EYE FLAMENGO: SEVILLA SET PRICE TO SELL MONTIEL

Flamengo ended up conceding a draw in the Brasileirão Betano when facing Grêmio last Sunday (31), with a score of 1 to 1. Arrascaeta scored for the home team, while Tiago Volpi scored the goal for the team from Rio Grande do Sul . The result interrupted the winning streak of the Rio de Janeiro team in the championship.

After the match, goalkeeper Tiago Volpi spoke about the importance of the result for Grêmio and the significance of his goal. " Of all the goals I've scored in my career, I think this one had a very special flavor. Because of the setting, the importance of the game, and the point we needed. The Maracanã against Flamengo brings back fond memories," said the goalkeeper.

Volpi celebrates goal against Flamengo: "It gives a more gratifying feeling"

Volpi also highlighted the emotion of scoring in front of a packed stadium: " Thank God I've always had good performances here, and today is another one that will stay with me , because of this whole setting. Because it was a game in front of a packed stadium, in a more iconic setting, for me in football, it gives me a more gratifying feeling and a great sense of happiness to have scored this goal today."

HOW WAS THE GAME?

Flamengo dominated much of the match and opened the scoring eight minutes into the second half, with a one-two between Pedro and Arrascaeta, who finished for goal. The Rio de Janeiro team created opportunities to extend their lead, but conceded an equalizer in the 40th minute . After a Grêmio counterattack, the ball hit Ayrton Lucas's arm inside the box, and the referee awarded a penalty. Goalkeeper Thiago Volpi converted, making it 1-1.

SITUATION IN THE TABLE

With the result, Flamengo reached 47 points and maintained its sole lead in the Brasileirão . Cruzeiro is second with 44, followed by Palmeiras with 42. Grêmio is in 12th place with 25 points. The Mais Querido will now return to action on September 14th, when it travels to Caxias do Sul to face Juventude.

Full-backs Varela and Viña and midfielder Arrascaeta, all from Flamengo, showed up this Monday (2) in Montevideo to defend the Uruguayan national team. Marcelo Bielsa called the trio for the games against Peru , this Thursday (5), and Chile, on September 9, away from home, valid for the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

Despite his strong showing for the red-and-blacks, Nicolás de la Cruz was left out of the squad. According to Bielsa, the midfielder's absence is due to his limited playing time in recent months. Even after starting in the draw against Grêmio , the number 18 failed to regain enough playing time to earn a spot on the roster.

URUGUAYAN NATIONAL TEAM CAN CONFIRM QUALIFICATION

Uruguay heads into the doubleheader in a comfortable position. Bielsa's team only needs a draw to secure its spot in the next World Cup. The presence of Varela, Viña, and Arrascaeta reinforces the confidence of La Celeste, which relies on the support of players accustomed to making big decisions. Meanwhile, De la Cruz will remain focused on the club's training session, seeking to regain his place in both the starting lineup and the national team.

OTHER RUBRO-NEGROS ATHLETES IN THE NATIONAL TEAM

In addition to the Uruguayan trio, other Flamengo representatives will be on the field for their national teams. Carrascal was called up by Colombia, while Gonzalo Plata will represent Ecuador. Samuel Lino will wear the Brazilian national team jersey after replacing Matheus Cunha, who was ruled out due to injury.

With six players called up to different South American countries, the club remains prominent on the international stage. The number could have been even higher, but Alex Sandro, injured, was eventually removed from Carlo Ancelotti's squad.

The duel between Flamengo and Grêmio, held this Sunday (31) at Maracanã , ended 1-1 and left Mengão fans with a taste of frustration. While Mais Querido pressed in search of victory, the gaúchos managed to defend themselves consistently and take advantage of the counterattacks.

At a press conference, Mano Menezes detailed the plan he designed to stop the movement of Gonzalo Plata, one of the main players on the red-and-black team: "We created a line of five with the attacker outside the full-back to try to neutralize a movement that Plata does very well. We assigned Marlon to chase him almost until the end of the play. We sacrificed Kike Oliveira because he had to mark down low the whole time, and sometimes that costs dearly."

GRÊMIO BET ON THE RETRANCA

Despite their defensive solidity, Grêmio didn't escape the pressure. Arrascaeta opened the scoring for the home side in the second half, following a mistake in the opponent's clearance. The equalizer came late, with Volpi converting a penalty kick.

Mano Menezes acknowledged the risks the team took by relying so heavily on defense: "There are competent players on the other side, but Flamengo came out a little differently (in the second half). We couldn't handle the pressure anymore and we made two mistakes in the transition. You can't make a huge mistake in the transition because then you'll get a counterattack from the counterattack. We conceded the goal, but then we tried to find other solutions. We couldn't concede a second."

VOLPI TOOK GRÊMIO'S PENALTY

With Braithwaite already off the field, goalkeeper Volpi took responsibility for the penalty against Flamengo . The goalkeeper converted and secured the draw at Maracanã, earning public praise from Mano Menezes.

"He made a spectacular save against Ceará, he made two spectacular saves today. And when we had the penalty awarded, Braithwaite, our official penalty taker, was no longer there. I think it would be a huge burden for Cristaldo at that moment. I didn't want to give it to him. I know he would take on that responsibility, but Volpi trains very well, he takes the penalty well," concluded the coach.