Little robot back! Flamengo officially announces Michael's return to the club

The excess of options in the squad is a new challenge for Filipe Luís at Flamengo . After the victory over Mirassol, last Saturday (9), the coach stated that the club can promote departures in this transfer window , open until September 2. In the game, the coach left important names out of the list of related and also chose not to select recently signed reinforcements, signaling that it will be necessary to make space.

Among those absent were left-back Viña and forwards Michael and Juninho. With three full-backs competing for one spot—Alex Sandro, Ayrton Lucas, and Viña— the tendency is for Filipe to have to rotate his options and leave one out in certain matches . This time, the Uruguayan was chosen.

At left back, there's no clear case of loss of place. Everyone has received opportunities and is highly regarded internally . However, Ayrton Lucas is attracting interest from Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia, which has yet to submit a formal offer but is keeping the player on its radar.

ATTACKERS IN UNDEFINED SITUATION

Michael and Juninho are facing different scenarios. Both have lost their place in the squad and could leave. Recovering from ankle pain, the number 30 has missed the last two games due to technical reasons and has already expressed to those close to him his desire to leave the club this summer . The board isn't opposed, but is awaiting offers. The player recently turned down a loan offer from Al-Ula in Saudi Arabia.

Juninho, in turn, received two loan offers from Saudi clubs, which Flamengo rejected. At the time, there were expectations of more opportunities with Filipe Luís, but his use has been limited and is likely to decline further . The club is seeking a center forward on the market, which could further limit his playing potential.

MIDFIELD AND MORE DISPUTE FOR A PLACE

Matheus Gonçalves is also expected to lose his place. With few opportunities this season, the young midfielder is now competing with newcomers Saúl and Carrascal . The player had reached an agreement with Cruzeiro, but the transfer was blocked by Flamengo. While not included in the squad against Mirassol, he is expected to strengthen the U-20 squad in the coming weeks, aiming for the U-20 World Cup on August 23rd against Barcelona at the Maracanã.

Turning attention to the national competition, Flamengo took to the field this Saturday (9), at Maracanã, and beat Mirassol 2-1. The goals for Mais Querido were scored by Léo Pereira and Plata, guaranteeing three more points and keeping the team in the isolated lead of Brasileirão , now with 40 points and one game less than most of their opponents.

With coach Rafael Guanaes suspended, permanent assistant Ivan Baitello was on the sidelines and commented on the difficulties faced by the São Paulo team. For him, the difference between the clubs goes beyond the technical aspect.

Mirassol praises Flamengo, but emphasizes: "We know our size"

"You have to have courage. Trying to equalize isn't a technical deficiency, but an investment. Flamengo has a player who is Mirassol's year. And it's not just one, there are several. We know our size and our capabilities, but we know through Rafael Guanaes, during the week, that you have the ability to compete, regardless of where you play. That's if you have well-defined standards and the players buy in and share the same idea. We knew we couldn't let Flamengo believe, at any point, that the game would be easy," the assistant coach emphasized.

NEXT CHALLENGE WILL BE FOR THE LIBERTADORES

After securing another victory in the national competition, Mengão turns its attention to the Conmebol Libertadores. The next match will be on Wednesday (13), at 9:30 pm, against Internacional, in the first leg of the round of 16.

AND THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP?

In addition to facing Internacional at Maracanã, for the Libertadores, Mais Querido will face the team from Rio Grande do Sul again in the Brasileirão , next Sunday (17), at 6:30 pm. Mengão faces the team from Rio Grande do Sul three times in a row.

An important player in Flamengo's 2-1 victory over Mirassol last Saturday (9) , goalkeeper Rossi spoke about his future at the club and the possibility of a contract renewal . The Argentine, the team's absolute starter, has a contract until 2027, but there are already talks to extend the contract.

Rossi on renewing with Flamengo: "I hope to stay here for many years"

With Matheus Cunha's pre-contract signed with Cruzeiro through 2026 , a situation practically confirmed by Filipe Luís at the press conference, Cruzeiro is also considering signing a backup for Rossi . Despite this, the number 1 preferred to be cautious when commenting on the topic.

"These are things that are being discussed, but nothing is resolved yet. Obviously, on a personal level, I'm very happy at Flamengo , very content . I hope to stay here for many years, but these are things that will evolve," said the Argentine in an interview with the website 'MundoBola Flamengo'.

The goalkeeper emphasized that the renewal talks don't interfere with his concentration or performance on the field: "It doesn't take away from the focus of each game. So, we have to keep working and demonstrating on the field to make that moment happen . But that's it: calmness and continuity," Rossi said.

FOCUS AND CONFIDENCE

Rossi highlighted the positive moment he's experiencing and praised the work of Flamengo's goalkeeping staff: "I feel good working with the goalkeeping team. We work hard and demand a lot from ourselves when we concede a goal . There's an analysis of every game, but personally, I feel good. That's the most important thing," the goalkeeper declared.

The number 1 also emphasized that he considers it essential to repay the team's defensive efforts: " It makes me feel more important when I can help the team whenever it's needed . That's why I'm there, defending the ball when it arrives. The team works hard to keep it from getting there, and when it does, I have to repay that trust to strengthen our defense," he concluded.

NEXT CHALLENGE

After the victory in the Brasileirão, Flamengo turns the key to the Libertadores . On Wednesday (13), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), the team receives Internacional at Maracanã for the first leg of the round of 16. The return leg will be on the 20th, at Beira-Rio, at the same time.