Liverpool star praises Flamengo fans, plans Brazil move | OneFootball

Has Van Dijk ever played a match against Flamengo?

Flamengo gained even more recognition in world football after their journey in the FIFA Club World Cup. A standout at Liverpool (ENG), defender Van Dijk heaped praise on the rubro-negro fans and revealed that he is planning a trip to Brazil.

— I know very well the passion of the Brazilian fans. We faced Flamengo at the Club World Cup in Qatar and their supporters were incredible. Memphis also told me several times about the Corinthians fans," he said, before concluding:

— A trip to Brazil is definitely in my plans. I just have to find some time in my schedule. My children are still very young, but I can give you 100% certainty that one day I will go to Brazil," Van Dijk concluded in an interview with ‘TNT Sports’.

Has Van Dijk ever faced Flamengo?

To the disappointment of the rubro-negro fans, Van Dijk has fond memories when he thinks of Flamengo. That's because Mengão faced Liverpool in the 2019 Club World Cup, after the Most Beloved won the Libertadores over River Plate (ARG), by 2 to 1.

On that occasion, after a fiercely contested match in regular time, the score ended 0-0. However, in extra time, Roberto Firmino scored the winning goal for Liverpool and Flamengo finished as runners-up in the world tournament.

Will Flamengo fans pack the Maracanã?

Flamengo returns to the field this Thursday (18th) to face Estudiantes (ARG), in the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals. With the match at Maracanã, the rubro-negro fans have sold out the tickets and, as such, the expectation is for a crowd of around 69,000 in attendance.

When do Flamengo and Estudiantes play each other?

The first leg between Flamengo and Estudiantes takes place at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time) this Thursday (18th), at Maracanã, for the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals. Right after, the return match will be on the 25th, at the Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium.

As usual, Coluna do Fla will provide full coverage of the match through YouTube, their website and social media. However, ESPN (cable channel) and Disney+ (streaming) will broadcast the match between Flamengo and Estudiantes.

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