Varela is doubtful and Flamengo could have four absences in the Libertadores

Flamengo's Deliberative Council (CoDe) meets this Wednesday (17) to present new information about the construction of the red-black stadium. The meeting will be held in the Salão Nobre da Gávea, in Rio de Janeiro, starting at 6:30 pm and ending at 8:30 pm, in a hybrid format, allowing virtual participation for those who cannot attend in person.

PURPOSE OF THE MEETING

The main purpose of the meeting is to present the results of studies conducted by the companies hired to analyze the Gasômetro site. President Luiz Eduardo Baptista is also expected to explain the reasons for the postponement . Topics will be discussed, including deadlines, construction costs, and the project's economic viability for Flamengo at this time.

STUDIES ON THE GASOMETER GROUND

Following the completion of the financial feasibility study commissioned by the Getúlio Vargas Foundation, the club's board of directors continues to conduct several analyses to ensure that the project will not harm the club's sporting performance . The studies include:

• Environmental investigation and soil contamination analysis;
• Risk assessment update;
• Definition of the best strategy for decontaminating the area;
• Survey of geotechnical and topographical data of the terrain.

FLAMENGO'S NEXT GAME

While following developments at the stadium, Filipe Luís' team prepares for the next match: Flamengo x Estudiantes (ARG), this Thursday (18), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã , for the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals. The match will be broadcast on ESPN and Disney+.

Flamengo and Estudiantes face each other this Thursday (18), at Maracanã , for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. The match will be broadcast by ESPN, with narration by Rogério Vaughan and commentary by Zinho and Paulo Calçade . The duel will also be available on Disney+ streaming. The ball rolls at 9:30 pm (Brasília time).

ARBITRATION

• Referee: Andrés Rojas (COL)
• Assistants: Alexander Guzman and John León (COL)
• 4th referee: John Ospina (COL)
• VAR: Nicolas Gallo (COL)
• VAR Assistant: David Rodriguez (COL)

STUDENTS' DEFAULTS

Estudiantes will have two key absences for the match in Rio . Defender González Pírez suffered a Grade 3 injury to his right hamstring during the loss to River Plate and is out for both quarterfinal matches. Santiago Núñez is expected to take his place.

Up front, Edwuin Cetré is also out due to a Grade 1 biceps femoris muscle injury in his left leg . With the injury, the Argentines will face Flamengo in a packed Maracanã stadium—all tickets for the match were sold out in advance.

FLAMENGO SITUATION

Rubro-Negro continues with Erick Pulgar in the medical department, recovering from a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot. The main doubts for the match are Jorginho, Alex Sandro, and Varela, who will undergo evaluation this Thursday to determine whether they will be available for Filipe Luís.

Filipe Luís is one of the "jewels" among Brazilian football coaches. With the red-and-black coach still in charge, the team maintains a real chance of winning the Brasileirão Betano and the Copa Libertadores . With 50 points from 22 matches, the club sits atop Série A and is solidifying itself as a top contender for the national cup.

According to information published by the newspaper “O Globo” this Wednesday (17), José Boto, Flamengo's football director, met with businessman Jorge Mendes to discuss the renewal of Filipe Luís' contract . According to journalist Diogo Dantas, the meeting led to a positive move towards the coach's permanence, although the official signing should only take place at the end of the year.

COACH REFUSED FENERBAHÇE'S OFFER

In recent weeks, Filipe Luís received an offer from Fenerbahçe of Turkey, but opted to remain with the Rio de Janeiro club. The board's plan is to extend his contract until the end of 2026, with the possibility of automatic renewal. President Bap intends to value the coach's work, who has maintained the same salary since leaving the youth academy to replace Tite in Flamengo 's first team.

FILIPE LUÍS'S CAREER AS A COACH

Filipe Luís is about to complete a year in charge of Flamengo . The coach took over the team on September 30, 2024, after Tite's dismissal, and has since collected titles: Copa do Brasil, Campeonato Carioca, and Supercopa do Brasil . The coach has played 65 games, with 43 wins, 16 draws, and only six losses, consolidating one of the club's most consistent campaigns in recent years.

NEXT CHALLENGE IN THE LIBERTADORES

Flamengo, under the command of Filipe Luís, begins this Thursday (18) the dispute of the quarterfinals of the Libertadores against Estudiantes (ARG). The match takes place at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, with broadcast by ESPN (closed TV) and Disney+ (streaming).