Soccer

Flamengo tries to hold back Bahia's "Tabu" for more than five years

The club acts behind the scenes to extend the taboo

Flamengo already knows its opponent in the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil 2024. The draw held on Tuesday, the 20th, defined that Bahia will be the red-black's opponent in a duel that promises to be challenging. However, recent numbers suggest a favorable scenario for Flamengo, as Bahia has not beaten the Rio team in five years.

Bahia's last victory over Flamengo came in August 2019. In that match, the Bahian club triumphed 3-0, in the game that marked Fillipe Luís' debut for Flamengo and at the beginning of the Jorge Jesus era as coach of the Rio team. Even with this defeat, Flamengo ended that season with great success, winning the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian Championship titles, with a historic record of points in the straight points format.

FLAMENGO OPENS THE CORAÇÃO

The recent retrospective between the two clubs shows Flamengo's clear superiority. In the last eight clashes, the red and black team won every game, including three played away from home. These results strengthen the favoritism of Flamengo for the next clash, although the team must prepare for a tough clash, considering the importance of the Copa do Brasil knockout stage.

The favorable record could be an indication of confidence for Flamengo, but it should not be seen as a guarantee of victory. In knockout competitions, each game has a unique emotional and tactical charge, which can change previous expectations. Bahia, in turn, will have the opportunity to break this negative sequence and seek a place in the semifinals, which adds extra spice to the duel.

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Soccer

Lineup: With changes, Flamengo announces the starters who will face Peñarol at Maracanã

The teams play the first game of the quarterfinals at 7 p.m.

Tite defined Flamengo and announced the 11 starters who will face Peñarol, this Thursday, at Maracanã, at 7pm. De la Cruz returns to the starting lineup in place of Léo Ortiz, and Alex Sandro and Plata were retained. The duel with the Uruguayans is the first between the teams in the quarter-finals of the Copa Conmebol Libertadores. Follow the Red and Black lineup:Rossi, Varela, Fabrício Bruno, Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro; Pulgar, De la Cruz, Gerson and Arrascaeta; Plata and Bruno Henrique.

Alex Sandro and Plata, debutants in last Sunday's classic, remain in the team after having good performances in the draw against Vasco. Gabigol is now out of the relationship due to fibrosis in the posterior muscle of his right thigh. Flamengo, in a statement, reported that the athlete did not suffer any injury in the region. Check it out:

"The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo informs that the athlete Gabriel Barbosa underwent tests that did not diagnose an injury to the posterior muscle of his right thigh. However, the Technical Committee opted for precaution and did not list him for the duel against Peñarol due to fibrosis in the region. Gabi is handed over to physiotherapists and physical trainers for the series of decisive games of the season."