CARIOCA SEMIFINALS WILL HAVE "ZERO TOLERANCE" AND CARD FOR THOSE WHO MAKE "CAKES" AROUND THE REFEREE

Defender Léo Pereira, from Flamengo, became the target of numerous criticisms on social media after his performance in the classic against Vasco. The player was directly responsible for the opponent's equalizing goal, which generated a flood of negative comments from fans, especially on digital platforms.

The move that resulted in Vasco's goal happened at a crucial moment in the match , which intensified the red-black revolt. Many Flamengo fans took to the internet to express their frustration with the defender's failure, pointing to the defensive failure as determining the final result. In the game, which is already naturally surrounded by tension as it is a classic between two of Rio's biggest football rivals, the responsibility of maintaining a solid defense is even greater.

However, Léo Pereira made a mistake that ended up being fatal for the Flamengo. The defender was unable to clear the ball in an aerial play, allowing Vasco to reach a draw. The failure occurred 30 minutes into the second half, at a time when Flamengo seemed to control the match, despite pressure from the opponent. However, the defender's positioning error allowed Vasco's attacker to take advantage of the opportunity, scoring a goal that changed the course of the game.

As soon as the game ended, social networks became a space for rant to Flamengo fans. Various profiles, from sports influencers to ordinary fans, spared no criticism of Léo Pereira's performance. Comments such as "unacceptable" and "another decisive failure" dominated mentions of the player.

On Bluesky, the hashtag with the player's name became one of the most talked about topics, and in fan groups on WhatsApp and Facebook, the conversation revolved around the need for reinforcements in Flamengo's defense. Many stated that the team, with the ambitions it has in competitions such as the Brazilian Championship and Libertadores, cannot afford to make such simple defensive mistakes.

Mengão will have to deal with the absence of Nicolás De La Cruz for another important game. The Uruguayan player did not participate in the classic against Vasco, last Sunday (15), and remains a doubt for this Thursday's match (19) against Peñarol, valid for the quarter-finals of the Copa Sudamericana. The midfielder's presence is not yet guaranteed, as coach Tite explained during a press conference.

During the press conference, Tite revealed that, after a recent training session, he asked Nicolás De La Cruz about the possibility of playing for at least 20 minutes in the match against Vasco, but the player, smiling, indicated that was not in condition. “The physical department was categorical in stating that he was not fit, even if he felt good", commented the coach. Tite also reinforced that he hopes to be able to count on the athlete on Thursday, but there is still no guarantee that this will be possible.

Nicolás De La Cruz has been sidelined since suffering a muscle injury to his right thigh in the game against Bahia, valid for the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil. Since then, the midfielder was absent from the team in the matches against Corinthians, in the second game of the same competition, and in the Rio derby. and expectations for his return increase as the calendar narrows.

In addition to De La Cruz, CRF has already confirmed the absence of four other players for the clash against Peñarol, which they face. problems in their right thigh, and Pedro, Matías Viña and Everton Cebolinha, who suffered more serious injuries, will only return to the pitch in 2025.

With these absences, coach Tite will have to adjust the team to maintain performance and continue in search of victories in the competitions that the club still competes in.

The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) announced that Venezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela will be responsible for refereeing the next match of Flamengofor the Copa Libertadores da América. The game, scheduled to take place at Maracanã, will be against Peñarol, a traditional Uruguayan football team. Jesús Valenzuela, who is already known on the South American scene, was appointed to lead the decisive clash in the group stage of the tournament. His choice by Conmebol reinforces the standard of selecting experienced referees for games of great importance, especially in the Libertadores, where matches tend to be highly contested and charged with emotion.

Jesús Valenzuela has stood out in recent years as one of the main referees in South America. The Venezuelan has an established career in international football, having refereed several important matches, both in club competitions and national team tournaments. In terms of experience, Valenzuela has already been present at Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana games, in addition to being part of the referee panel at Copa América. His performance is generally marked by rigidity in the application of rules and a firm stance on the field, characteristics that have made him a recurring choice of Conmebol for high-pressure games.

Choosing a referee in a competition like the Libertadores is not a simple task. Arbitration plays a crucial rolel, as the tournament is known for its high level of competitiveness, fierce rivalries and pressure both on and off the field. A refereeing error can completely change the course of a match, especially in decisive moments such as group stage and knockout matches.

Valenzuela, with his experience in high-level matches, brings a guarantee that the game will be conducted fairly and within the rules. However, as in every match, the expectation of fans and clubs is that the refereeing is as impartial as possible and avoids direct interference in the result.