Soccer

São Paulo coach opens up about the clash against Flamengo: “Thank God…”

Mengão was imposing against the tricolor at Maracanã and won 2-0 in the Brasileirão under a lot of pressure, which left Crespo worried.

São Paulo coach Crespo is grateful for not facing Flamengo in every game - Photo: Rubens Chiri/São Paulo
São Paulo coach Crespo is grateful for not facing Flamengo in every game - Photo: Rubens Chiri/São Paulo

13 Jul 2025 | 08:25 |

Icon Comentário0

Flamengo beat São Paulo 2-0 this Saturday (12), at Maracanã, in a duel valid for the 13th round of the Brazilian Championship . With broad dominance during the 90 minutes, Rubro-Negro gave no chances to the opponent and guaranteed three more points at the top of the competition.


São Paulo coach on the game: "Thank God, it's not every day that we play against Flamengo"


After the game, coach Hernán Crespo was candid in his analysis of the match and expressed his relief at not having to face Flamengo often: "The idea is to focus on the Brasileirão, on starting to collect points to get out of this uncomfortable situation [...] Right now, the focus is on what we can do: recover the team, fight, fight for every ball. And thank God, it's not every day we get to play Flamengo at Maracanã," Crespo stated.


FLAMENGO WAS SUPERIOR THROUGHOUT THE MATCH

Flamengo controlled the game from the opening whistle, creating chances in both halves. Despite Rafael's strong saves —at least four of them crucial—Flamengo broke through São Paulo's defense in the second half.


In the 16th minute, Luiz Araújo hit a beautiful shot into the top corner to open the scoring . In the final minutes, Wallace Yan pounced on a rebound from another attempt by the number 7 and finished into the goal, sealing the victory for the red-and-blacks.

ISOLATED LEADERSHIP

With the victory, Flamengo reached 27 points and further isolated itself at the top of the Brasileirão. The team returns to the field next Wednesday (16), when it faces Santos, at 8 pm (Brasília time), at Vila Belmiro, for the 14th round of the championship.



Soccer

Flamengo must make changes to its defensive system due to two important losses

Mengão faces Tricolor with important absences in defense, while the Bahian team has 13 confirmed absences for the duel at Fonte Nova

Flamengo faces Bahia in the Brasileirão with Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro out. See the likely lineup - photo: reproduction
Flamengo faces Bahia in the Brasileirão with Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro out. See the likely lineup - photo: reproduction

03 Out 2025 | 22:30 |

Icon Comentário0

Flamengo will have two important absences for the duel against Bahia, this Sunday (5), at 6:30 pm, at Arena Fonte Nova, for the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship . Defender Léo Pereira and full-back Alex Sandro received their third yellow card in the goalless draw against Cruzeiro and are serving an automatic suspension.


Alex Sandro was cautioned in the 11th minute for a hard foul on Christian without the ball. Léo Pereira was booked for fouling Kaio Jorge, accumulating infractions that resulted in a suspension . The absence of the duo forces changes in the red-and-black defense.


PROBABLE LINEUP


With the absences, coach Filipe Luís is expected to make changes. The likely starting lineup includes Rossi; Varela (or Emerson Royal), Danilo, Léo Ortiz, and Viña (or Ayrton Lucas); Jorginho (Allan or De La Cruz), Saúl, and Arrascaeta; Samuel Lino, Gonzalo Plata (or Carrascal), and Pedro . Leading the table with 55 points, Flamengo is looking to open up a gap over Palmeiras and Cruzeiro, who are closely tied.

BAHIA ARRIVES FOR THE GAME WITH CASUALTIES


On the other side, Bahia faces a crisis of absences. There are 13 confirmed absences—between suspensions and injuries—in addition to doubts like Ramos Mingo, who was injured in the last match. The Esquadrão, currently sixth with 40 points , will face an even greater challenge against the championship leader.



