Soccer

Gonzalo Plata's former coach praises the attacker, Flamengo's target, and highlights: "They're going to fall in love"

The player is still in negotiations with Mais Querido

Flamengo's board continues to look for new reinforcements for the squad. After the arrival of Michael and the announcement of Alex Sandro, Rubro-Negro moved forward to sign striker Gonzalo Plata, who belongs to Al-Saad, from Qatar. The player's former coach in the Ecuadorian National Team, Jorge Célio, gave a "spoiler" about what the right-winger can deliver.

Gonzalo will go to Brazil and he will explode, he will fall in love with Brazilian football, believe me. Brazilian fans really value and are enchanted by this creative, unpredictable player - said the coach, who led Gonzalo Plata while he served as interim coach of the Ecuadorian National Team, between August 2019 and January 2020.

PLATA LEFT OUT OF THE COPA AMÉRICA

Gonzalo Plata has played for the Ecuador National Team since 2019, and even played in the 2022 World Cup. However, a controversy took him out of the 2024 Copa América. , the striker received punishment from the Federation after being caught in a nightclub in New York, USA, alongside defender Robert Arboleda.

“He is a boy, who has already made mistakes, but deserves another opportunity. He’s not a bad boy”, said Jorge Célio when talking about Gonzalo’s behavior.

HOW ARE THE NEGOTIATIONS GOING?

Flamengo and Gonzalo have already agreed on the length of the contract and amounts receivable in wages and salaries. This way, all that remains is to make the last adjustments regarding the purchase of the pass from the Qatari team. Mais Querido must pay around 3.65 million euros (R$ 22.4 million) to buy 30% of the player's rights.

Last minute

Soccer

Lineup: With changes, Flamengo announces the starters who will face Peñarol at Maracanã

The teams play the first game of the quarterfinals at 7 p.m.

Tite defined Flamengo and announced the 11 starters who will face Peñarol, this Thursday, at Maracanã, at 7pm. De la Cruz returns to the starting lineup in place of Léo Ortiz, and Alex Sandro and Plata were retained. The duel with the Uruguayans is the first between the teams in the quarter-finals of the Copa Conmebol Libertadores. Follow the Red and Black lineup:Rossi, Varela, Fabrício Bruno, Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro; Pulgar, De la Cruz, Gerson and Arrascaeta; Plata and Bruno Henrique.

Alex Sandro and Plata, debutants in last Sunday's classic, remain in the team after having good performances in the draw against Vasco. Gabigol is now out of the relationship due to fibrosis in the posterior muscle of his right thigh. Flamengo, in a statement, reported that the athlete did not suffer any injury in the region. Check it out:

"The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo informs that the athlete Gabriel Barbosa underwent tests that did not diagnose an injury to the posterior muscle of his right thigh. However, the Technical Committee opted for precaution and did not list him for the duel against Peñarol due to fibrosis in the region. Gabi is handed over to physiotherapists and physical trainers for the series of decisive games of the season."