FLAMENGO AND ORLANDO CITY: REUNION AND EMOTIONS ON THE FIELD FOR LÉO PEREIRA

Flamengo is getting closer to clearing out its medical department . While Alex Sandro is making progress in recovering from a calf injury, midfielder Erick Pulgar is also showing signs of improvement after a fracture in the fifth metatarsal in his right foot . In an interview with Flamengo TV, the Chilean spoke about the treatment process, expressed his eagerness to return to the field, and left a message to the nation.

Flamengo's Pulgar on recovery: "I'm closer to returning to the field"

"The recovery has been very good. First, I'd like to thank Filipe (Luís) and Boto for giving me the confidence to go to Chile , and Dr. Sassaki and the entire medical department for overseeing the surgery and the first part of the work. Now I feel great, pain-free, I'm already doing more work, carrying more weight, and I'm closer to returning to the field," said the number 5.

Pulgar then highlighted the dedication behind the scenes: "We organized the week with the Medical Department to avoid wasting time, because I'm already eager to get back to training with the group. We'll continue the work and also thank the MD , who stayed with me working even when he was off," he concluded.

HOW DID THE FLEGAL INJURY HAPPEN?

The midfielder suffered the injury on June 29th during a friendly against Bayern Munich (GER). In the first half, Pulgar fouled Harry Kane , receiving a yellow card, and soon after, felt pain in his right foot. Tests confirmed a fracture in the fifth metatarsal, and the athlete underwent surgery in Chile.

WHEN WILL FLAMENGO RETURN TO THE FIELD?

With no exact date set for Pulgar's return, Flamengo is focusing on the next match on the calendar . Filipe Luís' team faces Juventude, this Sunday (14), at 4 pm (Brasília time), at Alfredo Jaconi Stadium, in a match valid for the 23rd round of the Brazilian Championship.

With extensive experience in the position and a notable achievement in winning the 1994 World Cup , Jorginho remains one of the most respected voices when it comes to right-backs. In his analysis, the former player highlighted the changing style of play and the lack of full-backs who can get deep to deliver crosses.

According to him, " a full-back needs to know how to cross. Nowadays, in modern football, it's difficult to see that. Today, it's a very supportive game with few full-backs getting to the bottom. The wingers play with 'switched' legs and usually cut inside, the full-back has to pass," he concluded.

FORMER PLAYER CRITICIZES LACK OF OFFENSIVENESS

During his analysis, Jorginho criticized the performance of Danilo , the current Brazilian full-back. He noted that in recent matches, the player has been unable to complete crosses , something he considers worrying for his role.

" I watched some recent Brazilian national team games and it was desperate to see the full-back not pass the ball. He ended up not delivering a cross. Danilo is a great full-back, but there was one game where, if I'm not mistaken it was against Argentina (editor's note: Danilo's last game for the national team was against Uruguay), he didn't get to the bottom once," he said before concluding.

Jorginho criticizes Flamengo's Danilo: "A full-back can't not cross a ball"

" A full-back can't go without crossing the ball throughout the game . But of course, today he's become more of a third defender and looks inside a lot, but it's extremely necessary for the full-back to know how to cross," said the former Flamengo coach.

FLAMENGO RETURNS TO THE FIELD AGAINST JUVENTUDE

With Danilo available, Flamengo is preparing for its next Brazilian Championship match. The team faces Juventude on the 14th at 4 p.m. (Brasília time) at Alfredo Jaconi Stadium, with coverage on Globo and Premiere.

Flamengo and the Libertadores Cup are experiencing another promising chapter in 2025. Flamengo, three-time champions of the competition, are considered a top contender for the title this season. However, a bold prediction has been circulating behind the scenes: psychic Maria Siqueira stated that the club will be eliminated by Estudiantes. According to her, " Estudiantes' Tarot cards are much better than those of Flamengo ," which would indicate an advantage for the Argentines in the decisive duel.

Despite leading the Brasileirão and a solid international campaign, Filipe Luís's team encountered unexpected obstacles in the Libertadores group stage . LDU, considered their toughest rival, was comfortably defeated at Maracanã and only managed a draw in the high altitude. Central Córdoba, in their first appearance in the tournament, surprised by winning 2-1 in Rio de Janeiro and drawing at home.

Even Deportivo Táchira, seen as a weaker opponent, nearly made things difficult. In Venezuela, Mengão won 1-0, but struggled at the Maracanã in a decisive match, securing a victory by the same score after a late scare.

FLAMENGO PATH

In the round of 16, "Mais Querido" showed strength and defeated Internacional 3-0 on aggregate . Now, the next challenge is against Estudiantes, who finished the group stage at the top of Botafogo's group and eliminated Cerro Porteño of Paraguay in the previous stage.

NEXT APPOINTMENT

Before turning their attention to the Libertadores, Flamengo returns to action on the 14th against Juventude at 4 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Alfredo Jaconi stadium, with coverage on Globo and Premiere. The first leg ended in a 6-0 rout at the Maracanã stadium , marking Pedro's return from a serious injury, with the striker scoring two goals.