FLAMENGO FACES VASCO WITH AIM FOR LEADERSHIP OF THE BRASILEIRÃO

After Flamengo's elimination to Atlético-MG in the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil, coach Filipe Luís sought to shift focus and reinforce the team's commitment to the rest of the season. Flamengo won the second leg 1-0, with a goal from Everton Cebolinha, but was eliminated 4-3 on penalties at Arena MRV .

Filipe Luís after elimination from the Copa do Brasil: "Our obligation is to give our lives for the Flamengo shield"

In the press conference after the match, Filipe dismissed the idea that winning the Brazilian Championship and the Libertadores had become "obligations" after the setback in the national tournament: “Our obligation is to give our lives for the Flamengo shield, to work and to put Flamengo as a priority ”, declared the coach.

BET ON A COMPETITIVE CAST

Even without using the term "obligation," Filipe made it clear that the club's ambition remains high. The coach highlighted the strength of the group and assured that the team will continue to fight for titles until the end of the year . Flamengo is leading the Brasileirão and is in the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil.

"The qualified squad gives me the ability to fight for the title, and you can be sure they will fight until the end. I have faith in these players; I trust them with my life. We're going to have a great season from now on ," the coach stated.

POST-BRAZIL WORLD CUP PATH

With the dream of a sixth Copa do Brasil title over, Flamengo now focuses its attention on the Brasileirão, where it leads the table, and the Libertadores , in search of its fourth continental title. The next match will be on Saturday (09), against Mirassol, at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the 19th round of the Brazilian Championship. On Wednesday (13), the team returns to the field for the Libertadores, against Internacional, also at Maracanã, at 9:30 pm, for the first leg of the round of 16.

Eliminated from the Copa do Brasil after a penalty shootout defeat to Atlético-MG on Wednesday night (06), Flamengo saw Samuel Lino and Wallace Yan miss their shots. After the match, midfielder Jorginho came to the defense of his teammates and highlighted the group's unity in the face of frustration at Arena MRV.

Jorginho defends Wallace Yan at Flamengo: "The important thing is to hold your head up high"

"I've missed a penalty before. Every soccer player will miss at some point. The important thing is to keep their heads up. They have the full support of the group, which has a lot of confidence in them. We'll work to ensure they get it right next time , and we'll be by their side throughout this process, ensuring they don't get discouraged," said Jorginho.

WHAT DID FILIPE LUÍS SAY?

Coach Filipe Luís acknowledged the team's flaws, but emphasized that the season is still in full swing, with Flamengo competing in the Brazilian Championship and the Libertadores. The coach also commented that he prefers to prioritize support from the stands over criticism on social media.

HOW WAS THE ELIMINATION?

Flamengo took the field needing to overturn a 1-0 defeat in the first leg . With a strong performance, they opened the scoring through Everton Cebolinha and maintained control of the match. However, Flamengo held on until the end and took the match to penalties with the aggregate score tied at 1-1.

In the dispute, Rossi saved Júnior Alonso's shot, giving Flamengo the advantage. However , Samuel Lino was stopped by Everson, and Wallace Yan wasted his shot by sending it over the goal , sealing Flamengo's elimination.

NEXT GAMES

With the fall in the Copa do Brasil, Flamengo turns its attention to the Brasileirão . Next Saturday (09), the team faces Mirassol, at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the last round of the first round. On Wednesday (13), the challenge will be for the Libertadores, against Internacional.

Even after Atlético-MG's qualification against Flamengo in the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil, striker Hulk made a point of recognizing the opponent's strength. In an interview in the mixed zone after the match last Wednesday (06), the player highlighted that Rubro-Negro is, for him, the best team in Brazil — on and off the field.

Hulk on Flamengo: "the best team in the country"

"I said we'd face the best team in the country, Palmeiras... Sorry, it's Flamengo . Not just on paper, but in practice. They're a team that plays hard, passes the ball around, and moves a lot. They're very difficult to mark. We played three great games —in the Brazilian league and in the World Cup—and we were happy. Now it's time to celebrate this qualification and aim for greater heights," Hulk declared.

WHAT DID FILIPE LUÍS SAY AFTER THE ELIMINATION?

Coach Filipe Luís acknowledged that the team needs to improve after the elimination , but emphasized that the team remains in contention on two fronts: the Brazilian Championship and the Libertadores. The coach also emphasized that he prefers to value the support of the fans in the stadiums over the criticism made on social media.

HOW WAS THE MATCH?

Flamengo defeated Atlético-MG 1-0 in regulation time with a goal from Everton Cebolinha, equaling the aggregate score after a 1-0 loss in the first leg . The match went to penalties, where Flamengo was eliminated: Samuel Lino had his penalty saved by Everson, and Wallace Yan missed the last one by shooting over.

NEXT COMMITMENTS

With the elimination in the Copa do Brasil, Flamengo now focuses its forces on other competitions. The next challenge is for the Brazilian Championship , on Saturday (09), at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), against Mirassol, at Maracanã. After that, the team returns to the field for the Libertadores, on Wednesday (13), against Internacional.