Soccer

PEDRO AND MASTRIANI HAVE A SEPARATE DUEL IN ATHLETICO-PR

Strikers compete for top scorer of the season

16 Jun 2024 | 13:07 |

In addition to the leadership of Brasileirão, the game between Athletico-PR and Flamengo is also worth the country's artillery. In 2024, no one scored more goals than Pedro on national soil. The Mengão star found the net 21 times in 27 official games, disregarding the pre-season in the USA. But Gonzalo Mastriani, the opponent's player this Sunday (16), is the one who comes closest.

The Athletico-PR player, who hosts Flamengo at 4pm (Brasília time), at the Arena da Baixada, scored 18 times in the season. To do so, he needed 24 matches. In other words, the average of 0.7 goals per match is the same for both players. In addition to the victory to distance himself in the table, it is important for Pedro to score and move even further away from the rival player.

Mastriani has the same 18 goals as Nicolas, from Paysandu, and the list of Brazil's top scorers in 2024 continues with Anselmo Ramon, from CRB, and Júnior Santos, from Botafogo, both with 17 goals. Pedro's advantage is good, but a hat-trick from Mastriani would be enough to equal Mengão's Shirt 9. The match ends up marking a separate duel between the players.

Even because the promise is of many finishes. Athletico-PR and Flamengo are in the Top 3 of the Brasileirão clubs that take the most shots on goal. Only Palmeiras appears ahead, with an average of 17.9 shots per game. Flamengo's average is the second to appear: 16.6. With 15.9, Athletico is the third team that takes the most risks. Therefore, the chance of one of the players leaving their mark is high.

Pedro appears in the probable for Athletico-PR x Flamengo, but became doubtful after Gabigol's training

The team has several absences for Athletico-PR x Flamengo, with even coach Tite suspended for the match. But Pedro became a doubt after the rotations between Camisa 9 and Gabigol among the starters in the last training session before the game against Athletico. In principle, the striker should play, but there is a possibility that the duel with Mastriani will not happen. At least, not during the 90 minutes.

With Varela, Viña, De La Cruz and Arrascaeta in the Uruguayan National Team and Pulgar in the Chilean National Team, the team also has the absences of Allan, Cebolinha and Ayrton Lucas, with muscle problems, Igor Jesus with an ankle sprain. The probable lineup of the team that will be led by Matheus Bachi, Tite's assistant, for Athletico-PR x Flamengo is as follows:

Rossi, Wesley, Fabrício Bruno, David Luiz and Léo Pereira; Léo Ortiz, Gerson and Lorran; Luiz Araújo, Bruno Henrique and Pedro (Gabigol).

Last minute

Soccer

Rossi preaches focus on Flamengo despite dreaming of playing for the Argentine national team

The goalkeeper doesn't deny that reaching the current world champion is a goal, but says it's necessary to keep his head in his work at Mengão

Rossi doesn't deny his dream of wearing the Argentine national team shirt, but he urges focus on Flamengo - Photo: Adriano Fontes/Flamengo

16 Set 2025 | 22:00 |

In a press conference at Ninho do Urubu, goalkeeper Agustín Rossi spoke about his desire to be called up to the Argentina national team , the current world champion. Despite his dream, the goalkeeper made it clear that his priority remains Flamengo.

Rossi on his dream of joining the Argentine national team: "My job is for Flamengo"

"Obviously, I've always wanted to be called up. I think Brazilian football is very strong, not only in South America, but worldwide as well. In the last call-up, there were players from here. But I'm not thinking about that right now . I think that if I do my job well, that call-up could come," Rossi stated.

TOTAL FOCUS ON FLAMENGO

The Argentine stressed that he keeps his feet on the ground and that his main goal is to continue showing consistency for the Rubro-Negro , who have the best defense in the Brasileirão, conceding only 10 goals in 22 games. At Maracanã, the Mais Querido conceded only three goals.

"I'm in no rush, because my job is for Flamengo , day to day, game to game. My biggest focus is to maintain this streak so that the call-up can come. Of course I have that desire, but I don't treat it as a requirement . I'm Flamengo's goalkeeper, I'm responsible for Flamengo. If the call-up comes, I'll welcome it," he added.

INCOME AND TITLES WITH THE MANTLE

Since joining Flamengo in 2023, Rossi has already won four titles. Last season, he was a key player in the undefeated Carioca Championship and also played in the Copa do Brasil victory. In 2025, he maintained his starting spot in the Supercopa do Brasil and the Campeonato Estadual . In total, he has represented Flamengo in 125 official matches, establishing himself as a pillar of the team.

PEDRO AND MASTRIANI HAVE A SEPARATE DUEL IN ATHLETICO-PR