Soccer
Flamengo has 4 players suspended and could have 2 'surprise' absences to face Cruzeiro
02 Out 2025 | 12:11
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Soccer
17 Jul 2025 | 12:09 |
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Flamengo was defeated 1-0 by Santos last Wednesday (16), in a duel marked by yet another below-par performance from the attacking sector. With Pedro out of the list of players and Juninho on the bench, coach Filipe Luís opted to field Plata as a center forward — an improvisation that had no effect and generated harsh criticism from journalist Renato Mauricio Prado.
RMP on Plata's effectiveness at Flamengo: "The striker puts at least one goal in"
During his analysis, RMP questioned Plata 's effectiveness and highlighted two missed opportunities by the Ecuadorian throughout the match. He believes that despite goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão's good saves, he lacked decisiveness.
"When was Plata's last goal? I honestly don't remember. He might be useful in Filipe's system, he can create plays, but a goal... a goal? He had two clear chances today. Credit to the goalkeeper, okay, but the top scorer puts at least one in. And he didn't," criticized the journalist. Plata's last goal came in the rout of Juventude in the fourth round of the Brasileirão.
With Pedro's situation uncertain and a real possibility of leaving the club, the club's board has already recognized that the arrival of a center forward is a priority. The lack of options in the attack, especially after the defeat at Vila Belmiro, has only reinforced the need for quick action in the transfer market.
RMP, for its part, was scathing in its criticism of the board's delay. The journalist questioned whether Taty Castellanos , speculated as a reinforcement, was actually a real possibility or simply an attempt to divert attention from the crisis involving Pedro.
"They need to sign a goalscoring striker, as soon as possible. 'Oh, could it be Taty Castellanos?' Maybe. But will Flamengo really buy him? Or are they spreading these rumors to distract from the Pedro problem? " he said. In his opinion, the search for a new center forward should have started a long time ago. "We should have looked a long time ago, man. Regardless of Pedro's sidelines," he added.
The hottest name on the Flamengo transfer market is striker Taty Castellanos, currently with Lazio. Flamengo has already reached an agreement with the player, but is facing obstacles with the Italian club, which will only release him upon payment of €25 million (approximately R$161 million).
Meanwhile, recently signed Juninho has yet to establish himself and remains an unknown quantity. Given this, Flamengo is accelerating its efforts to strengthen its attack and prevent its lack of effectiveness from costing it significant points again this season.
Teams face each other at Maracanã for the 26th round of the Brasileirão with tickets sold out and probable lineups confirmed for the game
02 Out 2025 | 13:14 |
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Flamengo hosts Cruzeiro this Thursday (2), at 8:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, in a match valid for the 26th round of the Brazilian Championship. The match will be broadcast exclusively on SporTV (pay TV) and Premiere (pay-per-view), without being shown on open TV.
Coach Filipe Luís will have one confirmed absence: Erick Pulgar is recovering from surgery on his right foot and was not included in the match. Additionally, four players are suspended: Léo Pereira, Alex Sandro, Allan, and Arrascaeta. If they receive a yellow card against Cruzeiro, they will miss the matchday 27 match against Bahia.
Flamengo leads the competition with 54 points, closely followed by Palmeiras with 52. Cruzeiro is in third place with 50 points. The result of the match won't knock the Red-Blacks off the top of the table , but it could widen or narrow their lead at the top. Therefore, the match is being viewed as a true "six-point" match.
Maracanã will once again be at full capacity. All tickets have been sold, and the Nação Rubro-Negra (Red and Black Nation) is promising a huge party in the stands. Sales began on September 2nd, initially for members , with priority access and exclusive discounts. Later, on September 18th, sales opened to the general public.
Flamengo: Rossi; Varela, Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira (Danilo) and Alex Sandro; Jorginho, Saul and Arrascaeta; Gonzalo Plata (Carrascal), Samuel Lino and Pedro.
Cruzeiro: Cassio; William, Villalba, Fabrício Bruno and Caíque; Cristian, Lucas Romero and Lucas Silva; Wanderson, Matheus Pereira and Kaio Jorge.
The Brazilian National Team coach recognizes the work of the still-beginning Mengão coach and sees a future outside Brazil, despite political difficulties.
02 Out 2025 | 13:05 |
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Having been in charge of Flamengo's professional team for a year , Filipe Luís is already attracting attention in European football. Brazilian national team coach Carlo Ancelotti praised the former full-back's work and highlighted the political challenges that prevent Brazilian coaches from working in Europe.
Ancelotti on Flamengo's Filipe Luís: "He can do a lot, he's doing it very well"
"He's a young coach who already has a lot of experience as a player. He can do a lot, and he's doing it very well. It's a bit rare for a Brazilian coach to coach in Europe ," said Carlo Ancelotti in an interview with TNT Brasil.
The Italian went further, highlighting the bureaucratic barrier between entities: "It's a struggle that Brazilian coaches have to overcome to be able to train in Europe, just as I can train in Brazil . Why can't a Brazilian train in Italy or elsewhere? I see a political problem between CONMEBOL and UEFA ," he added.
Despite limited opportunities on the European continent, Filipe Luís remains at Flamengo of his own free will. He recently even refused to open talks with Fenerbahçe (TUR) , and has also been approached by Bayer Leverkusen (GER).
The coach, however, emphasizes that he still needs to gain experience before considering working abroad . Happy at his beloved club, he has already won three titles, leads the 2025 Brasileirão, and is in the Copa Libertadores semifinals.
While receiving praise from Ancelotti, Filipe Luís remains focused on Flamengo. This Thursday (2), Rubro-Negro faces Cruzeiro , in the 26th round of the Brasileirão. The ball rolls from 8:30 pm (Brasília time), at the packed Maracanã.
The Tricolor coach will have the task of facing his former team on Sunday and projected the clash against Mengão, a team he has never beaten
02 Out 2025 | 12:21 |
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After the 2-1 defeat to Botafogo, this Wednesday (1st), at Engenhão, coach Rogério Ceni has already planned Bahia's next commitment in the Brasileirão, the duel against the championship leader: Flamengo , on Sunday (5) , in Salvador.
Rogério Ceni, Bahia coach: "Competing on equal terms with Flamengo is difficult for everyone"
"Competing on equal terms with Flamengo is difficult for everyone. Starting tomorrow, we'll be racking our brains to put together the team . We have Arias out and Gilberto back, we have two left-backs in addition to Juba, we'll have to make choices," said the coach.
He also explained that he intends to exercise caution in selecting some players: " Ademir isn't ready to start yet , and I can't risk what happened with Pulga. Let's take it easy and think about it. To play against Flamengo , we have to be a very competitive team. We have to repeat the spirit we had against Palmeiras; otherwise, we have no chance," he added.
In addition to the loss to Botafogo, Bahia is severely handicapped when it faces Flamengo. Sanabria (sent off) and Gabriel Xavier (automatically suspended) are out . Adding the injury losses, Rogério Ceni could have up to 13 players out for next Sunday's match.
On the other side, Flamengo concentrates its forces before thinking about Bahia. This Thursday (2), Rubro-Negro receives Cruzeiro, in a direct confrontation for the leadership of the Brasileirão . For the game, Filipe Luís has practically the entire squad available - the only confirmed absence is Erick Pulgar, who is still recovering from surgery on his right foot.
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