Rubro-Negro will take the field on Saturday without seven squad members and suffering from injury, and they will need to beat Sport in Ilha do Retiro and beat Palmeiras to take top spot in the Brazilian league.
The FIFA data break, a period in which Brazilian football teams are usually free, provides Flamengo with a decisive opportunity to take the lead in the Brazilian Championship 2025. Rubro Negro takes the field next Saturday, November 15, for the postponed match of the round of 12 against Sport, at the Ilha do Retiro stadium. It is a direct confrontation for the three points that could return the team to the top of the standings.
The Table in Play: The Scenario by Bonta
The leadership dispute remains raging between Flamengo and Palmeiras. Both clubs currently have 68 points from 32 matches.
Palmeiras is the leader due to the greater number of wins (21 compared to Flamengo’s 20), which is the tie-break criterion used before goal difference. The match against Sport is like Flamengo’s account on the calendar.
Way to drive this Saturday
Flamengo wins and Palmeiras stumbles: Flamengo needs to win against Sport and hopes that Palmeiras does not beat Santos in the classic match that will also be held on Saturday (15/11). If Flamengo wins and Palmeiras draws, each will have 71 points and 21 wins. In this scenario, Flamengo leads due to a superior goal difference ($44+ vs. Palmeiras $+30).
Winning for: If Flamengo wins and Palmeiras also wins, Robro Negro will reach 71 points and 21 wins, but Palmeiras will have 71 points and 22 wins, maintaining its lead at the top of the standings.
In other words, victory in Recife, in itself, does not guarantee leadership, but it is a prerequisite for Flamengo, with the competitor faltering, to occupy first place and give the necessary momentum in the final stage of the tournament.
Challenges in team building: history of FIFA and injuries
Flamengo’s mission to win has become difficult due to absences. Coach Filipe Luis will have to deal with a large number of absences that will require planning and improvisation when assembling the team.
Seven athletes were called up by their national teams to participate in Data FIFA, emptying out the main sectors:
Defenders: Danilo (Brazil), Alex Sandro (Brazil), Matías Viña (Uruguay), Guillermo Varela (Uruguay).
Midfielders: Giorgian de Arascaeta (Uruguay), Jorge Carrascal (Colombia).
attacker: Gonzalo Plata (Ecuador).
In addition to international commitments, the Red Black club is still treating injured players, such as striker Pedro, midfielder Jorginho and defender Leo Ortiz. The absence of these names gives the technical staff more work, which will have to exploit the depth of the team and perhaps bring in young players from the base to fill the bench and strive for victory.
The encounter against Sport, a team struggling hard against relegation, is seen as a real test of the team’s strength and a clear golden opportunity for Flamengo to ensure their return to the top of the Brazilian league.
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