LUIZ ARAÚJO MAY PREMIERE TOMORROW

Tite defined Flamengo and announced the 11 starters who will face Peñarol, this Thursday, at Maracanã, at 7pm. De la Cruz returns to the starting lineup in place of Léo Ortiz, and Alex Sandro and Plata were retained. The duel with the Uruguayans is the first between the teams in the quarter-finals of the Copa Conmebol Libertadores. Follow the Red and Black lineup:Rossi, Varela, Fabrício Bruno, Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro; Pulgar, De la Cruz, Gerson and Arrascaeta; Plata and Bruno Henrique.

Alex Sandro and Plata, debutants in last Sunday's classic, remain in the team after having good performances in the draw against Vasco. Gabigol is now out of the relationship due to fibrosis in the posterior muscle of his right thigh. Flamengo, in a statement, reported that the athlete did not suffer any injury in the region. Check it out:

"The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo informs that the athlete Gabriel Barbosa underwent tests that did not diagnose an injury to the posterior muscle of his right thigh. However, the Technical Committee opted for precaution and did not list him for the duel against Peñarol due to fibrosis in the region. Gabi is handed over to physiotherapists and physical trainers for the series of decisive games of the season."

Flamengo faces Peñarol (URU) in the first game of the CONMEBOL Libertadores quarter-finals and, here, you can watch the broadcast, live, with 2h30 of pre-game, interviews, the team's arrival at Maracanã and everything more.

Follow the match live here:

Flaengo striker Luiz Araújo underwent successful surgery this Wednesday (13) to correct an osteochondral injury in his right knee. The procedure, carried out by doctor Max Ramos and accompanied by Márcio Tannure, head of the club's medical department, was necessary after the player fractured his cartilage during the derby against Vasco, last Sunday (10).

The osteochondral injury involves the cartilage, a tissue that covers the bones between the joints. In cases of separation, degeneration or rupture, the underlying bone may also be affected. This condition is common in joints such as the knee, ankle and elbow, and can cause pain and movement limitations.

Luiz Araújo suffered the injury in a dispute with left-back Lucas Piton, from Vasco. After the collision, the Mais Querido player needed medical attention and, although he tried to continue on the field, he was substituted in the 17th minute of the first half.

The red-black attacker's estimated recovery time is approximately two months. During this period, he will undergo an intensive process of physiotherapy and physical rehabilitation, with the expectation of returning in shape for the end of the season.

Flamengo's medical department is closely monitoring Luiz Araújo's progress, ensuring that the player has all the conditions for a full recovery. The team is also looking for alternatives to make up for the athlete's absence in the next important commitments, both in the Brasileirão and the Libertadores.