Xabi Alonso reveals conversation after barring Vini Jr: “it wasn’t the right time…”

Flamengo left the field last Thursday (18) with many complaints against the refereeing in the duel against Estudiantes, for the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals. One of the most controversial points was the possible interference of the fourth official, Jhon Ospina, in favor of the Argentine team . In a press conference, coach Eduardo Domínguez detailed the dialogue.

Estudiantes coach on controversy with the 4th referee against Flamengo: "he just made a suggestion"

"No, he just made a suggestion, which happens often during the game. He asks that only the captain speak, so the players don't complain . The only thing he said to me was, 'The full-back is bothering me,'" Domínguez said.

The coach also explained that there was confusion in the play: "We believed he had bothered Farías (Estudiantes striker), so it surprised us, because first they gave Farías a card and then they came to tell us this . It was just that situation with the full-back, nothing more," he added.

CONTROVERSY MARKS THE GAME

Flamengo players were angered by the interpretation that Ospina had suggested the departure of Román Gómez , who was facing a yellow card and was at risk of being sent off. The incident sparked intense outrage on and off the field.

Furthermore, Rubro-Negro suffered another blow: Plata was sent off in a controversial incident, the Rubro-Negro striker received his second yellow card after being kicked by the Argentine defender , and Estudiantes managed to pull one back in the final minutes, closing the score at 2-1 at Maracanã.

SITUATION IN THE LIBERTADORES

Despite the disappointment, Flamengo has the advantage going into the second leg. The team will qualify with any draw . If they lose by one goal, the match will go to penalties. A defeat by two or more goals will eliminate the Red-Blacks. The decisive match will take place next Thursday (21), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), in La Plata.

FLAMENGO'S NEXT COMMITMENT

Before thinking about the Libertadores, Filipe Luís' team turns its attention to the Brasileirão. The classic against Vasco takes place this Sunday (21), at 5:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, for the 24th round of the Brasileirão.

CONMEBOL overturned Gonzalo Plata's suspension, and the forward is cleared to play in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals against Estudiantes de La Plata in Argentina. The player received his second yellow card in the second half of the match, after being kicked by the Argentine club's defender. The organization acknowledged the legal error and reversed the Ecuadorian's punishment. This information comes from journalist Mauro Cezar Pereira.

After the numerous errors committed by referee Andrés Rojas in the duel against Estudiantes, Flamengo released an official statement this Friday (19) harshly criticizing the conduct of the match and demanding action from Conmebol. The entity responded quickly, reversing the expulsion of Gonzalo Plata.

WHY WAS PLATA EXPELLED?

The controversial incident occurred in the 37th minute of the second half. Plata stole the ball inside the box and ended up receiving a kick from the opposing defender. Despite this, Rojas interpreted the Ecuadorian as having gone in with his sole and called a foul against Flamengo .

With the decision, the striker received a second yellow card and then a red. The referee ignored the contact suffered by Plata, which could have resulted in a penalty for Rubro-Negro , as the play occurred inside the area. After an analysis carried out this Friday (19), Conmebol acknowledged the error and withdrew the punishment. Thus, Plata is free to play in the return match against Estudiantes.

WHEN IS THE RETURN GAME?

The decisive clash takes place next Thursday (25), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), in La Plata, Argentina. Flamengo will play for any draw to guarantee its place in the Libertadores semifinals. However, before the decision, Mengão turns its attention to the Brasileirão. Next Sunday (21), Filipe Luís' team faces Vasco, at 5:30 pm, at Maracanã, in a classic valid for the 24th round.

Flamengo beat Estudiantes (ARG) 2-1 at Maracanã, but the performance of Colombian referee Andrés Rojas became the big talk of the night. Due to numerous errors made by the referee, Mengão released an official statement this Friday (19) where it criticizes the way the match was conducted and demands a position from Conmebol .

Flamengo's official statement on the refereeing against Estudiantes: "obvious biased conduct"

CHECK OUT THE NOTE EXCERPT

“Clube de Regatas do Flamengo hereby announces that it will take action with CONMEBOL regarding the refereeing performance in the match against Estudiantes de La Plata , played this Thursday, for the CONMEBOL Libertadores.

What was seen on the field, led by Colombian referee Andres Rojas, was a parade of mistakes and decisions that went beyond the limits of human error, revealing biased conduct, with different treatment for the two teams , directly compromising the sporting result and the credibility of the competition.

The match footage is clear and indisputable, revealing the enormity of the errors committed. Reversed fouls and disproportionately awarded yellow cards against Flamengo reveal the imbalance in the referee's decisions favoring the visiting team.

There was a penalty committed due to an intentional handball by the defender in a dispute for the ball with Luiz Araújo, and the subsequent expulsion of Gonzalo Plata, punished with a second yellow card in a play in which he was the one who suffered the foul ,” wrote the club.

HOW THE EXPULSION CHANGED THE GAME

Flamengo was leading 2-0, with goals from Pedro and Varela, and was in control of the match. However, Gonzalo Plata's red card changed the scenario. Down ten men, Flamengo retreated, and Estudiantes grew in the duel. In stoppage time, Guido Carrillo pulled one back and kept the Argentines alive in the match . Now, Mengão plays for a draw in the return match, scheduled for next Thursday (25), in La Plata, to advance to the Libertadores semifinals.

FLAMENGO'S NEXT GAME

Before the decision in Argentina, Flamengo turns its attention to the Brasileirão. Next Sunday (18), Filipe Luís' team faces Vasco, at 5:30 pm, at Maracanã , in a classic valid for the 24th round. The second match against Estudiantes will be next Thursday (25).