Flamengo arrives in Argentina for the decisive Libertadores clash against Estudiantes

Flamengo only takes the field this Thursday (25) to decide its future in the Libertadores against Estudiantes, but it already knows who its next opponent could be. Racing, from Avellaneda, eliminated Vélez Sarsfield in an all-Argentine clash and now awaits the winner of the duel between Rubro-Negro and the club from La Plata.

In the first leg, played away from home, Racing won 1-0. In the return leg, on Tuesday, they repeated the scoreline, this time in front of their home fans . While Adrián Martínez had scored in the opening match, Solari scored the goal that secured their place in the semifinals.

GAME CONTROL IN THE FIRST HALF

Avellaneda's team dominated the first half, cheered on by the crowd, but failed to find the net against goalkeeper Marchiori, a standout performer for Vélez with some solid saves. Racing had 13 shots before halftime, all to no avail.

In the second half, Vélez began to attack more. In the 17th minute, goalkeeper Cambeses nearly made a mistake by misplacing a shot from Machuca , but VAR confirmed the ball didn't go in, keeping the score unchanged. The move alarmed the home side, who regained composure and control of the game.

RACING IN THE SEMI-FINAL OF THE LIBERTADORES

In the 31st minute, Sosa headed a free kick against the post. Five minutes later, the pressure paid off: Gabriel Rojas advanced down the left and crossed low for Solari to score the winning goal. With the score open, Vélez had no strength to react, and Racing controlled the result until the final whistle.

With the victory, the Avellaneda team celebrates its place in the Libertadores semifinals and awaits the match between Flamengo and Estudiantes to find out its next opponent in the continental tournament.

Guillermo Varela is experiencing one of his most important moments since arriving at Flamengo. The Uruguayan right-back has signed a contract extension until December 2027 , cementing his tenure at the club. Before Filipe Luís took over as coach, the player was seriously considering not renewing his contract and ending his tenure at Flamengo, but the coach's confidence has completely changed his outlook.

Behind the scenes, the relationship he built with Filipe Luís was crucial. From his first days in charge of the team, the former full-back became close to Varela , conveying support and emphasizing his importance to the group. Direct conversations and the coach's support led the player to rethink his future and opt to stay with the Rio de Janeiro club.

URUGUAYAN SURPRISES

On the field, Varela has also been attracting attention for his versatility . Recently tested as a defensive midfielder, he demonstrated intensity and dedication, even though he acknowledged that the new role wouldn't be technically perfect. His adaptation and commitment were praised by teammates and the coaching staff, increasing his value within the squad.

VERSATILITY CONSOLIDATES IMPORTANCE

In addition to his original position at right-back, Varela has also played on the left and now in midfield, becoming a versatile asset for Filipe Luís. This ability to perform in different roles was one of the factors that convinced the board to offer him a longer contract , reinforcing the club's vision of continuity.

RENEWAL WITH ROSSI

Flamengo has opened talks to extend Agustín Rossi's contract until the end of 2028. The Argentine goalkeeper's current contract runs until December 2027, but the board wants to bring the deal forward, adjusting his salary and increasing his release clause. The goal is to counter the pressure from European clubs like Nottingham Forest (England) and Fenerbahçe (Turkey), who are monitoring the number 1.

Flamengo is closely monitoring Bento's movements at Al-Nassr, the Saudi club to which the Brazilian goalkeeper transferred in 2024 for approximately R$107 million. The recent loss of playing time and fluctuations in the starting lineup have reignited rumors of a possible departure, making him an alternative for the Rubro-Negro in the future.

In recent months, Bento has alternated between starting and sitting on the bench. Saudi Arabian national team goalkeeper Nawaf Alaqidi has taken over in goal for a few matches , while local media speculate that Jorge Jesus is planning to bring another goalkeeper into the squad. According to journalist Khaled Al-Rasheed, international clubs have already shown interest in the Brazilian, who may not remain in Saudi Arabia for long.

Flamengo's board considers signing a top goalkeeper a priority for 2026, especially after Matheus Cunha left for Cruzeiro at the end of 2025. The idea is to increase internal competitiveness with Agustín Rossi, a starter since 2023 and in the process of renewing his contract until 2028.

SALARY AND VALUES

The biggest challenge in finalizing Bento's potential arrival at Flamengo lies in the financial aspect. In addition to the significant investment made by Al-Nassr, the goalkeeper receives approximately R$2.9 million per month , a salary well above the current level in Brazilian football. Making the deal viable would require not only a significant financial contribution from the club but also a salary reduction for the player.

FLAMENGO'S PRIORITY

Despite the difficulties, the possibility is not ruled out. Flamengo continues to monitor the situation and may move forward if the situation changes. Until then, the priority remains to consolidate Rossi's stay and explore the market for financially viable alternatives for 2026.