Soccer

FLUMINENSE WILL HAVE A BIG MISS FOR CLASSIC WITH FLAMENGO

The Laranjeiras team was beaten 4-2 by Botafogo this Sunday (3)

Photo: Reproduction/ Fluminense
Photo: Reproduction/ Fluminense

04 Mar 2024 | 07:07 |

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On the afternoon of this past Sunday (3), the semi-finals of the Campeonato Carioca were decided, after Vasco beat Portuguesa and Fluminense lost to Botafogo. This way, the Laranjeiras team will face Mais Querido in the final stretch of the tournament. However, for the classic, the tricolor will have a weight loss. This is because, André, was sent off in the last round and will be suspended.


The midfielder was sent off in the last minutes of the classic against Botafogo this Sunday (4). André committed a penalty, took away a clear scoring opportunity and received a straight red card. Thus, in addition to being defeated by Botafogo, Fluminense lost its trusted man in midfield.


CONFRONTATION DATES DEFINED


After the matches of the last round of the Guanabara Cup and the definition of the semi-finals, FERJ released the dates of the clashes between Flamengoand Fluminense. The first game will be next Saturday (9). The return match is scheduled for the 17th of the same month.

FOCUS ON PREPARING FOR THE CLASSIC


With everything defined, the cast of Mais Queridoreturns to training this Monday (4) to start preparing for the match against Fluminense. Remembering that the Rubro Negro players had Sunday (3) off, after beating Madureira and winning the Guanabara Cup undefeated.

Fans who want to follow the classic between Flamengo and Fluminense in the semi-final of Carioca will have three options. This is because Band, an open TV channel, will broadcast the game, in addition to BandSports, a closed channel, and the GOAT channel, on YouTube.


Soccer

Flamengo could have a significant absence in the game against Estudiantes

Mengão faces the Argentine team with important absences that could impact the team's lineup and strategy at Maracanã this Thursday (18)

Flamengo will have important absences against Estudiantes: Jorginho, Alex Sandro and Pulgar will not play at Maracanã - photo: reproduction
Flamengo will have important absences against Estudiantes: Jorginho, Alex Sandro and Pulgar will not play at Maracanã - photo: reproduction

16 Set 2025 | 15:49 |

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Flamengo will have significant absences in this Thursday's (17) clash, at 9:30 pm, against Estudiantes, at Maracanã, for the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores . Among the big names that will be left out are midfielder Jorginho, full-back Alex Sandro and midfielder Pulgar.


Jorginho will miss the match against Argentina due to muscle swelling in his left thigh . Alex Sandro continues to recover from a left calf injury, while Pulgar is in the final stages of treatment after surgery on his right foot and will still require at least two weeks of physical therapy before returning to the squad.


IMPACT OF EMBARRASSMENTS


With these absences, the coach will have to assemble a team with alternatives for midfield and left back. The likely starting lineup includes: Rossi; Royal (Varela), Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, Ayrton Lucas (Viña); Saúl, De La Cruz (Allan), Arrascaeta; Plata, Samuel Lino, and Pedro.

The absences could influence Flamengo 's game strategy, as they seek to advance to the Copa Libertadores semifinals. The return leg will be next week in La Plata, Argentina, against Estudiantes.


POSSIBLE REINFORCEMENTS

Striker Bruno Henrique and full-back Varela are the main names expected to return to the team after being absent last Sunday (14), against Juventude, for the Brazilian Championship. Both trained normally with the team this Tuesday (16).



Soccer

Flamengo could make a killing with FIFA's new rules for players called up

Mengão has been frequently loaning players to national teams due to its star-studded squad, and the club must pay a sum for the athletes.

