Léo Pereira highlights pressure around Flamengo v Palmeiras, Brasileirão

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Coluna do Fla

·21 May 2026

Léo Pereira highlights pressure around Flamengo v Palmeiras, Brasileirão

Flamengo and Palmeiras face off at the Maracanã

Flamengo begin preparations to take on Palmeiras this Saturday (23), in the 17th round of the Brasileirão. After the 1-0 win over Estudiantes (ARG) in the Libertadores, Léo Pereira commented on the external pressure created before the decisive clash.

— The time has come, now it’s time to rest. It’s a team we know very well. We know the atmosphere that is created on the pitch and externally by you (the press) and the fans. So, we’re going to prepare, we are prepared -, he said, before adding:

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— We hope to do our best on the pitch, to represent the Flamengo shirt very well, whoever is out there on the field. I usually say that it is a privilege to be on the pitch wearing the Flamengo shirt. I think we’re going to give our best to try to come away with the win and the three points -, concluded Léo Pereira.

Has Abel Ferreira started putting pressure on the refereeing?

Days before the match, Abel Ferreira had already begun the usual process of putting pressure on the refereeing. After Palmeiras’ 1-0 defeat to Cerro Porteño (PER) this Wednesday (20), the Portuguese coach called for “courage” from whoever is appointed to officiate the clash between the leader and runner-up in the Brasileirão.

They are two great teams, who have had a very strong rivalry in the fight for titles. Above all, I hope it’s a good match and that the chosen referee’s greatest quality is courage. It is very important that the referee has courage. Maybe I’m guessing who it will be; it takes courage to officiate a game like that. May it be a great match and may Palmeiras win, as we always try to do, just as we did today,” said Abel Ferreira.

What is the Brasileirão table like right now?

Palmeiras are currently top of the Brasileirão, with 35 points. Right behind them, Flamengo appear with 31 points, but with a game in hand. In other words, with a win on Saturday (23), the Rubro-Negro will move to within one point of the São Paulo side.

What is Flamengo’s next match?

With Léo Pereira available, Flamengo are focused on the Brasileirão. This Saturday (23), Leonardo Jardim’s team will face Palmeiras at 9 pm (Brasília time) at the Maracanã, in the 17th round of the league.

So, as tradition dictates, Coluna do Fla will bring all the details of the match between Flamengo and Palmeiras through YouTube, the website and social media. However, SporTV (subscription channel) and Premiere (pay-per-view) will broadcast the Brasileirão match.

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