Soccer

Flamengo and Central Córdoba: How the teams arrive for today's match (9)

The Mais Querido continues to be one of the main names in the competition and will do everything possible to get the three points and isolate itself in first place.

Flamengo hosts Central Córdoba in the Libertadores at Maracanã this Wednesday, where the most beloved team continues in search of the title (Photo/CRF)
Flamengo hosts Central Córdoba in the Libertadores at Maracanã this Wednesday, where the most beloved team continues in search of the title (Photo/CRF)

09 Abr 2025 | 09:22 |

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The day of Flamengo's first match at Maracanã in the current edition of the Copa Libertadores da América has arrived. Leader of Group C, with three points scored away from home in the debut, Mais Querido will face Central Córdoba, from Argentina, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), in a match valid for the second round of the group stage. The duel marks an unprecedented meeting between the two clubs and also represents the Argentine team's first participation in the continental competition.


CENTRAL CÓRDOBA SEARCHES FOR FIRST GOAL IN THE HISTORY OF THE TOURNAMENT
Central Córdoba is still looking for its first goal in the Libertadores. In the opening round, it drew 0-0 with LDU at home and is now trying to surprise the Brazilian team by playing away from home. Mengão, on the other hand , is riding high after its away win over Deportivo Táchira and is looking to take advantage of the home advantage to secure its place in the next round.

SQUADS IMPACT THE PREPARATION OF BOTH TEAMS

Both coach Filipe Luís and Omar de Felippe will have to deal with absences for tonight's match. At CRF, defender Danilo and left-back Viña remain out. Danilo is recovering from a muscle injury in his right thigh and is expected to return this weekend against Grêmio. Viña, who was injured in a game against Palmeiras in 2024, is still recovering and should only return closer to the Club World Cup.

On the Argentine side, the only confirmed absence is 20-year-old forward Diego Barrera. Loaned to Central Córdoba by Juárez in Mexico, Barrera has yet to establish himself as a regular starter. In 2025, he played in 13 games and scored just once , starting on just two occasions, but he is still looking for a game.

Playing at home for the first time in this edition of the Libertadores, Mengão will have the strength of the Nação Rubro-Negra on its side , which promises to fill the Maracanã and push the team towards its second consecutive victory. The expectation is a full house, a festive atmosphere in the stands and pressure on the Argentines from the first minutes of the game.



Soccer

Keeping an eye on their rivals: Estudiantes will have new additions to their lineup to face Flamengo

The Argentine team begins training at Fluminense's training center and should play more defensively at Maracanã against Mengão this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm

Estudiantes trains at Fluminense before facing Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores and tests defensive scheme - photo: reproduction
Estudiantes trains at Fluminense before facing Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores and tests defensive scheme - photo: reproduction

17 Set 2025 | 15:15 |

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Estudiantes is already in Rio de Janeiro for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals against Flamengo , scheduled for Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã. The Argentine team trained at Fluminense's facilities , preparing for the decisive duel.


Coach Eduardo Domínguez tested a more conservative formation, including an extra defensive midfielder in midfield, as a strategy to contain Flamengo's attacks. According to Radio Província 1270 in La Plata, the change could result in only one striker on the field , demonstrating a more solid defensive posture.


LINEUP AND POSSIBLE CHANGES


Estudiantes ' likely lineup for the clash includes: Muslera; Gómez, Nuñez, Rodríguez, Arzamendia; Ascacibar, Piovi, Amondarain, Medina, Tiago Palacios; Carrillo.

It's not yet clear whether Piovi will play as an extra midfielder or be replaced by Castro . Amondarain, despite being an attacking midfielder, could drop back and act as a third midfielder, depending on Domínguez's strategy in recent training sessions.


FLAMENGO WILL HAVE A CHALLENGE

With the prospect of a more closed Argentine team, Flamengo, under the command of Filipe Luís, will have to work hard to break down Estudiantes' defense and seek a positive result in the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals.


Soccer

Flamengo will have changes in the lineup to face Estudiantes

Rubro-negro evaluates changes in the starting lineup for the clash with the Argentine team this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm, for the Libertadores

Flamengo holds final training session before facing Estudiantes in the CONMEBOL Libertadores with possible changes to the lineup - photo: reproduction
Flamengo holds final training session before facing Estudiantes in the CONMEBOL Libertadores with possible changes to the lineup - photo: reproduction

17 Set 2025 | 14:49 |

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Flamengo could take to the field with a different formation to face Estudiantes this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), for the CONMEBOL Libertadores. The duel, decisive for the club's ambitions in the continental competition , will be broadcast live on Disney+.


Up front, Bruno Henrique is recovered and available to play, expanding coach Filipe Luís's offensive options. Plata and Luiz Araújo are also options at wing. Léo Ortiz returns to the defensive system after missing the match against Juventude.


A possible Flamengo lineup for Thursday has: Rossi; Emerson Royal (or Varela), Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas (or Viña); Allan (or De La Cruz), Saúl and Arrascaeta; Plata, Pedro (or Bruno Henrique) and Samuel Lino.


JORGINHO IS A MISSING PARTY IN THE TEAM

According to information gathered, the club's coaching staff is likely to opt for midfielder Jorginho, who is recovering from a muscle edema. Although he is fit to play, the club does not want to risk losing him for an extended period.


MIDFIELD OPTIONS

Without Jorginho, coach Filipe Luís is evaluating the best alternatives for the position. De La Cruz and Saúl are the main candidates to form a partnership with Saúl in midfield . The coach will lead the final training session before the match on Wednesday (17) to determine his replacement.

Another confirmed absence is left-back Alex Sandro, who is nursing a calf injury and will be unfit to play. Ayrton Lucas and Matías Viña are competing for the starting spot on the left wing.


Soccer

Flamengo vs Estudiantes in the Libertadores will have a new refereeing

Conmebol announces changes to the VAR process and will now be valid for the duel between Mengão and the La Plata club in the quarterfinals

Conmebol announces changes to the VAR process and the new feature will already be valid for Flamengo vs Estudiantes - Photo: Reproduction
Conmebol announces changes to the VAR process and the new feature will already be valid for Flamengo vs Estudiantes - Photo: Reproduction

17 Set 2025 | 14:10 |

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Conmebol announced this Tuesday (16) an important new development for the quarterfinal stage of the Libertadores . From this stage onwards, the main referee will immediately communicate his decision to the entire public present at the stadium , ensuring greater transparency in the arbitration process.


This measure has already been used in the organization's competitions. In the 2024 Recopa Sudamericana, for example, the rule was applied experimentally . Now, it officially returns for the decisive matches of the Copa Libertadores.


FLAMENGO X ESTUDIANTES – FIRST GAME


The first duel between Flamengo and Estudiantes takes place this Thursday (18), at Maracanã, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time). The stadium will have a full house: All tickets were sold in advance , guaranteeing an estimated audience of around 69 thousand people.

RETURN GAME IN ARGENTINA


The return leg is scheduled for September 25th in La Plata, Argentina, also at 9:30 pm (Brasília time). It will be broadcast on ESPN (pay TV) and Disney+ (streaming) . Fans can stay up to date with all the details of the match at Gazeta do Urubu.

ARBITRATION
  • Referee: Andrés Rojas (COL)
  • Assistants: Alexander Guzman and John León (COL)
  • 4th referee: John Ospina (COL)
  • VAR: Nicolas Gallo (COL)
  • VAR Assistant: David Rodriguez (COL)


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