Filipe Luís explains a few minutes for the Arrascaeta in Flamengo: "Need to adapt"

On Sunday night (31), Flamengo drew 1-1 with Ceará at Arena Castelão, in a duel valid for the 18th round of the Brazilian Championship. The result kept the Rio de Janeiro club at the top of the competition , even with one game less, but raised an alert for the rest of the season, as performance in the final stage dropped drastically.

After the final whistle, Mais Querido's coach, Filipe Luís, didn't hide his frustration with the result . In a press conference, the manager admitted that the team left something to be desired in the second half and stated:

"I like to come right after the game with my heart still warm because I'm expressing what's inside me. A feeling of disappointment. After having played a great first half, creating scoring chances and finishing many times on the opponent's goal, we suffered a significant drop in the second half and, due to our carelessness, on a set piece, we conceded the equalizer. Of course, the feeling is one of disappointment. We have no other choice but to work hard and continue to improve."

ARRASCAETA SCORES FOR FLAMENGO

Flamengo got off to a promising start. They dominated the game and opened the scoring with Arrascaeta in the first half, creating several opportunities to extend their lead. However, the team failed to maintain the same momentum after the break. Pedro Raul, in a set piece, capitalized on a defensive error and leveled the score, thwarting Flamengo 's plans to extend their lead at the top.

FOCUS ON THE BRAZIL CUP

Mengão now turns its attention to the Copa do Brasil. Next Wednesday (6), it faces Atlético-MG, at 7 pm, at Arena MRV , for the second leg of the round of 16. Filipe Luís' team will seek to recover the good football shown in the first 45 minutes against Ceará, with the mission of confirming its place in the next phase of the national tournament.

Flamengo may have a major problem for the decisive clash against Atlético-MG, valid for the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. Arrascaeta, author of the equalizer in the 1-1 draw against Ceará , this Sunday (3), at Castelão, felt discomfort in his left thigh and left the field at half-time of the match valid for the 18th round of the Brazilian Championship.

According to coach Filipe Luís , the substitution was a precautionary measure to avoid jeopardizing the number 10's physical condition. " During the movement, I ended up feeling some discomfort (in my thigh). Knowing my body, I don't think it's anything serious. Hopefully, the scan shows up as minor," Arrascaeta said as he left the field.

The clinical evaluation is scheduled for this Monday (4), when the midfielder will undergo imaging tests that will confirm or rule out an injury. The Rio de Janeiro club remains cautious and monitors the player's situation to define his presence in the match scheduled for Thursday (6), at 7 pm (Brasília time), at Arena MRV.

GOAL FROM THE NUMBER 10

In the match against Ceará, Arrascaeta was decisive. The red-and-black goal came after a pass from Léo Ortiz to Plata, who headed the ball to the Uruguayan. The midfielder controlled the ball with ease and finished with his left foot to open the scoring. The Mais Querido dominated the first half but conceded an equalizer in the second.

FLAMENGO REMAINS LEADER

With the result, Flamengo reached 37 points in the Brasileirão and remains at the top, now tied with Cruzeiro, who defeated Botafogo. The focus now is on Arrascaeta's recovery and preparing to overturn the deficit against Atlético-MG, who won the first leg 1-0.

Flamengo drew 1-1 with Ceará on Sunday night (3). With the result at Castelão, Mengão remains in first place in the Brasileirão. The match marked another game where the Mais Querido's low effectiveness in building plays cost the final result dearly.

FIRST HALF

In the first half, Flamengo dominated. Mengão completely dominated possession and had more shots, despite goalkeeper Bruno Ferreira's lack of work, making only one save on a shot from Gonzalo Plata. Late in the first half, Plata found Arrascaeta in the box, who scored the red-and-black goal .

SECOND HALF

Despite maintaining high possession, Flamengo couldn't find the same effectiveness as in the first half, and Ceará began to find more space to play after Arrascaeta's departure. On a corner kick taken by Lucas Mugni, Rossi came out of goal but hesitated, and Pedro Raul headed the ball into the back of the net, tying the score.

With the result, Flamengo remains in first place with 37 points , but with the same number of points as Cruzeiro, with an advantage in goal difference (24 to 19). Mengão, however, still has one game less than the Minas Gerais team.

NEXT DUEL

Flamengo now prepares for the second leg of the Copa do Brasil round of 16 against Atlético-MG . Flamengo lost the first leg 1-0 at Maracanã and needs to win by at least two goals to secure qualification. If Flamengo wins by one goal, the match will go to penalties.