Soccer

Filipe Luís reveals inspiration from European coach and comments on pressure in charge of Flamengo

The coach of Mais Querido recognizes Guardiola's influence on his style and says he deals with pressure to evolve in his current role as commander

Filipe Luís comments on Guardiola's influence, challenges as Flamengo coach and search for an offensive identity in today's football - photo: reproduction
Filipe Luís comments on Guardiola's influence, challenges as Flamengo coach and search for an offensive identity in today's football - photo: reproduction

14 Abr 2025 | 10:59 |

Icon Comentário0

During a press conference, Flamengo coach Filipe Luís praised Pep Guardiola's legacy in world football. When analyzing the way the Spaniard transformed the game, the former full-back revealed that many of his ideas are inspired by what challenged him the most as a player.


“The person who made me suffer the most on the pitch was Guardiola. He is the reference, he changed football and inspires us all ,” declared the coach, acknowledging the enormous influence of the manager who marked an era at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City.


STYLE AS A COACH


Filipe Luís stated that, alongside the coaching staff, he structured an offensive model that reflects the style that bothered him the most as a defender. The coach made it clear that the intention was to create a strong identity with Flamengo   and, at the same time, mirror modern strategies.

I try to create a way of attacking that is what bothered me the most on the field . I have no problem saying that I copy ideas from abroad and also from Brazil,” he said, highlighting his constant search for evolution.


FILIPE CITES NATURAL PRESSURE IN COMMAND

Amid recent criticism for his decision to rest starters in the Libertadores, Filipe commented on the demands placed on him as head of the Rio de Janeiro club. Recalling that he was named the "new Guardiola" after an unbeaten run, the coach reinforced that he keeps his feet on the ground, regardless of the results.

“I wasn’t the new Guardiola before the unbeaten streak and I’m not the worst in the world after a defeat. All of this makes me grow,” he pointed out, making it clear that he sees the challenges as part of the process at Flamengo .



Soccer

Injured, Alex Sandro already knows when he will be able to return to Flamengo

Out since Mais Querido's rout of Vitória, the full-back underwent treatment on his calf and should reinforce Mengão in the knockout round debut.

Alex Sandro is expected to reinforce Flamengo against Estudiantes in the Libertadores after a muscle injury - photo: reproduction
Alex Sandro is expected to reinforce Flamengo against Estudiantes in the Libertadores after a muscle injury - photo: reproduction

05 Set 2025 | 23:21 |

Icon Comentário0

Left-back Alex Sandro is expected to return to action on September 18, when Flamengo faces Estudiantes, from Argentina, in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores, at Maracanã, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time).


According to information from SBT Rio journalist Venê Casagrande, the player is being prepared by the medical department to be available for Filipe Luís. Besides him, the coach also has Ayrton Lucas and Matías Viña as options for the position.


DETAILS OF THE INJURY SUFFERED


In Flamengo 's 8-0 rout of Vitória, Alex Sandro had to be substituted in the 24th minute of the first half after experiencing pain in his left calf . Uruguayan Viña came on in his place and completed the match.

In an official statement, the club explained the situation: " Athlete Alex Sandro, substituted in the first half of the match against Vitória, underwent an MRI scan . The results revealed a muscle injury in his left calf. The player has already begun treatment under the supervision of Flamengo's medical department," the team reported.


INJURY ALSO PREVENTED CALL-UP

The severity of the injury also forced Alex Sandro out of Carlo Ancelotti's squad for the Brazilian national team. In the full-back's absence, Brazil defeated Chile 3-0 and now prepares to face Bolivia at altitude in the next round.


Soccer

Missing Flamengo? Zenit defender updates Gerson's situation in Russia

After the Russian team paid the 25 million euro release clause, the midfielder left Mais Querido and has already played six games for the Russian club.

Gerson leaves Flamengo for Zenit after paying the release clause, with Douglas Santos ensuring a quick adaptation and happiness at the Russian club - photo: reproduction
Gerson leaves Flamengo for Zenit after paying the release clause, with Douglas Santos ensuring a quick adaptation and happiness at the Russian club - photo: reproduction

05 Set 2025 | 23:12 |

Icon Comentário0

Flamengo officially announced Gerson 's departure on July 4, 2025, after Zenit of Russia paid the player's release clause . Since then, some Flamengo fans have questioned whether the midfielder was satisfied with the move. Teammate Douglas Santos, full-back at the Russian club, assured that the "Joker" is happy with the new phase of his career.


