The clash between Flamengo and São Paulo, valid for the 20th round of the Brazilian Championship, is set to electrify the Maracanã; check out the lineups and team situations.
The stage is set for one of the most anticipated matchups of the round. This Sunday (26), Flamengo hosts São Paulo at the iconic Maracanã, in a match worth crucial points for both clubs’ aspirations in the national football elite. With second place in their sights, the Rubro-Negro aims to cut the gap to the top of the table, while the Tricolor Paulista seeks to consolidate its recovery in the competition.
Anticipation for the clash grew following the official announcement of the starting lineups. Head coach Leonardo Jardim confirmed Flamengo‘s lineup as: Rossi; Royal, Vitão, Léo Pereira, and Alex Sandro; Pulgar, Jorginho, and Samuel Lino; Lorran, Bruno Henrique, and Pedro. On the other side, under the command of Dorival Júnior, São Paulo will take the field with: Rafael; Lucas Ramon, Arboleda, Osorio, and Wendell; Pablo Maia, Danielzinho, and Marcos Antônio; Artur, Luciano, and Calleri.
Key Absences
Both teams head into the match dealing with significant setbacks. Flamengo faces an extensive list of six absences. In addition to Jorge Carrascal, suspended by the STJD, the Rubro-Negro medical department is caring for Luiz Araújo, Lucas Paquetá, and Gonzalo Plata. Due to a technical decision, Leonardo Jardim opted not to include Léo Ortiz and De La Cruz in the squad.
“Squad management in a long season like the Brazilian Serie A demands strategic decisions, even in high-stakes matches,” sources close to the club emphasize.
São Paulo, for its part, laments the absence of four players: Lucas, Rafael Toloi, Bobadilla, and Enzo Díaz, who will be missing from the Tricolor squad for various reasons, ranging from serious injuries to personal matters.
Table Standings
Flamengo enters the match in second place with 37 points, seven behind Palmeiras. Fans, however, remain hopeful, as the team has one game in hand—the postponed clash against Mirassol. Sunday’s result is considered crucial for the Mais Querido to continue pressuring the leader and solidify its position in the G-4.
For fans who don’t want to miss any detail, the match will be broadcast exclusively by Premiere. Additionally, Coluna do Fla offers full coverage on its digital platforms, providing pre-game analysis, minute-by-minute updates, and all post-match reactions on YouTube and social media. The spectacle at Maracanã is, without a doubt, the main focus of this Brazilian Serie A round.
