Negotiations between Flamengo and Southampton for Carlos Alcaraz are progressing and an agreement is close

Flamengo beat Mirassol 2-1 on Saturday night (9), in a match valid for the 19th round of the Brazilian Championship. The result was achieved at Maracanã, the venue that will also host the first leg of the round of 16 of the Libertadores, scheduled for next Wednesday (13). With the triumph, Mais Querido maintains the rhythm in the national competition and still has a game in hand to increase its advantage in the table.

Mirassol striker Chico da Costa was one of the standout performers in the match and showed great respect for the Flamengo team after the setback. In a pitchside interview, the player highlighted the strength of Flamengo's squad , considered one of the best on the continent.

"Everyone knows it's very difficult to play here. [Flamengo] has the best squad not only in Brazil, but in the Americas [...] It's difficult to play against Flamengo, it's difficult to pressure Flamengo. When they get a lot of players close to the ball, they have a lot of combinations, and it ends up being difficult to mark so tightly throughout the game because of their pressure, right? They end up getting a lot of players close to each other, with passes, touches, and they can find the opposite side very quickly. This becomes frustrating, tiring, that's why it's so difficult," said Chico.

FLAMENGO STILL HAS A MATCH TO GO

In addition to the victory, coach Filipe Luís's team has a match pending against Sport in the 12th round of the Brazilian Championship, which was postponed due to the club's participation in the Club World Cup. The possibility of playing this match gives the Rubro-Negro an extra chance to widen their gap on their competitors and, who knows, confirm their lead in the tournament this weekend.

FLAMENGO'S FOCUS ON THE LIBERTADORES

Before continuing with the sequence in the Brasileirão, Flamengo already turns its attention to the Libertadores. On Wednesday (13), at 9:30 pm, at Maracanã, the team will face Internacional in the first match of the round of 16 of the continental competition.

Vinicius Júnior, one of the best players in the world today , remains strongly identified with Flamengo, the club that revealed him in 2017. At 25 years old, the striker frequently shows his affection for the Mais Querido , feeding the fans' dream of seeing him, one day, end his career at Gávea.

In recent days, it emerged that the number 7 could transfer to Manchester United for a staggering R$1.3 billion . In this scenario, Flamengo would profit 2.5% of the amount—approximately R$32.5 million—thanks to FIFA's solidarity mechanism.

FINAL DECISION

However, according to Spanish journalist Alberto Pereiro, Vini has already made his decision: he will remain at Real Madrid . The striker, who has the full support of the Merengue club, can renew his contract whenever he wishes, such is his importance to the team.

The move doesn't benefit Flamengo , which would see a huge amount of money flow into its coffers without having to make any moves. For now, the Brazilian will remain one of the Spanish giant's key players , alongside Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Federico Valverde.

FOCUS ON THE LIBERTADORES

Meanwhile, Flamengo maintains its lead in the Brasileirão after its victory over Mirassol and turns its attention to the Copa Libertadores . This Wednesday (13), the team led by Filipe Luís hosts Internacional at Maracanã, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), for the first leg of the round of 16.

Flamengo beat Mirassol 2-1 this Saturday (9), in a game valid for the Brazilian Championship, and now turns its attention to the Libertadores. Next Wednesday (13), the team faces Internacional at Maracanã, in the first match of the round of 16.

Right-back Emerson Royal, a starter in the Brasileirão victory and making his debut in the continental competition , previewed the match. "It's a very difficult competition, we know how important it is," said the Mengão player.

"It's Internacional, who also have a lot of quality, we know their quality. We have two games in a row against them, and it was more or less the same against Atlético-MG. We're going to win with me. I always like to emphasize, we're Flamengo. We're going to look for victories in both games," said the player in the mixed zone of the Maracanã.

SEQUENCE OF GAMES AGAINST INTERNACIONAL

Flamengo 's schedule includes three consecutive matches against Internacional. After the first leg of the Libertadores, the teams meet again this weekend in the Brazilian Championship. The second leg of the round of 16 concludes the sequence, with the final two games taking place in Porto Alegre.

FILIPE LUÍS' TEAM ADJUSTS FOCUS ON LIBERTA

Before resuming the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo focuses all its attention on the Libertadores. The duel against Internacional, scheduled for Wednesday (13), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, opens the series of clashes that could define the club's future in the tournament.