Flamengo faces Cruzeiro at the Maracanã, aiming for qualification to the Libertadores quarterfinals. A simple victory secures Leonardo Jardim’s team a spot in the next round.
The atmosphere is electric in Rio de Janeiro. This Wednesday (19), at 9:30 PM, Flamengo takes the field at the Maracanã to decide their fate in the CONMEBOL Libertadores. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Belo Horizonte, the scenario is clear: the winner advances. Should it be another draw, the spot will be decided by penalties.
Flamengo (the Red-Blacks) enters the match on a surge in form. Under coach Leonardo Jardim, the team has strung together a positive run in the Brazilian Serie A, reducing the gap to the top of the table and demonstrating a convincing offensive performance, as seen in their 5-1 rout over Mirassol last Sunday.
Team News for Flamengo
Fans received encouraging news for the continental clash: Bruno Henrique is back. Recovered from an ankle knock suffered in the first leg, the forward trained with the squad and is expected to bolster the attack. On the other hand, the medical department continues to monitor Alex Sandro, who has calf pain, as well as Vitão and De La Cruz, who are recovering from muscle injuries.
Rubro-Negra Fortress
Flamengo’s record at the Maracanã in the Libertadores is dominant. Throughout the tournament’s history, the club boasts 66 wins in 87 matches at the stadium, with an impressive goal difference of 215 scored and only 76 conceded. This home advantage is the main asset of the current South American champion, who aims to keep alive their quest for a fifth continental title.
History and Refereeing
Today’s clash carries historical weight. In 2018, Cruzeiro was responsible for eliminating Flamengo in the Round of 16 of the competition. Now, the Gávea club seeks not only qualification but also to break this recent hurdle against their rivals from Minas Gerais. In the overall head-to-head record between the clubs, the Most Beloved holds the advantage, with 40 victories compared to their opponent’s 36.
The officiating for this decisive clash will be entirely Uruguayan. Gustavo Tejera will be the referee, assisted by Nicolás Tarán and Horacio Ferreiro, while VAR will be handled by Andrés Cunha.
The M360 team will cover all the action of this crucial match. With the best group stage campaign and the pressure of being the current title holder, Flamengo aims to live up to their favorite status and advance steadily to the quarterfinals.
Equipe M360
