Flamengo starts the Brasileirão with changes compared to 2024

Flamengo staged one of the biggest routs of the Brazilian Championship by beating Vitória 8-0 this Monday (25), at Maracanã, in the 21st round. With 62% possession and very high efficiency, the team converted half of its 18 shots into goals.

The match started with full intensity. In the first minute, Samuel Lino opened the scoring after a pass from Arrascaeta. Two minutes later, Pedro extended the lead with a precise lob . In the 33rd minute, Arrascaeta scored the third, cementing a dominant first half, with 69% possession and three accurate shots converted into goals.

OVERWHELMING SECOND HALF

After the break, the pressure continued. Pedro scored his fourth goal in the 13th minute of the second half, making it three of the match . Samuel Lino, a standout with two assists and two goals, also scored with a header, making it 5-0. Luiz Araújo, who had come on in the second half, extended the lead to 6-0 after a pass from the number 9.

The seventh goal came with another assist from Samuel Lino to Pedro , and the rout was sealed by Bruno Henrique, who converted a penalty in the 35th minute, closing the score at 8-0 in a very inspired night for the players.

FLAMENGO EXCHANGES PARTS

With a significant lead, Filipe Luís made changes to rest his starters. Samuel Lino and Arrascaeta, who had contributed five and three goals, respectively, were removed, making way for Bruno Henrique and Carrascal. Earlier, Luiz Araújo had already replaced Plata, maintaining the offensive presence. Vitória, on the other hand, barely reacted. The Bahian team managed just one shot in the entire match , while Mengão registered 18 attempts, nine of which were on target.

Filipe Luís and Carlo Ancelotti were once again the topic of national football this Monday (25). While the Italian announced the list of the Brazilian National Team for the next Qualifying games , the Flamengo coach commented on the choices.

Before the match against Vitória, in the Brazilian Championship , Filipe was direct when asked about the lack of names from his squad among those called up: " To those who were called up, congratulations. To those who weren't, work harder. There are still many players from other countries, and the National Team is a consequence. I have to think about what's best for Flamengo. The fewer Flamengo players called up, the better," said the coach.

ALEX SANDRO IS THE SOLE REPRESENTATIVE

Among Flamengo 's players, only Alex Sandro was remembered by Carlo Ancelotti. However, the left-back caused a scare when he was injured in the 21st minute of the first half , with the Rio de Janeiro team already leading 2-0 at Maracanã.

The 34-year-old defender, who is back in action after a few injury issues, left the match complaining of muscle pain. This could be a concern for the national team coach , who will face important matches against Chile and Bolivia.

ANCELOTTI DEFINES LIST FOR GAMES

Coach Carlo Ancelotti announced this Monday the 25 players called up for the Brazilian national team's upcoming matches. The left-back selections were Alex Sandro of Mengão and Caio Henrique of Monaco. If the Brazilian player's injury is confirmed, Ancelotti may have to consider a replacement for the position.

Once again, left-back Alex Sandro left the field before halftime in a Flamengo game. On Monday night (25), against Vitória, at Maracanã, the player felt pain and had to be substituted in the first half. Coach Filipe Luís opted for the entry of Uruguayan Matías Viña, maintaining the team's defensive consistency.

In an official statement, the club reported that Alex Sandro felt pain in his left calf and, as a precaution, was ruled out of the rest of the match. Despite the substitution, the severity of the injury or a timetable for his return are still unclear.

This was the fourth time the full-back had to leave the field in the first half of a Mengão match due to injury. His recent history shows a series of difficulties: his last injury occurred on July 12th, against São Paulo, in the first match after the Club World Cup . On that occasion, he was out until the 31st of the same month, when he was recalled, but did not play against Atlético-MG.

IRREGULAR RETURNS

After this period, Alex Sandro returned to action against Ceará in the Brasileirão, but was soon sidelined again against Atlético-MG . He managed to get back-to-back appearances against Mirassol and Internacional, before missing again in the national championship against the team from Rio Grande do Sul.

Most recently, he returned in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores , but was injured again on Monday, reinforcing concerns about his fitness. Flamengo has Ayrton Lucas and Viña as options for the left flank.