ESPN.com.brNov 8, 2023, 05:00Reading: 2 min.
O Flamengo face the Palm treesthis Wednesday (8), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), for the 33rd round of the Brasileirão. And coach Tite has been racking his brains to set up the starting team due to the absences.
In addition to injured David Luiz and Allan, three athletes are suspended: Thiago Maia, Filipe Luís and Bruno Henrique.
While the steering wheel and full-back received a third yellow card in front of Strengthlast Sunday (5), the attacker served the second game of suspension due to his expulsion against Santos. The good news is the return of Gerson, who was absent at Castelão also for having received a red card against Peixe, Gabigol, absent in the last game due to muscle pain, and Wesley, recovered from gastroenteritis.
These problems cause a headache for Tite. On the side, Ayrton Lucas is the immediate replacement for Filipe Luís. But Thiago Maia’s vacancy still doesn’t have a definition of who will fill it.
Naturally, Gerson could be the steering wheel. But, without Bruno Henrique, the number 20 can return open on the left, where he has stood out this season. If chosen as a midfielder, Everton Cebolinha would remain among the starters. Gerson played deep against Santos, did not perform well and ended up being sent off. On the other hand, he shone against Cruzeiro and Vasco playing up front.
Another option in midfield is Victor Hugo. The young man would partner with Pulgar to give Gerson more freedom. Rodrigo Caio, who has been playing as a midfielder, runs on the outside.
Furthermore, Flamengo would have the base of the team that beat Fortaleza. Rossi; Matheuzinho (Wesley), Fabrício Bruno, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Pulgar, Gerson and Arrascaeta; Luiz Araújo, Pedro and Everton Cebolinha (Victor Hugo).
Despite Tite reinforces in each interview that Flamengo’s objective is to guarantee itself in the group stage of the next CONMEBOL Libertadoresthe instability of the Botafogo allows Rubro-Negro to dream of the Brasileirão title. However, only a victory will be able to keep this flame, even if small at the moment, burning to ‘save’ the season.
The Cariocas have 53 points, against 59 from Botafogo and Palmeiras. It is worth remembering that Flamengo has one game less than its rival from São Paulo.
