Flamengo's next opponent in the Brasileirão, Athletico-PR announces new coach

Flamengo closed the last transfer window with four reinforcements, Carlos Alcaraz, Michael, Gonzalo Plata and Alex Sandro. Before signing with Mais Querido, the left-back was scouted by other Brazilian teams, including São Paulo. Muricy Ramalho, the club's football director, stated that it is very difficult to compete with Rubro-Negro.

“We tried Alex Sandro, who was my player, we spoke to him. But what happens is that when it comes to money, you get scared. Thank you, but it doesn't work. It's very difficult, we don't have money, the guys ask for I don't know how many millions. Botafogo hired a guy for R$50 million, that doesn't exist. Alex Sandro went to Flamengo because the offer was very high, we didn't have any money”, revealed Muricy.

It's worth remembering that before moving to Europe, and making history at Juventus, Alex Sandro stood out for Santos, where he was champion of the Libertadores, with Neymar, Danilo, Ganso and company under the command of Muricy Ramalho.

Like this , with Alex Sandro available, Flamengo continues preparing for the decisive match against Peñarol, in the quarter-finals of the Libertadores. The return match will be played this Thursday (26th), at 7pm, in Montevideo.

Flamengo released a statement on Monday night (23) refuting the news published by journalist Diogo Dantas, from the newspaper ‘O Globo’, about a supposed new muscle problem for striker Gabigol. According to the club, the information is false and Gabigol is training normally with the rest of the team, and is even involved in the game against Peñarol (URU) in the Libertadores. 

Now, in the early afternoon of this Tuesday, Flamengo released another note, once again clarifying what for the club, is yet another false news from the journalist from the newspaper "O Globo". This time Diogo Dantas' article refers to Fla's supposed interest in Luís Castro, former Botafogo coach who was in Saudi Arabia.

"The Clube de Regatas do Flamengo is appalled by the stance of journalist Diogo Dantas, from Jornal O Globo. Subsequently, he publishes lying articles involving the institution's professionals, clearly without no type of critical sense and with freedom from superiors.

Incredibly, he repeated the pattern a few hours after an official note addressing yet another of his daily fake news and without any type of warning in a vehicle of such size relevance.

We clarify that coach Luís Castro has never spoken to any Rubro-Negro manager and even less is the subject of “changing coaches for 2025” on the agenda. Such a scenario does not exist and once again disrespects everyone. the professionals and family members involved in the day-to-day life of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo.

We warn our fans to avoid using vehicles responsible for false articles on a daily basis. We are in favor of press freedom, but we cannot tolerate the lack of commitment to the truth and the targeted attacks promoted by the journalist.

Finally, we regret that Jornal O Globo, a traditional outlet that already had so many good responsible journalists in relevant positions, today we highlight a professional who fails to tell the truth on a daily basis and does not suffer any type of consequence. "

-CRF

Adversary of Flamengo in the 28th round of the Brasileirão, next Sunday (29), Athletico-PR will not have midfielder Gabriel, who received his third yellow card in the draw against Criciúma, this Sunday (22), and will be suspended.

Gabriel was the only one of Athletico's nine suspended players to be punished and will be left out of the clash against Flamengo. He received a card from Anderson Daronco in the 28th minute of the second half, after committing a foul when pulling an opponent after being dribbled. With 23 fouls and four cards in the match, it can be said that the team from Paraná did well given the number of people hanging.

Coach Martín Varini will have to find a replacement for Gabriel, who took over the position after Fernandinho's injury. Against Criciúma, Felipinho entered the second half in his place, but Erick and Praxedes are also viable options for the role.

It is important to remember that Athletico-PR has a decisive duel against Racing (ARG) on Wednesday (26), for the return of the quarterfinals of the Recopa Sul-Americana. Despite the 1-0 victory in the first leg, the team is expected to use maximum strength for the match that will decide who advances to the semi-finals.

The starting line-up against Flamengo at Maracanã, at 8pm, will depend on the players' physical condition. Varini must count on the return of Zapelli, who had pain in his ankle, and will have the return of Uruguayan striker Canobbio, who was suspended.

Although the Flamengo states that it will not leave the Brasileirão aside, the current situation leads the club to prioritize the cups. After the defeat in the first leg of the Libertadores quarter-finals, 12 players were left out of the trip to face Grêmio, resulting in a 3-2 defeat and leaving the team 11 points behind the lead.

Com Focusing on the comeback against Peñarol in Uruguay, on Thursday (26), and the sequence of important games, Tite may choose to spare players again against Athletico. After the confrontation with the team from Paraná, Flamengo receives Corinthians the following Wednesday, October 2nd, for the game first leg of the semi-finals of the Copa do Brasil.