Soccer

Pedro to start against Bragantino? Former Flamengo player assesses whether it could happen

Mengão takes to the field this Wednesday (23) against Massa Bruta and the commentator analyzes the center forward's chances of starting the game

Roger Flores rules out the possibility of Pedro starting against Bragantino - Photo: Adriano Fontes/Flamengo
Roger Flores rules out the possibility of Pedro starting against Bragantino - Photo: Adriano Fontes/Flamengo

23 Jul 2025 | 08:55 |

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Flamengo returns to the field this Wednesday (23) to face Red Bull Bragantino, in Bragança Paulista, for the 16th round of the Brazilian Championship. Before the match, former player and current commentator Roger Flores analyzed the possible lineup of Rubro-Negro and made a direct observation about Pedro: in his view, the striker is not able to start as a starter .


Roger Flores on Pedro in Bragantino vs Flamengo: "I think it's very difficult for him to start playing"


"I think Bragantino is one of those high-rotation teams, and Filipe Luís thinks about pressing very much in line with attacking. Given this context, and even the fact that Pedro only played 20 minutes in the last game , he apparently isn't fit to play the full 90 minutes," commented Roger during an appearance on Globo.


The former midfielder also emphasized the importance of the moment and the opponent's profile: " Pedro isn't fit to play 90 minutes against a team that's directly competing with Flamengo in the table. So, I think it's very unlikely he'll start. However, if Flamengo is in trouble—tying, chasing a result, or even trailing—then, yes, I can see Pedro coming into the game," he added.

FLAMENGO'S CHALLENGE AGAINST AN INTENSE BRAGANTINO


Red Bull Bragantino stands out as one of the most intense attacking teams in the Brasileirão. Led by Fernando Seabra, the team typically applies high pressure and initiates marking deep in the opponent's half . Therefore, Flamengo will need to demonstrate rhythm and movement to break through their opponent's defensive system.

PEDRO'S SITUATION

Pedro , in turn, is going through a transition period within the squad. The number 9 has played for just 20 minutes in Flamengo's last three league games . He missed the clashes with São Paulo and Santos after being sidelined for internal reasons, but returned against Fluminense last Sunday (20) and was decisive: he scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory.

Despite his good performance, it is still unclear whether Filipe Luís intends to use him as a starter against an opponent who demands high physical intensity from the first minutes, a characteristic considered to be Pedro's weak point.


Soccer

Who's Flamengo playing today? Learn all about the Libertadores match

The red-and-black team welcomes the Gaucho team to Maracanã in a decisive first leg, with confirmed absences and doubts about De La Cruz in the midfield

Flamengo hosts Internacional at Maracanã in the round of 16 of the Libertadores with confirmed absences and doubts about De La Cruz - photo: reproduction
Flamengo hosts Internacional at Maracanã in the round of 16 of the Libertadores with confirmed absences and doubts about De La Cruz - photo: reproduction

13 Ago 2025 | 12:13 |

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Maracanã will be the stage, this Wednesday (13), of one of the most anticipated clashes of the season. For the first leg of the round of 16 of the Libertadores, Flamengo receives Internacional at 9:30 pm (Brasília time) with the mission of getting ahead in the elimination duel.


Coach Filipe Luís , however, must deal with a complicated situation: key players are out of action, and there's still uncertainty about the participation of a starter. The goal will be to find solutions to maintain high performance , even with the forced changes.


CONFIRMED SHORTAGES


Among those who won't be available, Erick Pulgar remains sidelined to complete his recovery from surgery on the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot. Danilo, meanwhile, is treating a hamstring injury and, despite already training with physical therapy on the field, isn't expected to return until next weekend.

The list also includes Arrascaeta, who will serve a suspension for the third yellow card he received against Deportivo Táchira (VEN) in the group stage of the competition. Therefore, coach Filipe Luís will have a headache when it comes to replacing the number 10.


DE LA CRUZ MAY BE NEW

The coaching staff's main doubt is Nico De La Cruz . The Uruguayan midfielder hasn't played since July 16 due to a problem in his left knee , but he participated in training sessions during the week.



Soccer

What time is Flamengo's game against Internacional today in the Libertadores?

