WARRIOR BACK! ARRASCAETA CAN PASS AS A ATTACKER AND CLOSE TO FLAMENGO'S ARTILLERY FROM "GRINGOS"

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."

Flamengo faces Peñarol (URU) in the first game of the CONMEBOL Libertadores quarter-finals and, here, you can watch the broadcast, live, with 2h30 of pre-game, interviews, the team's arrival at Maracanã and everything more.

Follow the match live here:

One of Flamengo's main figures, Giorgian de Arrascaeta, reached an important personal milestone in the classic. With the decisive pass for Gerson's goal, the midfielder reached 50 assists in Brazilian Championships wearing the Sacred Mantle. When considering all competitions, Arrascaeta has accumulated an impressive 89 assists in 280 matches for Mengão, consolidating his position as one of the greatest playmakers in the club's recent history.

The draw in the classic, although frustrating, comes with good news for Flamengo. Key players are returning from injury or post-FIFA Date recovery, which raises fans' hopes for the remainder of the season. With the brand of Arrascaeta and the return of important athletes, such as De La Cruz and Alcaraz, who will be available against Peñarol. 

This Thursday (19), at 7pm, the More Querido will face Peñarol at Maracanã, in the first game of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals. The return match is scheduled for September 26th, at the Campeón del Siglo Stadium, in Montevideo. The clash marks another chapter in a historic rivalry between the two teams in the continental tournament.

In previous clashes between Flamengo and Peñarol, the Uruguayan team has an advantage. In total, the two teams faced each other six times, with four victories for Peñarol, one draw and only one victory for Mengão. The last meeting took place in the group stage of the 2019 Libertadores, when Rubro-Negro was defeated 1-0 at Maracanã and drew goalless in the second game, in Montevideo.