EARTHQUAKE SCARES FLAMENGO DELEGATION IN CHILE

The week started with an alert on at Ninho do Urubu. After a day off this Sunday (13), Flamengo returns to work this Monday with full focus on the match against Santos, scheduled for Wednesday (16), at 8 pm (Brasília time), at Vila Belmiro . With 27 points, Rubro-Negro leads the Brazilian Championship and depends only on itself to maintain the top of the table.

Coach Filipe Luís will have to deal with three important absences from the squad. Left-back Alex Sandro remains in the medical department, as does Ayrton Lucas. In midfield, Erick Pulgar is also out. The Chilean midfielder is serving a suspension and will miss the team for the second time in the Brasileirão. Another concern for the coaching staff is the situation of striker Pedro .

SANTOS ARRIVES THIRST FOR VICTORY

The number 9, who has already missed recent games due to physical fatigue, is not yet guaranteed to be present for the match. The decision will be made after training sessions on Monday and Tuesday at Ninho. The red-and-black squad trains in the mornings on the two days before the match. On Tuesday (15), after the activity , the delegation leaves for São Paulo at 4:15 pm. The schedule includes rest and light work on Wednesday, hours before the ball rolls at Vila.

CAN NEYMAR BE A STARTER?

With 27 points, Flamengo leads the competition comfortably on goal difference. Even if Red Bull Bragantino, in second place, wins this round, Flamengo will remain ahead if they secure all three points in Baixada Santista. An away win reinforces the team's good form, as they seek stability under Filipe Luís.

On the Santos side, coach Cléber Xavier also faces limitations. Midfielder Neymar trained normally with the group this Sunday after muscle strengthening work and is expected to start. Midfielder Willian Arão, formerly of Flamengo, participated in the training session, but the coaching staff believes he is not yet ready to debut.

With Ayrton Lucas and Alex Sandro out, both injured in the victory over São Paulo, Filipe Luís isn't expected to change his plan much. The tendency is to repeat the improvisation he used in the last game , when Varela was moved to the left flank after Ayrton was taken off, suffering a deep cut on his left leg.

The coach justified the decision by betting on the Uruguayan's versatility, having already played in the position this season and received praise for his performance. The scenario is repeating itself now, with the medical department overwhelmed and few options available. Recently recovered from a serious injury, Matías Viña still inspires caution . The full-back has played only two games since his return and is not 100% fit. The coaching staff prefers to follow a gradual protocol to avoid relapses.

A NEW POSITIONING

Although a right-back by trade, Varela has already shown he can play well on the opposite flank. In February, against Botafogo , he was deployed on the left and had a solid performance. On that occasion, he saved a goal on the line and was capable on both sides of the pitch. Varela's dedication and versatility are well-regarded internally.

URUGUAYAN IS LIVING A GOOD TIME

In addition to his defensive duties, the player also played as a defensive midfielder in some matches this year. This characteristic is a factor in contract renewal talks.   The board has already begun negotiations to extend the contract with the Uruguayan, who is enjoying his strongest moment since joining the club. The current situation demands creative solutions.

Ayrton Lucas suffered a cut with exposed bone in his left leg and has no timetable for his return. Alex Sandro was diagnosed with a muscle injury in his left thigh and is also out of the match against Santos. As a result, Flamengo heads into the 14th round with three regular left-backs unavailable or not in optimal condition, which reinforces Varela's importance at this time.

Flamengo took to the field this Saturday (12) , for the 13th round of the Brazilian Championship, and beat São Paulo 2-0 at Maracanã. The result kept the Rio team at the top of the table and reinforced the good moment of the squad under the command of Filipe Luís.

The match had an even more special meaning for Jorginho . The Italian-Brazilian midfielder made his debut in front of the red-and-black fans and couldn't hide his emotion at the end of the match against the São Paulo team.

JORGINHO IS MOVED BY RECEPTION

After the final whistle, Jorginho spoke to the press in the mixed zone and commented on the experience of playing for the first time in Brazil: " It was something very special to be able to feel the energy, the passion of this crowd, of the Nation. Something incredible, very emotional for me, for my family, for my friends who are here too. So, it was something very special to be able to go in with one of my sons today," he declared.

The player also emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and dedication: " Lessons that we have to continue working the way we have been doing, hard work and continue running a lot, pushing and believing in what we have been doing because we have demonstrated once again that we have a very competitive group. So, we must continue on this path", concluded the Flamengo midfielder.

MATCH MARKED THE FIRST PERFORMANCE

Despite being born in Brazil, Jorginho had never played a professional game in the country before this Saturday . Having built his career in Europe, he played for clubs in Italy and England before being announced by Mengão in June of this year.