
Soccer
11 Abr 2025 | 11:31 |
In a moment of pressure and criticism from the fans, Grêmio is preparing to face Flamengo this Sunday (13) , in the third round of the Brazilian Championship. The lackluster performance in the previous rounds increased the tone of demand on the Gaucho squad, and coach Gustavo Quinteros seeks answers to try to surprise the current champion of the Brazilian Super Cup . In a press conference, the coach recognized the strength of the opponent , but pointed out ways for Tricolor to balance the confrontation.
Against strong opponents like Flamengo, you can't relax" - said Quinteros
According to Quinteros, the team's biggest challenge is maintaining intensity throughout the match. The coach analyzed Grêmio's performance against Ceará in the last round as an example of a team that fluctuates a lot during games. "We had good moments, especially in the second half, but we need to play well for the entire 90 minutes. This is costing us points. Against strong opponents like Flamengo, we can't relax at any point," said the Grêmio coach.
Still in the adjustment phase under Quinteros, Grêmio is looking to find a more balanced playing style . The coach understands that the team is still far from ideal, but sees progress in some areas. “We are growing, but we still need to fit in, improve the collective functioning. I don't see anyone in the championship winning everything easily. We need to work harder and stop being inconsistent. Sunday is a chance to show progress,” he said.
The tricolor coach also highlighted the importance of the duel against Mais Querido as a kind of thermometer for the team's current situation. For him, games against great opponents serve to measure the team's real level and where improvements are still needed. "We will face a very qualified team, like Atlético Mineiro recently. We know how difficult it will be, but we are capable of playing well and competing at a high level," he declared.
Despite the difficulties, Quinteros made it clear that his team will not enter the field just to defend itself. The idea is to find a balance between defensive organization and offensive aggressiveness. “We have to be intense in the pressure, maintain consistency and not retreat too much. Flamengo demands attention all the time, but if we are passive, defeat is certain. We also have to have the courage to attack and seek the result”, he pointed out.
Against Mengão, coach Léo Condé should repeat the lineup from the match against Cruzeiro when Vozão achieved an important victory away from home
03 Ago 2025 | 10:30 |
Flamengo has a big challenge this Sunday (03), at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), against Ceará, at Arena Castelão, for the 18th round of the Brasileirão. The expectation is total pressure on Rubro-Negro , since all tickets were sold in advance - a full house guaranteed in Fortaleza.
Flamengo , the current leader of the competition, faces a Ceará side buoyed by their victory over Cruzeiro in the last round . Coach Léo Condé is expected to maintain the core of the team that surprised at Mineirão, betting on repeating the same formula to try to knock out another favorite.
With no new injuries reported, the Northeastern team is expected to field the following players : Bruno Ferreira; Fabiano Souza, Marcos Victor, Willian Machado, and Matheus Bahia; Richardson, Dieguinho, and Lourenço; Pedro Henrique, Galeano, and Pedro Raul. Defender Luiz Otávio, in the final stages of physical reconditioning, remains the only player missing.
Flamengo , meanwhile, will have two key absences. Goalkeeper Matheus Cunha was diagnosed with patellar tendinitis in his left knee and is out. Striker Luiz Araújo will be rested due to physical activity management . As a result, youngster Léo Nannetti, a standout from the youth academy, was included at the last minute and joins Dyogo Alves as an option in goal. Agustín Rossi will start.
Meanwhile, Filipe Luís will have important reinforcements. Midfielder Victor Hugo, back at the club after a stint in Turkish football, is available again. New signings Saúl Ñíguez, Samuel Lino, and Emerson Royal are also available for the match —all expected to make their second appearances for the red-and-black team. Strikers Michael and Everton Cebolinha, midfielder Nico De La Cruz, and defender Danilo are out due to fitness issues.
Mengão goes to Fortaleza for a duel against Vozão in the fight to remain at the top of the Brasileirão and will have reinforcements available to Filipe Luís
03 Ago 2025 | 08:30 |
Leader of the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo returns to the field this Sunday (03) to face Ceará, away from home, at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), at Arena Castelão. The team led by Filipe Luís seeks to maintain the top of the table , but will have to deal with important absences for the match of the 18th round.
Meanwhile, Filipe Luís will have some players back who were rested for the Copa do Brasil clash against Atlético-MG. Arrascaeta, who wasn't even included in the squad, and Jorginho, who didn't make the bench, will return to the starting lineup this Sunday. Therefore, Flamengo 's likely starting lineup to face Ceará is : Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, and Ayrton Lucas (Alex Sandro); Allan, Jorginho, and Arrascaeta; Bruno Henrique, Samuel Lino, and Gonzalo Plata.
The coach also has some solid options on the bench. Juninho could appear in attack, while Matheus Gonçalves, who started in the last game, could return to midfield . In defense, Uruguayan Viña remains an alternative, and Spaniard Saúl Ñíguez, who made a strong debut against Galo, is also among those named.
Among the absentees are Danilo, who remains off the roster, and Luiz Araújo, who was left out due to fitness monitoring . Erick Pulgar, still recovering from an injury, is also out, as are Pedro and Wallace Yan, both suspended. Another absence is goalkeeper Matheus Cunha, diagnosed with patellar tendonitis in his left knee.
The clash between Flamengo and Ceará for the 18th round of the Brasileirão is this Sunday (3) at 6:30 pm (Brasília time) at Arena Castelão, in Fortaleza. The match will be broadcast by Record, on Open TV, by CazéTV, on YouTube, and by Premiere , on pay-per-view.
The full-back played only his second match as a Roma player and a renowned publication did not hold back on criticism and questioned the amount paid to Mengão
03 Ago 2025 | 08:00 |
After a promising and praised debut , right-back Wesley, formerly of Flamengo, received his first criticism in Italy . This Saturday (02), after starting for Roma in the 2-0 victory over Lens, in a pre-season friendly, the 21-year-old was the target of negative comments from the newspaper Corriere dello Sport.
Corriere dello Sport on Wesley, ex-Flamengo: "he's not yet the prodigy full-back"
Wesley played 71 minutes in the match and, despite participating actively, was given a 5.5 rating by the publication. The newspaper questioned whether his performance justified Roma's significant investment of €25 million (approximately R$160 million): "They said he would arrive in top form, as he had been playing in Brazil. But Wesley is not yet the prodigious full-back Roma invested €25 million in ," wrote the sports daily.
Despite its critical tone, Corriere dello Sport acknowledged that it was too early to make a definitive judgment. " We're only in August football ," the publication mused, referring to the preseason. However, it emphasized that "the spark everyone was hoping for hasn't yet appeared" in the first two tests.
On the other hand, the newspaper highlighted the player's offensive potential and left a sign of optimism: " When he advances, Wesley continues to show an untapped potential that, if well worked, can turn into dynamite."
The review contrasts with the assessment made by the same outlet after the full-back's debut in the 3-0 victory over Cannes. On that occasion, Wesley came on in the second half and was described as "the most anticipated player," receiving praise for his dedication on the field: "He runs, runs, and runs some more. Up and down without stopping. He drew applause from the fans," the newspaper wrote after the first game.
While the press is cautious, Roma fans are excited about the Brazilian full-back, formerly of Flamengo . On social media, several fans praised his speed, strength, and chemistry with midfielder Soulé:
“Half an hour of Lens vs Roma and I can say that Wesley is probably the best right-back in the world due to his compatibility with Soulé,” wrote one fan.
"If Soulé understands how to pass the ball at the right time to Wesley, Roma will be very successful . Wesley is extremely fast and strong," commented another.