Soccer
Flamengo sets the week's agenda with a focus on the Libertadores and the derby against Vasco
15 Set 2025 | 11:29
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Soccer
18 Jun 2025 | 06:54 |
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The first round of the Club World Cup ended with a positive performance for the Brazilian teams: none of them lost. Flamengo's good start, which saw them beat Espérance , Fluminense, Botafogo and Palmeiras, even caught the attention of Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid's coach , who praised the clubs and valued the level of the competition held in the United States.
Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso on Flamengo and the Brazilians at the World Cup: "They are strong teams and difficult to face"
“Yes, I liked the Brazilian teams. They didn’t surprise me, but the truth is that they are at a very good level . Palmeiras, Botafogo, Flamengo and Fluminense. They are strong teams and difficult to face. They have always shown great level in international tournaments,” said the Spanish coach.
In the same interview, Alonso also highlighted the value of the new competition organised by FIFA: “For all of us, it’s something new. We already have the World Cup for national teams, which is huge, but we can also make this Club World Cup something great. We’re bringing together teams from all continents, and that brings global football closer together . Sometimes we focus too much on Europe and think that the rest of the world doesn’t exist, but that’s a mistake. Outside of Europe, there are many strong clubs, and the tournament gives us the chance to measure our strength against them,” added the Real Madrid coach.
Xabi Alonso's statements are at odds with the recent stance of Javier Tebas , president of LaLiga, who harshly criticized the tournament and stated that he intends to prevent the holding of future editions of the new competition, which has pleased the general public.
“ My goal is to make sure there is no more Club World Cup , that is very clear to me. I didn’t watch any games. Well, I watched a bit of Chelsea yesterday, and it felt like a summer friendly. No intensity, just running, at least in the 25 minutes I watched,” said Tebas.
In their debut, the Brazilian clubs had two wins and two draws . On Sunday (15), Palmeiras drew 0-0 with Porto (POR), while Botafogo beat Seattle Sounders (USA) 2-1. On Monday (16), Flamengo debuted with a 2-0 victory over Espérance (TUN), and Fluminense drew 0-0 with Borussia Dortmund (GER).
Real Madrid, now led by Xabi Alonso after Carlo Ancelotti left for the Brazilian national team, makes its World Cup debut this Wednesday (18). The opponent will be Al-Hilal (SAU), with the ball rolling at 4 pm (Brasília time), at the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami.
The player has been standing out more and more with the Mengão Mantle and the narrator gets excited when commenting on his recent performances
15 Set 2025 | 12:39 |
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Flamengo opened the scoring against Juventude this Sunday (14), at the Alfredo Jaconi Stadium, in Caxias do Sul, for the Brazilian Championship. Despite controlling possession, the team had not yet created clear chances until a play on the left changed the course of the first half.
Galvão Bueno on Saúl's assist in the Juventude vs Flamengo match: "He doesn't make a cross, he passes it to Arrascaeta's head"
Samuel Lino accelerated down the left wing and found space to cross into the box. Spaniard Saúl Ñíguez, with great technique, delivered a precise pass to Arrascaeta's head , who rose through the opposing defense and finished firmly: 1-0 to Flamengo .
During the Prime Video broadcast, the commentator was full of praise for the play and, especially, for the Spanish midfielder: "All it takes is one space for this Flamengo team to be unmarked, and this happens. And this guy, Saúl, knows how to play football! He doesn't just cross, he passes it to Arrascaeta, who times the ball perfectly and gets between the defenders to score," extolled Galvão Bueno.
After the 2-0 win, Filipe Luís stated in a press conference that Saúl's performance could be "the best of his career." The Spaniard, however, disagreed and reflected on his experience in Brazil.
"I don't think so. I've had some really good moments in terms of everything, but right now I feel really good mentally . I'm lucky to have my family with me, accompanying me on this adventure. I know it's not easy for them, because I go out to train, spend time with my teammates, and enjoy what I do, but for those who are by our side, it's different. It's not easy to leave our country or any place. They do it for us, and I'm very grateful for that," said the number 8.
After beating Juventude and ending a historic taboo, Rubro-Negro releases training schedule and decisive games at Maracanã for the Libertadores quarterfinals
15 Set 2025 | 12:30 |
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After defeating Juventude in the Brazilian Championship , Flamengo will have a busy week with matches in the Copa Libertadores and Brasileirão. Flamengo faces Estudiantes in the quarterfinals of the CONMEBOL Libertadores . The first leg will be held at the Maracanã on September 18th at 9:30 pm (Brasília time).
This will be the ninth official meeting between the teams. In the previous eight, Mengão won three, drew four, and suffered only one defeat against the Argentines. The semifinals will be determined in the second leg in Argentina.
After the Libertadores, Flamengo returns to the Brasileirão and faces Vasco at Maracanã on September 21st at 5:30 pm, in the 24th round . This will be the fifth meeting between the rivals in 2025. In the Carioca, Flamengo won all three games, and in the first round of the national championship, the derby ended goalless.
Flamengo has released its professional football schedule for the week of September 15-21. After beating Juventude and ending a 28-year away drought, the team now focuses on crucial matches in the CONMEBOL Libertadores and Brazilian Championship.
Training will take place at CT George Helal on four dates : Tuesday (16/09), at 9:30 am; Wednesday (17/09), at 3:30 pm; Friday (19/09), at 3:30 pm; and Saturday (20/09), at 9:30 am. There are no activities scheduled for Monday (15/09).
The striker had the best seasons of his career under the command of the national team coach, which could leave him in good condition for the World Cup
15 Set 2025 | 11:44 |
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The final stretch of preparation for the World Cup is approaching. With the qualifiers over , the Brazilian national team will now focus solely on friendlies until the final squad is named . Some certainties are already beginning to take shape in Carlo Ancelotti's mind, as he has secured key players for the World Cup.
Ancelotti on Vini Jr's place at the World Cup: "If he's okay, yes"
In an interview with ESPN, the Italian coach didn't hesitate when talking about the Real Madrid duo: "A guaranteed spot? If he's healthy, yes ( Vini will go to the World Cup). He has to be at his best. (Rodrygo) too . If he's at his best, Rodrygo is a very good player. You can't talk to me about Rodrygo and Vini. I won Champions Leagues with them," Ancelotti stated.
Another name that stands out is Estêvão, formerly of Palmeiras and now at Chelsea. The coach highlighted the young man's personality and his quick adaptation to the Premier League: "I really like Estêvão, he has character, and he's started well. Not only for this World Cup, but he will be very important for the future of the national team, " he assessed.
Endrick, however, is experiencing a different scenario. Ancelotti knows the striker well from his Real Madrid days, but admits that the fierce competition has hindered his development: "Well, Endrick is like Estêvão. He's a great talent. I think Estêvão was lucky. The problem with young players who go to Europe is that they have a leading role here, but not much of a leading role there . I coached Endrick for a year and really liked him as a person, as a professional," he explained.
Until the final call-up, the team will play six friendlies. The first two will be played in October in Asia:
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