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On Thursday afternoon (31), Flamengo Women faced Fortaleza at Presidente Vargas Stadium, in Fortaleza (CE), for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship. The score ended 0-0 after 90 minutes of balance and intense marking , keeping the dispute for a place in the semifinals of the competition open. The decisive clash is scheduled for next week, in Rio de Janeiro.

The first half was marked by intense midfield battles and few clear-cut scoring opportunities. Despite their technically demanding efforts, Mais Querido struggled against the home team's strong marking.

The red-and-blacks ' best chances came from set pieces: a free kick taken by Carol Martins and a corner kick taken by Isabela Nunes , which ended with a header from Brendha and a good save from the opposing goalkeeper. The scoreless draw remained until halftime.

THE SECOND HALF WAS A TIGHT GAME

In the second half, Flamengo continued to try to open the scoring, but again encountered resistance from Fortaleza's defense. The game remained tight, with many physical duels and little attacking activity from either side. The substitutions made by coach Filipe Torres didn't have the desired effect, and the intensity of the match dropped considerably. In the end, in stoppage time, Isabela Nunes crossed to Emilly, who fought back, and Alice shot over the bar—the last real chance before the final whistle.

FOCUS ON THE STATE BEFORE THE DECISION

Before the decisive quarter-final match, Mengão debuts in the U-20 Women's Carioca Championship this Sunday (3), against União Central, at 11 am, in Gávea. The coaching staff takes advantage of the state duel to maintain the athletes' rhythm and adjust the team for the return match against Fortaleza, where only a victory guarantees direct qualification for the semi-final of the Brasileirão in the category.

Flamengo lost 1-0 to Atlético-MG this Thursday (1st) at Maracanã in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. Despite the negative result, coach Filipe Luís believes the match remains open and that Flamengo is fully capable of seeking qualification away from home. The second leg will be held at Arena MRV in Belo Horizonte.

Filipe Luís reveals his goal at Flamengo: "Brazilian and Libertadores are priorities"

"The Brazilian Championship and the Libertadores are priorities, but I came in to win . Just like in the Ceará game, I'm prepared to win with the players I believe are the best. Of course, in the second leg, we'll try to turn things around. In my opinion, it's wide open. We know it's difficult to play in our opponent's stadium, but just as they won here, we can win there," said Filipe Luís in the post-match press conference.

DECISION TO SAVE HOLDERS

When asked about the absence of some important names in the match, the commander explained that the decision to rest players was made strategically , taking into account the physical wear and tear and the tactical fit thought out for the Flamengo match.

"It was a plan in which I decided on the players. None of them had been ruled out, but I believe that given their current run of form, it wouldn't be wise to play them today and Sunday as well. And also that they fit in with the game plan I had envisioned for the match. In the other game, Arrascaeta was on the field and didn't benefit from that plan. I opted for other changes, to rest him so he could have some training sessions and be in good shape next week," he added.

FLAMENGO NEEDS TO WIN

To qualify for the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals, Flamengo will have to beat Atlético-MG by two goals in Belo Horizonte. If the Rio de Janeiro team wins by just one goal, the match will go to penalties. A draw favors Atlético-MG, who have the advantage after the result at Maracanã.

Flamengo started the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil at a disadvantage, losing 1-0 to Atlético-MG last Wednesday (31) at the Maracanã. The red-black team showed fluctuations throughout the game, and some decisions by coach Filipe Luís drew attention, especially the choice to field Luiz Araújo on the left side of the attack - which generated criticism from fans and analysts. After the match, Filipe justified the decision, citing tactical reasons and the versatility of the number 7.7

Filipe Luís on Luiz Araújo at Flamengo: "His best place is on the right"

"His best position is on the right, but today I wanted to leave Matheus Gonçalves there because of his dribbling and one-on-one ability. I also considered Luiz as a finisher because he's lethal . He's played on the left before, scoring goals and providing assists. It's not his best position, but I believe he can perform well in the finishing department. He sacrificed himself for the team and tried. It wasn't a good performance for him or the team, but that's normal," the coach explained in a press conference.

IDEAL POSITION FOR LUIZ ARAÚJO?

A natural right winger, Luiz Araújo tends to perform best when playing on the flank he's most familiar with, where he makes the most of his speed, dribbling, and finishing ability . In recent statements, the player himself acknowledged that he feels most comfortable on that side of the pitch, but he's willing to play in any role to help the team:

"I prefer to play on the right, where I'm most used to. But wherever Filipe needs me, I'll be ready . I've played on the right, the left, and inside too. My goal is to always be able to help Flamengo win," he added.

FLAMENGO'S NEXT GAME

Available to Filipe Luís, Luiz Araújo remains an option for the duel against Ceará , this Sunday (03), for the 18th round of the Brazilian Championship. The match takes place at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), at Arena Castelão. The clash is essential for Flamengo to maintain the leadership of the competition.