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On Wednesday afternoon, at the José Bastos Padilha Stadium, in Gávea, Flamengo began its journey in the Brazilian Under-17 Championship with a defeat to Grêmio by a score of 3x2. João Vitor and Levy Dias scored the goals for the Garotos do Ninho, which however, were not enough for the red-black team to come away with the victory in the first match of the competition.

SUMMARY

The game started without any major chances being created at the beginning , with the teams analyzing each other, starting some plays, but none of them very dangerous. At 15 minutes, Grêmio scored its first goal . In a well-worked collective play, number 10 Izaac Lobato scored the first goal for the team from Rio Grande do Sul.

Flamengo continued to attack and at 20 minutes, a good play started by Heitor found Jhefinho, who left Mateus Tiago free to shoot, but the ball went wide. However, in the next play, Grêmio extended its advantage : Benjamin took advantage of the chance and at 21 minutes, scored the opponent's second goal.

Towards the end of the first half, the beginning of a red-black comeback : at 45 minutes, João Vitor scored Flamengo's first goal, after completing a cross from Luiz Guilherme. The ball hit the crossbar and fell into the goal, generating a questionable play, but the referee validated the goal. In the following minute, at 47 minutes, from a penalty, Iago Valeije scored the third for the tricolor gaúcho.

After the break and following instructions from coach Daniel Franklin, Flamengo came back looking to play even harder and attack, as they now needed to come out and reverse the result . At 6 minutes into the second half, Grêmio's goalkeeper saved a great shot from João Vitor and shortly after, at 8 minutes, Levy Dias was in the right place to score Mengão's second goal, after a cross from Ryan Roberto.

The Garotos do Ninho continued to attack while Grêmio played waiting for Flamengo to counterattack, however, the opposing defense prevailed until the end of the game.

AND NOW

Flamengo's next match in the Brasileirão in the category will be next Wednesday (21), away from home, against Cruzeiro.

Brazilian Under-17 Championship - 1st Round

Flamengo 2x3 Gremio

Jose Bastos Padilha Stadium, Gavea - RJ

Goals: João Vitor (45'/1H) and Levy Dias (8'/2H)

Lineup: Werneck; Heitor, Daniel Carvalho, Levy Dias and Gabriel Amâncio; Luiz Felipe, Matheus Tiago (Kaio Garcia), João Vitor, Jhefinho (João), Diego (Ryan Roberto); Luiz Guilherme (Victor)

Coach: Daniel Franklin

This Thursday (15), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time) , Maracanã will host one of the most relevant games of the 5th round of the group stage of the 2025 Copa Libertadores. Flamengo faces LDU, from Ecuador, in a direct confrontation for a place in the round of 16 of the continental competition. With five points and occupying third place in Group C, the Brazilian team needs a victory to stay alive in the dispute.

The group's situation demands a positive result from the team led by Filipe Luís. With eight points, LDU is in second place in the group, while Central Córdoba leads with 11. In case of defeat, the Rio de Janeiro club will be eliminated . A draw, on the other hand, maintains mathematical chances, as long as the team beats Táchira in the last round and hopes for a combination of results, including a defeat by LDU against the Argentines.

LDU WANTS TO GUARANTEE A PLACE IN THE ROUND OF 16

For the Ecuadorian team, the scenario is favorable. A victory in Rio de Janeiro confirms early qualification for the round of 16. Leaders until the last round, the Ecuadorians are on a roll and are looking to take advantage of the pressure on their opponent to achieve their goal early. Coach Pablo Sánchez's strategy is to exploit the spaces left by a Rio team that will need to attack from the first minutes.

CHECK OUT THE PROBABLE LINEUPS

Flamengo should enter the field with: Rossi; Wesley, Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira and Alex Sandro; Evertton Araújo, De La Cruz and Arrascaeta; Gerson, Michael (or Bruno Henrique) and Pedro . The visiting team should line up: Gonzalo Valle; Daniel De La Cruz, Darío Aimar, Gian Franco Allala and Leonel Quiñónez; Carlos Gruezo, Kevin Minda and Melvin Diaz; Fernando Cornejo, Lisandro Alzugaray and Alex Arce.

FLAMENGO WILL HAVE SUPPORT FROM THE FANS

With a full house expected, Flamengo is counting on the support of its fans to continue fighting for a spot in the next phase of the Libertadores. The mission is clear: beat LDU and avoid an early elimination. With a decisive atmosphere, the duel promises strong emotions for the fans and could seal the fate of the Rio de Janeiro team in the continental season.

LDU faces Flamengo this Thursday (15), at 9:30 pm , in the penultimate round of the group stage of the Copa Libertadores. The match will be played at Maracanã and could define the future of the Brazilian team in the competition. In case of defeat, Rubro-Negro will be mathematically eliminated . In a press conference held this Wednesday (14), the coach of the Ecuadorian team, Pablo Sánchez, placed all responsibility for the result on the shoulders of the opponent.

It is an obligation (to win)..."

According to the LDU coach, the current situation of the group and the tradition of Mengão make the match a real obligation for the Rio de Janeiro club. “We know Flamengo well. They always play to win , but now, with the situation of the group, it is an obligation. We are talking about a team with a lot of quality, a lot of talent and experience”, stated Sánchez. The coach believes that this situation could generate instability, if the result is not favorable during the game.

LDU PLANS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SPACES

Despite the respect shown to the opponent, Pablo Sánchez stated that the situation represents an opportunity for his team to qualify. The coach pointed out that Rubro-Negro will need to expose itself and take risks on the field , which can be exploited strategically. “I think the word obligation is what will dictate this game. The opponent will have to take some risks and will open up spaces on the field. We, because we are intelligent, can take advantage of it”, he stated.

LDU TECHNICIAN REINFORCES DIFFERENCE

The Quito team manager also highlighted the emotional burden involved in the match, especially on the part of the hosts. For him, the pressure for a good result is an advantage to be observed. “ A lot of responsibility with everything involved in facing a team like Flamengo and with the obligation they have to get a good result and not run the risk of being eliminated. I understand that the difference basically comes down to obligation,” concluded the coach.

Maracanã is expected to receive more than 60 thousand fans for this Thursday's game, considered the most important so far in Flamengo 's campaign. With a final atmosphere, the Rio team enters under pressure for a positive result, against an opponent that is trying to take advantage of the obligation imposed on the Brazilian side.