SLEEP LEADER! FLAMENGO LEADS THE BRAZILIAN TABLE AND COULD BE EXCEEDED TODAY, CHECK OUT THE GAMES

The attacking midfielder, who wears the number 7 shirt for the black and white team, felt pain in his thigh and did not participate in the last training session before the match. The information was initially released by journalist Venê Casagrande and confirmed by the club later. Artur is Botafogo's leader in assists in 2025, with four assists, and has been on the rise in recent matches.

Against Estudiantes, in the South American, he scored for the third time this year. In his last two appearances, he scored two goals and provided two assists, being a key player in the offensive sector. Without being able to count on the player, coach Renato Paiva indicated in training that the option will be a more cautious Botafogo . The chosen one for the position should be Allan, a defensive midfielder by trade, which changes the team's profile to a more reactive model at Maracanã.

DEAREST CAN USE THE OPPORTUNITY

Artur 's absence adds to other important absences in the black and white squad. Full-back Barboza, midfielder Savarino and forwards Matheus Martins and Mastriani are also out of the match. Botafogo's likely starting lineup, with these absences, is: John; Vitinho, Jair, David Ricardo and Alex Telles; Gregore, Marlon Freitas and Allan; Rwan Cruz, Igor Jesus and Cuiabano.

FLAMENGO COMES WITH FULL STRENGTH

On the other side, Flamengo arrives under pressure due to the need to maintain a direct fight with Palmeiras for the top of the table. Even after the exhaustion of the match against LDU in the Libertadores, the tendency is for Filipe Luís to bring his best to the field. The likely red-and-black team for the classic is: Rossi; Wesley, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira (Danilo) and Alex Sandro; Evertton Araújo, De La Cruz and Arrascaeta; Luiz Araújo, Michael and Bruno Henrique (Pedro).

Artur's absence represents a loss of technical ability and mobility in Botafogo's midfield. He had been the team's most active player in the final third of the field, especially on the right. His ability to accelerate and pass between the lines was seen as a direct threat to Flamengo's defense.

Rodinei started the final and was directly involved in the scoring, providing an assist in the 2-0 victory over OFI Crete, in a match that sealed the end of a five-year drought for the club in the national competition. Winning the Greek Cup crowned a dominant season for Olympiacos in the local scene. With the trophy, the team completed the national double, having secured the Greek Championship title with three rounds to spare.

With goals from El Kaabi and Yaremchuk in the final, Olympiacos won the 29th Greek Cup in its history, extending its local dominance and rewarding the consistency of a team that has regained its leading role in the country . Rodinei is one of the team's technical and moral leaders. The Brazilian has now played 117 games for Olympiacos, scoring seven goals and providing 22 assists. These are impressive numbers for a full-back and explain his growing identification with the club.

A STANDOUT SEASON

In the 2023/24 season alone, Rodinei has already scored four goals and scored 13 assists, making him one of the most productive players in the Greek league, especially in his position . With the title, Rodinei equals the feat of Rafinha, another former Flamengo full-back, who also won the Greek double with Olympiacos in the 2019/20 season. Both are now in the select group of Brazilian champions there.

Despite being the biggest winner of the Greek Cup, Olympiacos had not lifted the trophy since 2019. This Saturday's victory, therefore, has symbolic and historic value, especially as it ends the drought. Rodinei has a renewed contract with Olympiacos until 2027. The extension was signed in September 2024, reflecting the club's recognition of the player's performance, who remains a key player in the offensive system and also in the dressing room.

A THANK YOU TO THE MOST LOVED ONE

At 33 years old, the full-back is perhaps experiencing the best moment of his career. After much criticism in Brazilian football, especially in his final stretch at Flamengo , he turned things around and became an example of overcoming obstacles abroad. During his time at the Rio de Janeiro club, Rodinei became a Brazilian champion, a Libertadores champion and a Copa do Brasil champion. However, he oscillated between being a starter and constantly receiving criticism. Today, in Greece, the scenario is the opposite.

Luiz Araújo was the star of Flamengo's 2-0 victory over LDU last Thursday (15), which put the team ahead of the Ecuadorians in group C of the Libertadores. The striker assisted Léo Ortiz to open the scoring and scored the second goal of the match at Maracanã. In a moment of absences at Rubro-Negro, the number 7 emerged as the solution.

KEY PLAYER

Practically a 12th player at the end of last year, Luiz Araújo started the year with the status of a starter on the right wing. However, he saw his chances diminish: considering the Libertadores and Brasileirão , he started playing in only three of the 13 possible matches.

With Plata, Pulgar and Allan injured, the number 7 was given another chance to start against LDU and delivered. With the absences still in place and Gerson also unavailable due to suspension, the tendency is for Luiz to once again be named in the starting 11 for the derby against Botafogo.

COACH'S PRAISE

The guy who trains like him every day gets frustrated when he makes a mistake

In the press conference after the victory against the Ecuadorians, Filipe Luís praised the right winger . The coach praised the player's effort when he came off the bench against Bahia after just 10 minutes of play, replacing Allan due to injury.

"Luiz scores goals, provides assists, and creates danger near the box. Whenever I analyze an opponent, I don't hesitate to include Luiz. I said I was proud of him because after being out for a few games, he came on in the tenth minute and ran beautifully . Football gives back. A guy who trains like him every day gets frustrated when he makes a mistake. I know I can start with him or come on in the second half. I talk about the pitch and there are players who knock on the door."