Soccer

Rogério Ceni, ex-Flamengo, praises the cast of Mais Querido in 2025 and recalls victorious passage

Bahia coach praises current performance and recalls his time at the club with three important titles in his career as coach

Rogério Ceni comments on the current phase of the squad led by Filipe Luís and highlights Flamengo as one of the favorites in Brazil (Photo / CRF)
Rogério Ceni comments on the current phase of the squad led by Filipe Luís and highlights Flamengo as one of the favorites in Brazil (Photo / CRF)

22 Abr 2025 | 12:01 |

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During an interview about the progress of the Brazilian Championship, Rogério Ceni, current coach of Bahia, commented on the performance of the country's main clubs. In the midst of the analysis, the former commander of the Rio de Janeiro team was direct in stating that Flamengo and Palmeiras are on a level above the others, highlighting the good moment of the team led by Filipe Luís.

All teams face these difficulties, with the exception of Flamengo and Palmeiras," said Ceni.




FORMER MENGÃO COACH REMEMBERS VICTORIOUS PASSAGE AT THE CLUB



Ceni, who was in charge of Flamengo between 2020 and 2021, made a point of recognizing the current strength of the red-black group and also reflected on his own work at the club. During his management, the former goalkeeper lifted three trophies: Campeonato Brasileiro, Supercopa do Brasil and Campeonato Carioca, all in less than a year.



CENI'S PERFORMANCE AT FLAMENGO DIVIDED OPINIONS AMONG FANS


Despite winning important titles, Rogério Ceni's departure sparked debate among fans. In 45 games in charge of the team, he accumulated 23 wins, 11 draws and 11 losses, with a 59.3% success rate . For some fans, his dismissal was premature, considering the number of trophies and the short period he led the team. “All teams face these difficulties, with the exception of Flamengo and Palmeiras, perhaps. Most have young players, sometimes in a formation that matures more quickly,” said the former Fla coach.


Today, the person in charge of Mais Querido is former full-back Filipe Luís. Even though he is still at the beginning of his career as a coach, the former player has received praise for his leadership of the team and tactical understanding of the game. Rogério Ceni, in fact, did not mince words when referring to the new coach: “You take Flamengo and Palmeiras, perhaps, as exceptions. Most of them struggle with young teams that are still being formed”, he highlighted.


In the same speech, the Bahia coach pointed to Palmeiras as another example of stability in the current scenario. According to him, the two clubs stand out for maintaining strong and competitive squads in all competitions, while others face more difficulties with the base or lack of experience of the athletes. When mentioning the difference between the giants and the others, Ceni reinforced that most teams in the country go through renewal and training processes . He explained that many squads have young athletes, which takes time to mature, a factor that makes the mission more challenging for the coaches.


Soccer

Liverpool defender talks about his feelings when facing Flamengo in the World Cup: “fans…”

Reds standout Van Dijk recalls the atmosphere created by Mengão fans in the final played in Qatar in 2019 and says he is enchanted by the Brazilians

Liverpool's Van Dijk remembers the atmosphere created by Flamengo fans in the 2019 Club World Cup final - Photo: Reproduction
Liverpool's Van Dijk remembers the atmosphere created by Flamengo fans in the 2019 Club World Cup final - Photo: Reproduction

17 Set 2025 | 21:00 |

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Flamengo's fans continue to impress world football's biggest names . In 2019, Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk came face-to-face with the might of the Red-Black Nation at the FIFA Club World Cup final in Qatar. The atmosphere of that match left a lasting impression on the Dutch defender.


Liverpool's Van Dijk on Flamengo: "Their fans were incredible"


In an interview with TNT Sports, Van Dijk was asked about his knowledge of Brazilian football. The topic arose because striker Memphis Depay , a player for Corinthians and the Dutch national team, frequently talks to the defender about Brazil.


"I know very well the passion Brazilian fans have for their teams. We faced Flamengo in the Club World Cup in Qatar, and their support was incredible . Memphis also spoke to me several times about the Corinthians fans. We know how great Brazilian football is. I'm very proud of Memphis and hope he scores many goals for the national team," said the defender.

FLAMENGO X LIVERPOOL – THE 2019 MEETING


After eliminating Al-Hilal in the semifinals, Flamengo faced Liverpool again in a repeat of the 1981 final . However, Jorge Jesus's team failed to break down the English defense and lost in extra time. In the final, Van Dijk experienced one of the greatest moments of his career and was a key player in neutralizing the Flamengo attack. Players like Gabigol struggled against the defender's solidity.

MARACANÃ FULL FOR FLAMENGO X ESTUDIANTES

Almost six years after that duel, the Nation is preparing for another big night. Tickets for Flamengo vs Estudiantes, this Thursday (18), at Maracanã, for the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals , are already sold out . More than 69 thousand fans will support Filipe Luís' team, which is looking to open up an advantage before the decisive match in La Plata.


Soccer

Flamengo is eliminated from the Women's Brazil Cup after defeat to São Paulo

The red-and-black team fails to overcome São Paulo's solid performance, concedes a goal from Duda Serrana and leaves the national tournament in the round of 16

Flamengo is eliminated from the Women's Brazil Cup after losing to São Paulo; Duda Serrana's goal decides the match at Morumbis - photo: reproduction
Flamengo is eliminated from the Women's Brazil Cup after losing to São Paulo; Duda Serrana's goal decides the match at Morumbis - photo: reproduction

17 Set 2025 | 20:45 |

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Flamengo said goodbye to the Women's Copa do Brasil after losing 1-0 to São Paulo, this Wednesday (17), at Morumbis. The Rio de Janeiro team even tried to react after falling behind on the scoreboard, but was unable to avoid elimination in the single duel of the round of 16. The decisive goal was scored by Duda Serrana, a standout for the São Paulo team.


In the first half, São Paulo dominated possession and adopted a more attacking approach , hindering Flamengo 's play. Flamengo struggled to exchange passes and impose their style. Even so, the visitors had the best chance of the first half: on a quick counterattack in the 30th minute, Duda had a good opportunity but shot wide.


DUDA SERRANA'S GOAL DECIDES


Early in the second half, a poor clearance by the Flamengo defense resulted in the game-clinching goal. The defense poorly cleared the ball, and Duda Serrana fired a precise shot from outside the box, leaving Flamengo's goalkeeper with no chance . From then on, the Rio de Janeiro team pushed forward and sought to press in the final minutes, relying primarily on set pieces and crosses, but failed to create any real chances.

ELIMINATION ENDS PARTICIPATION


With this result, Flamengo ends its Women's Copa do Brasil campaign with one win and one loss. The team received approximately R$90,000 for its participation in the round of 16. After the final whistle, members of the Flamengo coaching staff complained about the refereeing in the center of the field, but the result remained unchanged.

AND THE MALE?

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+.



Soccer

Emerson Royal is experiencing a new phase at Filipe Luís's Flamengo: “he asked me…”

The full-back played a key role in the 2-0 victory over Juventude and reveals that the coach's request enhances his characteristics.

Emerson Royal reveals Filipe Luís's request at Flamengo to enhance his characteristics - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo
Emerson Royal reveals Filipe Luís's request at Flamengo to enhance his characteristics - Photo: Gilvan de Souza/Flamengo

17 Set 2025 | 20:00 |

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Flamengo beat Juventude 2-0 last Sunday (14), at Alfredo Jaconi, for the Brazilian Championship, and ended a 28-year winless streak in Caxias do Sul. Arrascaeta opened the scoring and Emerson Royal closed the score, scoring his first goal for the club .


Emerson Royal reveals Filipe Luís's request at Flamengo: "Filipe wants me to be sharp, exploring my physical strength"


After the match, the full-back revealed a conversation with coach Filipe Luís, who advised him on attacking positioning: "I received criticism when I played injured because I couldn't give my best. But I wanted to stay on the field to help Flamengo . Filipe explained to me what he wanted from me: to get to the far post. I even asked my teammates to watch me during that movement," Royal said.


RETURN AS HOLDER

It was the full-back's first game since returning from injury. Royal had sprained his left ankle on August 13 against Internacional in the Copa Libertadores. Since then, he had only played a few minutes in the draw with Grêmio at Maracanã.


According to the player, Filipe Luís asked him to play differently than he was used to in his career: "At Tottenham, I played as a defensive midfielder, on the inside. But Filipe wants me to be sharp, exploiting my physical strength, passing, and crossing. He knows my ability to support, and that can really help the team ."

DISPUTE FOR POSITION

Signed in July for €9 million (approximately R$58 million) from Milan, Emerson Royal is competing for a spot with Varela, who was rested against Juventude due to a groin injury. " Big teams are like that; they always have top-notch players . Varela has a lot of quality, and so do I. The competition is healthy, we work hard, and the choice is Filipe's," said the full-back.

NEXT COMMITMENTS

On Thursday (18), Flamengo faces Estudiantes in the Libertadores (quarter-finals, first leg), at 9:30 pm, at Maracanã . The Most Beloved only returns to the field for the Brasileirão on Sunday (21), against Vasco, also at the sacred temple.


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