Rio de Janeiro’s Flamengo faces a critical stretch of matches across multiple competitions, beginning with Sunday’s Campeonato Carioca derby against Fluminense. The club is balancing preparations for the upcoming Brasileirão and Supercopa while managing player fitness following a brief offseason, and recent results from the youth squad have added another layer of complexity to team selection decisions. Club leadership is now weighing whether to call up first-team players for Wednesday’s match against Vasco following a disappointing performance by the Under-20 team over the weekend.
Flamengo is planning to feature several first-team players in Sunday’s Campeonato Carioca clash against Fluminense, as they gear up for a busy stretch of competition. The team is aiming for full strength, or close to it, when they travel to São Paulo on January 28th for their Brasileirão opener, and again on February 1st against Corinthians in Brasília for the Supercopa.
The 2025 season concluded 32 days ago, and after roughly three weeks of rest, players returned to training last Monday. However, the coaching staff has determined that none are currently fit to play more than 20 minutes, with the exception of goalkeeper Andrew, who has been actively playing for Gil Vicente in Portugal.
Meanwhile, a disappointing performance from the Under-20 squad – a 3-0 loss to Volta Redonda on Saturday, leaving them with just one point from a possible nine in the Estadual – has sparked internal debate about the lineup for Wednesday’s match against Vasco. Club president Luiz Eduardo Baptista, known as BAP, will make the final decision, taking into account all available data and medical assessments.
Flamengo is preparing to unleash its full firepower as the club navigates a challenging schedule that includes key matchups in the Campeonato Carioca, Brasileirão, and Supercopa. Several first-team regulars are expected to see action in Sunday’s derby against Fluminense, serving as a tune-up for bigger tests ahead.
The Rio de Janeiro giants will aim to field a near-full-strength squad when they visit São Paulo on January 28th for the start of the Brasileirão season. They’ll then travel to Brasília on February 1st to face Corinthians in the Supercopa, a competition that pits the league champions against the cup winners.
Despite the anticipation, Flamengo’s coaching staff is being cautious with player workloads. The team returned to training just last Monday after a three-week break following the conclusion of the 2025 season, and currently, no outfield player is deemed fit for more than 20 minutes of action. Goalkeeper Andrew, who has been maintaining match fitness with Gil Vicente in Portugal, is the exception.
Adding to the complexity, Flamengo’s Under-20 team suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Volta Redonda on Saturday in the Estadual, raising questions about squad selection for Wednesday’s match against Vasco. Club president Luiz Eduardo Baptista, known as BAP, will ultimately decide the lineup, carefully weighing the scientific and medical data available. The Under-20 setback has prompted a reevaluation of options as Flamengo looks to build momentum in the early stages of the season.
