Cruzeiro coach talks about Flamengo's squad and highlights difficulties in the Brasileirão game

Flamengo is ready to face Vitória , this Monday (25), in a duel valid for the 21st round of the Brazilian Championship. Coach Filipe Luís outlined the starting team with Saúl and Jorginho in midfield and Pedro leading the attack.

FLAMENGO'S PROBABLE LINEUP

With practically the entire squad at his disposal, coach Filipe Luís should send onto the field a Flamengo with: Rossi; Varela (Royal), Léo Ortiz (Danilo), Léo Pereira, Alex Sandro; Jorginho, Saúl, Arrascaeta, Plata (Luiz Araújo), Samuel Lino and Pedro.

EMBARRASSMENTS

The only confirmed absence is Erick Pulgar, who is still recovering from a fractured right foot suffered during the Club World Cup —an injury that required surgery. Otherwise, Filipe Luís will have virtually his entire squad available for the match.

SITUATION IN THE TABLE

This round is crucial in the title race. Flamengo leads the Brasileirão with 43 points, two ahead of Cruzeiro , who have already won this round and reached 41. Palmeiras, with 39 points, also plays this Monday and could close the gap.

WHERE TO WATCH

The Flamengo vs. Vitória clash takes place at 9 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Maracanã stadium. The match will be broadcast live on SporTV (a cable channel) and Premiere (pay-per-view). While Flamengo is leading, Vitória is looking to score points to escape the relegation zone.

Flamengo remains firm in the fight for the 2025 titles . This Monday (25), the team faces Vitória, at Maracanã, and next Sunday (31) it returns to the stadium to face Grêmio in another decisive duel and with an important novelty at the stadium .

On Monday morning, Maracanã management announced the installation of a new high-tech synthetic turf behind the goals, intended for the players' warm-up area. The goal is to provide greater safety and quality during exercises performed while the ball is in play.

A MODERN SYSTEM

According to the official statement, the new turf meets the FIFA QualityPro standard, ensuring high performance . The artificial turf chosen is the FLX 50M, which features a special cushioning system in:

• Asphalt blanket shock pad;
• High performance cross-linked polyethylene foam;
• Rubber in surface filling.

Maracanã manager on the synthetic turf that will debut in Flamengo vs. Grêmio: "It will provide athletes with a safe surface"

Maracanã 's Agricultural Manager, Gabriel Rodrigues, highlighted that the priority is to offer an adequate space to the athletes: “ This renovation in the synthetic grass system for warming up will provide the athletes with a safe, comfortable surface that meets the quality standards required by the confederations”, he stated.

PREMIERE OF THE NEW LAWN

Installation will begin this Tuesday (26), after the game against Vitória. Thus, the first match to feature the new feature will be between Flamengo and Grêmio, next Sunday (31), at Maracanã. Therefore, against Vitória, at 9 pm (Brasília time), the players will still use the current warm-up structure .

Coach Carlo Ancelotti will announce this Monday (25), at 3:30 pm , the 23 players who will represent the Brazilian National Team in the two final matches of the Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup . The matches will be against Chile, on September 4, at Maracanã , and against Bolivia, on the 9th, at El Alto Municipal Stadium.

The squad will be announced live at the CBF headquarters in Rio de Janeiro , with live broadcasts nationwide. Even with qualification for the World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, already assured, Ancelotti is expected to make significant changes to the squad.

BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Among the new players, names that play in Brazil are expected to gain prominence. The Italian coach watched several matches in the country during the last FIFA International Day and opted to include prominent players from the national scene. Flamengo could be represented by Danilo, Léo Pereira, Léo Ortiz, Alex Sandro, and Samuel Lino, all of whom were on the preliminary squad list.

Additionally, players from other Brazilian teams are also on the radar. Cruzeiro, for example, has four pre-selected players, including Kaio Jorge, Matheus Pereira, and Fabrício Bruno. Goalkeeper Gabriel Brazão, currently with Santos and a product of the Minas Gerais team , is also considered for inclusion.

NEYMAR REMAINS ON THE PRE-LIST

The preliminary list includes Neymar, but the striker's presence is uncertain . Santos reported last Saturday (23) that the player is treating an edema in his thigh. If he is not called up, he will complete two years without wearing the Brazilian National Team shirt.

The main confirmed absence is Vinicius Jr. Suspended for the match against Chile , the Real Madrid striker was removed from the pre-list and, even though he has been cleared to play against Bolivia, he will be preserved by decision of the coaching staff.