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Several Uruguayan newspapers covered the tie between Flamengo and Vasco this Sunday (15). Among the main vehicles, “El País” and “Montevidéu Portal” highlighted that Luiz Araújo left the classic with a possible knee injury and could be absent for Rubro-Negro in the first game of the Libertadores quarter-finals against Peñarol, next Thursday (19).

Luiz Araújo played just 18 minutes in the classic. The attacker felt his knee after a challenge with a Vasco defender and even tried to continue on the field, but ended up being replaced by Arrascaeta. At half-time, Flamengo issued a statement informing that the player will be re-evaluated by the medical department at Ninho do Urubu. The squad will be presented again this Monday afternoon (16).

Uruguayan newspapers consider the possible absence of Luiz Araújo a big problem for Mengão. The athlete is a starter in Tite's team, with the most matches for Flamengo this season (50) and leader in assists (10).

The newspaper 'El País' classified the player as a key player for the team: “The injury to Luiz Araújo, one of the most important players in Mengão's squad, expands the list of injured players just a few days before the clash against Peñarol in the Copa Libertadores.”

The 'Montevideo Portal' followed the same line, highlighting the importance of the striker: “In addition to the result, another bad news for Peñarol's next rival in the Copa Libertadores it was the departure of Luiz Araújo. The fast right-winger, starter for Flamengo, felt pain in his right knee after a blow.”

Currently, Flamengo's medical department has five injured players: De La Cruz, Michael, Cebolinha, Viña and Pedro, with the trio formed by Cebolinha, Viña and Pedro only expected to return in 2025.

Expectations for De La Cruz in the game against Peñarol

While awaiting Luiz Araújo's diagnosis, coach Tite revealed, after the draw against Vasco, that he hopes to count on De La Cruz for the duel against Peñarol . According to the coach, the Uruguayan's presence could improve the effectiveness of the team, which has shown good performance in recent matches.

“In training, when he (De la Cruz) was leaving, I asked 'is there enough for 20? minutes?'. He smiled, because he couldn't. The physical department definitely said they were not in a position to do so. Not even him feeling well. Especially because you have to talk to the athlete, because then there is the charge. Hopefully, and I hope that he can be there on Thursday to reproduce today's performance, with greater effectiveness”, said Tite in the post-game press conference between Flamengo x Vasco.

Flamengo is focused on the duel against Peñarol (URU), in the quarter-finals of the Libertadores, which takes place on Thursday (19), at 7pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã. Rubro-Negro has an important asset to advance in the competition: a sequence of 27 games without defeat at the 'Templo Sagrado'.

With total focus on the Libertadores, Flamengo accumulates excellent numbers playing at Maracanã. There are 27 unbeaten matches in the continental competition, with 24 wins and only three draws. Furthermore, Mengão reached the mark of 16 consecutive victories at the stadium in the Libertadores.

Although the record is impressive, one detail still worries fans. Flamengo's last defeat at home in the Libertadores was against Peñarol, in 2019. In that game, the team led by Abel Braga lost 1-0, in a match marked by a poor performance and the expulsion of Gabigol.

Flamengo's numbers at Maracanã in the Libertadores:

27 games without losing

24 wins and three draws

16 consecutive victories at Maracanã

Last draw: Flamengo 0x0 Vélez Sarsfield (2021)

Last defeat: Flamengo 0x1 Peñarol (2019)

Next match: Flamengo x Peñarol

Flamengo will face Peñarol this Thursday (19), in the quarter-finals of the Libertadores. The match takes place at Maracanã, starting at 7pm (Brasília time). ESPN (closed channel) and Disney+ (streaming) will broadcast the duel.

This last Sunday (15), Bahia faced Atlético-MG after being eliminated by Flamengo in the Copa do Brasil. In a game with a totally different stance, Rogério Ceni's team won by a score of 3-0. After the match, the coach was asked about the change in stance compared to the defeat to Mais Querido.

< “There was no training to correct this. What this team produces is the result of eight months of work. The stance against Flamengo was really (bad)... let's also mention here Flamengo's construction quality, which is different, they are players of a very high level”, said Rogério Ceni in a press conference.

Against Flamengo Atlético-MG, Bahia managed to finish 16 times, four of which were on target. Now against Flamengo, The Bahian team had eight shots, but none on goal. Remembering that Rubro-Negro won 1-0, with a goal from Arrascaeta.

TEAM SITUATION IN THE BRASILEIRÃO

Mais Querido reached 45 points in the classification of the Brasileirão after a draw with Vasco. Thus, the team led by Tite remains in fourth place, but with São Paulo and Bahia on their heels, as they won and reached 44 and 42, respectively.

NEXT GAME

Now , Mais Querido focuses on the Libertadores. Rubro-Negro takes the field next Thursday (19), in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the competition against Peñarol, at Maracanã, at 7pm.