Journalist says no one is deluded with the beginning of the year of Flamengo

Flamengo faces Juventude this Sunday (14), at 4 pm (Brasília time), at Alfredo Jaconi Stadium, in Caxias do Sul , for the 23rd round of the Brazilian Championship Series A. With the leadership consolidated, Mais Querido will have changes in the starting lineup.

Coach Filipe Luís confirmed the starting lineup with: Rossi; Emerson Royal, Danilo, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Allan, Saúl and Arrascaeta; Luiz Araújo, Samuel Lino and Pedro.

CONFIRMED SHORTAGES

Some athletes did not travel to Caxias do Sul. Midfielder Jorginho continues to recover from pain in the posterior muscle of his left thigh , while Varela is treating pubalgia after returning from the Uruguayan national team.

Alex Sandro, despite progressing in his recovery from a left calf injury, was also left out of the list of related players. Despite having obtained a suspension effect in the STJD, Bruno Henrique felt pain after training on Saturday (13) and will be spared

CLASSIFICATION AND CONTEXT

Flamengo leads the Brazilian Championship with 47 points, while Juventude sits in the relegation zone with 21 points. The match represents another opportunity for the Rio de Janeiro team to solidify its position at the top of the table and arrive in high spirits for its next international match.

The clash between Juventude and Flamengo takes place this Sunday (14), at 4 pm (Brasília time), at the Alfredo Jaconi Stadium, in Caxias do Sul (RS). The live broadcast will be carried out by the Amazon Prime streaming service, with narration by Galvão Bueno.

Coach Filipe Luís should send Rossi onto the field; Emerson Royal, Danilo, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; De La Cruz, Saúl and Arrascaeta; Luiz Araújo, Samuel Lino (Cebolinha) and Pedro.

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TEAM CLASSIFICATION

Flamengo leads the Brazilian Championship with 47 points . Juventude, meanwhile, sits in the relegation zone with 21 points and is looking to rally at home to try and climb out of the bottom of the table.

PLAYER RETURNS

Arrascaeta, Viña, Carrascal, and Samuel Lino , who were with their national teams during the FIFA World Cup, trained normally and are confirmed for the game. Gonzalo Plata, although he traveled with the group, is expected to start on the bench, as he only performed gym activities after being released by Flamengo .

Renan Lodi 's future has once again become a topic of discussion in Brazilian football following his tumultuous departure from Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal. The 27-year-old full-back unilaterally terminated his contract , claiming he had been barred from playing in the Saudi Arabian Championship. In response, the club announced it intends to take legal action against the player.

Lodi, a free agent, was quickly linked to Brazilian clubs, but Flamengo has no intention of entering the fray. The board believes the squad is already well-stocked at left-back and there's no need for reinforcements at this time.

Coach Filipe Luís currently has Ayrton Lucas as a solid starter and Matías Viña as an immediate alternative. Additionally, Alex Sandro is in the final stages of recovery and should expand the coach's options soon. The arrival of another full-back could create a surplus of players in Flamengo 's defense.

FINANCIAL ISSUE

Another factor that influenced the decision not to move forward with negotiations was the financial aspect. Renan Lodi has a history of high salaries since his time at Atlético de Madrid , Nottingham Forest, and Al-Hilal. Investing in a player with this profile is seen by the board as unnecessary in the club's current situation.

LODI OPENS UP ABOUT EXIT

Meanwhile, Renan Lodi publicly defends his decision to leave Al-Hilal. In a letter posted on social media, the full-back stated that he could not be prevented from practicing his profession and that he tried, unsuccessfully, to resolve the situation amicably with the Arab club.