Football Season Guide

Flamengo is coming from an irregular performance and negative position in last season, having finished 4th with just 66 points. The fans are still dreaming with the 90 points performance from 2019 season under Jorge Jesus, and anything that stays too far from it will be a disappointment for Mengão's supporters. Also, 'Fla' had an early drop out from Libertadores, falling down on the last-16 round to the modest Olimpia. Flamengo didn't even win a single title, having lost finals in Brazilian Cup and State Championship. 2024 started much better, as 'Fla' won the Campeonato Carioca, easily defeating the modest and surprising Nova Iguaçu in the final. In Lbertadores, this season, started with an away draw in Colombia. Coach Tite looks ready to bring Flamengo up to challenging the title, this season. 'Cariocas' are playing well, with a strong defensive system (Tite's trademark in all his teams). The attack is less thrilling than in past years, but it is better organized. Flamengo signed in with just 3 new players, but they are all high quality additions. Leo Ortiz is arguably the best centre-half in the country (provided he can get back to his best form after long injury in 2023). Viña is a strong contest for the left-back position and de la Cruz had already an immediate impact in midfield. There hasn't been any major departure, as the likes of Filipe Luís and Éverton Ribeiro were already in descending curve at Flamengo in terms of brilliance. De Arrascaeta is the main reference for creativity, and one of the team's major weaknesses is the ability to replace the Uruguayan when he isn't available. Pedro is becoming more and more the reference in attack, but the club should be playing most of the season without Gabigol due to heavy suspension. Even when coming from the bench, Gabigol is in invaluable unit in Flamengo's attack.