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The best team in the second round and showing great football in this final stretch of the season, Internacional tries to keep its dream of a title in the Brazilian Championship alive in a match against Flamengo, this Sunday (1), at 4pm, at Maracanã, for the 36th round.
Champion of the Copa do Brasil and guaranteed in the 2025 Copa Libertadores, Flamengo has 63 points and occupies fifth place. They no longer have a chance of winning the championship, but the red-and-black club wants to end the season on a high. Under the command of coach Filipe Luís, there are six games without defeat in Serie A.
Coach Roger Machado is largely responsible for Inter’s good form/Photo: Ricardo Duarte/International Disclosure
With mathematical odds of being champion, the club from Rio Grande do Sul needs to win anyway. This will reduce the gap to leader Botafogo, which is currently eight points, to five. In the table, Internacional has 65 and is in third, behind only the leader Botafogo (73) and Palmeiras (70).
In addition to the dream of winning the Brasileirão again, which has not happened since 1979, Internacional defends an unbeaten record of 16 games in the competition. In the next round, the penultimate, the club from Rio Grande do Sul has a direct challenge against Botafogo, which increases the importance of the result in Rio.
Filipe Luís’ Flamengo will be missing Chilean Erick Pulgar. The midfielder received his third yellow card and will have to serve an automatic suspension. Injured, Viña, Everton Cebolinha, Arrascaeta and Pedro are already banned for the remainder of the season.
The one who could appear as a surprise is striker Luiz Araújo. He is in the final stages of recovery after a fracture in his right knee and could be an option on the bench. Defender Fabrício Bruno and midfielder Evertton Araújo return from suspension, while Dyogo Alves, Cleiton, Lorran and Carlinhos were released in advance for vacation.
“As long as I’m here, the Brazilian Championship will always be an absolute priority. I take the Brazilian Championship as the most difficult championship there is, it is the championship where there is regularity, where it goes through countless moments, FIFA Data, travel… It is the most difficult championship to win and it is one of the ones that I had the most pleasure in winning as player. Yes, I include myself in this guilt of not being able to compete”, said Filipe Luís.
On Internacional’s side, coach Roger Machado will be able to count on attacking midfielder Bruno Tabata. He is recovering from an injury to his left thigh and will play one more game in sacrifice in this final stretch of the season. The news is the return of Thiago Maia, who had been released from previous activities to care for his father, victim of a stroke.
In attack, Rafael Borré is suspended for his third yellow card and Ecuadorian Enner Valencia will have another opportunity to score goals in command of the attack.
In a press conference, goalkeeper Rochet highlighted the strength of the squad in search of the Brasileirão title. “The moment the team is going through is very good. We have a series of very important unbeaten games. With each game our confidence grows. It’s something that week after week of work we want to grow, not just stay in these 16 games. We want one more. This is the mentality.”
TECHNICAL SHEET FLAMENGO
FLEMISH – Rossi; Wesley, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro; Gerson, De La Cruz and Alcaraz; Michael, Gabriel Barbosa and Bruno Henrique. Coach: Filipe Luís
INTERNATIONAL – Rochet; Bruno Gomes, Rogel, Vitão and Bernabei; Fernando, Tabata, Thiago Maia and Wesley; Alan Patrick and Valencia. Coach: Roger Machado
ARBITRATOR – Rodrigo José Pereira de Lima (PE)
TIME – 16h
LOCATION – Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
