Soccer

LDU reveals surprises in the lineup for the high-stakes duel against Flamengo in Quito

With strategic changes and a bet on a more marking midfield, the Ecuadorian team aims to stop Mengão in a decisive game for the Libertadores; Filipe Luís

LDU tests formation with three defensive midfielders to face Flamengo in Quito; Mengão bets on Gonzalo Plata and rotation at altitude. (Photo / Instagram)
LDU tests formation with three defensive midfielders to face Flamengo in Quito; Mengão bets on Gonzalo Plata and rotation at altitude. (Photo / Instagram)

21 Abr 2025 | 20:36 |

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LDU finalized, this Monday (21), the preparations for the match against Flamengo, scheduled for this Tuesday, at 7 pm (Brasília time), in Quito, for the third round of the group stage of the Libertadores. Under the command of coach Pablo Sánchez, the Ecuadorian team held its last training session before the duel and outlined a team with significant changes, prioritizing a more conservative stance against the current champion of the Copa do Brasil.




LDU PREPARES FOR THE SEASON


The main change was the return of the starting line-up of the defensive system used in the first rounds of the tournament. Goalkeeper Gonzalo Valle and defenders Daniel De la Cruz, Ricardo Adé, Gian Allala and Leonel Quiñónez should start in the starting 11, giving more solidity to the defensive sector. The confirmed absence is that of Alexander Domínguez, the starting goalkeeper who remains out.



CHANGES IN THE MIDFIELD ARE A BET BY COACH PABLO SÁNCHEZ


The LDU coach opted to test a midfield formation with three players with defensive characteristics, which indicates an attempt to contain the opponent's offensive power. Carlos Gruezo returns to the team and was positioned in place of top scorer Gabriel Villamil, while Fernando Cornejo was also seen among the starters, coming in for Alvarado.


With that, the Ecuadorian team should field a more aggressive midfield, with Gruezo, Kevin Minda and Cornejo, leaving aside the more creative style that they had been showing. Pablo Sánchez's idea is to gain in marking and physical presence to balance the game against the Brazilians, who are the favorites. LDU's likely lineup to face Mengão should be: Gonzalo Valle; Daniel De la Cruz, Ricardo Adé, Gian Allala and Leonel Quiñónez; Carlos Gruezo, Kevin Minda and Fernando Cornejo; Bryan Ramírez, Lisandro Alzugaray and Alex Arce. The formation prioritizes closing spaces and quick transitions on the wings.


The coach rested the main players in the last match of the Ecuadorian Championship, a victory over Aucas, on Friday, precisely to preserve the athletes for the clash with the Brazilians. The altitude of Quito, around 2,800 meters above sea level, continues to be a strategic factor for the home team.


Soccer

Liverpool defender talks about his feelings when facing Flamengo in the World Cup: “fans…”

Reds standout Van Dijk recalls the atmosphere created by Mengão fans in the final played in Qatar in 2019 and says he is enchanted by the Brazilians

Liverpool's Van Dijk remembers the atmosphere created by Flamengo fans in the 2019 Club World Cup final - Photo: Reproduction
Liverpool's Van Dijk remembers the atmosphere created by Flamengo fans in the 2019 Club World Cup final - Photo: Reproduction

17 Set 2025 | 21:00 |

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Flamengo's fans continue to impress world football's biggest names . In 2019, Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk came face-to-face with the might of the Red-Black Nation at the FIFA Club World Cup final in Qatar. The atmosphere of that match left a lasting impression on the Dutch defender.


Liverpool's Van Dijk on Flamengo: "Their fans were incredible"


In an interview with TNT Sports, Van Dijk was asked about his knowledge of Brazilian football. The topic arose because striker Memphis Depay , a player for Corinthians and the Dutch national team, frequently talks to the defender about Brazil.


"I know very well the passion Brazilian fans have for their teams. We faced Flamengo in the Club World Cup in Qatar, and their support was incredible . Memphis also spoke to me several times about the Corinthians fans. We know how great Brazilian football is. I'm very proud of Memphis and hope he scores many goals for the national team," said the defender.

FLAMENGO X LIVERPOOL – THE 2019 MEETING


After eliminating Al-Hilal in the semifinals, Flamengo faced Liverpool again in a repeat of the 1981 final . However, Jorge Jesus's team failed to break down the English defense and lost in extra time. In the final, Van Dijk experienced one of the greatest moments of his career and was a key player in neutralizing the Flamengo attack. Players like Gabigol struggled against the defender's solidity.