FIFA will provide compensation to clubs that provided players for the qualifiers and Flamengo could win the ball - Photo: Reproduction
FIFA will provide compensation to clubs that provided players for the qualifiers and Flamengo could win the ball - Photo: Reproduction

16 Set 2025 | 15:39 |

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Created to reward clubs that contributed players to the World Cup, FIFA's Club Benefits Program has been expanded. From now on, teams that have players called up for the qualifiers , such as Flamengo, will also receive financial compensation .


The announcement was made by the organization itself, which confirmed the distribution of more than R$1.8 billion to clubs that release players to national teams . This amount represents an increase of almost 70% compared to the last edition of the program, implemented during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.


HOW THE NEW MODEL WILL WORK


Until now, the benefit was restricted to clubs that had players called up for the World Cup. With this change, FIFA aims to be more inclusive and reach a wider range of teams: "The new edition of the FIFA Club Benefits Program for the 2026 World Cup will go a step further and recognize, in economic terms, the immense contribution made by clubs and players from around the world to the celebration of the preliminary and final stages of the tournament," said Gianni Infantino, president of the organization.

For the 2022 World Cup, the amount distributed was US$209 million (approximately R$1.1 billion at the current exchange rate). For the 2026 edition, the amount will rise to US$355 million , which represents approximately R$700 million more. In the last edition, 440 clubs from 51 different federations were included.


NASSER AL-KHELAÏFI’S INVOLVEMENT

The increased financial contribution was directly supported by Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, owner of PSG and president of the European Club Association (ECA) . He led negotiations that resulted in the program's expansion. Despite the initial focus on benefiting European clubs, the measure will have a global reach. After the announcement, Al-Khelaïfi celebrated the progress:

"More clubs around the world will receive a reward for releasing their players. Clubs play a fundamental role in the success of international football , and this initiative recognizes all aspects of that role, from developing younger players to releasing them to play in more important matches," he declared.



Soccer

Joke? ESPN commentator says Flamengo lost momentum at Maracanã

Analyst says that stadium renovations and elitism with excessive ticket price increases have eliminated the hostile atmosphere at Mengão.

ESPN journalist guarantees that Flamengo at Maracanã does not offer a hostile atmosphere to opponents - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo
ESPN journalist guarantees that Flamengo at Maracanã does not offer a hostile atmosphere to opponents - Photo: Reproduction/Flamengo

16 Set 2025 | 15:14 |

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ESPN journalist André Galindo sparked debate by analyzing the current atmosphere at Maracanã , especially during Flamengo games . According to the commentator, the stadium has lost some of the intimidating atmosphere that characterized previous eras.


André Galindo, from ESPN: "At the old Maracanã, Flamengo was scary, but not anymore"


According to Galindo, the new Maracanã no longer commands the same respect from opponents as the old one. He recalled that, in the past, the pressure from the red-and-black fans made a difference on the field, something that seems to have weakened today.


" Flamengo at the New Maracanã is 'my house, your house.' There's no hostile atmosphere. At the old Maracanã, Flamengo was scary, but not anymore. The only stadium in Rio that can have a hostile atmosphere is São Januário . Other than that, no one can," he declared.

CRITICISM OF ORGANIZED FANS


The journalist also criticized the lack of synchronicity among organized fan groups. In his view, the lack of unity harms the atmosphere in the stands , previously considered one of the strongest in South America.

"Flamengo doesn't scare anyone in the stadium these days. The fans don't sing, the organized fans don't sing together; it's disorganized . At the old Maracanã, yes, the old Flamengo fans were scary, but nowadays they don't scare anyone," he added.

Senseless criticism

In the analysis, however, Galindo did not take into account important points: Flamengo remains alongside Mirassol as the only undefeated team at home in the 2025 Brasileirão. After the duel against São Paulo in the Brasileirão, the tricolor's coach, Hernán Crespo, even gave 'thanks to God' that he would not face Mais Querido again at Maracanã .

FLAMENGO'S NEXT GAME

Despite the criticism, Maracanã will be the stage for another decision. Next Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), Flamengo hosts Estudiantes (ARG) for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals.


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