IN A TRUNCATED GAME, FLAMENGO BEATS ATLÉTICO-GO AT LIGHTS OUT

This Saturday (05), at 5 pm (Brasília time), Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund will star in one of the most anticipated games of the Club World Cup. The match will be held at MetLife Stadium, in New Jersey, in the United States , and brings together two European football powers in search of a place in the semifinals of the tournament.

Under the command of Xabi Alonso , the Spanish team arrives in high spirits after eliminating Juventus in the round of 16. On the other side, the German team, coached by Niko Kovac, advanced by beating Monterrey, from Mexico. Expectations for the match are high, with attention focused on the different styles of play and the performance of the main players in each squad.

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REAL MADRID ARRIVES WITH EXPERIENCE

Real Madrid are banking on their international experience and a squad full of experienced players to secure qualification. Coach Xabi Alonso has adopted a balanced tactical approach , combining possession control with efficiency in attacking transitions.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND BRINGS YOUTH

Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, is counting on a young group, with players trained in its youth system and recent signings who add speed and intensity to the game. The victory over Monterrey highlighted the solidity of the game plan developed by Niko Kovac, who has stood out for his ability to reorganize teams and get the best out of the available squads.

HOW TO WATCH REAL MADRID VS BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Football fans will be able to watch the match on several channels and platforms. TV Globo will broadcast the match on free-to-air TV, while SporTV will broadcast it on subscription channels. For those who prefer to watch online, the game will be available on the streaming platforms Globoplay, DAZN and on YouTube, via the CazéTV channel.

The deal was concluded directly. Zenit, which had shown interest in strengthening its midfield, officially signed Gerson with full payment of the termination clause . The amount, 25 million euros (approximately R$146 million at the current exchange rate), was paid in cash, with no installments or pending payments.

This operation facilitated the immediate release of the athlete, who did not return to the squad on Friday. Rubro-Negro, in turn, issued a statement confirming the transfer and thanking him for his services.

FLAMENGO WILL HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT LOSS

The midfielder has already scheduled a trip to Russia, where he will be officially presented as a Zenit reinforcement in the coming days . The Russian club sees Gerson as a key player to reinforce the midfield with a view to competing in European and domestic competitions. This will be Gerson's second experience in Europe since leaving Flamengo for the first time, in 2021, when he transferred to Olympique de Marseille.

EXIT THROUGH THE BACK DOORS

Unlike the first farewell, which included tributes on FlaTV and a positive atmosphere, the current departure was marked by coldness. According to an investigation by journalist Venê Casagrande, from “SBT Rio”, the player chose not to say goodbye to his teammates or the coaching staff . Internally, the episode was interpreted as a gesture of discontent with the club's current situation and with his own physical and technical condition, since Gerson had not been performing well and was even the target of criticism from the fans.

Since his return to Flamengo in 2023, Gerson has not been able to return to the high level of performances he had in 2019 and 2020. Between injuries and fluctuations, he lost his place in important moments of the season. The drop in performance, combined with strong competition in the midfield, fueled the player's desire to seek new horizons. Internal sources indicate that the player had been showing signs of fatigue and dissatisfaction with the environment. The early elimination from the Club World Cup was another factor that weighed on his decision to leave the club.

Negotiations involving Michael and Al-Duhail have gained momentum in recent days . According to journalist Mauro Sant'Ana, the Qatari club has formally proposed to the player's staff, who are positive about the possibility of returning to Middle Eastern football. Flamengo, in turn, was informed of the move and signaled that it will not block his exit.

The 29-year-old striker had been showing dissatisfaction with the lack of minutes under Filipe Luís, especially after the Club World Cup, where he had little participation. Michael's departure has been in the works since the beginning of the season. The player had already asked to leave the club at the beginning of 2025, but was eventually convinced to stay until the end of the first half of the year.

AN IMMINENT EXIT FOR THE STRIKER

The internal promise was that, in the middle of the year, the club would analyze possible proposals more openly. With the mid-year window underway and Al-Duhail's interest confirmed, the tendency is for the negotiation to move forward quickly. The red-black board understands that the time is right to release the player.

A CAST THAT IS DISMEMBERING

With a large offensive sector and the active search for two fast wingers on the market, the club considers the departure of Michael natural, who returned to Flamengo in August 2024 without any costs, after terminating his contract with Al-Hilal. In addition, the eventual transfer will allow to reduce the payroll and make space in the squad for reinforcements that better fit the profile desired by the coaching staff.

Even with Michael's possible departure, Flamengo remains active in the market in search of two wing attackers. The idea is to bring in names with dribbling ability and explosiveness in tight spaces, characteristics that the coaching staff considers essential for the current game model. Recently, the club made inquiries for Michael Johnston, a 25-year-old Irish striker , in addition to monitoring South American players who could arrive on loan with an option to buy.