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

Fortaleza finished this Saturday (31) the preparation for the duel against Flamengo , scheduled for Sunday (1st), at 6:30 pm, at Maracanã, for the 11th round of the Brazilian Championship . The last activity of the cast was carried out at CT Carlos José Castilho, of Fluminense, in Rio de Janeiro.

The Tricolor do Pici technical committee has added two new defensive midfielders to the main group : Rodrigo , recently signed from Maringá, and Lucas Emanoel , a standout player on the U-20 team. Rodrigo was already training at CT Alcides Santos and was called to join the delegation. Lucas, in turn, was in Rio for the game against Botafogo in the U-20 Brasileirão and was added to the professional squad.

WHO'S WHO: RODRIGO AND LUCAS EMANOEL

Rodrigo was acquired in April for R$4 million , with Fortaleza buying 60% of his rights. At 24 years old, the defensive midfielder is seen as a modern midfielder , with physical strength and good attacking ability. Born in Vitória da Conquista (BA), he was trained in the youth ranks of Bahia and played in the last Série B for Avaí.

“A modern midfielder, who has strong characteristics, with the ability to score and get into attack . A 24-year-old player, adding youth to the squad, with a great desire to play for Fortaleza , in Série A and Libertadores”, said Marcelo Paz, CEO of the club's SAF.

Lucas Emanoel is a starting defensive midfielder for the U-20s and has a contract with Leão until January 2027. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he joined the club in 2023 for the U-17 team and has already been the Ceará champion in the category. He made his professional debut in this year's Taça Fares Lopes and stands out for his quality in passing the ball.

DECISIVE GAME AT MARACANÃ

Fortaleza is in 16th place in the table, with 10 points, and is looking to move away from the relegation zone . Flamengo is in third place with 20 points and could take the lead if they win and Palmeiras slip up .

On the evening of this past Saturday (31), the 11th round of the Brasileirão began with two matches. Thus, in a match played at São Januário, Bragantino beat Vasco by a score of 2-0, ending the day as the leader of the competition. Bahia beat São Paulo by 2-1 and took fifth place, three points behind Flamengo.

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Happy with their qualification for the play-offs in the South American Cup, Vasco fans went to São Januário in droves. However, their joy was short-lived. Bragantino opened the scoring in the 32nd minute of the first half, with Guilherme Lopes. Soon after, Isidro Pitta extended the lead in the 34th minute, giving the São Paulo team a 2-0 win.

At Arena Fonte Nova, Bahia hosted São Paulo and Willian José, a former player for the São Paulo team, scored both goals in the Bahian team's triumph, one in the eighth minute and the other in the 28th minute. In the final stretch, Luciano scored for the Morumbi club, making the score 2-1 Bahia.

AND FLAMENGO?

Seeking to regain the lead in the Brasileirão, Flamengo is forced to beat Fortaleza this Sunday (1). In addition, Mais Querido will have to hope for a stumble by Palmeiras, who face Cruzeiro, at Mineirão, at 7:30 pm.

Flamengo and Fortaleza will face each other this Sunday (1), at 6:30 pm, at Maracanã, in a match for the leadership of the Mais Querido. The game will be broadcast only on Premiere, pay-per-view.

Having qualified for the round of 16 of the Libertadores , Flamengo turns its attention to the Brasileirão this Sunday (1st), at 6:30 pm, against Fortaleza , at Maracanã. Second in the competition with 20 points, Rubro-Negro can take the lead in the 11th round, as long as it wins its game and Palmeiras stumbles against Cruzeiro , at Mineirão.

DEFAULTS AND RETURNS

Coach Filipe Luís is still without Erick Pulgar and De La Cruz , both undergoing treatment for injuries — the Chilean with a thigh problem, and the Uruguayan with a knee problem. On the other hand, Wesley returns after serving an automatic suspension in the last round. Matías Viña , in the final stages of recovery, remains doubtful.

Another important absence is Gonzalo Plata . The striker, who suffered from bone edema, was involved in a controversy with the Ecuadorian Federation , accused by Flamengo of rushing the player's treatment irresponsibly, even with reports from the club recommending caution. Plata remains out.

PROBABLE LINEUP

With the confirmed absences, the likely red-black formation of coach Filipe Luís has: Rossi; Wesley, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro; Evertton Araújo (Allan), Gerson and Arrascaeta; Luiz Araújo, Everton Cebolinha (Michael) and Pedro (Bruno Henrique).

Pedro is still making a gradual return after being out for seven months due to injury, and could start on the bench, with Bruno Henrique as an option. The number 9 played against LDU and has not been used in two consecutive matches during his recovery.

TABLE SITUATION

Flamengo enters the field in third place, with 20 points. Fortaleza, in a difficult moment, appears in 16th place , with 10 points - just one above the relegation zone. If Mengão wins and Palmeiras stumbles against Cruzeiro , the Mais Querido could return to the top of the Brasileirão.