The Maracanã stadium will host, starting at 6:30 pm (Brasília time) this Sunday (15), one of the main games of the 26th round of the Brazilian Championship Series A, the clash between Flamengo and Vasco, which will be broadcast by National Radio.
Coming from a qualification for the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil, one of the three fronts in which it is alive, Flamengo wants the victory to not fall away from the top group of the Brazilian.
Having not played in the competition since the 2-1 defeat to Corinthians, Tite’s team returned from the FIFA World Cup without its main attacking reference, as center forward Pedro was injured while playing for the Brazilian national team and will only return to action in 2025. “We did not make any projections for the rest of the competition without Pedro. We strengthen those who are there, and the field will speak for itself”, said the Rubro-Negro commander.
In addition to Pedro, Flamengo will also be without midfielder Carlos Alcaraz, who was sent off in the last round against Corinthians, as well as the injured Vinã and Michael. Uruguayan midfielder De la Cruz is doubtful, while Gonzalo Plata and Alex Sandro could make their debuts.
Vasco arrives in high spirits after eliminating Athlético-PR in the Copa do Brasil. In the Brazilian Championship, Cruzmaltino is going through a good moment, with five games unbeaten (three wins and two draws).
“A huge derby, a tough game for us. We need to score points in the Brazilian league and focus on where we want to be. What we promise is that we will give our all to play a great game and, if possible, get a good result,” said coach Rafael Paiva.
For this Sunday’s match, Vasco’s coach has two doubts: full-back Lucas Piton, who left the field in the match against Athlético-PR with pain in his left ankle, and midfielder Philippe Coutinho, who is still recovering from an injury. One certain absence is defender João Victor, suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Swiss midfielder Maxime Dominguez is regularized and can make his debut.
* Collaboration by Pedro Amorim (intern) under the supervision of Paulo Garritano.
