Filipe Luís rebound Neto about Hugo Souza in Flamengo: "I saw him evolve"

After the 1-0 defeat at Maracanã, Flamengo arrives in Belo Horizonte determined to seek qualification for the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil . The decisive match against Atlético-MG takes place this Wednesday (6), at 7 pm, at Arena MRV, and everything indicates that Filipe Luís will select the best he has available .

FLAMENGO'S PROBABLE LINEUP

Rossi; Varela (Royal), Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Jorginho, Allan and Arrascaeta; Plata, Samuel Lino and Pedro.

In the first leg, Arrascaeta was even left off the bench, and Bruno Henrique and Jorginho were rested, but didn't even see action. Now, with the need to win by two goals, the coach is expected to count on the Uruguayan in the starting lineup. After tests revealed no injury from the pain he felt against Ceará, the number 10 has been cleared. Suspended in the Brasileirão, the number 21 is also expected to start .

ATTACK: FRONT LINE MAINTAINED

The attacking trio should consist of Pedro, Plata, and Samuel Lino , who played the full 90 minutes against Ceará. Filipe Luís admitted that the minutes may not have been ideal, but Flamengo 's offensive absences make reinforcements crucial for the decisive match.

MIDFIELD AND FULL BACKS WITH DOUBTS

In midfield, Allan is expected to replace Evertton Araújo, pairing with Jorginho and Arrascaeta. On the wings, Varela and Emerson Royal will compete on the right, while Ayrton Lucas starts up front on the left. Alex Sandro is still looking for rhythm, and Matías Viña, with a history of knee injuries, is likely to be rested due to the artificial turf at Arena MRV .

ATLÉTICO-MG MAY HAVE THE RETURN OF ARANA

On the other side, coach Cuca is counting on the possible return of Guilherme Arana, which could change the formation used in the first leg, when Saravia played at center-back . If Arana plays, Atlético should return to a back four. Even so, the full-back's starting position has not yet been confirmed.

Striker Mehdi Taremi is not expected to remain at Inter Milan , despite being in Christian Chivu's plans. However, the 33-year-old Iranian has been hindering the negotiation process by rejecting offers from Brazilian football. According to the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Taremi ruled out the possibility of playing for Flamengo and Botafogo , making it clear to the Nerazzurri board that he intends to remain in Europe.

Despite the player's firm stance, the atmosphere at the club remains calm. Inter understands the striker's desire to continue playing in Europe. So far, however, the only concrete offers have come from Brazil , and none have pleased the number 99. Besiktas, from Turkey, is monitoring the situation and may formalize a loan request.

BELOW-EXPECT PERFORMANCE IN 2024/25

Taremi played in 52 matches in the 2024/25 season, scoring eight goals and contributing 11 assists — numbers that add up to 19 direct goal involvements, also considering games for the Iranian national team in the World Cup qualifiers.

For Inter, the striker scored one goal in the Champions League, one in Serie A, and one in the Italian Super Cup. Despite his lackluster performance, Taremi's name appeals to Flamengo 's board, who value his international experience and technical ability , especially as an alternative to Lucas Beltrán.

FLAMENGO'S INTEREST STILL WITHOUT AN OFFICIAL PROPOSAL

Flamengo has yet to formalize a bid for Mehdi Taremi, but interest is real and has gained momentum with the stalled negotiations with Fiorentina's Beltrán . Flamengo's board is considering accelerating negotiations in the coming days, as the transfer window approaches its final stretch and the club seeks reinforcements to maintain its high level this season.

On and off the field, Flamengo continues to be one of the highlights of the 2025 Brazilian Championship. In addition to its good campaign in the competition, the Rubro-Negro also dominates the stands: with an average of 56,563 fans per game at Maracanã, the club currently records the third highest average attendance in the history of the points system, which began in 2003 .

Renowned for their unconditional passion, the Flamengo fans are poised to push the club toward another historic feat. In four of their nine home matches, Flamengo has surpassed the 60,000 attendance mark , and those numbers are expected to rise in the second half of the season—especially with the team undefeated at home and firmly in the title race.

FLAMENGO HAS THE LARGEST ATTENDANCES OF THE ERA OF THE RUN POINTS

Rubro-Negro has held the absolute record for average attendance since 2003, achieved in 2019, in the historic campaign under Jorge Jesus, when they took 59,285 fans per match to Maracanã . In 2023, the second best mark came (57,984), also with Flamengo . In 2025, the current average of 56,563 places them again among the three largest attendances in the history of the modern Brasileirão.

BIGGEST AUDIENCE AVERAGES (2003–2025):

1. 59,285 – Flamengo (2019)
2. 57,984 – Flamengo (2023)
3. 56,563 – Flamengo (2025)
4. 54,599 – Flamengo (2022)
5. 53,893 – Flamengo (2024)
6. 51,224 – Flamengo (2018)
7. 43,869 – Corinthians (2024)
8. 43,837 – Sao Paulo (2023)
9. 42,300 – Atlético-MG (2021)
10. 41,553 – Flamengo (2009)
11. 40,694 – Flamengo (2008)
12. 40,667 – Corinthians (2025)
13. 40,007 – Corinthians (2017)

AUDIENCE PRESENT AT FLAMENGO GAMES IN 2025:

1. 67,501 – Flamengo 4 x 0 Corinthians
2. 67,359 – Flamengo 2 x 0 Sao Paulo
3. 64,900 – Flamengo 5 x 0 Fortaleza
4. 62,204 – Flamengo 1 x 0 Bahia
5. 58,416 – Flamengo 1 x 0 Fluminense
6. 54,550 – Flamengo 1 x 0 Atlético-MG
7. 54,238 – Flamengo 0 x 0 Botafogo
8. 48,452 – Flamengo 1 x 1 Internacional
9. 31,445 – Flamengo 6 x 0 Juventude

With such consistent numbers, the Gávea club once again demonstrates the power of its fans, which extends far beyond the stands— it directly impacts the sporting performance and atmosphere of matches . Flamengo thus approaches another record-breaking attendance record for the Championship.

LEADER IN PARTICIPATION IN THE STANDS

Flamengo is, by far, the club that has finished the Brasileirão with the highest average attendance the most times: it has led this ranking in eight editions . Corinthians is in second place, with seven, followed by Cruzeiro (3), Grêmio, Palmeiras and Atlético-MG (1 each).