NEWSPAPER "UPDATES" BALL OF GOLD RANKING AND HAS VINI JÚNIOR IN THE DISPUTE

Flamengo starts a new week with a focus on the Libertadores da América. On Thursday (19), Mengão will face Peñarol in the opening of the quarter-finals, at 9:30 pm, at Maracanã. Expectations are high on the Uruguayan side as well. After a 4-0 thrashing over Rampla Juniors on Saturday, coach Diego Aguirre commented on his team's moment and indicated who the starting lineup will be.

Aguirre mentioned the lack of pace of play due to the reduced number of matches recently. The team spent 15 days without playing between August 21st and September 7th due to mourning the death of Juan Izquierdo and another seven days until this Saturday's rout. Therefore, Peñarol arrives to face Flamengo with just two games in the last 30 days. Despite this, the coach valued the time to train the team.

The coach also spoke about a possible absence of Leonardo Fernández in the clash against Flamengo, as the striker appeared to be in pain during the match against Rampla Juniors. However, Aguirre hinted that the starter will be available, although he praised the squad as a whole.

Diego Aguirre was asked about possible changes in the starting lineup for the duel against Flamengo. He stated that he does not intend to make major changes to the team that has performed well, having won the last two games. Therefore, Peñarol should start the match with the preferred 4-4-2 formation.

The Uruguayan team tends to have less ball possession in the Libertadores, with an average of 44.5%, but has a quality midfield and fast players on the sides to supply the attackers when they recover the ball. Léo Fernández is the competition's assist leader, with three, and Maximiliano Silvera is the top scorer, with five goals.

Peñarol's probable lineup for the game against Flamengo is: Washington Aguerre; Pedro Milans, Javier Méndez, Guzmán Rodríguez and Maximiliano Oliveira; Javier Cabrera, Damián García, Eduardo Darías and Jaime Báez; Leonardo Fernández and Maximiliano Silveira.

It is worth noting that Aguirre has already used a tactical variation away from home in the Libertadores. Against The Strongest, for example, he adopted a 5-4-1 formation to face the altitude of La Paz. On that occasion, Jaime Báez was replaced by another defender, Léo Coelho. Furthermore, Gastón Ramírez, the experienced Uruguayan midfielder, comes into practically every game from the bench.

The Flamengois facing a challenging phase without Pedro's presence on the field, and this has generated many discussions among fans and analysts. The absence of a center forward of Pedro's caliber has been felt at crucial moments, such as in the recent game in which Bruno Henrique had a clear chance to score, but was unable to finish successfully. Many argue that, if Pedro had been on the field, that move would have resulted in a goal.

Pedro is recognized for his precise finishing ability and for being the type of striker who, when given an opportunity, tends not to waste it. . His absence, whether for physical reasons or the coach's choices, leaves a gap in Flamengo's attack. Even with two center forwards on the bench, none of them come close to offering the same quality and precision that Pedro delivers. This raises the question: why are Flamengo not able to make the most of their other attackers efficiently? Or could it be that, in fact, the team depends too much on Pedro to convert opportunities into goals?

The question that arises put is if the Flamengo became excessively dependent on Pedro. The club has a squad considered strong and deep, with several talented players, but the lack of a worthy substitute in command of the attack has highlighted a certain fragility. With Pedro out of action, the team loses firepower, which has been a decisive factor in recent matches.

Flamengo still has center forwards in the squad, but none of them have been able to fill the gap left by Pedro. This is a point of frustration for fans, who see in matches the absence of a “killer”, that player who does not miss clear chances to score. When the ball reaches Bruno Henrique or Gabigol, the finishing often does not have the same efficiency that Pedro would demonstrate in similar situations.

In a match valid for the fourth round of the Carioca Women's Under-20 Championship, Flamengo defeated Serrano 20-0, this Saturday afternoon (14), in Gávea. Ingrid (4), Ana Papel, Maria Peck (2), Cecília, Anna Luiza (3), Alice, Leane (4), Duda Detori, Letícia Pinho (2) and Isabela Nunes scored Mengão's goals.

