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Having enjoyed a strong season, Flamengo remains firmly in contention for the major titles of 2025: the Brazilian Championship, in which it is currently leading, and the Copa Libertadores, in which it has already qualified for the quarterfinals . After the victory over Internacional, which secured a spot in the continental competition, former player and current presenter Neto was full of praise for the Flamengo squad and was emphatic in his projections for the team's future.

Neto on Flamengo's current form: "It's almost impossible for anyone to beat Flamengo"

"What Arrascaeta, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, what Gonzalo Plata played... Flamengo is a team that's unmatched in Brazilian football. And then there's Everton Cebolinha, Pedro, Luiz Araújo... it's absurd ," Neto said during the program Os Donos da Bola.

The commentator also emphasized that, in his view, Flamengo is the clear favorite both nationally and on the continent: "From what I understand about football, it's unlikely they won't win the Libertadores and the Brasileirão . They'll swim in the Libertadores and will be in the final. They're far ahead of the other 19 teams in Serie A. It's incredible; it's almost impossible for anyone to beat Flamengo," he concluded.

FLAMENGO SITUATION

In the Brasileirão, Flamengo has 43 points, with one game less than second-placed Cruzeiro, and takes to the field this Monday (25) against Vitória. In the Libertadores, Filipe Luís' team faces Estudiantes (ARG) in the quarterfinals.

NEXT CHALLENGE

Looking to stay at the top of the Brazilian Championship table, Flamengo returns to the field this Monday (25) . At Maracanã, the team faces Vitória, at 9 pm (Brasília time), in a duel valid for the 21st round.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced last Saturday (23) adjustments to the national calendar , a decision that generated strong repercussions. While Flamengo expressed dissatisfaction, Palmeiras released an official statement this Sunday (24) supporting the changes proposed by the entity.

According to journalist Danilo Lavieri, the São Paulo club declared that it understood and respected the changes determined by the CBF , adopting a stance opposite to that of Rubro-Negro, which criticized the changes to the schedule.

WHAT HAS CHANGED?

The CBF has decided to move up the final round of the Brazilian Championship: previously scheduled for December 21, it will now be played on December 7. As a result, the semifinals and finals of the Copa do Brasil have been rescheduled for December 10, 14, 17, and 21. There is also the possibility that the first leg of the final stage will be played on November 26.

WHY DID FLAMENGO COMPLAIN?

Flamengo argues that the changes reduce the number of weeks off for training. Before the change, the team would have five weeks without official matches due to its early elimination from the Copa do Brasil . Now, with the new calendar, the club will have only one week off for preparation until the end of the season.

NEXT GAME

While the directors finalize an official note about the change in the calendar, Flamengo takes to the field this Monday (25) at 9 pm (Brasília time) , when it receives Vitória at Maracanã for the 21st round of the Brasileirão. Mengão is the leader of the competition with 43 points, while Leão opens the relegation zone with 19.

The current coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers (ENG), Portuguese Vítor Pereira, previously managed Corinthians and Flamengo in Brazil. Despite a strong campaign with the São Paulo club, the coach failed to win over the red-and-black fans and ended up having a stint marked by criticism . In an interview with ESPN, the coach spoke about his experience in the country.

Vítor Pereira on his time at Flamengo and in Brazil: "If I had a crystal ball to know the future"

"(My time in Brazil was) a life experience. We're always changing. If I had a crystal ball to predict the future, I would change something in my life. I made the decisions I felt I had to do, the decisions I had to make, " said Vítor Pereira.

He then added: "And they're part of life and our growth. I think we grow a lot in the moments when we're under pressure, when we suffer. I've had beautiful moments in Brazil and moments of suffering . It's part of football," the coach concluded.

A BRIEF SPENT AT FLAMENGO

Vítor Pereira arrived at Flamengo at the beginning of 2023, after the board, then chaired by Rodolfo Landim, opted to leave Dorival Júnior , coach who won the Libertadores and the Copa do Brasil in 2022. In charge of Rubro-Negro, Pereira lasted only three months.

In 18 matches, they recorded 10 wins, seven losses, and one draw, but suffered setbacks in every competition they competed in. Flamengo finished runner-up in the Carioca (losing to Fluminense), the Brazilian Super Cup (Atlético-MG), and the South American Recopa (Independiente del Valle) , as well as finishing third in the Club World Cup.

FLAMENGO TODAY

Now under the command of Filipe Luís, Flamengo is preparing for another challenge in the 2025 Brasileirão . This Monday (25), the team faces Vitória, at 9 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, in a duel valid for the 21st round.