What to expect from Nova Iguaçu, Fluminense's Maracanã friendly foes | OneFootball

Nova Iguaçu will be Fluminense’s opponent in this Wednesday’s friendly, at 8:30 p.m., at the Maracanã. The team from Baixada Fluminense wants to build up match fitness ahead of its main commitment for the rest of the season: the Copa Rio.In 2026, the club played in Série D of the Brazilian Championship, but finished the first phase without securing a spot in the knockout rounds. In the Copa do Brasil, it had a solid campaign and reached the fourth round, where it was eventually eliminated by Fortaleza.In the Campeonato Carioca, however, Nova Iguaçu had a very different scenario. After a campaign below expectations, it had to compete in the relegation playoff group. The team, however, secured its place in the state top flight, while Maricá was relegated.Now, the club’s focus is entirely on the Copa Rio. The tournament offers the finalists places in national competitions in 2027: the Copa do Brasil, Série D of the Brazilian Championship, and the Copa Sul-Sudeste. The champion gets priority in choosing which of them it wants to play in, with the preference then passing to the runner-up and the third-place finisher.Nova Iguaçu will make its Copa Rio round-of-16 debut next Tuesday, the 15th, when it faces America-RJ in the first leg of the tie. The match against Fluminense will serve as preparation.

Photo: @jonathanrochafotografias

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