RED BULL STUMBLES AND WINNING FLAMENGO CAN SLEEP IN THE BRAZILIAN’S VICE LEADERSHIP

Flamengo and Grêmio face each other again this Sunday (22) for the Brazilian Championship, in a match that promises to be hot. The recent history between the two teams shows a clear advantage for Flamengo, which wants to maintain its superiority and increase the so-called "freguesia" over its rival from Rio Grande do Sul.

In recent seasons, Flamengo has had the better of most of the clashes against Grêmio, especially in decisive moments. Victories in important competitions, such as Copa do Brasil and Libertadores, strengthened this narrative. Among fans, the term “freguesia” began to be used recurrently to describe Flamengo's sequence of triumphs over the Gauchos.

Grêmio, despite being one of the biggest clubs in Brazilian football , has suffered at the hands of the Rio team, especially in knockout clashes and important games. Since the arrival of Jorge Jesus in 2019, Flamengo has become one of the most feared teams in the country, winning important titles and maintaining regularity at a high level. Grêmio, on the other hand, had ups and downs and was unable to follow the same evolution.

This Sunday's duel promises to be another chapter in this story. Playing at home, Grêmio will try to reverse their recent record and seek a victory that can serve as redemption. Flamengo , even playing away from home, enters the field confident, knowing that the pressure is more on the opponent's shoulders.

Currently, Flamengo continues to seek to consolidate itself among the top placed teams in the Brasileirão, while the Grêmio struggles to remain competitive. For the Rio team, a victory in the South would be another opportunity to strengthen its dominance over the opponent, in addition to adding three important points in the title race. For Grêmio, beating Flamengo would be the chance to reverse this "parish" and show that it is still capable of competing on equal terms with the giants of national football.

The Flamengoarrives at a crucial moment of the season, where the marathon of games between competitions requires strategic decisions from the coaching staff. Midfielder Gerson, one of the most important players in the squad, recently completed 40 consecutive matches, and his preservation for the next Libertadores clash, against Peñarol, has become a priority. For this reason, the athlete will not be available for the Brazilian Championship game against Grêmio.

The decision to spare Gerson is part of the coach's strategy to keep the midfielder in ideal conditions for the competition continental, where Flamengo is looking for a decisive turnaround. The sequence of 40 games is a significant milestone, both in terms of physical performance and contribution to the team, demonstrating the player's regularity and importance within the team.

Known for his versatility on the field, Gerson plays multiple roles in midfield, both defensive and offensive, earning the nickname “Joker” in the red and black squad. He stands out for his ability to occupy different spaces on the field, whether helping to release the ball, directing the game in the middle, or even helping in defense.

This performance has been vital in Flamengoin several competitions, and the sequence of games reinforces how essential the player has been to the tactical scheme. However, the high number of matches also requires special attention from the coaching staff in terms of preventing injuries and physical exhaustion.

O Flamengo is already in Belo Horizonte to face Atlético-MG this Wednesday, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Arena MRV. With Rubro-Negro defending the leadership of the Brazilian Championship, the match promises excitement, especially with some changes in the lineup. After Chile's elimination from the Copa América, Erick Pulgar returned this Tuesday and trained normally at Ninho do Urubu.

As a result, there is the possibility that Pulgar will start the match in Lorran's place. Another expected novelty is the entry of Carlinhos in Pedro's place. Brazil's top scorer traveled with the group, but showed a high rate of wear and tear and will probably start on the bench to be preserved.

With these changes, the likely lineup for the Flamengo for match against Atlético-MG should be: Rossi; Wesley, Fabrício Bruno, David Luiz and Ayrton Lucas; Allan, Pulgar and Gerson; Luiz Araújo, Bruno Henrique and Carlinhos.

Defending the leadership of the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo faces an Atlético-MG team that is looking to move up the table.  The Minas Gerais team usually imposes difficulties on their opponents when they play at home, and the MRV Arena will be pulsing with the energy of the local fans. The Flamengo coach, aware of the difficulties, has adjusted the team to maintain the rhythm and ensure a good result away from home.