Coluna do Fla
·17 May 2026
Leonardo Jardim improvises in Flamengo v Athletico-PR

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Yahoo sportsColuna do Fla
·17 May 2026

Flamengo have a number of absences in midfield for the match against Athletico-PR. Given the situation, coach Leonardo Jardim has selected center back Léo Ortiz to play as the holding midfielder.
Léo Ortiz has already played in that role on a few occasions for Flamengo, but this will be the first time the center back performs that role under Leonardo Jardim. As a result, the No. 3 will form the midfield duo with Saúl Níguez.
In addition to Léo Ortiz, coach Leonardo Jardim made another change in midfield. After a long spell out due to knee edema, Lucas Paquetá will start against Athletico-PR.
At right back, Varela takes the place of Emerson Royal. With Plata also unavailable, Jardim made changes in attack as well. That means Flamengo’s front three will be made up of Jorge Carrascal, Samuel Lino and Pedro.
SEE FLAMENGO'S LINEUP
Rossi; Varela, Danilo, Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro; Léo Ortiz, Saúl Ñíguez and Paquetá; Carrascal, Samuel Lino and Pedro.
The match between Flamengo and Athletico-PR kicks off at 7:30 p.m. Brasília time this Sunday (17), at Arena da Baixada, in the 16th round of the Brasileirão. As usual, Coluna do Fla TV will bring all the details of the match with on-site coverage from Simon Lédo on YouTube, as well as on the website and social media. Finally, Premiere (pay-per-view) will broadcast the clash.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.







































