PSG defender on how Flamengo's victory over Chelsea could help them reach the World Cup final

Atlético-MG and Flamengo face off this Wednesday (6) in a decisive duel for the round of 16 of the 2025 Copa do Brasil. The match takes place at 7 pm (Brasília time), at Arena MRV, in Belo Horizonte , and will be broadcast live on Sportv and Premiere.

In the first leg, played at Maracanã, the Minas Gerais team won 1-0 and now has the advantage of a draw to secure qualification for the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Rubro-Negro , coached by Filipe Luís, needs a simple one-goal victory to take the final to penalties. A win by two or more goals will advance directly to the next stage of the tournament.

ATLÉTICO-MG IN GOOD PHASE

Atlético is in good form. Cuca's team has won its last two matches. First, it beat Flamengo 1-0 in the first leg of the round of 16, despite playing away from home. Last weekend, in a Brazilian Championship match, the Minas Gerais team dominated Red Bull Bragantino and emerged with a 2-1 victory.

FLAMENGO HAS SHORTAGES

On the red-and-black side, coach Filipe Luís will have to deal with important absences. Bruno Henrique and Luiz Araújo are not on the roster due to workload constraints, a result of the season's backlog of matches. Flamengo 's mission will be to win with authority away from home to maintain its chance of winning another Copa do Brasil title. The club has won the title in 1990, 2006, 2013, 2022, and 2024.

MATCH DETAILS

📅 Date and time: Wednesday, August 6th, at 7pm (Brasília time)

📍 Location: MRV Arena, Belo Horizonte (MG)

📺 Live broadcast: Sportv and Premiere

🟨 Referee: Rafael Rodrigo Klein (RS)

🚩 Assistants: Bruno Raphael Pires (GO) and Rafael da Silva Alves (RS)

🖥️ VAR: Wagner Reway (SC)

PROBABLE LINEUPS

Atlético-MG (Coach: Cuca) Everson; Saravia, Lyanco, Alonso and Arana (Scarpa); Alexsander, Alan Franco, Scarpa (Igor Gomes); Ron, Hulk and Cuello.

Flamengo (Coach: Filipe Luis) Rossi; Emerson Royal, Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira and Alex Sandro; Allan, Jorginho, Arrascaeta; Luiz Araújo, Samuel Lino and Pedro.

Given Flamengo's recent difficulties in signing a new number 9, a speculated name has resurfaced among fans: Gabriel Jesus . The Brazilian national team striker, currently at Arsenal in England, has reportedly been placed on the London club's transfer list for the next transfer window.

The asking price is around £30 million (approximately R$191 million at the current exchange rate) . The push for attacking reinforcements gained momentum after rejections from players like Lucas Beltrán and Mehdi Taremi, who opted to remain in European football.

ASTRONOMICAL MARKET VALUE AND WAGES

Despite being one of the most mentioned names by fans on social media and specialized forums, Gabriel Jesus' arrival in Brazilian football is considered extremely unlikely at this time. Arsenal's proposed fee is far above the financial reality of South American football, even for a club with significant investment power like Flamengo .

In addition to the high transfer fee required, the player's current salary—comparable to Premier League standards—would pose an even greater challenge. The English club, seeking to balance its finances and make room for reinforcements in other positions, sees the Brazilian striker as one of its main bargaining chips in the next window.

FLAMENGO REMAINS ON THE MARKET

Flamengo 's board continues to monitor the market for a center forward who fits the profile desired by Filipe Luís's coaching staff. After frustrations in negotiations with players who opted to remain on the Old Continent, the club is seeking viable alternatives that can strengthen the squad without compromising its financial planning.

Flamengo released, on Tuesday afternoon (05), the list of players called up for the duel against Atlético-MG , which takes place this Wednesday (06), at Arena MRV, for the second leg of the round of 16 of the Copa Betano do Brasil. After the 1-0 defeat in the first leg, the team led by Filipe Luís needs to reverse the score in Belo Horizonte to stay alive in the competition.

Flamengo 's squad will have five confirmed absences due to medical and physical reasons. They are: Danilo (thigh injury), Erick Pulgar (foot surgery), De La Cruz (rehabilitating), Bruno Henrique and Luiz Araújo ( both undergoing workload management). On the other hand, Arrascaeta and Samuel Lino, who had left the field with complaints in the last round of the Brasileirão , are among those listed.

IMPORTANT ATHLETES ARE OUT

Among the most significant absences are forwards Bruno Henrique and Luiz Araújo. Both were rested due to fatigue accumulated during the season's string of matches. The club opted to implement load control as a preventative measure to avoid injuries.

Defender Danilo is also recovering from a right hamstring injury . A new scan on Tuesday showed improvement, and the athlete began light field activities with physiotherapists.

CHECK THE LIST OF RELATED PARTIES

Goalkeepers: Dyogo Alves, Matheus Cunha, Rossi

Defenders: Cleiton, João Victor, Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira

Fullbacks: Alex Sandro, Ayrton Lucas, Emerson Royal, Varela, Viña

Midfielders: Allan, Arrascaeta, Jorginho, Matheus Gonçalves, Saúl Ñíguez

Forwards: Everton Cebolinha, Juninho, Pedro, Plata, Samuel Lino, Wallace Yan