Samuel Lino puts Flamengo on the same level as Europeans: “gigantic…”

Flamengo secured a place in the quarterfinals of the Libertadores by beating Internacional 2-0 last Wednesday (20), at Beira-Rio. With just under a month to go until the start of the next phase, coach Filipe Luís is already planning a possible major reinforcement: midfielder Erick Pulgar .

Filipe Luís on Flamengo in the Libertadores quarterfinals: "My hope is to recover Pulgar"

Out of action since June 26, when he faced Bayern Munich (GER) in the Club World Cup, Pulgar is recovering from a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot . According to the coach, the Chilean is expected to be fully recovered by September.

"I didn't know there was a month left (until the quarterfinals against Estudiantes). My thoughts are on Vitória, which is the next game . But since there's a month left, my hope is to get Pulgar back. He might be back in a month. Until then, a lot can happen," said Filipe Luís.

THE FLEECE INJURY

The midfielder suffered the fracture after a challenge with Harry Kane in the round of 16 of the World Cup. The injury required surgery in Chile, unlike in 2023 , when the player also fractured the same metatarsal but opted for conservative treatment. On that occasion, he returned to action in about 60 days.

Now, after the surgery, the recovery time is longer. Pulgar is expected to return to the field only in the second half of September , a total absence of about two and a half months. There's also a possibility that the midfielder will only return in October.

LIBERTADORES: DATES SET FOR THE WEDNESDAY FINALS

With victories over Internacional in the round of 16, Flamengo will face Estudiantes de La Plata (ARG) in the quarterfinals . The first leg is scheduled for September 16-18 at the Maracanã, while the return leg is scheduled for September 23-25 in Argentina.

NEXT CHALLENGE IN THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

While without Pulgar, Flamengo turns its attention to the Brazilian Championship . Next Monday (25), the team faces Vitória, at Maracanã, at 9 pm (Brasília time), for the 21st round of the competition.

Flamengo is qualified for the quarterfinals of the Libertadores . After beating Internacional 2-0 at Beira-Rio, this Wednesday (20), Rubro-Negro confirmed the spot with 3-0 on aggregate and will now face Estudiantes de La Plata (ARG) , who eliminated Cerro Porteño (PAR).

DATES SET BY CONMEBOL

CONMEBOL has set the window for the next stage. The first match between Flamengo and Estudiantes will take place between September 16th and 18th in Rio de Janeiro. The return leg, in La Plata, is scheduled for the 23rd and 25th of the same month. Having performed better in the group stage, the Argentine team will have the advantage of playing at home.

THE QUARTERLY KEY

Besides the match between Flamengo and Estudiantes, the other quarterfinal matches follow the same schedule, but with no set dates yet and three teams still to qualify. The bracket is as follows :

• Sao Paulo x (winner of Botafogo x LDU)
• (Winner of Libertad vs River Plate) vs (Winner of Palmeiras vs Universitario)
• Racing x Vélez Sarsfield
• Students vs Flamengo

THE GRAND FINAL

Flamengo's goal is to win its fourth continental championship. The Copa Libertadores final is scheduled for November 29th at the Monumental Stadium in Lima, Peru, the historic site of the 2019 title victory over River Plate, a final that has a chance of being repeated.

NEXT APPOINTMENT

Before returning to the field for the South American tournament, Flamengo remains focused on the Brasileirão. On Monday (25), the Mais Querido faces Vitória, at Maracanã, at 9 pm (Brasília time) , in a duel valid for the 21st round. Mengão is the leader of the competition with 43 points, four more than Palmeiras, in second place.

Flamengo is in the quarterfinals of the Libertadores after beating Internacional 2-0 , this Wednesday (20), at Beira-Rio. The result confirmed the team's good phase under the command of Filipe Luís , but the coach tried to avoid comparisons with Jorge Jesus, idol of the Nation and reference in the 2019 title.

Filipe Luís avoids comparisons to Jorge Jesus at Flamengo: "I'm going to make my own history"

"First, I can never compare my team to the past; they're different players. I also can't compare myself to Jorge Jesus , who, if not the best in history, is one of the greatest to ever play for Flamengo. I'll never be like him; I'll make my own history, my way, but always with the Flamengo DNA I've known since I was a child," declared Filipe Luís.

THE DNA OF FLAMENGO ACCORDING TO FILIPE LUÍS

The coach emphasized that his philosophy is essentially about constant pressure and stifling opponents, but acknowledged the changing nature of football: " The idea is to crush the opponent for as long as possible . Of course, we often won't succeed, and other times we'll play poorly and even lose. But the goal is always to play the game, to play with the ball on the ground," he added.

FLAMENGO CONTROLLED IN BEIRA-RIO

While Flamengo didn't quite put on a show, it was solid in Porto Alegre. The defense didn't allow Internacional to get a shot on target against Agustín Rossi , who didn't have to work hard. The team from Rio Grande do Sul only threatened late on, when Borré hit the post.

On the other side, the Mais Querido were efficient. Arrascaeta opened the scoring in the first half, taking advantage of a rebound inside the box, and Pedro, in the final stretch, sealed the victory 2-0. With the result, Flamengo advanced 3-0 on aggregate .

NEXT CHALLENGE IN THE LIBERTADORES

In the quarterfinals, Flamengo will face Estudiantes de La Plata (ARG). The first leg will take place in Rio de Janeiro, between September 16th and 18th , while the return leg will be in Argentina, between the 23rd and 25th of the same month.