Mengão hosts Colorado this Wednesday (13) at Maracanã and wants to win the first leg to gain the advantage at home

Find out what time Flamengo's game against Internacional is today in the Libertadores - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo
Find out what time Flamengo's game against Internacional is today in the Libertadores - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo

13 Ago 2025 | 11:46 |

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This Wednesday (13), Flamengo returns to the field to compete in the Copa Libertadores da América . The opponent will be Internacional, at Maracanã, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time) , in a duel valid for the first leg of the round of 16 of the competition at Maracanã.


FLAMENGO'S SHORTAGES


Coach Filipe Luís will be without three players : Erick Pulgar, who is recovering from surgery on his right foot; Danilo, who is undergoing treatment for a right thigh injury; and Arrascaeta , who is suspended due to a backlog of yellow cards . Additionally, there is doubt about the participation of De La Cruz, who is treating a left knee problem and will be re-evaluated before the match.


REINFORCEMENTS AVAILABLE

Just like in the Copa do Brasil, Flamengo will have the recently registered players for the Libertadores at their disposal : Saúl Ñíguez, Emerson Royal, Samuel Lino, and Jorge Carrascal. All are eligible to wear the Sacred Mantle at this stage of the tournament.


INTERNACIONAL'S MISSING STAFF

Internacional also arrives with a weakened squad . The team from Rio Grande do Sul will be without Mercado (right calf injury), Carbonero (left thigh injury), Ivan (left knee arthroscopy), Bruno Gomes (left knee surgery) and Lucca Drummond (right knee surgery).

PROBABLE LINEUP

Without being able to count on the number 10 and still without important pieces in the midfield and defense, coach Filipe Luís must send onto the field a Flamengo with : Rossi; Varela (Emerson Royal), Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, Alex Sandro; Allan, Jorginho, Plata; Luiz Araújo, Samuel Lino and Pedro.



Soccer

Flamengo faces difficulties due to Taty Castellanos and the newspaper explains

Mengão is looking to sign a striker and the Argentine is high on the club's priority list, but the Italians are playing hardball.

Taty Castellanos is on Flamengo's priority list for signing a center forward - Photo: Reproduction/Lazio
Taty Castellanos is on Flamengo's priority list for signing a center forward - Photo: Reproduction/Lazio

13 Ago 2025 | 10:45 |

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Flamengo continues to monitor the situation of Lazio (ITA) striker Taty Castellanos . After failing to make progress in negotiations for Mehdi Taremi and Lucas Beltrán, the club is once again targeting the Argentine, despite facing resistance from the Italian club. According to Corriere dello Sport, Flamengo "would be ready" to present a new offer for Castellanos . The first attempt was made in July, but was promptly rejected by Lazio, which maintains its stance of not negotiating with him.


TRANSFER BAN MAKES BUSINESS DIFFICULT


The impasse is directly linked to the punishment suffered by Lazio , which received a transfer ban for failing to comply with Italian football's financial requirements . As a result, the club is prohibited from registering new players until September, which prevents replacements in the event of departures.


Castellanos, who played 40 games last season and 46 the previous season, is considered an important player in the squad. That's why president Claudio Lotito promised coach Maurizio Sarri that there would be no more losses in the squad , a promise reinforced by sporting director Angelo Fabiani: " I shook the coach's hand twice ," he told the Italian newspaper.

PLAYER ATTITUDE


According to the publication, Lazio evaluated Castellanos' behavior during a trip to England for a friendly against Burnley. The striker came on for the final 30 minutes, maintained a calm demeanor, and expressed no desire to leave the club , which strengthened the board's confidence in his continued presence.

SEARCH FOR A CENTER FORWARD DIFFERENT FROM PEDRO

Flamengo is looking for a center forward with different characteristics than Pedro in the market. The goal is to find a more mobile player capable of offering new attacking options. Therefore, names like Taremi, Beltrán, and Castellanos have been on the radar—without success so far.

While working behind the scenes, Rubro-Negro is preparing to face Internacional this Wednesday (13) , at Maracanã, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), for the first leg of the round of 16 of the Libertadores. The return leg is scheduled for next week.


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