FLAMENGO ENDS 1st ROUND OF CARIOCA AS LEADER

The Brazilian Championship's undisputed leader, Flamengo, returns to the field this Thursday (18) to face Estudiantes in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals. The match takes place at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, with live broadcast on ESPN. The return duel is scheduled for September 25, at Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium, in La Plata, also at 9:30 pm.

Coach Filipe Luís will have some key reinforcements. Varela and Bruno Henrique, who missed the win against Juventude, are available, as is Léo Ortiz, who served a suspension in the last round of the Brasileirão . Alex Sandro and Jorginho, on the other hand, are still doubtful, as they have been undergoing physical therapy and will have their status determined shortly before the match.

STUDENTS ARRIVE WITHOUT STAFF

Eduardo Domínguez's team will be without González Pirez and Edwuin Cetré, both injured. Even so, 27 players traveled to Rio de Janeiro for the match. The final training session took place at Fluminense's training center in the city's West Zone . In the round of 16, Estudiantes advanced by defeating Cerro Porteño 1-0 on aggregate.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

FLAMENGO (Coach: Filipe Luis): Rossi; Varela (Emerson Royal), Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas (Viña); Saul, De La Cruz (Jorginho) and Arrascaeta; Plata, Pedro and Samuel Lino.

ESTUDIATES (Coach: Eduardo Domínguez): Muslera; Román Gómez, Santiago Núñez, Facundo Rodríguez and Santiago Arzamendia; Ascacíbar, Gabriel Neves, Amondarain and Medina; Tiago Palacios and Guido Carrillo.

Flamengo and Estudiantes face each other this Thursday (17), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. Fans of both teams have sold out their tickets and promise a huge party in the stands , worthy of a decisive clash in the main club tournament in South America.

Flamengo is expected to break the attendance record in Brazil in 2025. The current record is held by the Rio de Janeiro club itself, which drew 69,447 fans in its draw with Grêmio in the Brazilian Championship . With high demand for tickets and the atmosphere of the final, the number is projected to be surpassed this Thursday.

MARACANÃ HAS THE LARGEST CAPACITY IN THE COUNTRY

Maracanã has a capacity of approximately 78,000 fans, making it the largest stadium in the country. However, due to mandatory separation between fans, not all seats are available . Even so, Flamengo usually reaches nearly 70,000 attendance when it reaches its record attendance, which is expected for this match.

Rubro-Negro reached the quarterfinals after eliminating Internacional , while Estudiantes advanced by defeating Cerro Porteño. The semifinal spot will be decided in the second leg in Argentina next week.

FLAMENGO LEADS RANKING

• 69,447 – Flamengo 1x1 Grêmio
• 69,393 – Flamengo 0x0 Fluminense
• 68,483 – Flamengo 1x0 Internacional
• 67,501 – Flamengo 4x0 Corinthians
• 67,359 – Flamengo 2x0 Sao Paulo

Pedro faced behavioral issues under Filipe Luís at Flamengo and, at one point, was even left off the roster. However, the striker regained his place in the squad and was once again decisive. David Luiz came to the defense of the number 9, praising his teammate and responding to criticism .

David Luiz on the controversy between Pedro and Filipe Luís at Flamengo: "Nobody trains for a week and then starts scoring a goal"

"Pedro is an incredible player and a wonderful person. A friend, a brother. Often, in football and in life, people like to label others. They did that with Rodinei, treating him as a character and not as a player. With Pedro, they say he doesn't like training. But that's not the case . No one trains for a week and then scores goals. He was already dedicated beforehand," the defender said in an interview with LANCE!.

RELATIONSHIP WITH FILIPE LUÍS

According to David Luiz, the relationship between Pedro and Filipe Luís improved after the incident became public . Since then, the striker has returned to Flamengo 's starting lineup and has been instrumental in scoring important goals.

" After this public issue with Filipe, face-to-face dialogue became easier . Pedro is pure, he speaks his mind, and this helps us understand how to support him. Suddenly, he's back to doing what he always did: scoring goals. He deserves it, because he works for it. If he didn't work, he wouldn't have the numbers he's putting up," he added.

AVAILABLE AGAINST STUDIANTS

Pedro trained normally during the week and is confirmed among Filipe Luís' options for the duel this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, against Estudiantes (ARG), for the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals.