SAMPAOLI EXPLAINS FLAMENGO'S PHYSICAL FALL AND PRAISES THE TEAM'S POSTURE

Flamengo faces Grêmio this Sunday (31) , at 4 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the 22nd round of the Brazilian Championship. The match will be broadcast live on the Premiere channel.

Both teams arrive rested, having missed any Copa do Brasil matches this week. "Mais Querido" (the most beloved team) is looking to add three more points to maintain its lead in the competition . "Tricolor Gaúcho" (the Tricolor Gaúcho) is under pressure, needing to win and move away from the relegation zone.

FLAMENGO'S PROBABLE LINEUP

Coach Filipe Luís still has some uncertainty about his starting lineup. Midfielder Jorginho, who has been playing alongside Saúl, suffered muscle pain this week and could be rested . If he doesn't play, his options are Allan or De la Cruz.

On the wing, Alex Sandro is out due to injury, as is midfielder Erick Pulgar, who is recovering. Despite these absences, the core of the team is expected to remain. Mengão's likely starting lineup: Rossi; Varela (Emerson Royal), Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, and Viña; Jorginho (Allan), Saúl, and Arrascaeta; Plata (Luiz Araújo), Samuel Lino, and Pedro.

GRÊMIO ARRIVES UNDER PRESSURE

Grêmio, led by Mano Menezes, is looking for a comeback to move away from the bottom of the table. The Rio Grande do Sul team is banking on experienced players like Edenílson, Cuéllar, and Kannemann to try to surprise on the road.

Probable Tricolor lineup: Tiago Volpi; Marcos Rocha, Wagner Leonardo, Kannemann and Marlon; Dodi, Cuéllar and Edenílson; Cristian Olivera, Alysson and Braithwaite (Carlos Vinícius).

Amid the call-ups for the FIFA Date, coach Marcelo Bielsa surprised by leaving Nicolás de la Cruz out of Uruguay's list for the last two games of the Qualifiers . In a press conference this Friday (29), the coach detailed the reasons for not calling the Flamengo midfielder .

Bielsa on Flamengo's De La Cruz: "It's not appropriate to force him to play"

"De La Cruz's process is as follows: even though he's a reserve, he won't be called up. We understand he's healthy, but we believe it's best for him to get back to playing consistently at the club first . It's not appropriate to force him to play for the national team without first being fully reintegrated into competitive football," Bielsa stated.

The coach also highlighted the importance of the player, but reinforced that the preparation time between arrival and the game would be insufficient to use him at a high level, ensuring that it is necessary for the midfielder to return to his best competitive form at the club, before returning to the national team list.

THE CONTEXT OF THE CLINICAL SITUATION

De La Cruz's absence comes amid a recent episode. Last month, Flamengo 's then-doctor, José Luiz Runco, stated in a messaging group that the midfielder had a chronic and irreversible knee injury. The statement resonated nationwide, generating internal unease. The club fired the professional and intensified its support for the athlete.

DE LA CRUZ RETURNED TO PLAY FOR FLAMENGO

Recovered, the Uruguayan returned to wear the red-black shirt in the historic 8-0 victory over Vitória, last Monday (25). De La Cruz came on in the second half, played for 20 minutes, completed 95% of his passes and had 100% success in his throws.

FLAMENGO'S NEXT GAME

With the midfielder available again, Flamengo faces Grêmio this Sunday (31), at 4 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã , valid for the 22nd round of the Brazilian Championship. The match will be broadcast by Rede Globo (on open channel) and Premiere (pay-per-view).

Samuel Lino's good performance with the Flamengo shirt has already borne fruit. This Saturday (31), the striker was called up by Carlo Ancelotti to defend the Brazilian National Team in the last two rounds of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Brazil faces Chile, next Thursday (5), at Maracanã, and Bolivia, on the 9th, away from home.

Lino's call-up comes amid forced changes to the squad. Matheus Cunha left the field in Manchester United's last match after experiencing pain in his left thigh. This was the fourth cut made by Ancelotti on this FIFA World Cup.

Before him, Flamengo full-back Alex Sandro, Newcastle midfielder Joelinton, and Monaco right-back Vanderson had already been dropped. Bahia's Jean Lucas and Botafogo's Vitinho were called up to replenish the squad. However, no replacements were called up to replace Alex Sandro.

SAMUEL LINO'S NUMBERS

Signed from Atlético de Madrid , Lino quickly earned a place in the starting lineup. In just eight matches for Atlético, he has already racked up two goals and four assists, as well as a significant offensive presence. His consistency and speed have caught the attention of not only the fans but also the national team's coaching staff.

SELECTION PREPARATION

The athletes will begin training this Sunday (1st). From Monday (2), with a full squad, they will begin work at Granja Comary, in Teresópolis (RJ). After the match against Chile, the team will return to training there until boarding for Santa Cruz de la Sierra, in Bolivia.