" Zenit is a great club that welcomes foreign players very well. I've been there for six years, and they've been improving this every year. They're even learning Portuguese to welcome Brazilians. Gerson was definitely welcomed and is happy ," said Douglas Santos in an interview in the mixed zone.


Introduced shortly after the FIFA Club World Cup, Gerson has already played six matches wearing the number 9 jersey for Zenit. So far, he has yet to score or provide any assists. The midfielder has started four matches, totaling 341 minutes on the pitch.


GERSON'S VICTORIOUS TRAJECTORY

Before his transfer, Gerson had spent more than two years in his second stint at Gávea. In total, he played 253 matches, scoring 19 goals and providing 34 assists. During his time there, he won major titles: a Libertadores, two Brazilian Championships, a Copa do Brasil, four Cariocas, three Brazilian Super Cups, and a Recopa Sudamericana.


AMOUNT OF TERMINATION FINE

Gerson 's departure was for a fee of €25 million (approximately R$160 million). The sum represented one of the largest transfers Mengão has received in recent years, but it didn't lessen the weight of the departure of one of the team's technical leaders.


Soccer

Flamengo's U-20 World Cup hero goalkeeper receives praise from Taffarel in the National Team

Carlo Ancelotti called up the 18-year-old for the national team's training sessions in Teresópolis and the Mengão goalkeeper was praised by the world champion goalkeeper

Léo Nanneti, Flamengo's 18-year-old goalkeeper, was praised by Taffarel during the Brazilian National Team's training session in Teresópolis - photo: reproduction
Léo Nanneti, Flamengo's 18-year-old goalkeeper, was praised by Taffarel during the Brazilian National Team's training session in Teresópolis - photo: reproduction

05 Set 2025 | 19:02 |

Icon Comentário0

Coach Carlo Ancelotti has selected five athletes from the youth ranks of Rio de Janeiro clubs to participate in the Brazilian national team's training session in Teresópolis. Among those selected is Léo Nanneti, Flamengo's goalkeeper, who shone in the Under-20 Intercontinental Cup victory over Barcelona.


During a press conference, four-time world champion and current goalkeeping coach for the Brazilian national team, Taffarel , made a point of joking and praising the young Flamengo player. " I didn't like him. I didn't like him because in the first training session he asked me to put gloves on him (laughs) ," he said before concluding.


" You know those gloves that are really tight? You can put one on and you can't put the other on. He said, 'Professor, can you put the glove on with me?' I said, 'Get out of here now' (laughs). I'm a coach, I'm not a glove fitter," he said in a relaxed tone.


ADMIRATION OF TAFAREL BY YOUNG MAN

Tafarel then revealed his admiration for the youngster: " He's a really cool kid. I didn't even realize he was the goalkeeper in that final (of the U-20 World Cup). I was really happy he came here with us; he has great potential. I liked him, especially because he's an 18-year-old kid, but he already has a real professional attitude. I'm sure he'll bring a lot of joy to Flamengo," he concluded.


RED-BLACK PROMISE

Léo Nanneti, who came through Flamengo 's youth ranks since the U-9s, is considered one of the club's brightest prospects. A key player in the U-20 World Cup final, the goalkeeper saved two penalty kicks against Barcelona , securing the title for Mengão.


envelope SUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER

envelopeSUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER


Flamengo's multi-champion signs with Santos and reveals Neymar's support
Soccer

Flamengo's multi-champion signs with Santos and reveals Neymar's support

05 Set 2025 | 17:05

Icon Comentário0
Uruguay coach thanks Flamengo for Arrascaeta's form: "They made a different player"
Soccer

Uruguay coach thanks Flamengo for Arrascaeta's form: "They made a different player"

05 Set 2025 | 15:54

Icon Comentário0
Flamengo is betting on Juninho to replace Bruno Henrique's suspension
Soccer

Flamengo is betting on Juninho to replace Bruno Henrique's suspension

05 Set 2025 | 14:35

Icon Comentário0