"If you go, I will go", Alex Sandro reveals 'project' with another Flamengo reinforcement in negotiations

There are just a few days left for Flamengo to finish its preparation for the decisive game against Bahia in the Copa do Brasil. In this scenario, De La Cruz's presence in the match is still in doubt.

Currently, De La Cruz is out of the game against Bahia, as he has not yet participated in any activity with the group. Last Monday (09), the Uruguayan midfielder limited himself to carrying out specific work in the gym, without going to the field.

De La Cruz is undergoing treatment for an injury to the posterior muscle of his right thigh. However, the situation could change depending on how he performs in the activities scheduled for this Tuesday (10) and Wednesday (11). The number 18's participation in the match will be defined based on these training sessions.

Despite the uncertainty about De La Cruz, the Flamengo will have important returns for the decision against Bahia. Gabigol, Léo Pereira and Arrascaeta are already training with the group and will be involved in the game. Everyone has recovered from their respective injuries and will be available to reinforce the team.

Flamengo and Bahia face each other this Thursday (12 ), at 9:45 pm (Brasília time). The clash promises a full house at Maracanã, with the red and black fans mobilizing to throw a big party, including a special mosaic. At the moment, only two sectors of the stadium still have tickets available.

Gabigol is recovered from the injury to the posterior muscle of his right thigh, suffered on the 15th, during the 2-0 victory over Bolívar. The striker returned to training with the ball this Monday and has a good chance of being available for Thursday's clash, against Bahia, in the second leg of the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil, at Maracanã.

With Pedro's absence due to injury, Gabigol will have the opportunity to get the minutes he has sought so much in recent months. At the moment, he only has Carlinhos as a direct competitor, in addition to the possibility of Bruno Henrique being improvised in the position.

In this decisive period, Gabigol faces an opponent against whom he usually stands out. In his first game for Flamengo against Bahia, he shone by commanding the 3-1 comeback, with assists for Reinier and Bruno Henrique, in addition to scoring the third goal in the 42nd minute of the second half. It was after this goal that the red and black fans chanted "he's a champion" for the first time in the seven-time championship campaign, in 2019, even with six rounds still to be played.

Since then, Gabigol has faced Bahia another six times, scoring six goals, including three in a 5-0 rout in 2021, shortly after playing in the Copa América for the Seleção. In addition to his excellent individual performance, the striker has a perfect record against Bahia: seven games and seven wins. In Flamengo's last defeat to the Bahian team, in Filipe Luís' debut, Gabigol was unavailable.

Despite the good recovery, the tendency is for the number 99 to start the game on the bench, as Bruno Henrique has occupied the role of center forward. However, Gabigol is aware that this is a crucial moment to regain his space and return to presenting the good football that he was unable to show in 2024.

Alex Sandro is Flamengo's new reinforcement for the left flank and seeks to consolidate his position with Mais Querido. For Filipe Luís, Rubro-Negro's new signing is a high-level reinforcement, but one that will have many challenges.

In participation in a friendly game organized by Zicob and the Sofascore platform, Filipe Luís demonstrated that he is in great form, with precise passes and crosses. At the end of the event, Flamengo's coach spoke about Alex Sandro's arrival at the club.

"A spectacular guy. Very high level. World Cup player. He comes to add and increase competition with the Ayrton Lucas, and with Viña's possible return next year. The side is well covered. He's a very, very big player. He accepted the challenge and it's not easy, he has to have the courage to accept the challenge. him, Alcaraz, Plata and Michael. They are players who came to add value. It was an excellent and magnificent signing window for Flamengo", said Filipe Luís.