Soccer

Pulgar prioritizes his family in his quest to improve his performance at Flamengo

Sister of Mais Querido's midfielder has been going through depression and the player made a decision to help her and improve her performance

Pulgar seeks to help his sister with depression - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo
Pulgar seeks to help his sister with depression - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo

05 Out 2024 | 08:51 |

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Erick Pulgar has been going through a phase of ups and downs at Flamengo in recent months. Off the field, the player faces a delicate moment when supporting his sister, who was diagnosed with depression. People close to the driver indicate that this situation may have impacted his performance in matches.


According to information from journalist Venê Casagrande, Pulgar invited his sister to live with him in Rio de Janeiro , in order to help her face this difficult phase. Despite family challenges, the midfielder maintains his professional dedication, giving his all to Flamengo. The Chilean is also called up for Chile's 2026 World Cup qualifiers.


Low Moment < /b>


In recent games, Erick Pulgar has shown a drop in performance. The Chilean, who was once one of the team's main names under the command of Jorge Sampaoli and at the beginning of the Tite era, is now being questioned by the fans due to his recent performance. The steering wheel was passed over on some occasions for Léo Ortiz to act in an improvised role.

Go to Game


Even with the unstable phase, coach Filipe Luís should select Pulgar among the starters in Flamengo's clash against Bahia. Therefore, Rubro-Negro's likely lineup will be: Rossi, Wesley, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Erick Pulgar, De la Cruz, Gerson and Arrascaeta; Bruno Henrique and Gabigol.

Next Game

With Erick Pulgar at his disposal, Flamengo travels to Salvador, where they will face Bahia this Saturday (05), at 7pm (Brasília time), at Arena Fonte Nova. The match will be valid for the 29th round of the Brazilian Championship. Mais Querido seeks to close the gap on leader Botafogo to continue fighting for thetitle of the main national competition.


Soccer

Keeping an eye on their rivals: Estudiantes will have new additions to their lineup to face Flamengo

The Argentine team begins training at Fluminense's training center and should play more defensively at Maracanã against Mengão this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm

Estudiantes trains at Fluminense before facing Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores and tests defensive scheme - photo: reproduction
Estudiantes trains at Fluminense before facing Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores and tests defensive scheme - photo: reproduction

17 Set 2025 | 15:15 |

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Estudiantes is already in Rio de Janeiro for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals against Flamengo , scheduled for Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã. The Argentine team trained at Fluminense's facilities , preparing for the decisive duel.


Coach Eduardo Domínguez tested a more conservative formation, including an extra defensive midfielder in midfield, as a strategy to contain Flamengo's attacks. According to Radio Província 1270 in La Plata, the change could result in only one striker on the field , demonstrating a more solid defensive posture.


LINEUP AND POSSIBLE CHANGES


Estudiantes ' likely lineup for the clash includes: Muslera; Gómez, Nuñez, Rodríguez, Arzamendia; Ascacibar, Piovi, Amondarain, Medina, Tiago Palacios; Carrillo.

It's not yet clear whether Piovi will play as an extra midfielder or be replaced by Castro . Amondarain, despite being an attacking midfielder, could drop back and act as a third midfielder, depending on Domínguez's strategy in recent training sessions.


FLAMENGO WILL HAVE A CHALLENGE

With the prospect of a more closed Argentine team, Flamengo, under the command of Filipe Luís, will have to work hard to break down Estudiantes' defense and seek a positive result in the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals.


Soccer

Flamengo will have changes in the lineup to face Estudiantes

Rubro-negro evaluates changes in the starting lineup for the clash with the Argentine team this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm, for the Libertadores

Flamengo holds final training session before facing Estudiantes in the CONMEBOL Libertadores with possible changes to the lineup - photo: reproduction
Flamengo holds final training session before facing Estudiantes in the CONMEBOL Libertadores with possible changes to the lineup - photo: reproduction

17 Set 2025 | 14:49 |

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Flamengo could take to the field with a different formation to face Estudiantes this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), for the CONMEBOL Libertadores. The duel, decisive for the club's ambitions in the continental competition , will be broadcast live on Disney+.


Up front, Bruno Henrique is recovered and available to play, expanding coach Filipe Luís's offensive options. Plata and Luiz Araújo are also options at wing. Léo Ortiz returns to the defensive system after missing the match against Juventude.


A possible Flamengo lineup for Thursday has: Rossi; Emerson Royal (or Varela), Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas (or Viña); Allan (or De La Cruz), Saúl and Arrascaeta; Plata, Pedro (or Bruno Henrique) and Samuel Lino.


JORGINHO IS A MISSING PARTY IN THE TEAM

According to information gathered, the club's coaching staff is likely to opt for midfielder Jorginho, who is recovering from a muscle edema. Although he is fit to play, the club does not want to risk losing him for an extended period.


MIDFIELD OPTIONS

Without Jorginho, coach Filipe Luís is evaluating the best alternatives for the position. De La Cruz and Saúl are the main candidates to form a partnership with Saúl in midfield . The coach will lead the final training session before the match on Wednesday (17) to determine his replacement.

Another confirmed absence is left-back Alex Sandro, who is nursing a calf injury and will be unfit to play. Ayrton Lucas and Matías Viña are competing for the starting spot on the left wing.


Soccer

Flamengo vs Estudiantes in the Libertadores will have a new refereeing

Conmebol announces changes to the VAR process and will now be valid for the duel between Mengão and the La Plata club in the quarterfinals

Conmebol announces changes to the VAR process and the new feature will already be valid for Flamengo vs Estudiantes - Photo: Reproduction
Conmebol announces changes to the VAR process and the new feature will already be valid for Flamengo vs Estudiantes - Photo: Reproduction

17 Set 2025 | 14:10 |

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Conmebol announced this Tuesday (16) an important new development for the quarterfinal stage of the Libertadores . From this stage onwards, the main referee will immediately communicate his decision to the entire public present at the stadium , ensuring greater transparency in the arbitration process.


This measure has already been used in the organization's competitions. In the 2024 Recopa Sudamericana, for example, the rule was applied experimentally . Now, it officially returns for the decisive matches of the Copa Libertadores.


FLAMENGO X ESTUDIANTES – FIRST GAME


The first duel between Flamengo and Estudiantes takes place this Thursday (18), at Maracanã, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time). The stadium will have a full house: All tickets were sold in advance , guaranteeing an estimated audience of around 69 thousand people.

RETURN GAME IN ARGENTINA


The return leg is scheduled for September 25th in La Plata, Argentina, also at 9:30 pm (Brasília time). It will be broadcast on ESPN (pay TV) and Disney+ (streaming) . Fans can stay up to date with all the details of the match at Gazeta do Urubu.

ARBITRATION
  • Referee: Andrés Rojas (COL)
  • Assistants: Alexander Guzman and John León (COL)
  • 4th referee: John Ospina (COL)
  • VAR: Nicolas Gallo (COL)
  • VAR Assistant: David Rodriguez (COL)


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