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After being eliminated from the Club World Cup, Flamengo returns to the field this Saturday (12), at 4:30 pm, against São Paulo, at Maracanã, for the 13th round of the Brazilian Championship. With free days for recovery and physical adjustments, the squad took advantage of the week full of training at Ninho do Urubu .

Diogo Linhares on Flamengo's physical training: "Some athletes needed more intensity"

Fitness coach Diogo Linhares explained how the club used the period to balance the workload among the players and prepare the squad for the excessive number of games that Mengão will face in the second half of 2025.

"We took advantage of this week to standardize the loads, individualizing each case. Some athletes needed more intensity, others specific adjustments. It was an important opportunity to prepare the group for the tight schedule of the second half of the year," he said in an interview with Flamengo TV.

" We had a clear conversation between the departments, which helped a lot in this process . We had a great week of training with Filipe (Luís) and we're going to finish our preparations to have a good performance against São Paulo," Linhares added.

DECISIVE SEQUENCE AHEAD

The match against São Paulo marks the beginning of one of the most demanding phases of the season. In addition to the battle for the top spot in the Brasileirão , Flamengo will face decisive clashes in the Copa do Brasil and the Libertadores in the coming weeks.

DEFAULT CONFIRMED

Filipe Luís will be without Erick Pulgar for this Saturday's game. The midfielder suffered a fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot at the end of June and underwent surgery. He is expected to return between September and October . The match between Flamengo and São Paulo will be broadcast live on Rede Globo (free-to-air TV) and Premiere (pay-per-view).

Flamengo drew 2-2 against Botafogo , this Thursday (10), for the Brazilian Under-20 Championship. Despite the result, one name gained the spotlight: Matheus Gonçalves. With two goals scored, the attacking midfielder was the main highlight of the red-black team and generated strong repercussion among fans on social media.

At 18, Matheus requested a move from the professional team to the U-20s in search of more playing time. The decision was made due to his limited playing time under Filipe Luís 's leadership on the senior team, which has upset some fans and the athlete himself.

REQUESTING PASSAGE AND OWNERSHIP

With just 321 minutes on the pitch across 13 professional matches this season, Matheus saw the U-20s as the ideal opportunity to maintain his playing style and show that he remains a viable option. And he didn't disappoint. He scored twice in a derby, a standout performance, and the topic quickly dominated the red-and-black forums.

HALF SAYS IT WAS BY HIS OWN WILL

The decision to "demote" isn't common for players who have played for the first team, but in this case it was strategic and approved internally. On social media, Matheus's strong performance reignited the debate about his place in the professional squad . Some fans are demanding more opportunities and see a waste of talent. Others, however, point to physical and tactical limitations that explain his limited use.

Matheus Gonçalves has so far made 13 appearances for Flamengo's first team under Filipe Luís. He scored two goals in the Campeonato Carioca and played a total of 321 minutes. Outside of the season's key matches, he has been relegated to players like Luiz Araújo, Cebolinha, Bruno Henrique, and even, occasionally, to players who were improvised in the role.

Flamengo is monitoring the market for reinforcements and, according to journalist Bruno Castanha, has Antony Alves of Portland Timbers as one of its targets in the transfer window. Despite his limited spotlight, the striker has excelled in Major League Soccer, attracting attention for his intensity and ability to break down defenses. The potential signing, however, sparks debate due to the lack of testing in more competitive leagues.

NAME OFF THE RADAR, BUT WITH GREAT KNOWLEDGE

Seeking more depth for Filipe Luis's squad, Flamengo has opened talks to monitor left winger Antony Alves , who currently plays for MLS's Portland Timbers. Despite being relatively unknown to fans, the player has been considered internally as a potential investment opportunity.

NAME ON THE RADAR OF THE MOST LOVED

The 24-year-old athlete was born and raised at Joinville, has had low-key stints with smaller clubs in Brazil, and has moved to the United States, where he is currently enjoying his best form. His name has surfaced on the red-and-black radar with the support of football director José Boto, who is seeking players outside the traditional European circuit.

Despite playing in a league considered to be of lower competitive level, Antony Alves boasts impressive stats that have piqued the interest of the club's analysis department. According to tactical analyst Raphael Rabello of the "Falando de Tática" channel, the striker has excellent technical indicators, especially in attacking plays.

One of the most important aspects in the player's favor is his off-the-ball behavior, a priority in the playing style of coach Filipe Luís , a permanent assistant on Filipe's coaching staff. Antony has stood out for his intense repositioning and for remaining alert to pressing movements. With Everton Cebolinha absent, Flamengo has been seeking alternatives that offer depth and break lines, a constant demand from the attacking sector.