Soccer
30 Jun 2024 | 17:08 |
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Without a club for eight months, Portuguese Paulo Sousa, ex-Flamengo, is back in action. The coach was announced as the new coach of Shabab Al-Ahli, from the city of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. Paulo will lead three athletes who played for Mengão: Yuri César, Guilherme Bala and Mateusão. The last one mentioned even worked with PS in Gávea.
Before Shabab Al-Ahli, Paulo Sousa was coaching Salernitana, from Italy, where he managed to avoid relegation two seasons ago. But in the last year, his results were below expectations, which resulted in his dismissal. Local runner-up last year, Shabab Al-Ahli believes that with Paulo Sousa they will return to the path of victory.
It will be Paulo Sousa's eleventh experience away from Portugal. In addition to Brazil, the country in which he trained Flamengo, the coach worked in England, Wales, Hungary, Israel, Switzerland, Italy, China, France and Poland, where he was coach of the national team.
Paulo Sousa was not missed at Flamengo
Paulo Sousa was announced as Flamengo's new coach on December 29, 2021. Upon arriving in Rio de Janeiro, he praised the team's squad. Mais Querido, stating that he was the best on the continent. As signings, he gained defender Pablo, striker Marinho and left-back Ayrton Lucas
But in practice, the Portuguese was unable to make Rubro-Negro have great performances. The runner-up in the Super Cup against Atlético-MG and Carioca against Fluminense made the atmosphere even worse in Gávea. The last straw was the terrible start of the Brazilian Championship, with one of the most expensive teams in Brazil trying to escape the relegation zone. Flamengo paid a fine of R$7.7 million to fire Paulo Sousa.
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With a poor performance away from the field, the Argentine team tries to stop Mengão's momentum in the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals
16 Set 2025 | 18:59 |
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Estudiantes faces Flamengo this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm, at Maracanã, for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores . The Argentine club arrives under pressure due to irregular results in the season and seeks to rediscover the good football of the beginning of the year to overcome one of the strongest teams in Brazil.
In 2025, the La Plata team played 36 matches, totaling 15 wins, eight draws, and 13 losses, with 42 goals scored and 40 conceded, a success rate of just over 49%. Away from home, the record is even more challenging: in 18 away matches, they have recorded just five wins, four draws, and nine losses.
On the other hand, Flamengo has maintained a solid performance at Maracanã , where they have lost only four times this season, only two of which have come against the main team. This makes the match even more difficult for the Argentine team, which will need to overcome one of the most intense atmospheres on the continent.
While performance away from La Plata is a concern, Estudiantes ' home record is positive. In 17 matches, they've won nine, drawn four, and lost four . This home strength could be an asset in the return leg, but first, the team needs to contain Flamengo 's momentum in Rio de Janeiro.
A traditional Libertadores champion, Estudiantes shares the title with River Plate as the most successful Argentine team in the competition and demonstrates experience in knockout stages. In the current edition, they lost only two matches in the group stage, against Universidad de Chile and Botafogo. In the round of 16, they eliminated Cerro Porteño after a 1-0 away win and a 0-0 draw in the return leg in La Plata.
Rubro-Negro begins its quest for a spot in the Copa Libertadores semifinals with sold-out tickets and a massive fan presence; the team has returns
16 Set 2025 | 18:35 |
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Flamengo begins its journey towards the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores this Thursday (18) . The first leg against Estudiantes (ARG) will be held at Maracanã, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), and will have a full house.
All tickets were sold in advance, guaranteeing an estimated attendance of around 69,000. The expectation is that the Red-Black Nation will fill every section of the stadium , transforming the Maracanã into a cauldron to push the team toward victory.
The team will have important reinforcements. Striker Bruno Henrique and full-back Varela , who were absent last Sunday (14) against Juventude, in the Brazilian Championship , trained normally this Tuesday (16) and should be available to the coach again.
Despite their returns, Rubro-Negro will remain without midfielder Jorginho, full-back Alex Sandro, and defensive midfielder Pulgar , who are still recovering. The likely lineup for the game includes: Rossi; Royal (Varela), Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, Ayrton Lucas (Viña); Saúl, De La Cruz (Allan), Arrascaeta; Plata, Samuel Lino, and Pedro.
Fans will be able to watch the match live on ESPN (pay TV) and Disney+ (streaming). The second leg will be held next week in La Plata, Argentina, and will determine who advances to the semifinals.
Signed at zero cost, the Spaniard quickly gained a place in Mais Querido, receiving praise from the Spanish press for his recent performances.
16 Set 2025 | 18:12 |
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Despite being signed only in the last transfer window, Saúl Ñíguez has already become one of the most important players in Flamengo's squad . The Spanish midfielder arrived at the club on a free transfer and quickly established himself in the starting lineup.
Spanish newspaper Marca highlighted the athlete's rapid adaptation. " The former Atlético de Madrid player arrived at Flamengo with the mission of becoming an important player and maintaining a prominent role in the starting lineup . His adaptation didn't take long," the publication reported.
According to the publication, Saúl is experiencing "a second youth" in Brazilian football and has already established himself as a key midfielder. Despite only registering one assist in eight games , he has played a more defensive role in Filipe Luís's team.
In the victory over Juventude, in the Brazilian Championship , Saúl started alongside Allan in midfield and provided the assist for Arrascaeta's goal in the 31st minute of the first half.
Flamengo returns to the field this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time) , at Maracanã, to face Estudiantes, for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. Saúl Ñíguez should once again be among the starters for the red-black team.
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