De La Cruz and Léo Ortiz left out of Flamengo v São Paulo by Leonardo Jardim | OneFootball

Flamengo face São Paulo at 18:30 Brasília time on Sunday 26, with De La Cruz and Léo Ortiz omitted. According to Coluna Do Fla, Leonardo Jardim has left the duo out by choice.

Léo Ortiz has not featured since 30 May, when the centre-back sustained a right thigh muscle injury against Coritiba at the Maracanã.

De La Cruz was with Uruguay at the World Cup, playing against Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde and Spain. On his return to Flamengo’s competitive schedule, he was rested for the Chapecoense game on Wednesday 22 because of the synthetic surface.

There had been an expectation the defender and the midfielder would make the squad for São Paulo, but Jardim selected other options.

Flamengo list four absentees. Plata is treating tendinitis in his right knee, Paquetá and Luiz Araújo continue medical recovery for thigh and knee injuries respectively, and Carrascal is suspended by the STJD.

The match will be shown on pay-per-view by Premiere. It is Flamengo’s first outing at the Maracanã after the World Cup, and the board are projecting packed stands for the reunion with the fans.

Leonardo Jardim’s side are second in the Brazilian Championship with 37 points. Palmeiras lead on 44 and have played one game more, while São Paulo sit 12th with 25.

Source: Coluna Do Fla