LUIZ ARAÚJO EXCEEDS THE BEST SEASON OF HIS CAREER AND BECOMES DEPUTY LEADER IN GOAL PARTICIPATIONS FOR FLAMENGO

Rogério Ceni renewed his contract with Bahia at the end of last month . Thus, the question that remains is whether the coach will continue to lose to Flamengo, since out of sixteen games, he has accumulated 16 defeats. In an interview, the former commander of Mais Querido spoke out about the 'freguesia' in the clashes with Mengo.

Rogério Ceni talks about being a regular for Flamengo: "Flamengo loses very few games, if you analyze it."

He continued: "Unfortunately, I became a coach at a time when Flamengo had its best team since the 1980s, when it had Zico, Adílio, Andrade, Tita, Nunes... Filipe Luís played 50 games and had only three or four defeats. In other words, the percentage of the last 50 games, maybe 8% of the teams managed to win against Flamengo. So it's difficult for everyone," said Rogério Ceni , in an interview with GE before adding:

ROGERIO CENI TALKS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF BEATING FLAMENGO

Soon after, Rogério Ceni highlighted that his team needs to strengthen itself in order to beat Flamengo . He also highlights that mental play is also needed to overcome the Mais Querido in competitions.

"I think we need to grow as a team, and we've already had the opportunity to win, we were very close to winning, we played games against Flamengo throughout last year and were superior. We played a game here at Fonte Nova where Flamengo had a shot on goal and won 1-0 against us. And we had great chances to score," added Ceni.

"The game is very mental, you have to try to have the mental strength so that when you have the opportunity, you score. Unfortunately, that didn't happen against Flamengo. It's annoying, it's annoying, of course it's annoying. And we hope that, despite Flamengo having a great team again this year, having invested a lot in signings, that we can have the opportunity to win this year," concluded the former goalkeeper.

TEAMS THAT ROGERIO CENI LOST TO FLAMENGO

Rogério Ceni has a 100% loss record against Flamengo between 2017 and 2025. The coach faced the team defending São Paulo, Fortaleza, Cruzeiro and Bahia. Thus, the coach has already suffered setbacks against the Rubro-Negro in the Copa do Brasil and the Campeonato Brasileiro.

With just over six months in office, José Boto is experiencing his most turbulent moment as Flamengo's executive director of football . Chosen by Bap to lead the club's main department, the Portuguese director is facing internal questions, friction with players and employees, and is already showing dissatisfaction with the environment at Gávea . Despite still having the support of the president, the executive's future is uncertain — and his eventual departure would involve a termination fee.

TERMINATION VALUE

According to the 'GE' portal, Boto's contract provides for a fine of approximately R$2 million if the contract is terminated now, regardless of which party takes the initiative. The agreement follows a similar model to that of athletes, with two types of contract: one labor and one image rights.

In the latter, there is a clause that guarantees Flamengo a 30% increase in the amount of the fine, if José Boto does not communicate his intention to leave at least 30 days in advance . The provision is similar to the one that underpins the club's legal strategy in the Gerson case, in which Flamengo considers the transfer to Zenit (RUS) to be an early unilateral termination.

METHODS CAUSE DISCOMFORT

Despite the good results on the field in the first half of the year, there is discomfort behind the scenes with the way Boto is acting . The football director has faced resistance from managers, athletes and members of the coaching staff, who criticize his day-to-day behavior. The most recent episode was the negotiation with striker Mikey Johnston , which was agreed with the club, but the signing was directly vetoed by Bap. The presidential interference highlighted the moment of wear and tear on the director.

On Boto's side, there is also frustration with the current situation. People close to the Portuguese admit that he is not happy with the internal environment , but consider an immediate departure unlikely, especially just a few days before the official opening of the transfer window.

A target for Flamengo in this transfer window , striker Esequiel Barco is going through a delicate situation off the field. According to agent Timur Gurtskaya, the Spartak Moscow (RUS) player is facing family pressure to leave the country. The Argentine's wife has reportedly threatened to file for divorce if he stays in Russia for another season — and, according to reports, has also considered preventing him from seeing their son.

TRAJECTORY AND PROMINENCE IN RUSSIA

At 26, Barco has experience in different markets. Revealed by Independiente (ARG), where he was champion of the Copa Sudamericana against Flamengo , he passed through Atlanta United (USA) and River Plate (ARG) before transferring to Spartak in 2024.

Even amid a tense political scenario in the country, the Argentine had an outstanding performance in his first season in Russia: 36 matches, 14 goals and 9 assists . However, the context of instability has led several South American athletes to consider leaving Russian football — and Barco could be the next.

FLAMENGO SEES IT AS PLAN B

With an eye on strengthening the offensive sector, Flamengo is closely monitoring the situation of Esequiel Barco. However, the Argentine is considered an alternative to the club's main target : Jorge Carrascal, from Dynamo Moscow (RUS), who was close to becoming a reinforcement for Mais Querido.

Negotiations with Dynamo are currently at a standstill, which makes Barco's possible departure from Spartak a scenario that should be carefully explored by the red-black football department . The athlete should finally return to Russia after an extended vacation period due to negotiations with Mengão.