Football Season Guide

Flamengo missed the chance for the third title in a row, in 2021. Mengão were always second to the strong Atlético, and ended up finishing 13 points behind. Rogério Ceni and Renato Gaúcho were big disappointment as leaders for an irregular Flamengo. The frustration over Atlético MG is getting bigger this season, after they were defeated in Supercopa, back in February. In Rio de Janeiro State Championship, ‘Mengão’ also lost in the final against rivals Fluminense. Important centre-half Pablo arrives from disbanding Russian league, while Fabrício Bruno was also brought for the back to add options to the position, with Caio constantly injured and Leo Pereira and Gustavo Henrique struggling to convince last season. Winger Marinho arrived after having been an idol with Santos in the last 3 seasons. Latest signings: Goalkeeper Santos and full-back Ayrton Lucas are big names who just came in. There are several youngsters knocking in for more appearances in the first team, this season, but there’s one name that gathers all attention, for the moment. 17-years old Matheus França is considered the next great Brazilian midfielder, together with Palmeiras’ Endrick, to come up in the next couple of years. So far, only Michael (reserve in last season) left. Pedro has been receiving offers from rivals, but Fla doesn’t seem like selling him to another Brazilian club. Portuguese Paulo Sousa arrived this season with the mission to get Flamengo back to the level Jorge Jesus put them, 2 years ago. Sousa is a different manager, though, with different ideas and, above all, a different, perhaps less charismatic character. Sousa has been using a modern back-3 formation in State Championship, with Filipe Luís playing as left centre-back and forward Bruno Henrique playing on the left wing. New signing Ayrton Lucas may give the chance for BH27 to play in attack, where Éverton Ribeiro and Arrascaeta have been playing in close support to striker Gabigol.