
Soccer
Flamengo vs Illawarra Hawks - where to watch and time of the Basketball World Cup
17 Set 2025 | 16:29
Soccer
30 Mar 2025 | 12:13 |
After the draw against Internacional in the opening match of the Brazilian Championship , coach Filipe Luís addressed a topic that has been worrying fans: the series of muscle injuries in the squad. During the press conference, the coach explained that the high number of thigh problems among the players is a natural consequence of the physical demands imposed by the style of play adopted.
Players such as Gerson, Bruno Henrique, Danilo, Everton Cebolinha and Michael have already had thigh problems this season. However, Filipe Luís was calm and stated that 70% of football injuries occur in the back of the leg due to the high demand for sprints, intense marking and constant movement.
MATCH LOAD AND INTENSE PHYSICAL PRESSURE INFLUENCE THE NUMBER OF INJURIES
The coach highlighted that, in addition to the game model, Flamengo faced a grueling sequence in the first months of the year. There were eight classics in twelve matches, which not only demands physicality from the players, but also impacts the mental aspect.
According to Filipe, the intensity of the matches is part of the team's philosophy and, despite the effort to minimize the impact, some injuries are inevitable. " It's a risk I run asking them to play like this," the coach highlighted.
PLAYERS RESPOND DIFFERENTLY TO PHYSICAL EFFORT
Another point addressed by the coach was the individual response of players to the strain of the season. While some athletes are able to withstand the intense workload of games without significant physical problems, others end up more susceptible to minor injuries and muscle swelling.
— Injuries in football, 70% are hamstring injuries, because the model requires it. If you press, you sprint. If you lose, you come back, you sprint, if you get away in space, you sprint. This is the muscle that needs it the most. Eight classics in 12 games. In addition to the physical, there is the mental. What I admire most about these players is that they don't hold anything back. Injuries will happen. It's a risk I run asking them to play like this ," the coach began.
— There are players who are more predisposed, others who are less so. There are players who can play the season and only have one problem. We try to control the load, but we can't control everything. Sometimes they do things they feel. The only major injury was Michael's. The others were edema, overload, which takes players out for 10 days, two weeks. Unfortunately. But we are working on it. With the sequence of games, I believe that this will improve and that they will become increasingly fitter.— concluded Filipe Luís.
Reds standout Van Dijk recalls the atmosphere created by Mengão fans in the final played in Qatar in 2019 and says he is enchanted by the Brazilians
17 Set 2025 | 21:00 |
Flamengo's fans continue to impress world football's biggest names . In 2019, Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk came face-to-face with the might of the Red-Black Nation at the FIFA Club World Cup final in Qatar. The atmosphere of that match left a lasting impression on the Dutch defender.
Liverpool's Van Dijk on Flamengo: "Their fans were incredible"
In an interview with TNT Sports, Van Dijk was asked about his knowledge of Brazilian football. The topic arose because striker Memphis Depay , a player for Corinthians and the Dutch national team, frequently talks to the defender about Brazil.
"I know very well the passion Brazilian fans have for their teams. We faced Flamengo in the Club World Cup in Qatar, and their support was incredible . Memphis also spoke to me several times about the Corinthians fans. We know how great Brazilian football is. I'm very proud of Memphis and hope he scores many goals for the national team," said the defender.
After eliminating Al-Hilal in the semifinals, Flamengo faced Liverpool again in a repeat of the 1981 final . However, Jorge Jesus's team failed to break down the English defense and lost in extra time. In the final, Van Dijk experienced one of the greatest moments of his career and was a key player in neutralizing the Flamengo attack. Players like Gabigol struggled against the defender's solidity.
Almost six years after that duel, the Nation is preparing for another big night. Tickets for Flamengo vs Estudiantes, this Thursday (18), at Maracanã, for the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals , are already sold out . More than 69 thousand fans will support Filipe Luís' team, which is looking to open up an advantage before the decisive match in La Plata.
The red-and-black team fails to overcome São Paulo's solid performance, concedes a goal from Duda Serrana and leaves the national tournament in the round of 16
17 Set 2025 | 20:45 |
Flamengo said goodbye to the Women's Copa do Brasil after losing 1-0 to São Paulo, this Wednesday (17), at Morumbis. The Rio de Janeiro team even tried to react after falling behind on the scoreboard, but was unable to avoid elimination in the single duel of the round of 16. The decisive goal was scored by Duda Serrana, a standout for the São Paulo team.
In the first half, São Paulo dominated possession and adopted a more attacking approach , hindering Flamengo 's play. Flamengo struggled to exchange passes and impose their style. Even so, the visitors had the best chance of the first half: on a quick counterattack in the 30th minute, Duda had a good opportunity but shot wide.
Early in the second half, a poor clearance by the Flamengo defense resulted in the game-clinching goal. The defense poorly cleared the ball, and Duda Serrana fired a precise shot from outside the box, leaving Flamengo's goalkeeper with no chance . From then on, the Rio de Janeiro team pushed forward and sought to press in the final minutes, relying primarily on set pieces and crosses, but failed to create any real chances.
With this result, Flamengo ends its Women's Copa do Brasil campaign with one win and one loss. The team received approximately R$90,000 for its participation in the round of 16. After the final whistle, members of the Flamengo coaching staff complained about the refereeing in the center of the field, but the result remained unchanged.
Flamengo could take to the field with a different formation to face Estudiantes this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), for the CONMEBOL Libertadores. The duel, decisive for the club's ambitions in the continental competition, will be broadcast live on Disney+.
The full-back played a key role in the 2-0 victory over Juventude and reveals that the coach's request enhances his characteristics.
17 Set 2025 | 20:00 |
Flamengo beat Juventude 2-0 last Sunday (14), at Alfredo Jaconi, for the Brazilian Championship, and ended a 28-year winless streak in Caxias do Sul. Arrascaeta opened the scoring and Emerson Royal closed the score, scoring his first goal for the club .
Emerson Royal reveals Filipe Luís's request at Flamengo: "Filipe wants me to be sharp, exploring my physical strength"
After the match, the full-back revealed a conversation with coach Filipe Luís, who advised him on attacking positioning: "I received criticism when I played injured because I couldn't give my best. But I wanted to stay on the field to help Flamengo . Filipe explained to me what he wanted from me: to get to the far post. I even asked my teammates to watch me during that movement," Royal said.
It was the full-back's first game since returning from injury. Royal had sprained his left ankle on August 13 against Internacional in the Copa Libertadores. Since then, he had only played a few minutes in the draw with Grêmio at Maracanã.
According to the player, Filipe Luís asked him to play differently than he was used to in his career: "At Tottenham, I played as a defensive midfielder, on the inside. But Filipe wants me to be sharp, exploiting my physical strength, passing, and crossing. He knows my ability to support, and that can really help the team ."
Signed in July for €9 million (approximately R$58 million) from Milan, Emerson Royal is competing for a spot with Varela, who was rested against Juventude due to a groin injury. " Big teams are like that; they always have top-notch players . Varela has a lot of quality, and so do I. The competition is healthy, we work hard, and the choice is Filipe's," said the full-back.
On Thursday (18), Flamengo faces Estudiantes in the Libertadores (quarter-finals, first leg), at 9:30 pm, at Maracanã . The Most Beloved only returns to the field for the Brasileirão on Sunday (21), against Vasco, also at the sacred temple.