Aiming to get back to winning ways in the Brazilian Serie A, Flamengo is working hard to recover key players before the decisive derby against Botafogo.
Preparations at Flamengo for the derby against Botafogo, valid for the 25th round of the Brazilian Serie A, bring encouraging news for the fans.
Head coach Leonardo Jardim is closely monitoring the physical progress of key players who missed the team’s last match against Cruzeiro.
The expectation behind the scenes at Ninho do Urubu is that the medical staff will be able to clear several players to return to training with the rest of the squad later this week.
The match, scheduled for next Sunday at 4:00 PM at the Maracanã, is seen as a turning point for the team’s ambitions in the standings.
Guaranteed return and physical transition
The most straightforward situation involves center-back Léo Pereira. After being rested in the last round due to physical fatigue, the defender has fully recovered.
Following an intense run of four starts in a short period, the player has had a full week of rest.
The coaching staff confirms that he will be available and is expected to reclaim his spot in the starting lineup without restrictions.
The situation of the trio under treatment
On the other hand, fullback Alex Sandro, center-back Vitão, and midfielder De la Cruz are still following specific recovery programs.
According to the M360 Team, the trio has already started field work, albeit in an individualized transition process.
Their progress will be decisive for the coach to finalize the roster for this weekend’s clash.
The trend is that they will be cleared this week, depending on each player’s individual progress. If they pass this stage, it will be up to Leonardo Jardim to include them in the squad.
Absences and the derby challenge
Despite the good news, there are still some setbacks. Forward Bruno Henrique is confirmed to be out for the derby.
The player received his third yellow card in the match against the team from Minas Gerais and will serve an automatic suspension.
This will force coach Leonardo Jardim to make changes to the offensive line to maintain the team’s attacking threat.
The derby against Botafogo feels like a final for Flamengo, which needs to earn points to remain competitive at the top of the table.
The presence of experienced players such as Alex Sandro and De la Cruz will be vital for the team’s tactical balance in this important matchup at the Maracanã.
