Flamengo and Cruzeiro face off at the Maracanã for a spot in the Libertadores quarterfinals. The Rubro-Negro seeks qualification at home after an away draw.
A sense of finality is gripping the Maracanã this Wednesday (19th), as Flamengo and Cruzeiro meet for the second leg of their Copa Libertadores Round of 16 tie. With a 1-1 draw in the first leg, held at the Mineirão, the path to the quarterfinals remains wide open, promising an electrifying clash for the fans. The Rubro-Negro (Scarlet-Black) plays on home turf with massive crowd support.
This duel between two Brazilian football giants is not just a fight for a place in the next stage of the continental tournament, but also a test of strength and strategy for both teams. A sold-out stadium is expected, with over 71,000 fans cheering Flamengo on in pursuit of the victory that will seal their qualification.
Decisive clash at the Maracanã
At 9:30 PM (Brasília time), the ball will roll at the Maracanã for one of the week’s most anticipated matches. The first leg’s draw left the decision entirely up in the air, requiring both teams to aim for a simple win to advance in the competition. Flamengo, under coach Leonardo Jardim, arrives with momentum, boosted by a recent rout in the Campeonato Brasileiro (Brazilian Championship), which lifts the squad’s morale for this crucial challenge.
Likely lineups
Coach Leonardo Jardim is expected to field Flamengo with:
- Rossi
- Emerson Royal
- Léo Ortiz
- Léo Pereira
- Ayrton Lucas
- Pulgar
- Jorginho (or Lucas Paquetá)
- Arrascaeta
- Plata
- Lino
- Pedro (or Bruno Henrique)
The team will have some important absences.
Absences on the Rubro-Negro side
For the clash against Cruzeiro, Flamengo will be without Alex Sandro, Vitão, and De La Cruz. The players are recovering from muscle injuries and will not be available for the decisive match at the Maracanã.
The Raposa’s lineup
On the Cruzeiro side, coach Artur Jorge is expected to set up his team with:
- Otávio
- Fagner
- Fabrício Bruno
- Jonathan Jesus
- Gabriel Rojas
- Lucas Romero
- Gerson
- Matheus Pereira
- Wesley
- Arroyo
- Kaio Jorge
Losing players for the Celeste team
Cruzeiro also faces absences for the decisive game. Matheus Henrique is suspended, and Gabriel Pec and Sinisterra will be unable to play due to injuries. Despite the missing players, the Celeste team aims to surprise on the road and secure their quarter-final spot.
The match broadcast will be available on TV Globo across all of Brazil, as well as on GE TV on YouTube and the streaming service Paramount+, ensuring that fans nationwide can follow every moment of this qualification battle.
The outcome this Wednesday at the Maracanã will not only determine who advances in the Libertadores but could also shape the rest of the season for the winning team. A victory on such a grand stage and in a competition as prestigious as the Libertadores provides a huge morale and technical boost, solidifying confidence for future challenges.
By Equipe M360
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