Flamengo agrees to sell left-back to Champions League team

Real Madrid 's Champions League debut brought a surprise: Vinicius Júnior started on the bench in the 2-1 comeback victory over Olympique de Marseille last Tuesday. The striker came on in the second half, caused the penalty that resulted in Spain's second goal , and played a key role in the result.

Xabi Alonso on Vini Jr. on the bench: "I don't think a player plays every game"

This Friday (20), coach Xabi Alonso spoke at a press conference about the decision to drop the Brazilian . Without confirming whether the Flamengo player will start against Espanyol this Saturday, the coach said he spoke to the striker during training.

"Yesterday I realized it wasn't the right time to talk to him, but today he had a better, more positive smile . I talked to him and ended up doing some individualized things during training. We'll see tomorrow," said Alonso.

CAST MANAGEMENT

The coach emphasized the need to rotate the squad throughout the season and reinforced that even Mbappé, the team's star player, will have moments on the bench: " There will be many games. If I don't start one, it's for peace of mind . I don't think a player plays every game. You have to be aware of the loads, and there will be some who won't play. We've played five games, and we may have to wait and see how things unfold," he added.

REAL MADRID'S NEXT GAME

Real Madrid returns to the field this Saturday (21), at 11:15 am (Brasília time), at the Santiago Bernabéu, against Espanyol, for the fifth round of LaLiga. The team leads the competition with a 100% record , adding four wins in four games.

Flamengo left the field last Thursday (18) with many complaints against the refereeing in the duel against Estudiantes, for the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals. One of the most controversial points was the possible interference of the fourth official, Jhon Ospina, in favor of the Argentine team . In a press conference, coach Eduardo Domínguez detailed the dialogue.

Estudiantes coach on controversy with the 4th referee against Flamengo: "he just made a suggestion"

"No, he just made a suggestion, which happens often during the game. He asks that only the captain speak, so the players don't complain . The only thing he said to me was, 'The full-back is bothering me,'" Domínguez said.

The coach also explained that there was confusion in the play: "We believed he had bothered Farías (Estudiantes striker), so it surprised us, because first they gave Farías a card and then they came to tell us this . It was just that situation with the full-back, nothing more," he added.

CONTROVERSY MARKS THE GAME

Flamengo players were angered by the interpretation that Ospina had suggested the departure of Román Gómez , who was facing a yellow card and was at risk of being sent off. The incident sparked intense outrage on and off the field.

Furthermore, Rubro-Negro suffered another blow: Plata was sent off in a controversial incident, the Rubro-Negro striker received his second yellow card after being kicked by the Argentine defender , and Estudiantes managed to pull one back in the final minutes, closing the score at 2-1 at Maracanã.

SITUATION IN THE LIBERTADORES

Despite the disappointment, Flamengo has the advantage going into the second leg. The team will qualify with any draw . If they lose by one goal, the match will go to penalties. A defeat by two or more goals will eliminate the Red-Blacks. The decisive match will take place next Thursday (21), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), in La Plata.

FLAMENGO'S NEXT COMMITMENT

Before thinking about the Libertadores, Filipe Luís' team turns its attention to the Brasileirão. The classic against Vasco takes place this Sunday (21), at 5:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the 24th round of the Brasileirão.

CONMEBOL overturned Gonzalo Plata's suspension, and the forward is cleared to play in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals against Estudiantes de La Plata in Argentina. The player received his second yellow card in the second half of the match, after being kicked by the Argentine club's defender. The organization acknowledged the legal error and reversed the Ecuadorian's punishment. This information comes from journalist Mauro Cezar Pereira.

After the numerous errors committed by referee Andrés Rojas in the duel against Estudiantes, Flamengo released an official statement this Friday (19) harshly criticizing the conduct of the match and demanding action from Conmebol. The entity responded quickly, reversing the expulsion of Gonzalo Plata.

WHY WAS PLATA EXPELLED?

The controversial incident occurred in the 37th minute of the second half. Plata stole the ball inside the box and ended up receiving a kick from the opposing defender. Despite this, Rojas interpreted the Ecuadorian as having gone in with his sole and called a foul against Flamengo .

With the decision, the striker received a second yellow card and then a red. The referee ignored the contact suffered by Plata, which could have resulted in a penalty for Rubro-Negro , as the play occurred inside the area. After an analysis carried out this Friday (19), Conmebol acknowledged the error and withdrew the punishment. Thus, Plata is free to play in the return match against Estudiantes.

WHEN IS THE RETURN GAME?

The decisive clash takes place next Thursday (25), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), in La Plata, Argentina. Flamengo will play for any draw to guarantee its place in the Libertadores semifinals. However, before the decision, Mengão turns its attention to the Brasileirão. Next Sunday (21), Filipe Luís' team faces Vasco, at 5:30 pm, at Maracanã, in a classic valid for the 24th round.