The game

The match had barely started and Flamengo opened the scoring after just two minutes. Isabela Nunes crossed into the area, Anna Luiza set it up for Ingrid to hit the goalkeeper: 1 to 0.

The red-black team continued to control possession of the ball and scored the second after seven minutes. Ana Papel caught the ball beautifully and hit the angle, with no chance for the goalkeeper: 2-0. Soon after, it was Maria Peck's turn to take a risk from distance and score the third goal of the match after just nine minutes.

The Meninas da Gávea didn't let up and expanded at 12'. Ingrid took advantage of the cross in the area to move the goalkeeper and score the fourth. Six minutes later, Mais Querido scored the fifth with Cecília, with a header: 5 to 0.

After the fifth goal, Cecília asked to leave and gave way to Gaby Bastos. Despite the large advantage on the scoreboard, Mengão went up in search of more. At 29', Ana Papel made a great move and passed the ball for her namesake Anna Luiza to cover: 6 to 0.

Serrano barely gave away the ball and the red-blacks scored the seventh of the match with another great goal from Anna Luiza from outside the area, also through coverage: 7 to 0.

To give final numbers to the first stage, Meninas da Gávea found the net four more times, with Alice, Ingrid (2 ) and Maria Peck. Rubro-Negro went into the break with an 11-0 lead. Highlight for striker Ingrid, who scored four times.

On the way back to the second half, Leane received the ball alone in the area and touched it low into the corner to make it 12-0. At 9', Anna Luiza entered the area alone and hit it into the goalkeeper's right corner: 13 to 0. It was shirt 10's hat-trick in the game.

As Meninas da Gávea didn't slow down and expanded in the 14th minute. Anna Luiza played the ball to Alice, who provided a beautiful light screen for Leane to reach with a cross: 14 to 0. Seven minutes later, Leane again entered the area alone and scored another hat-trick in the match: 15 to 0.

Right-winger Leane came into the match with everything and scored her fourth goal in the 37th minute. After taking off, she dribbled past the goalkeeper and scored the 16th goal. Then, Duda Detori further extends the advantage with a penalty kick: 17 to 0.

In the last minutes, Meninas da Gávea scored three more goals to give final figures to the rout. Letícia Pinho (twice) and Isabela Nunes completed the scoring in the great 20-0 victory.

The Meninas da Gávea return to the field next Saturday (14) to face Botafogo, at 2:45 pm, at the Nilton Santos stadium, in the last round of the Carioca Feminino U20.

Laisla; Gi Cabral, Cecília (Gaby Bastos), Camila and Isabela Nunes; Nicoli (Letícia Pinho), Ana Papel (Leane) and Maria Peck (Duda Detori); Anna Luiza (Laís), Alice and Ingrid (Raissa Rocha).

Coach: Filipe Torres.

Flamengo 20x0 Serrano – 4th Round of the Carioca Women's Under-20 Championship

Location: José Bastos Padilha Stadium – Gávea, RJ

Date and time: 09/14/2024 at 2:45 pm

Arbitration: Thiago da Cunha Cordeiro, Paola Rodrigues José and Gabrielle da Silva Felizardo

Goals: Ingrid (2'1ºT, 12'1ºT, 35'1ºT, 44'1ºT), Ana Papel ( 7'1ºT), Maria Peck (9'1ºT, 37'1ºT), Cecília (18'1ºT), Anna Luiza (29'1ºT, 30'1ºT, 9'2ºT), Alice (32'1ºT), Leane (4 '2ºT, 14'2ºT, 21'2ºT and 37'2ºT), Duda Detori (39'2ºT), Letícia Pinho (40'2ºT and 44'2ºT) and Isabela Nunes (42'2ºT).