Soccer

Bahia faces Flamengo with 13 absences; check out the names

Tricolor faces Mengão this Sunday in the Brasileirão with 13 confirmed absences; see the full list of absences and probable lineup

With 13 confirmed absences, Bahia faces Flamengo at Arena Fonte Nova in a Brasileirão clash - photo: reproduction
With 13 confirmed absences, Bahia faces Flamengo at Arena Fonte Nova in a Brasileirão clash - photo: reproduction

03 Out 2025 | 21:03 |

Icon Comentário0

Bahia will have great difficulties when facing Flamengo this Sunday (5), in the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship. The team led by Rogério Ceni has 13 absences, a record number of the season , for the clash at Arena Fonte Nova, in Salvador, at 6:30 pm (Brasília time).


The Tricolor de Aço will have absences across all positions: goalkeeper, defense, full-backs, midfield, and attack. Nine players are injured and four are suspended, forcing the coach to resort to an alternative formation to face the league leaders.


Among the players missing are Luciano Juba, Rodrigo Nestor, Santiago Arias, and Sanabria , as well as players recovering from injuries like Kanu and Erick. The situation forces Ceni to assemble a new defense and even consider potential debutants.


COMPLETE LIST OF ABSENCES
  • Goalkeeper: João Paulo (knee injury)
  • Full-backs: Santiago Arias (suspended), Luciano Juba (suspended and muscle injury)
  • Defenders: Gabriel Xavier (suspended), Ramos Mingo (thigh injury), David Duarte (physical transition), Kanu (return from surgery)
  • Midfield: Rodrigo Nestor (suspended), Caio Alexandre (muscle injury), Erick (transition from surgery)
  • Forwards: Sanabria (suspended), Erick Pulga (muscle injury), Ruan Pablo (injury)
PROBABLE LINEUP

With so many absences, Rogério Ceni should send an alternative team to the field against Flamengo : Ronaldo; Gilberto, Fredi, Rezende and Zé Guilherme; Acevedo, Jean Lucas and Everton Ribeiro; Kayky, Iago Borduchi (or Michel Araújo, Tiago or Cauly) and Willian José.




Soccer

Flamengo is expected to make changes to its lineup to face Bahia

Mengão is expected to make changes to its lineup to face Tricolor this Sunday in the Brasileirão; see the likely lineups and absences.

Flamengo is expected to make changes to its lineup to face Bahia in a Brazilian Championship match - photo: reproduction
Flamengo is expected to make changes to its lineup to face Bahia in a Brazilian Championship match - photo: reproduction

03 Out 2025 | 20:39 |

Icon Comentário0

Flamengo should present important changes in the starting lineup for the match against Bahia this Sunday (5) , valid for the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship . After the goalless draw against Cruzeiro, at Maracanã, coach Filipe Luís should promote changes in the lineup.


According to information from the ge portal, the tendency is for Rubro-Negro to enter the field with Rossi; Varela, Danilo, Léo Ortiz and Ayrton Lucas; Saúl (or De La Cruz), Jorginho and Arrascaeta; Plata (or Carrascal), Samuel Lino (or Everton Cebolinha) and Pedro.


Regarding the match against Cruzeiro, Danilo, Ayrton Lucas, and Pedro are expected to be new starters . This means Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro, both suspended, and Carrascal will be out of the squad.


TRAINING AT THE CT

The red-black squad returned on Friday afternoon (3), at Ninho do Urubu, starting work for the match. The last training session with the entire group is scheduled for Saturday morning (4) , before the delegation embarks for Salvador.


MATCH BROADCAST

As usual, the official lineup will only be confirmed moments before kickoff, during the pre-match training session . The match will be played at Arena Fonte Nova at 6:30 PM (Brasília time), with exclusive coverage on Premiere.


envelope SUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER

envelopeSUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER


Cássio recalls his 'participation' in Flamengo's 2020 title: "Idol of the nation"
Soccer

Cássio recalls his 'participation' in Flamengo's 2020 title: "Idol of the nation"

03 Out 2025 | 19:37

Icon Comentário0
Palmeiras idol criticizes Filipe Luís and asks Flamengo for more tactical flexibility
Soccer

Palmeiras idol criticizes Filipe Luís and asks Flamengo for more tactical flexibility

03 Out 2025 | 19:20

Icon Comentário0
It's going to be packed! Tickets for Flamengo vs. Bahia have an impressive showing.
Soccer

It's going to be packed! Tickets for Flamengo vs. Bahia have an impressive showing.

03 Out 2025 | 18:30

Icon Comentário0