between Pedro and Arrascaeta, who finished for goal. The Rio de Janeiro team created opportunities to extend their lead, but conceded an equalizer in the 40th minute . After a Grêmio counterattack, the ball hit Ayrton Lucas's arm inside the box, and the referee awarded a penalty. Goalkeeper Thiago Volpi converted, making it 1-1.

SITUATION IN THE TABLE

With the result, Flamengo reached 47 points and maintained its sole lead in the Brasileirão . Cruzeiro is second with 44, followed by Palmeiras with 42. Grêmio is in 12th place with 25 points. The Mais Querido will now return to action on September 14th, when it travels to Caxias do Sul to face Juventude.