Journalist chooses who has the best goalkeeper: Flamengo or Fluminense

Guillermo Varela played in his first Copa América last year, but narrowly avoided being left out of coach Marcelo Bielsa's squad. The full-back, who recently renewed his contract with Flamengo , revealed that the Uruguayan national team coach considered leaving him out due to his playing style under Tite.

Varela on Tite at Flamengo: "He prioritized defense, he didn't let me pass"

"I almost missed the Copa América. One of the reasons was that the other coach who was here (at Flamengo , Tite) prioritized defense, not letting me play on the outside, leaving our winger one-on-one. And Marcelo (Bielsa) told me: 'You're not attacking, and I need full-backs who attack. And if you don't do what makes me happiest in a full-back, why are you going to play? '" the player said in an interview with the Uruguayan Football Federation.

The No. 2 also celebrated the change of scenery with Filipe Luís in charge. "That's what he asked of me. The idea of the current coach (Filipe Luís), who lets me do what I like, I prefer attacking a thousand times over defending , I'm like this and I believe that today we are all happy," he added.

URUGUAYAN BACK EXPERIENCES A NEW, MORE OFFENSIVE PHASE

Since arriving at Flamengo in 2022, Varela had made few offensive appearances. Until the end of last year, the full-back hadn't even provided an assist. The situation changed in 2025. In 38 matches this season, the Uruguayan has five decisive assists. The most recent came last Monday (25), when he delivered a precise cross for Samuel Lino's header , cementing his most prominent phase in attack.

VARELA SHOULD BE THE STARTER AGAINST GRÊMIO

Wesley's departure to Roma has opened up space for Varela to gain more playing time. Despite the signing of Emerson Royal, the Uruguayan remains the starting right-back. Therefore, Varela is expected to start this Sunday (31), when Flamengo hosts Grêmio at Maracanã, in the 22nd round of the Brasileirão. The match is scheduled for 4 pm (Brasília time).

Flamengo will enter the field this Sunday (1), at 4 pm (Brasília time) , at Maracanã, against Grêmio, for the 22nd round of the Brazilian Championship, with at least one confirmed change. Without Alex Sandro, who is recovering from injury, Ayrton Lucas should take over the starting position at left back.

Coach Filipe Luís 's main concern is in midfield. Defensive midfielder Jorginho, a key player since the Club World Cup debut, experienced muscle discomfort and did not train with the squad this week . He continues individual training at Ninho do Urubu and will be re-evaluated this Saturday, the final training session before the match.

If he isn't cleared by the medical department, the top options to fill his spot are Allan and Evertton Araújo , with De la Cruz a potential outsider. Chilean Pulgar remains sidelined and is unfit to play.

PROBABLE LINEUP

The likely Flamengo formation that coach Filipe Luís should field in the match against Grêmio is: Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Allan (Jorginho), Saúl and Arrascaeta; Plata, Samuel Lino and Pedro.

BREAK IN THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

The Brasileirão's undisputed leader, Rubro-Negro, has 46 points, four more than second-place Palmeiras, who have a game in hand. After this round, the competition will be suspended for 13 days due to the FIFA International Day.

Palmeiras confirmed this Friday (29) the signing of midfielder Andreas Pereira, 29 years old . The player signed a contract until December 2028 and will become a reinforcement for the squad led by Abel Ferreira for the rest of the season.

The transfer was agreed for €10 million (approximately R$63 million). The payment will be made in installments over four years, an agreement accepted by Fulham, the English club that held the player's rights. "Now I'm in a relationship with Brazil's greatest champion," Andreas declared in his first statement after the deal was official.

PLAYER PASSED TESTS

Before traveling, Andreas underwent medical examinations while still in England. He is expected to arrive in São Paulo in the coming days to join the Alviverde squad and begin work at the training center.

The midfielder made his debut in Brazilian football in 2021, when he played on loan at Mais Querido from Manchester United. Despite his strong performances, his time there was marked by a mistake that resulted in Palmeiras' second goal in the 2021 Copa Libertadores final, which the Alviverde team won 2-1 over the Rubro-Negro.

ANDREAS DELETES REFERENCES TO FLA

After the official announcement of his arrival at Palmeiras, Andreas drew attention for his social media stance. The player deleted the highlight he had on his profile about his time at Flamengo . Many fans interpreted the gesture as a definitive end to that cycle.