A ‘Mengao’, in crisis and with doubts, wants to exploit the Maracaná factor to get a good result against Morumbí
Sao Paulo, with much more tactical consistency than its rival, will try to break the historic jinx in the Brazilian KO tournament
Flamengo and Sao Paulo urgently dispute the first leg of the Copa do Brasil final this Sunday at Maracaná (starting at 9:00 p.m. CEST). The KO tournament is the only title possibility for both teams in 2023, very disappointing, mainly for the rubronegro from Rio
For the São Paulo Tricolor, which arrives in the final more convinced of its possibilities, this event is seen as a historic option to break the jinx and to be able to finally win his first Copa do Brasil.
Dorival Junior, who won the title the previous year with Flamengo, has assembled a solid teamwhere the newcomer Lucas Moura It has the mission of making a difference. Meanwhile, the other star, the Colombian James Rodríguez, will wait for his opportunity on the bench.
For its part, Flamengo, led by Jorge Sampaoli, is a tinderbox since the unexpected KO in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores against Olimpia, from Asunción. The internal atmosphere is very strained and the blow received on Wednesday against Ath. Paranaense (0-3) in the Brasileirao match has even increased the tension.
The squad washed their dirty laundry in a meeting in which Sampaoli and the rest of the members of the coaching staff were not present. Winning the Copa do Brasil has become an obligation and its achievement does not ensure the continuity of the former Sevilla player for next January.
For this Sunday’s meeting, ‘Branch’ will present an unprecedented offensive trio in the previous 36 games in which ‘Mengao’ led, with the ‘dupa of ‘9’ Gabigol y Pedroand with the extreme Bruno Henrique breaking from the band.
Sin From Arrascaeta, who is still out due to a muscle injury, Flamengo’s possible lineup will be formed by: Matheus Cunha; Wesley, Fabrício Bruno, Leo Pereira, Ayrton Lucas; Erick Pulgar, Vitor Hugo, Gerson; Gabigol, Bruno Henrique and Pedro.
For his part, Sao Paulo will face: Rafael; Rafinha, Diego Costa (Arboleda), Beraldo, Caio Paulista; Pablo Maia, Alisson, Welington Rato, Lucas Moura; Luciano and Calleri.