Flamengo set to start £30m star tonight against Sport in Copa do Brasil | OneFootball

Filipe Luís is expected to give Samuel Lino another chance as Flamengo’s starter

Flamengo secured qualification for the final of the Copa Libertadores da América, but there’s no time left to celebrate. That’s because, this Saturday (01), the team returns to the pitch for the Brasileirão. The Rubro-Negro will face Sport at Maracanã, and coach Filipe Luís is expected to give Samuel Lino another opportunity as a starter.

The biggest signing in the history of Flamengo, Samuel Lino cost the club R$ 195 million. At first, the number 16 performed well and was getting along with the fans. However, his low number of goals and assists began to cause dissatisfaction with his performance. As a result, Lino ended up losing his place in the starting lineup.

See this photo on Instagram A post shared by Flamengo | Coluna do Fla (@colunadofla)

Now, in the match against Sport, coach Filipe Luís’s idea is to start Samuel Lino to give the forward both rhythm and confidence. This is for two reasons: the need to rest players after the exhausting match against Racing (ARG) in the Libertadores semifinal; and the understanding that the match against Sport, who are bottom of the Brasileirão, is an opportunity to test players with fewer minutes.

When was Samuel Lino’s last game as a starter?

The last time Samuel Lino had a chance in the starting lineup was in the match against Fortaleza, for the Brasileirão. Before that, however, he had already been on the bench in the first clash against Racing, in the Libertadores semifinal.

In Flamengo’s most recent match, which secured their place in the Libertadores final, Lino didn’t even come off the bench.

What is Flamengo’s likely lineup against Sport?

With changes in every area, Filipe Luís’s Flamengo is expected to take the field with: Rossi, Emerson Royal, Danilo, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Saúl, De La Cruz and Arrascaeta; Carrascal, Samuel Lino and Plata.

The match kicks off at 9:00 p.m. this Saturday (01), at Maracanã. It’s worth noting that, if they win, Flamengo will return to the top of the Brasileirão. After all, the team is currently just one point behind Palmeiras, the league leaders. The green-and-white team, meanwhile, only plays on Sunday (02), against Juventude, at the home of the team from Rio Grande do Sul.

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