Without Arrascaeta, check Flamengo's likely lineup to face São Paulo

Bahia held its last training session this Saturday morning (4) before the match against Flamengo , in the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship. The preparation, which lasted two days, ended with tactical work led by Rogério Ceni , while the defensive sector underwent specific activities under the guidance of assistant Nelson Simões.

The Tricolor coach faces a long list of 12 absences, including suspensions and players sent to the medical department. On the other hand, the coach received two pieces of good news: the return of Acevedo after serving a suspension, and the possible early return of defender David Duarte, who trained with the squad and may be included earlier than expected. His return was scheduled for after the FIFA international break.

BAHIA'S SHORTAGES

• Luciano Juba, Gabriel Xavier, Santi Arias, Sanabria and Rodrigo Nestor (suspended);
• Erick, Ruan Pablo and Caio Alexandre (transition);
• Kanu (physical reconditioning);
• João Paulo, Ramos Mingo and Erick Pulga (injured).

If David Duarte is released, he will form a central defensive partnership with Rezende. Otherwise, Fredi Lippert is expected to fill the role . The main offensive doubt is on the left side of the attack, where Iago Borduchi, Michel Araújo, Cauly, and Tiago are competing for the suspended Sanabria's spot.

Bahia's likely lineup is: Ronaldo; Gilberto, David Duarte (or Fredi), Rezende and Zé Guilherme; Acevedo, Jean Lucas and Everton Ribeiro ; Kayky, Iago Borduchi (Michel Araújo, Tiago or Cauly) and Willian José.

DECISIVE CONFRONTATION IN FONTE NOVA

Bahia and Flamengo face each other this Sunday (5), at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), at the Arena Fonte Nova Betting House, in Salvador . Tricolor comes from a defeat in the Brasileirão and needs to win to stay close to the G-4 and remain within the classification zone for the Libertadores, since São Paulo appears only two points behind in the table.

Flamengo returns to the field this Sunday (5) to face Bahia, in the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship. The ball rolls at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), at Arena Fonte Nova, in Salvador. The confrontation, however, will not be broadcast on Globo on open TV . The match will be broadcast exclusively by Premiere, on pay-per-view, for all of Brazil.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

Coach Filipe Luís should send onto the field a Flamengo team with: Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Danilo and Ayrton Lucas; De La Cruz (Allan), Jorginho and Arrascaeta; Plata (Carrascal), Samuel Lino (Everton Cebolinha) and Pedro (Bruno Henrique).

On the other side, Rogério Ceni faces a series of squad problems. Bahia has 12 absences and will need to improvise in some areas. The likely starting lineup includes : Ronaldo; Gilberto, David Duarte (Fredi), Rezende, and Zé Guilherme; Acevedo, Jean Lucas, and Everton Ribeiro; Kayky, Iago Borduchi (Michel Araújo, Tiago, or Cauly), and Willian José.

EMBARRASSMENTS

Flamengo midfielder Saúl felt pain in his left ankle and is out of the match . Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro are also serving suspensions and will also be out. Pulgar, who is recovering from a broken foot, remains unavailable.

Bahia, meanwhile, is suffering from 12 absences . The good news for Ceni is the return of Acevedo, who returns from suspension, and the possible return of David Duarte, who trained with the squad and may return early—his return was only scheduled after the FIFA International Day.

Bahia's absences: Luciano Juba, Gabriel Xavier, Santi Arias, Sanabria and Rodrigo Nestor (suspended); Erick, Ruan Pablo and Caio Alexandre (transition); Kanu (physical reconditioning); João Paulo, Ramos Mingo and Erick Pulga (injured).

Flamengo traveled to Salvador on Saturday afternoon (4) with an important absence : Saúl felt pain in his left ankle and is out of the match against Bahia , this Sunday (5), at 6:30 pm, at Arena Fonte Nova, for the Brazilian Championship. In addition to him, Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro are also missing from the team due to suspension.

In the medical department, only Pulgar remains recovering from surgery on his right foot. The Chilean midfielder is expected to return to action after the FIFA World Cup . With the absence in midfield, De la Cruz is expected to take over the starting role alongside Jorginho. In defense, Danilo is expected to partner Léo Ortiz, while Ayrton Lucas returns to left-back.

PROBABLE LINEUP

Flamengo's likely team has: Rossi; Varela (or Royal), Danilo, Léo Ortiz and Ayrton Lucas; De La Cruz (Allan), Jorginho and Arrascaeta; Plata (or Carrascal), Samuel Lino (or Cebolinha) and Pedro.

WHERE TO WATCH

The match between Bahia and Flamengo will be broadcast exclusively on Premiere (pay-per-view) . The match is scheduled for Sunday (5), at 6:30 pm, at Arena Fonte Nova, in Salvador. The referee will be Rodrigo Lima (PE).

FAVORABLE RETROSPECT FOR FLAMENGO

The recent history at Fonte Nova gives the red-and-black team confidence. Since 2006, in 11 away matches against Bahia, Flamengo has won six (55%), drawn two, and lost three. In more recent matches, their dominance is even more evident: they have five wins, one draw, and only one loss in the last seven matches . This record reinforces the Rio de Janeiro team's optimism in another decisive round in the fight for the Brasileirão lead.