On Sunday, Flamengo faces Mirassol in the Brazilian Serie A. The Rubro-Negro seeks a victory to reduce the distance to the leader, despite significant absences.
Flamengo is preparing for a decisive clash this Sunday (16th), at 6:30 PM, when they will face Mirassol at the Estádio José Maria de Campos Maia, also known as Maião. The match, part of the 23rd round of the Brazilian Championship, is seen as crucial for the Rubro-Negro to shorten the gap with the current league leader.
The Rio de Janeiro team arrives in the interior of São Paulo with high morale after a 2-0 victory over Vitória at the Maracanã in the last round. Currently in second place in the standings with 42 points and a game in hand, Flamengo is six points behind Palmeiras. A win could reduce this difference to just three points, intensifying the race for the top spot.
Absences and Returns for the Match
Coach Leonardo Jardim will have to deal with a series of important absences for the clash against Mirassol. Forward Bruno Henrique will be rested, recovering from a knock to his left ankle sustained in a recent match.
In addition to Bruno Henrique, players Alex Sandro, Vitão, and De La Cruz are out due to physical issues. To complete the list of unavailable players, Everton Cebolinha did not travel with the delegation due to flu-like symptoms. On the other hand, Flamengo celebrates the return of Luiz Araújo, who has recovered from a left knee injury.
Historical Head-to-Head Record
The historical record between Mirassol and Flamengo is relatively recent and limited to only two official matches, both played in the 2025 Brazilian Championship. The Rubro-Negro holds the advantage in these encounters.
In the first duel, on August 9, 2025, Flamengo won 2-1 at the Maracanã, with goals from Léo Pereira and Plata.
The second match, held on December 6, 2025, at Maião, ended in a 3-3 draw, on an occasion when Flamengo fielded a team full of young talents from their academy.
Officiating Team Defined
The match between Mirassol and Flamengo will be officiated by Rafael Rodrigo Klein, a referee from the Rio Grande do Sul federation. He will be assisted by Bruno Raphael Pires (GO) and Tiago Augusto Kappes Diel (RS).
The fourth official designated for the game will be José Mendonça da Silva Júnior (PR). The VAR (Video Assistant Referee) team will be under the responsibility of Rafael Traci (SC), ensuring the review of controversial plays.
The match against Mirassol is an opportunity for Flamengo not only to earn essential points but also to reaffirm their ambitions in the Brazilian Serie A. Overcoming absences and seeking victory away from home will be crucial to maintaining pressure on the leader and consolidating their position in the race for the national title.
With the final stretch of the championship approaching, each match becomes a turning point. The Rubro-Negro‘s performance at Maião will define the team’s rhythm in the upcoming rounds and will have a direct impact on the projections for the league leadership battle.
Equipe M360
