Five reasons to believe Flamengo can win the Recopa | OneFootball

Flamengo face their toughest spell of the Filipe Luís era after a 1-0 first-leg defeat to Lanús in Argentina, and must overturn the deficit at Maracanã on Thursday to keep their Recopa bid alive. They have not overturned a knockout deficit since 2022.

According to Globo.com, here are five reasons for belief, and Maracanã will be full.

In 2025 Flamengo posted 77.4% at Maracanã, and in 2026 they have three wins from five there, with only one defeat, to Fluminense.

They must win by two goals in normal time. Since mid-2025, after a squad revamp, they have done so in 12 matches, including 8-0 Vitória, 5-1 Sport and 7-1 Sampaio Corrêa-RJ.

Plata returns from suspension and could start. Wallace Yan has overcome a thigh issue and should be on the bench. Jorginho may also return, back in training after six games out with a left thigh injury.

The head-to-head with Lanús is level, one win each and one draw in three meetings, and Flamengo won 3-0 in the only game in Rio, at Engenhão in 2012. Against Argentine teams overall, they are 52-34-34.

There is also superstition. Since 2017 a Brazilian club has lost one year and won the next, Chapecoense vice 2017, Grêmio champions 2018, Athletico-PR fell 2019, Flamengo lifted 2020. Palmeiras lost in 2021 then won 2022, Flamengo beaten 2023, Fluminense 2024, and in 2025 Botafogo lost to Racing, will the pattern repeat in 2026?

Source: Globo.com