FLAMENGO CAST WILL HAVE 5TH TRAINING THIS MONDAY WITH FOCUS ON THE MATCH AGAINST GRÊMIO

With the final stretch of the 2024 season approaching, Flamengo faces an important challenge after the injury to Pedro, who suffered a ruptured ligament in his left knee. The club's vice-president of football, Marcos Braz, stated in an interview with "Fla TV" that he will discuss with coach Tite and his committee the possibility of seeking a new reinforcement to make up for the striker's absence.

The Flamengo see you next time Tuesday (stipulated deadline) to regularize any player who may play for the team this season. However, the options available are limited, as only athletes without a contract can be signed outside the transfer window. Braz highlighted the difficulties in finding suitable names on the market.

"The window is practically over, and the restrictions are enormous in making a signing at this time. After the window closes, it is only possible to sign players who were already without a contract before closing. This greatly reduces the options", explained the manager.

INTERNAL OPTIONS FOR THE POSITION

Despite speculation about possible hiring, Marcos Braz highlighted that The red and black squad already has alternatives for the position. Flamengo has, in addition to Gabigol, who must take responsibility in the attack, other players who can perform the role, such as Carlinhos and Bruno Henrique, who can also be improvised as a center forward.

"We have three players who can play in this position. Gabigol has always solved our problems, we have Carlinhos and Bruno Henrique, who can play the role of 9. We will analyze calmly until Tuesday and decide what is best for Flamengo", concluded Braz.

Pedro's injury was a hard blow for the team, not only because of the impact on performance on the field, but also because of what it means behind the scenes. With a deep and talented cast, Flamengo tends to maintain its competitive level even with absences, thanks to a full bench. However, Pedro's departure raises the question of how the club will fill this gap.

Rumors about possible international reinforcements began to circulate quickly, with names like Memphis Depay, Martial and Mariano Díaz gaining prominence in the press. However, Flamengo's board is taking a cautious approach. According to information from UOL, two main factors are guiding the club's strategy: the performance of the players already available and the budget situation.

 A SCENARIO YOU CAN FORGET IN YOUR MOST DEAR 

Firstly, Flamengo is evaluating the ability of its current players to cover Pedro's absence. Among the possible replacements, Gabigol, Bruno Henrique and Carlinhos are mentioned as viable options. These players have a history of good performance and familiarity with the style of play Flamengo, which could facilitate adaptation and minimize the impact of Pedro's injury.

In addition, the club's financial situation is a crucial point in the decision. With more than R$329 million invested in recent signings, Flamengo has already committed a significant part of its budget. This amount is just a little below the R$360.9 million spent in 2019, when President Rodolfo Landim made large investments. The high financial burden of previous signings implies a more restrictive management of available resources.

Flamengo's board also faces difficulties in relation to the sale of players, which further impacts the budget. Negotiations for transfers of Wesley and Fabrício Bruno did not progress as expected, resulting in a lower than desired performance in player sales. This limits the club's ability to invest in new reinforcements, especially in a competitive market.

Pedro is standing out in the 2024 Brazilian Championship as the player with the highest number of direct participation in goals. With 11 goals scored and 5 assists distributed, he leads the ranking of offensive contributions in the competition, totaling 16 decisive actions for Flamengo so far. This performance reaffirms Pedro's crucial role in the red-black team's attack, highlighting his efficiency both in finishing and in constructing plays.

Just behind Pedro, in second place, appears Estêvão, another highlight of the team. championship. The player, who has accumulated 15 direct participations in goals, with 8 goals scored and 7 assists, has been one of the main people responsible for boosting his team's offensive sector. Estêvão's versatility, capable of finishing with precision and also serving his teammates with decisive passes, places him as one of the most complete players in the competition.

FLAMENGO HAS A GUNNER AND WAITER

In third place, Matheus Pereira appears with 11 direct contributions, 6 goals and 5 assists. Just like Pedro and Estêvão, Matheus Pereira has been a fundamental player for his team, adding value both in creating and finishing plays. His ability to position himself strategically on the field has made it easier to score goals and create opportunities for his teammates.

Pedro, with his leadership in the ranking of goals and assists, stands out not only for his statistics, but also for the impact that his actions have on Flamengo's results. Pedro's ability to finish plays with precision is evident, but his understanding of the game goes beyond numbers, contributing significantly to the team's overall performance. Each of his 16 direct goal contributions was decisive in key moments of the championship, and their importance goes far beyond what the numbers might suggest.
Estêvão, despite being slightly behind Pedro in terms of total participation, shows an excellent combination of offensive skills. With 8 goals and 7 assists, Estêvão not only knows how to finish plays, but also understands the right moment to make the pass that will result in a goal. This demonstrates a keen vision of the game and an ability to adapt to what the match requires, whether to score or create.