Flamengo's attacking plus, but warning signs in defence

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Coluna do Fla

·24 August 2026

Flamengo's attacking plus, but warning signs in defence

Leonardo Jardim's team has shown inconsistency in defense during the 2026 season

Flamengo lost 2-1 to Cruzeiro last Saturday (22), in a match valid for the 24th round of the Brazilian Championship. After Pedro found the net in the game, Fla reached 100 goals scored in the 2026 season.

In short, compared to 2025, the milestone of 100 goals achieved this season came in two fewer matches. On the other hand, this year Flamengo has raised a red flag over a problem it did not have in the previous season: the defense.

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That is because in 2025, when Flamengo reached 100 goals scored, the team had conceded 29 goals in 52 matches, an average of 0.55. However, this year, Rubro-Negro has already conceded 49 goals in the same 52 matches, with an average of almost one goal allowed per game: 0.94.

In addition, Flamengo's defense also shows weakness in the number of matches in which Fla conceded. So far, the Most Beloved has kept a clean sheet in 21 matches. However, in 2025, Rubro-Negro had reached 32 matches without conceding.

Compare the numbers from when Flamengo reached 100 goals:

2025

52 matches
Top scorer: Arrascaeta (16 goals)
28 players scored
29 goals conceded
32 clean sheets

2026

50 matches
Top scorer: Pedro (25 goals)
20 players scored
49 goals conceded
21 clean sheets

What now?

Flamengo will return to the field only on Sunday (30), when they face Botafogo starting at 4:00 p.m. Brasília time. The match, valid for the 25th round of the Brasileirão, will take place at the Maracanã. The derby will be broadcast live by Rede Globo on free-to-air TV.

In addition, GE TV on YouTube and Premiere on pay-per-view will also show the Flamengo vs. Botafogo match. Finally, Coluna do Fla will follow all the details of the game through its website, social media, and YouTube channel.

What is the situation in the standings now?

With the loss to Cruzeiro, Flamengo remained on 45 points in the Brasileirão table. After beating Vasco, Palmeiras once again increased the gap over the Most Beloved from three to six points (51), although with one more match played.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.