Soccer

Former player sounds alarm bells in Flamengo vs Palmeiras clash: "It's a final..."

The sports commentator warns of the risks of a team sitting back and recommends maximum strength in the direct clash for the top spot in the Brasileirão

Flamengo and Palmeiras face each other in a direct clash for the Brasileirão title, with the expectation of a full house at Allianz Parque (Palmeiras)
Flamengo and Palmeiras face each other in a direct clash for the Brasileirão title, with the expectation of a full house at Allianz Parque (Palmeiras)

22 Mai 2025 | 14:20 |

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Flamengo and Palmeiras face off in a duel that has all the makings of a final. Away from home, the Rubro-Negro team comes under pressure to score points and keep their direct rival under control in the standings. Casagrande, speaking on UOL News Esporte, described the match as a “final of points”.




According to the former player, Flamengo 's style does not allow for a reactive stance, even away from Maracanã. “This Flamengo team doesn't know how to play to tie and hold on to the result. It's a light and loose team, which can pace the game, but in its own way. It's not a team to play on the counterattack,” explained Casão.



“If everyone is fit, I would go with full strength. It’s a final!” said the former player.




A DUEL FOR THE SEASON

According to Casagrande, Palmeiras feels comfortable when the opponent retreats, and this could be a problem for Flamengo. “If you let Palmeiras attack all the time, you’ll concede a goal. It could be in the 50th minute of the second half. But you’ll end up conceding,” he reinforced. For Casagrande, a possible strategy of marking behind the midfield line could only be useful at certain times, but never as the main plan. He advocates that Flamengo should impose the pace, even away from home, and avoid being pressured for 90 minutes.


FLAMENGO'S PRIORITY

Flamengo has the Libertadores ahead of them, but the commentator doesn't see any room for choosing between competitions. "If everyone is in good shape, I would go with full strength. It's a final," he said. The statement points to the strategic importance of the match at the Allianz. Casagrande highlighted the impact of a possible stumble in São Paulo. "If Palmeiras wins, they'll open up a seven-point lead. Is it worth giving up that? I don't think either of them will give up," he said. The duel could determine the direction of the table in the next rounds.


The debate about resting players was firmly refuted by Casagrande. According to him, it is not just about physical wear and tear, but also about context and objective. The need for results should prevail when choosing the starting team. Pedro and Arrascaeta are the names that concern the coaching staff due to their history on the synthetic turf of the Palmeiras stadium. However, Casagrande believes that, if they are in good condition, they should play in the game. “It depends on the players’ condition,” he assessed.



Soccer

Flamengo draws with Cruzeiro in a goalless match at Maracanã

Mengão draws goalless with the Minas Gerais team at Maracanã in a game marked by an expulsion, good saves by Cássio and a balanced Brasileirão

Flamengo and Cruzeiro draw 0-0 at Maracanã in a game marked by William's expulsion - photo: reproduction
Flamengo and Cruzeiro draw 0-0 at Maracanã in a game marked by William's expulsion - photo: reproduction

02 Out 2025 | 22:29 |

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Flamengo hosted Cruzeiro this Thursday (2), at Maracanã, for the 26th round of the Brazilian Championship, and the duel ended in a 0-0 draw. Despite the chances created, especially in the second half, goalkeepers Rossi and Cássio were protagonists and ensured the score was zero.


Flamengo started with more possession and offensive pressure, but couldn't convert their dominance into goals. Cruzeiro, on the other hand, leveled the scoreline and created the best chances of the first half , with Kaio Jorge and Christian both being saved by Rossi . The red-and-blacks' best chance came from Arrascaeta's header that went just wide of the post.


SECOND HALF HAS EXPULSION


The game picked up in intensity in the second half, with both teams pushing forward more. Flamengo nearly opened the scoring with shots from Samuel Lino, Plata, and Carrascal , but Cássio made crucial saves to keep Cruzeiro in the match.

In the 37th minute, right-back William received his second yellow card for a foul on Bruno Henrique and was sent off , leaving the Minas Gerais team with ten men. Even so, the Rubro-Negro team was unable to capitalize on their numerical superiority.


TENSION AND MANY CARDS

The referee handed out several cards throughout the 90 minutes. Fabrício Bruno and Kaio Jorge were cautioned, while Léo Pereira, Alex Sandro, and Carrascal also received yellow cards for Flamengo. The match was marked by complaints, strong tackles, and penalty calls ignored by VAR.

BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSIFICATION

With the draw, Flamengo reaches 55 points and remains atop the Brazilian Championship, keeping a tight lead over Palmeiras, who sits in second place. Cruzeiro, meanwhile, reaches 51 points and remains firmly in the race for the top spots.


Soccer

Jorge Jesus at Flamengo? Former president says coach welcomes return

The coach was close to returning to Mengão at one point, but the club's rush resulted in the hiring of another professional

Former president of Flamengo, Kleber Leite, says that Jorge Jesus wants to return to the Most Beloved - Photo: Alexandre Vidal/Flamengo
Former president of Flamengo, Kleber Leite, says that Jorge Jesus wants to return to the Most Beloved - Photo: Alexandre Vidal/Flamengo

02 Out 2025 | 21:00 |

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An idol among Flamengo fans for his historic work between 2019 and 2020, Jorge Jesus still dreams of returning to manage Flamengo . This information was revealed by Kleber Leite, the club's former president and a personal friend of the coach. According to him, the coach would accept an offer to return to the club.


JORGE JESUS WANTS TO COME BACK?


In an interview with Canal Mundo GV, hosted by former goalkeeper Getúlio Vargas, Kleber revealed that Jorge Jesus was very close to re-signing Flamengo in 2021, following Renato Gaúcho's departure. At the time, Flamengo's board traveled to Portugal to negotiate directly with the coach . A meeting was even held, but after asking for time to decide, Jesus decided to sign Paulo Sousa.


"He could have been at Flamengo a long time ago. (...) You know that story about you running to avoid getting there? Flamengo ran to avoid getting there. They didn't want to, actually, that's it. (...) I have no doubt that Jesus would accept an offer from Flamengo . Here or even with the Brazilian national team, where they also lost their chance. He was the coach at the time," declared Kleber Leite.

JORGE JESUS' NUMBERS AT FLAMENGO


Jorge Jesus achieved impressive numbers with Flamengo. In 58 games, the Mais Querido under his command achieved 44 wins, 10 draws and only four losses, an 81.6% success rate . Under his command, the Rubro-Negro won the following titles: Libertadores (2019), Brazilian Championship (2019), Brazilian Super Cup (2020), Recopa Sudamericana (2020) and Campeonato Carioca (2020).

With more trophies than defeats, Jorge Jesus made his mark at Flamengo, leading the team to its peak under the brilliance of the quartet formed by Gabigol, Arrascaeta, Everton Ribeiro and Bruno Henrique and still having his name on the lips of the red-black fans.



Soccer

It's out! Check out Flamengo's lineup to face Cruzeiro

Mengão faces Raposa at full strength at Maracanã, in a direct duel for the leadership of the Brasileirão and Gabigol's reunion with the Minas Gerais team

Flamengo faces Cruzeiro at Maracanã with full strength and Gabigol's reunion in a decisive duel for the Brasileirão - photo: reproduction
Flamengo faces Cruzeiro at Maracanã with full strength and Gabigol's reunion in a decisive duel for the Brasileirão - photo: reproduction

02 Out 2025 | 19:25 |

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Flamengo takes to the field this Thursday (2), at 8:30 pm (Brasília time) , at Maracanã, to face Cruzeiro in a direct duel for the leadership of the Brazilian Championship. The match opens the 26th round of the competition and will have a full house, with tickets sold out.


After resting some players in the victory over Corinthians, coach Filipe Luís opted for a full-strength squad . Ayrton Lucas returns from suspension, while Matías Viña and Léo Pereira, cleared by the medical department, are available.


The Rubro-Negro formation for the match is: Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro; Jorginho, Saúl and Arrascaeta; Gonzalo Plata, Samuel Lino and Carrascal.


DIRECT FIGHT FOR THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Flamengo leads the Brazilian Championship with 54 points, trailing Cruzeiro with 50 and Palmeiras, who beat Vasco 3-0 and have 52 points. The match at Maracanã is considered a "six-point" game , which could either increase or reduce the advantage at the top of the table.


GABIGOL'S REUNION WITH FLAMENGO

In addition to the battle for the top spot, the match marks Gabigol's reunion with his former club. Currently at Cruzeiro, the striker will face the Flamengo fans, who idolized him during his time at the club between 2019 and 2024. Gabigol left Flamengo after a year of ups and downs, ending a run full of goals, titles, and a strong connection with the club.


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