FORMER FLAMENGO COACH COMES TO GABIGOL'S DEFENSE: "HE'S AN IDOL AND DESERVES TO BE RESPECTED"

The Rubro-Negra Nation is guaranteeing its presence at Maracanã for the clash between Flamengo and Peñarol, next Thursday- fair (19), at 7pm, for the Libertadores quarter-finals. With three days left until the game, Mengão fans have already sold out tickets in two sectors, while four others are still available for purchase.

The North and South sectors, the most popular and where the organized fans are located , there are no more tickets available. However, the red and black teams can still purchase tickets for the Upper East, Lower East, Lower West and Maracanã Mais sectors.

Ticket prices for the duel vary between R$240 and R$1,500 (integer prices ), but it is important to remember that there are half-price options, as well as discounts of up to 50% for fan members, depending on the plan. Tickets can be purchased at official website.

Leste Superior – General Public: R$240 (half: R$120)

Lower East – General Public: R$300 (half: R$150)

Lower West – General Public: R$400 (half : R$200)

Maracanã Mais – General Audience: R$1,500 (half: R$787.50)

Flamengo has already recorded the largest audience of the current edition of the Libertadores, with 65,381 present in the 2-0 victory to 0 over Bolívar, in the round of 16. On that occasion, Mengão broke the Brazilian football attendance record in 2024.

However, this number was surpassed recently, in the match against Bahia in the semi-finals of the Copa do Brasil, when 65,662 fans filled the Maracanã to accompany the 1-0 victory. With strong ticket sales for Flamengo x Peñarol, everything indicates that Maracanã will be full again, boosting the pace team looking for another victory in the continental competition.

Several Uruguayan newspapers covered the tie between Flamengo and Vasco this Sunday (15). Among the main vehicles, “El País” and “Montevidéu Portal” highlighted that Luiz Araújo left the classic with a possible knee injury and could be absent for Rubro-Negro in the first game of the Libertadores quarter-finals against Peñarol, next Thursday (19).

Luiz Araújo played just 18 minutes in the classic. The attacker felt his knee after a challenge with a Vasco defender and even tried to continue on the field, but ended up being replaced by Arrascaeta. At half-time, Flamengo issued a statement informing that the player will be re-evaluated by the medical department at Ninho do Urubu. The squad will be presented again this Monday afternoon (16).

Uruguayan newspapers consider the possible absence of Luiz Araújo a big problem for Mengão. The athlete is a starter in Tite's team, with the most matches for Flamengo this season (50) and leader in assists (10).

The newspaper 'El País' classified the player as a key player for the team: “The injury to Luiz Araújo, one of the most important players in Mengão's squad, expands the list of injured players just a few days before the clash against Peñarol in the Copa Libertadores.”

The 'Montevideo Portal' followed the same line, highlighting the importance of the striker: “In addition to the result, another bad news for Peñarol's next rival in the Copa Libertadores it was the departure of Luiz Araújo. The fast right-winger, starter for Flamengo, felt pain in his right knee after a blow.”

Currently, Flamengo's medical department has five injured players: De La Cruz, Michael, Cebolinha, Viña and Pedro, with the trio formed by Cebolinha, Viña and Pedro only expected to return in 2025.

While awaiting Luiz Araújo's diagnosis, coach Tite revealed, after the draw against Vasco, that he hopes to count on De La Cruz for the duel against Peñarol . According to the coach, the Uruguayan's presence could improve the effectiveness of the team, which has shown good performance in recent matches.

“In training, when he (De la Cruz) was leaving, I asked 'is there enough for 20? minutes?'. He smiled, because he couldn't. The physical department definitely said they were not in a position to do so. Not even him feeling well. Especially because you have to talk to the athlete, because then there is the charge. Hopefully, and I hope that he can be there on Thursday to reproduce today's performance, with greater effectiveness”, said Tite in the post-game press conference between Flamengo x Vasco.

After being suspended from football for two years for attempting to cheat on an anti-doping test, Gabigol continues to try to have his sentence suspended. Furthermore, Flamengo disagrees with the judgment of the Anti-Doping Sports Court (TJD-AD) and is also trying to reverse the sentence. Thus, Marcos Braz, football vice-president, detailed the situation of the contract between the player and the club.

"His contract remains valid. He is a very important player, he is an important player in the history of Flamengo , at Flamengo's moment, is Flamengo's asset. Even though the contract ends at the end of the year, having a player cut off like that... I think it was inappropriate, it wasn't fair. Now, the player is appealing to a court. international so that you can do justice", said Braz, in an interview with the podcast 'Mundo GV' this Monday (15).

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Marcos Braz also reiterated the position of Flamengo against Gabigol's suspension. Thus, Rubro-Negro assists the attacker's Defense in requesting a suspensive effect and annulment of the TJD-AD decision. However, to do so, Mais Querido needs to wait for the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), headquartered in Switzerland, to judge the request.

"But, as this international court has a deadline for make the final hearing... Until you wait for this whole procedure, you have a request, which you can make preventively so that there is a suspensive act for Gabi for playing, attending the club and returning to work", added Marcos Braz.CONTRACT TIME REMAINING WITH FLAMENGO

Despite being suspended, Gabigol's contract remains valid. Therefore, if the attacker does not obtain the suspensive effect, he will be without playing in the last year of his contract with Mais Querido. Remembering that the number 10's contract with the club will run until December this year.