Flamengo under pressure with new boss: Copa do Brasil final preview | OneFootball

Flamengo arrives under pressure for the final of the Campeonato Carioca against Fluminense. In 2026, the rival competed for two titles and ended up defeated in both: the Supercopa do Brasil, lost to Corinthians, and the Recopa Sul-Americana, in a decision against Lanús.

Given this scenario, the state title has come to be seen as crucial at the start of the season. Even after qualifying for the final, the club made a change in the technical command.

Change in technical command

At the beginning of the week, Flamengo announced the dismissal of Filipe Luís. The departure happened right after the 8-0 victory over Madureira, a result that secured a spot in the decision.

In place of the former full-back, the club announced the Portuguese coach Leonardo Jardim, who had led Cruzeiro last season.

The change sparked reactions among the fans. Part of the supporters did not approve of Filipe Luís's departure, who had won the Copa Libertadores da América, the Campeonato Brasileiro, and the Campeonato Carioca itself with the club last year, despite the negative results at the start of 2026 in decisions.

Irregular campaign in the state championship

Flamengo's journey in the Carioca started with difficulties. The team collected only one point in the first three rounds, in matches against Portuguesa-RJ, Bangu, and Volta Redonda. Additionally, they were defeated in the classic against Fluminense.

Even so, a combination of results in the rounds secured the rival's qualification for the knockout phase in fourth place. In the quarter-finals, they defeated Botafogo 2-1 at Estádio Nilton Santos.

In the semi-final, the opponent was Madureira. Flamengo found no difficulties and won comfortably, with an 11-0 aggregate score, securing a place in the final.

Probable lineup

According to ge, Flamengo is expected to field their strongest lineup, although there are some doubts in the new coach's first lineup.

Probable Flamengo:

Rossi; Varela (Royal), Léo Ortiz (Vitão), Léo Pereira, and Alex Sandro; Jorginho, Everton Araújo (Pulgar), and Paquetá; Carrascal (Arrascaeta), Cebolinha, and Pedro.

The Campeonato Carioca decision takes place this Sunday at 6 PM at Estádio do Maracanã.

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