Leo Pereira returns to training and Flamengo races against time to get the trio ready to face Bahia

The Peñarol (URU) team was excited from the beginning of the trip to Rio de Janeiro, where they will face Flamengo, in the quarter-finals of the Libertadores. In addition to cheering the players on the flight towards the 'Marvelous City', the Uruguayans posted a montage of Christ the Redeemer with the club's flag.

As soon as they landed on Rio de Janeiro soil, the Uruguayan club published an image of a of the city's main tourist attractions. In addition to the photo, the team wrote the following message: “Peñarol em Rio”, alluding to Rock In Rio. Afterwards, a video showing the arrival of the athletes at Galeão Airport was also published.

Peñarol reached the quarterfinals of the Libertadores after beating The Strongest (BOL) in the round of 16. In the first game, the Uruguayan team defeated their opponent 4-0. On the way back, the Bolivian team even won by a score of 1-0, however, it was not enough to take away the classification of Diego Aguirre's men.

Before the game against Flamengo, Peñarol played in the Championship Uruguayan. On Saturday (14), Rubro-Negro's opponent beat Rampla (URU), by a score of 4 to 0. Given this situation, they remained undefeated in the national tournament.

Flamengo is coming off a bitter draw with Vasco on Sunday (15), however, they will have reinforcements for this Thursday's duel (19). Recovered from a thigh injury, De La Cruz is back in the team. In addition to the Uruguayan, Alex Sandro, Alcaraz and Gonzalo Plata were registered in the competition and, as a result, will be included in the clash.

Last Tuesday, the candidate for re-election for mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, denied the journalist Ancelmo Gois, from Globo. In a post on Instagram, the mayor informed that the city hall will be responsible for removing the megastructure on the gas meter site, different from what was reported. Furthermore, he guaranteed that Flamengo will have its new stadium, with the best conditions and security.

The news published by Ancelmo informs that Flamengo would have to pay R$100 million to remove a large gas structure present on land acquired by the club, which is owned by CEG and CEG-Rio, which are companies that are part of the gas concessionaire Naturgy.

According to the article, the companies were informed that Flamengo is the responsible for bearing the expenses, as provided for in one of the annexes to the land purchase and transfer contract. The clause, however, does not have a specified limit.

Paes stated that the values ​​for the transfer of the structure are different from what was pointed out in the article by Ancelmo Gois. Furthermore, it exempted Flamengo from any responsibility, and that the city hall has been planning to remove it for years.

“They are making me defend @flamengo more than I would like: let it be clear that this is not the The cost of this transfer and when it happens will be the responsibility of the city of Rio, which knows that this structure cannot be in an area that is already receiving so many residential buildings. It's been in our plans for a long time! Flamengo will have its new stadium there in the gasometer with all the quality and safety that the region demands and deserves. Period!”, published the mayor.

One of Flamengo's main figures, Giorgian de Arrascaeta, reached an important personal milestone in the classic. With the decisive pass for Gerson's goal, the midfielder reached 50 assists in Brazilian Championships wearing the Sacred Mantle. When considering all competitions, Arrascaeta has accumulated an impressive 89 assists in 280 matches for Mengão, consolidating his position as one of the greatest playmakers in the club's recent history.

The draw in the classic, although frustrating, comes with good news for Flamengo. Key players are returning from injury or post-FIFA Date recovery, which raises fans' hopes for the remainder of the season. With the brand of Arrascaeta and the return of important athletes, such as De La Cruz and Alcaraz, who will be available against Peñarol. 

This Thursday (19), at 7pm, the More Querido will face Peñarol at Maracanã, in the first game of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals. The return match is scheduled for September 26th, at the Campeón del Siglo Stadium, in Montevideo. The clash marks another chapter in a historic rivalry between the two teams in the continental tournament.

In previous clashes between Flamengo and Peñarol, the Uruguayan team has an advantage. In total, the two teams faced each other six times, with four victories for Peñarol, one draw and only one victory for Mengão. The last meeting took place in the group stage of the 2019 Libertadores, when Rubro-Negro was defeated 1-0 at Maracanã and drew goalless in the second game, in Montevideo.