Flamengo vs Cruzeiro – News and Probable Lineups

On Wednesday, August 19, Flamengo will face Cruzeiro at the Maracana in the second leg of their Copa Libertadores last-16 match, with the game set to kick off at 21:30 local time in Rio de Janeiro (01:30 BST on Thursday, August 20 in the UK).

The aggregate score is even after a 1-1 draw at the Mineirao, meaning that either team can progress with a win in normal time at the Maracana, while another draw would lead to a penalty shootout.

Match overview

Flamengo will aim to capitalize on their home advantage as they strive for a spot in the quarter-finals. Leonardo Jardim’s squad enters this fixture with strong form both domestically and internationally, having gone unbeaten in the group stage, finishing first with 16 points from five victories and one draw.

The point gained in Belo Horizonte has provided the Rio club the freedom to handle the second leg in front of their home crowd.

Flamengo is expected to focus on maintaining possession in the attacking third and utilize the speed of Samuel Lino and Bruno Henrique to penetrate Cruzeiro’s defensive lines.

Home form at the Maracana is one of Flamengo’s primary strengths, with the club winning 20 out of 43 matches played there against their Minas Gerais foes over the years.

The Portuguese manager will likely emphasize a vigorous start to establish command over the match.

Cruzeiro will travel to Rio aiming to defy the odds and secure a place in the quarter-finals. Under the guidance of Artur Jorge, the Belo Horizonte team displayed strong tactical discipline in the first leg and will seek to hit Flamengo on the break yet again.

Cruzeiro has been reliable in the Brasileirao recently and will include the experience of their players to cope with a challenging environment. Their away results have been consistent, with several vital victories obtained in the past few weeks.

The main focus for Cruzeiro will be to take advantage of the spaces left by Flamengo’s full-backs, utilizing the speed of Keny Arroyo and the physicality of Kaio Jorge in the box.

The Belo Horizonte club will also hope to continue their successful track record in knockout encounters against their rivals this century.

The overall record between the teams now reflects 87 official matches, with Flamengo winning 34, Cruzeiro 29, and 24 games ending in a draw. In their last five direct encounters, each team has secured two wins and there has been one draw.

Team News

Flamengo is currently assessing the recovery of several players who are undergoing medical treatment. Left-back Alex Sandro is still out due to tendinitis in his right calf, leaving Ayrton Lucas as the confirmed choice in that role. Forward Everton Cebolinha, center-back Vitao, and winger Luiz Araujo are all still unavailable.

In terms of attacking options, Bruno Henrique remains Flamengo’s leading scorer in the competition with four goals, vying with Pedro and Lucas Paqueta for a starting position alongside Giorgian de Arrascaeta. Jorginho and Chilean midfielder Erick Pulgar are set to form the holding pair in midfield.

Cruzeiro will welcome back right-back Fagner and midfielder Lucas Romero, both returning from suspensions served in the first leg and ready to join Artur Jorge. Midfielder Matheus Pereira remains the technical fulcrum of Cruzeiro, leading the club’s scoring in the Libertadores with four goals.

Young Ecuadorian forward Keny Arroyo arrives in fine form after scoring in the first leg and is expected to be part of a front three along with Wesley and center-forward Kaio Jorge. In defense, Jonathan Jesus and Fabricio Bruno are likely to start as the first-choice center-back pairing in front of goalkeeper Otavio.

Flamengo probable starting XI:

Rossi; Emerson Royal, Leo Ortiz, Leo Pereira, Ayrton Lucas; Erick Pulgar, Jorginho; Lucas Paqueta (Gonzalo Plata), Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Samuel Lino; Pedro (Bruno Henrique)

Cruzeiro probable starting XI:

Octavio; William (Fagner), Fabricio Bruno, Jonathan Jesus, Gabriel Rojas; Lucas Romero (Matheus Henrique), Gerson; Keny Arroyo, Matheus Pereira, Wesley; Kaio Jorge

Flamengo has averaged over 15 shots per game at the Maracana and can leverage the technical skills of Pedro and Lucas Paqueta to break down a compact defensive structure. Their territorial control should generate clear opportunities as early as the first half in front of their home fans.

Cruzeiro has scored in four of their last five away fixtures and presents a genuine threat on the counter-attack through Arroyo and Matheus Pereira, who can exploit any lapses in Flamengo’s defense. The balance of probability leans towards a narrow home victory, with both teams likely to find the net.