Soccer
21 Ago 2025 | 10:40 |
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Flamengo secured a place in the quarterfinals of the Libertadores by beating Internacional 2-0 last Wednesday (20), at Beira-Rio. With just under a month to go until the start of the next phase, coach Filipe Luís is already planning a possible major reinforcement: midfielder Erick Pulgar .
Filipe Luís on Flamengo in the Libertadores quarterfinals: "My hope is to recover Pulgar"
Out of action since June 26, when he faced Bayern Munich (GER) in the Club World Cup, Pulgar is recovering from a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot . According to the coach, the Chilean is expected to be fully recovered by September.
"I didn't know there was a month left (until the quarterfinals against Estudiantes). My thoughts are on Vitória, which is the next game . But since there's a month left, my hope is to get Pulgar back. He might be back in a month. Until then, a lot can happen," said Filipe Luís.
The midfielder suffered the fracture after a challenge with Harry Kane in the round of 16 of the World Cup. The injury required surgery in Chile, unlike in 2023 , when the player also fractured the same metatarsal but opted for conservative treatment. On that occasion, he returned to action in about 60 days.
Now, after the surgery, the recovery time is longer. Pulgar is expected to return to the field only in the second half of September , a total absence of about two and a half months. There's also a possibility that the midfielder will only return in October.
With victories over Internacional in the round of 16, Flamengo will face Estudiantes de La Plata (ARG) in the quarterfinals . The first leg is scheduled for September 16-18 at the Maracanã, while the return leg is scheduled for September 23-25 in Argentina.
While without Pulgar, Flamengo turns its attention to the Brazilian Championship . Next Monday (25), the team faces Vitória, at Maracanã, at 9 pm (Brasília time), for the 21st round of the competition.
Striker celebrates his time at Mengão with qualification for the Libertadores quarterfinals and says leaving Europe is not a step backwards
21 Ago 2025 | 11:09 |
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Pre-called to the Brazilian national team, Samuel Lino did not hide his enthusiasm for the moment he is experiencing at Flamengo . After qualifying for the quarterfinals of the Libertadores , the striker was asked about his decision to return to South American football and did not spare praise for the Rio de Janeiro club.
Samuel Lino: "I see Flamengo above many European teams"
"Every player has their own goals and dreams. Flamengo is a gigantic club, offering great conditions and structure . This attracts many players from Europe. Today, I see Flamengo above many European teams and as a giant in South America," the player said in the mixed zone at Beira-Rio. The statement reinforces his decision to leave Atlético de Madrid, a move he says has already proven to be the right one.
In addition to the structure, Samuel Lino highlighted Filipe Luís's role in his performance. At Atlético, he worked with Diego Simeone in a more defensive system , but at Flamengo, he found a model that values his attacking skills.
"Filipe Luís is a young, promising coach who has already won titles and has a style of play that is very appealing. He's an attacking, pressing, possession-based model, unlike Simeone , who prioritizes defensive consistency. I see a great future in him and I'm very happy to work with this system," he added.
With a spot in the quarterfinals secured, Flamengo will face Estudiantes. If they qualify, they will face Racing or Vélez in the semifinals. This favorable draw, combined with recent performance, makes Flamengo the main favorite for the title according to bookmakers, who further reduced the odds after the victory over Internacional.
Mengão beat Internacional and secured qualification in the competition and will face a big club from Argentina in the next phase.
21 Ago 2025 | 09:03 |
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Flamengo is qualified for the quarterfinals of the Libertadores . After beating Internacional 2-0 at Beira-Rio, this Wednesday (20), Rubro-Negro confirmed the spot with 3-0 on aggregate and will now face Estudiantes de La Plata (ARG) , who eliminated Cerro Porteño (PAR).
CONMEBOL has set the window for the next stage. The first match between Flamengo and Estudiantes will take place between September 16th and 18th in Rio de Janeiro. The return leg, in La Plata, is scheduled for the 23rd and 25th of the same month. Having performed better in the group stage, the Argentine team will have the advantage of playing at home.
Besides the match between Flamengo and Estudiantes, the other quarterfinal matches follow the same schedule, but with no set dates yet and three teams still to qualify. The bracket is as follows :
THE GRAND FINAL
Flamengo's goal is to win its fourth continental championship. The Copa Libertadores final is scheduled for November 29th at the Monumental Stadium in Lima, Peru, the historic site of the 2019 title victory over River Plate, a final that has a chance of being repeated.
Before returning to the field for the South American tournament, Flamengo remains focused on the Brasileirão. On Monday (25), the Mais Querido faces Vitória, at Maracanã, at 9 pm (Brasília time) , in a duel valid for the 21st round. Mengão is the leader of the competition with 43 points, four more than Palmeiras, in second place.
Mengão coach was questioned about the constant references to the Portuguese, but he doesn't want to have the 'ghost' of the 2019 season
21 Ago 2025 | 08:38 |
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Flamengo is in the quarterfinals of the Libertadores after beating Internacional 2-0 , this Wednesday (20), at Beira-Rio. The result confirmed the team's good phase under the command of Filipe Luís , but the coach tried to avoid comparisons with Jorge Jesus, idol of the Nation and reference in the 2019 title.
Filipe Luís avoids comparisons to Jorge Jesus at Flamengo: "I'm going to make my own history"
"First, I can never compare my team to the past; they're different players. I also can't compare myself to Jorge Jesus , who, if not the best in history, is one of the greatest to ever play for Flamengo. I'll never be like him; I'll make my own history, my way, but always with the Flamengo DNA I've known since I was a child," declared Filipe Luís.
The coach emphasized that his philosophy is essentially about constant pressure and stifling opponents, but acknowledged the changing nature of football: " The idea is to crush the opponent for as long as possible . Of course, we often won't succeed, and other times we'll play poorly and even lose. But the goal is always to play the game, to play with the ball on the ground," he added.
While Flamengo didn't quite put on a show, it was solid in Porto Alegre. The defense didn't allow Internacional to get a shot on target against Agustín Rossi , who didn't have to work hard. The team from Rio Grande do Sul only threatened late on, when Borré hit the post.
On the other side, the Mais Querido were efficient. Arrascaeta opened the scoring in the first half, taking advantage of a rebound inside the box, and Pedro, in the final stretch, sealed the victory 2-0. With the result, Flamengo advanced 3-0 on aggregate .
In the quarterfinals, Flamengo will face Estudiantes de La Plata (ARG). The first leg will take place in Rio de Janeiro, between September 16th and 18th , while the return leg will be in Argentina, between the 23rd and 25th of the same month.
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