European team begins preparation at Flamengo's training center

On Thursday night (01), Flamengo was defeated 1-0 by Atlético-MG , at Maracanã, in a match valid for the first leg of the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. The result puts Flamengo in a challenging situation for the return match. After the match, coach Filipe Luís analyzed the team's offensive performance and pointed to the opponent's defensive quality as one of the main factors in the defeat.

During a press conference, Filipe Luís acknowledged that Flamengo created more chances than in the last game, but struggled against the opposition's strong marking. " We had a lot of scoring chances today, in my opinion . Much more than in the last game. We had shots that hit the post, Lino's chance, and a goal that was offside," he stated.

MERITS OF ATLÉTICO-MG?

According to the coach, Atlético-MG's defensive system is well-structured and hinders offensive fluidity. "You can look at the statistics to see how often Cuca's teams are thrashed. It's because they're a team that defends well, and their game model relies heavily on this defensive phase," he added.

Filipe Luís believes in change at Flamengo: "They have the solutions"

Despite the loss, Flamengo remains in contention and is confident in the strength of its squad to turn things around. Coach Filipe Luís expressed confidence, stating that performance can improve. " There will be other games that won't be like this , and others that will. They have solutions, and there will be days when they're less stressed, like today," he concluded.

NEXT APPOINTMENT

Before the decisive duel for the Copa do Brasil, Flamengo has a scheduled commitment for the Brazilian Championship. On Sunday (03), the team faces Ceará, at 6:30 pm, at Arena Castelão , for the 18th round of the national competition. The match will be broadcast live on the Premiere channel and may represent an opportunity for tactical adjustments aiming at the confrontation with Galo.

Acquitted on July 31, 2025 , Lucas Paquetá is now experiencing relief after a long, emotionally exhausting—and financially costly—trial: approximately R$5.2 million. Faith, family support, and trust in a renowned British law firm were the pillars that sustained the midfielder during the nearly two years of tension caused by the accusation of involvement in sports betting. This information is from journalist Cahê Mota.

The most symbolic moment of this journey occurred on May 4th, during a Premier League match against Tottenham. Upon receiving a yellow card, Paquetá burst into tears on the field. By then, the trial had already concluded, but the sentencing date had not yet been set —which fueled the player's anxiety and emotional tension.

CAREER AT RISK AND PRACTICALLY PARALYZED

Since the allegations surfaced in August 2023, the Flamengo youth player saw negotiations with Manchester City collapse, was left out of the national team under Fernando Diniz, returned under Dorival Júnior, and ended up missing from Carlo Ancelotti's first squad . All this while the process continued amid uncertain deadlines, changes in the English FA's protocol, and a lengthy evaluation by an independent commission.

During this period, Paquetá decided not to seek professional psychological support . Instead, he immersed himself in spirituality as a way to keep his mind steady. Bible verses shared with his wife on social media became routine—even after his acquittal—as a response to criticism, memes, and insults linking him to the scandal.

BRITISH DEFENSE, HIGH COSTS AND FAVORABLE VERDICT

The defense was led entirely by the British law firm Level, which specializes in complex sports cases. The investment of approximately 700,000 pounds (R$5.2 million) proved to be a good one . In May, the lawyers were already indicating a positive scenario, given the prosecution's lack of conclusive evidence. Even so, the risk was extreme: either a complete acquittal or a permanent ban from football.

West Ham, in solidarity, covered part of the legal costs. Now, with the acquittal complete, the lawyers must seek restitution of part of the amount from the English Football Association . However, legal action against the governing body is unlikely, as foreign Premier League players sign a waiver that prevents them from suing the association for libel, defamation, or moral damages.

Flamengo has made progress in negotiations to sign Lucas Beltrán . The Rio de Janeiro club reached an agreement with Fiorentina involving a fixed offer of €12 million, plus an additional €3 million tied to performance targets , totaling €15 million, equivalent to approximately R$95 million. Although the offer was accepted by the Italian club, the final decision rests with the striker.

According to information from the Italian press gathered by Gazeta do Urubu along with reporter Pablo Oliveira, the Argentine player has shown greater receptiveness to the idea of playing for Flamengo . Although he has not yet made a final decision, sources indicate that, if no relevant offers emerge from Europe in the coming days, Beltrán is likely to accept a transfer to Brazilian football.

Fiorentina, for its part, has adopted a respectful stance toward the player and will not force him to leave the club, leaving the decision to his discretion. Flamengo 's proposed plan focuses on the forward's potential for prominence in Brazil, as well as the international exposure the club offers.

MAJOR HIRINGS ARE EXCITING

The good moment experienced by the squad, with recent signings such as Samuel Lino, Emerson Royal and Saúl Ñíguez , reinforces the idea that South American football is increasingly competitive and attractive to names that previously prioritized the European scene.

FLAMENGO AWAITS DEFINITION

Flamengo 's board understands that the decision requires caution and continues to wait calmly. Internally, there is optimism that the sporting offer will convince Lucas Beltrán to begin a new phase of his career in Brazil . If confirmed, the player will join other prominent names who have chosen to return to South America in search of immediate prominence.