Flamengo and Bahia will face off at 18:30 (Brasília time) this Sunday, the 5th. However, some players are already concerned about Flamengo’s upcoming match against Botafogo in the Brasileirão.
The team, led by Filipe Luís, has three key players at risk of suspension. If they receive a yellow card in the match against Bahia at the Fonte Nova Stadium, they will be ineligible for the next round. The most notable player among them is midfielder Arrascaeta, who has been a standout for the team this season. Colombian Carrascal also needs to tread carefully if he wants to participate in the next game, alongside the less prominent midfielder Allan, whose presence has been met with mixed reviews from fans.
In addition to these three players, Flamengo has another at risk: Erick Pulgar. However, the Chilean midfielder is currently recovering from a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot and will miss the match against Bahia.
In terms of lineup, only Arrascaeta from the trio at risk is expected to be in the starting eleven. The probable lineup for Flamengo against Bahia includes: Rossi; Varela (Royal), Danilo, Léo Ortiz, and Ayrton Lucas; De la Cruz, Jorginho, and Arrascaeta; Plata (Carrascal), Samuel Lino (Cebolinha), and Pedro.
The match against Botafogo is scheduled for Wednesday, the 15th, at 19:30, at Engenhão, adding to the sense of urgency for the players to maintain discipline this weekend. As the team prepares for these crucial games, fans remain hopeful for a strong performance against both Bahia and Botafogo.