Flamengo Faces Botafogo Amid Key Injuries and Tactical Changes

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — Flamengo‘s head coach Filipe Luís is set to make substantial adjustments to his lineup, with nine changes expected ahead of the match against Botafogo at Maracanã Stadium on Wednesday at 9:30 PM. The game, which is a rescheduled fixture from the Carioca Championship, presents a pivotal opportunity for the rubro-negro as they aim to regain the top spot in the standings.

Flamengo comes off a draw with Fluminense and is currently in second place with 14 points, trailing the leader by three points. A win would significantly strengthen their chances for semifinal qualification. Conversely, Botafogo lies in sixth place and must secure a victory to enter the top four.

In preparations for this match, Flamengo will be without defender Alex Sandro due to injury, and Ayrton Lucas is also ruled out after suffering a knee trauma in the recent Fla-Flu clash. The team will see Varela fill in at the left back position after training there in recent sessions.

The anticipated starting lineup for Flamengo includes Matheus Cunha in goal; a defense comprising Wesley, Danilo, Léo Pereira or Ortiz, and Varela; while Allan, De la Cruz, and Arrascaeta anchor the midfield. Up front, Luiz Araújo, Cebolinha, and Juninho are expected to lead the attack. Léo Pereira and Wesley are the only holdovers from the previous match against Fluminense.

“It’s crucial for us to regain our rhythm and capitalize on this classic rivalry,” said coach Filipe Luís. “We need to respect our opponents while focusing on our gameplay strategy,” he added, explaining the late tactical changes that could include a possible adjustment to a three-defender setup.

De la Cruz and Arrascaeta, who were rested against Fluminense, are both expected to return as starters, much to the delight of the coaching staff. The final decisions regarding the lineup will be confirmed during the pre-match briefing on Wednesday afternoon, where Filipe Luís will provide last-minute instructions to the players.

The match against Botafogo holds historical significance as Flamengo has not lost to their rivals in the last six encounters in the Carioca Championship. Since their last defeat in 2018, when Botafogo secured a narrow 1-0 victory, Flamengo has maintained dominance in the series.

Filipe Luís acknowledges the importance of this fixture following their recent triumph in the Supercopa, where Flamengo won 3-1 on February 2. “Every meeting is a chance to extend our streak and secure our place as the top team in Rio,” he mentioned, urging his players to build on their momentum.

Television coverage for this highly-anticipated confrontation will be available on Band, Premiere, and the GOAT streaming platform, providing fans multiple ways to engage with the classic rivalry.

Botafogo’s recent form has been mixed, coming off a loss to Madureira after winning three consecutive matches. However, they are poised to pull off an upset against their more favored adversary. “This is not just another game; there’s a lot at stake for us, both in terms of pride and standings,” stated Botafogo’s head coach, Carlos Leiria.