FORMER FLAMENGO PLAYER AND CREATIVE OF THE NINHO ENTER THE SIGHTS OF ITALIAN GIANT

Peñarol is preparing intensively for the decisive clash against Flamengo in the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores. The Uruguayan club faces Miramar Misiones this Saturday (07), at the Centenário Stadium, in the 10th round of the Uruguayan Championship. The game will be a crucial opportunity for the team to adjust its rhythm and align its strategies before facing the Brazilian Rubro-Negro next Thursday (19), at Maracanã.

Peñarol coach, Alfredo Arias , confirmed that the team will enter the field with maximum strength against Miramar Misiones. The decision to select the main players reflects the importance of the duel for the team, which is preparing for the high-level international clash against Flamengo. Peñarol does not want to leave any room for mistakes, making the most of each match before the Libertadores semi-final.

The match against Miramar Misiones is an essential step for Peñarol. With the Uruguayan internal competition already quite fierce, the team needs to guarantee good results to remain competitive in the Uruguayan Championship. However, the match also serves as a final test for the players and the coaching staff to adjust their physical and tactical form before the big challenge against Flamengo.

The clash against Flamengo is eagerly awaited. Rubro-Negro, current champion of the Libertadores, is a strong opponent, and Peñarol will have to be in top form to face them. The Uruguayan team needs to be prepared in both tactical and physical terms to face one of the strongest clubs in the South American competition.

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.

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.

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.