Flamengo Aims to Maintain Momentum Against Central Córdoba in Libertadores Clash

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) — Flamengo will host Central Córdoba of Argentina on Wednesday, April 9, at the Maracanã stadium as they both compete in the second round of the Copa Libertadores Group C. The match kicks off at 9:30 p.m. local time (Brasília).

Flamengo, coming off a 1-0 victory against Deportivo Táchira in their tournament opener, seeks to build on its winning momentum. The win marked their first successful start in the tournament since 2022 and ended a nine-match winless streak in away Libertadores matches.

“The team is really motivated after the victory,” said Flamengo head coach Filipe Luís. “We’re eager to perform well at home.”

In preparation for the match, Flamengo may rotate some players due to a demanding schedule. Defenders Léo Pereira and Léo Ortiz have been heavily utilized since the end of the Campeonato Carioca, and the team might choose to rest them. Additionally, midfielder Danilo’s recent injury could force further changes.

On the other hand, Central Córdoba is looking for its first win in the Copa Libertadores after drawing 0-0 with LDU in their opener. The team is currently ranked sixth in the Argentine league, having recorded five wins, three draws, and four losses during the initial phase of the season.

Central Córdoba recently suffered a 1-0 defeat to Unión de Santa Fe and is hoping to bounce back against Flamengo. “It’s a tough match but we are determined to get our first points in the tournament,” said Central Córdoba’s coach Omar De Felippe.

The match will be broadcast live on Globo and Paramount+. Soccer fans will have a chance to witness the home debut of Flamengo coach Filipe Luís in a Libertadores match at the Maracanã.

For the likely lineups, Flamengo may field: Rossi; Wesley (Varela), Léo Ortiz (Cleiton), Léo Pereira, and Alex Sandro (Ayrton Lucas); Pulgar, Gerson, Plata (De La Cruz), Arrascaeta, and Bruno Henrique; with Juninho (Luiz Araújo) up front.

Central Córdoba is expected to line up with Aguerre; Moyano, Abascia, Rivero, and Cufré; Iván Gómez, Jonathan Galván, Florentín; Angulo, Perelló, and Heredia on the field.

Pedro, who missed nearly seven months due to a knee injury, has been named in Flamengo’s squad for the match, creating excitement among fans about his potential return to action.

“We are handling Pedro’s comeback carefully, he’s been an important player for us,” Filipe Luís added.

As Flamengo prepares for the clash, they aim to extend their unbeaten streak to 17 matches, with their last loss occurring in January against Nova Iguaçu during the Carioca Championship.