MARACANÃ FULL FOR FLAMENGO X ESTUDIANTES

Almost six years after that duel, the Nation is preparing for another big night. Tickets for Flamengo vs Estudiantes, this Thursday (18), at Maracanã, for the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals , are already sold out . More than 69 thousand fans will support Filipe Luís' team, which is looking to open up an advantage before the decisive match in La Plata.


Soccer

Flamengo is eliminated from the Women's Brazil Cup after defeat to São Paulo

The red-and-black team fails to overcome São Paulo's solid performance, concedes a goal from Duda Serrana and leaves the national tournament in the round of 16

Flamengo is eliminated from the Women's Brazil Cup after losing to São Paulo; Duda Serrana's goal decides the match at Morumbis - photo: reproduction
Flamengo is eliminated from the Women's Brazil Cup after losing to São Paulo; Duda Serrana's goal decides the match at Morumbis - photo: reproduction

17 Set 2025 | 20:45 |

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Flamengo said goodbye to the Women's Copa do Brasil after losing 1-0 to São Paulo, this Wednesday (17), at Morumbis. The Rio de Janeiro team even tried to react after falling behind on the scoreboard, but was unable to avoid elimination in the single duel of the round of 16. The decisive goal was scored by Duda Serrana, a standout for the São Paulo team.


In the first half, São Paulo dominated possession and adopted a more attacking approach , hindering Flamengo 's play. Flamengo struggled to exchange passes and impose their style. Even so, the visitors had the best chance of the first half: on a quick counterattack in the 30th minute, Duda had a good opportunity but shot wide.


DUDA SERRANA'S GOAL DECIDES


Early in the second half, a poor clearance by the Flamengo defense resulted in the game-clinching goal. The defense poorly cleared the ball, and Duda Serrana fired a precise shot from outside the box, leaving Flamengo's goalkeeper with no chance . From then on, the Rio de Janeiro team pushed forward and sought to press in the final minutes, relying primarily on set pieces and crosses, but failed to create any real chances.

ELIMINATION ENDS PARTICIPATION


With this result, Flamengo ends its Women's Copa do Brasil campaign with one win and one loss. The team received approximately R$90,000 for its participation in the round of 16. After the final whistle, members of the Flamengo coaching staff complained about the refereeing in the center of the field, but the result remained unchanged.

AND THE MALE?

Flamengo could take to the field with a different formation to face Estudiantes this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), for the CONMEBOL Libertadores. The duel, decisive for the club's ambitions in the continental competition, will be broadcast live on Disney+.



Soccer

Emerson Royal is experiencing a new phase at Filipe Luís's Flamengo: “he asked me…”

The full-back played a key role in the 2-0 victory over Juventude and reveals that the coach's request enhances his characteristics.

Emerson Royal reveals Filipe Luís's request at Flamengo to enhance his characteristics - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo
Emerson Royal reveals Filipe Luís's request at Flamengo to enhance his characteristics - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo

17 Set 2025 | 20:00 |

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Flamengo beat Juventude 2-0 last Sunday (14), at Alfredo Jaconi, for the Brazilian Championship, and ended a 28-year winless streak in Caxias do Sul. Arrascaeta opened the scoring and Emerson Royal closed the score, scoring his first goal for the club .


Emerson Royal reveals Filipe Luís's request at Flamengo: "Filipe wants me to be sharp, exploring my physical strength"


After the match, the full-back revealed a conversation with coach Filipe Luís, who advised him on attacking positioning: "I received criticism when I played injured because I couldn't give my best. But I wanted to stay on the field to help Flamengo . Filipe explained to me what he wanted from me: to get to the far post. I even asked my teammates to watch me during that movement," Royal said.


RETURN AS HOLDER

It was the full-back's first game since returning from injury. Royal had sprained his left ankle on August 13 against Internacional in the Copa Libertadores. Since then, he had only played a few minutes in the draw with Grêmio at Maracanã.


According to the player, Filipe Luís asked him to play differently than he was used to in his career: "At Tottenham, I played as a defensive midfielder, on the inside. But Filipe wants me to be sharp, exploiting my physical strength, passing, and crossing. He knows my ability to support, and that can really help the team ."

DISPUTE FOR POSITION

Signed in July for €9 million (approximately R$58 million) from Milan, Emerson Royal is competing for a spot with Varela, who was rested against Juventude due to a groin injury. " Big teams are like that; they always have top-notch players . Varela has a lot of quality, and so do I. The competition is healthy, we work hard, and the choice is Filipe's," said the full-back.

NEXT COMMITMENTS

On Thursday (18), Flamengo faces Estudiantes in the Libertadores (quarter-finals, first leg), at 9:30 pm, at Maracanã . The Most Beloved only returns to the field for the Brasileirão on Sunday (21), against Vasco, also at the sacred temple.


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