The Chilean player began the pre-season with an eye on his participation in the Carioca Championship, the Brazilian Super Cup and the Club World Cup, among other commitments.
Flamengo’s 2023 season kicked off last Monday, December 26 at the training center in Urubustill, still without their head coach, but already with a packed calendar ahead for a demanding first semester.
How did 2022 unfold?
The head of the medical department, Márcio Tannure, and the fitness coach Mário Monteiro led the group’s early work, which initially did not include the selected Pedro, Éverton Ribeiro, Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Guillermo Varela. The quartet who played at the World Cup in Qatar 2022 joined training on January 2, alongside Vítor Pereira, who had a contract with Corinthians through January 31. During this phase, Rui Quinta, former assistant to Dorival Júnior, supervised the fieldwork.
In this stage, Flamengo faced departures as it geared up for the new year. Three players left after the 2022 season: Diego Alves, Rodinei and Diego, who did not renew their contracts. Additionally, Bruno Henrique suffered a multiligamental injury to his right knee; after surgery, his recovery was projected at ten to twelve months, according to the club’s medical staff.
The club’s first major objective will be the Club World Cup, with Arturo Vidal and Éverton Ribeiro leading the charge for the title. The tournament follows a direct-elimination format with two representatives advancing to the semi-finals from the world regions: Real Madrid as the European champion and Flamengo as the South American champion.
In the second round, Seattle Sounders, Wydad Casablanca and Al Hilal will enter, representing North America, Africa, and Asia respectively, while Al Ahly enters as the runner-up from Africa and Auckland City represents Oceania. The event is scheduled to take place from February 1 to February 11 in Morocco, returning to a stage that previously hosted finals in 2013 and 2014, with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid having secured titles in earlier editions.
After this, Mengão shifts focus to the Copa Libertadores. Following the three preliminary rounds, the group-stage draw will occur on March 22 with all teams already seeded. From the week of April 5 to June 28, competitive rounds across the league groups will determine which clubs advance to the knockout rounds, with the draw for the round of 16 set for the week of July 21.
Note that Flamengo will also contest the Brazil Super Cup against last season’s champion Palmeiras, as the holder of the Copa do Brasil. The match is scheduled by the Brazilian Football Confederation for January 27, with the venue yet to be confirmed. Flamengo will also participate in the Campeonato Carioca, which begins on January 12, aiming for its 38th title. The first round opposition is Audax Angra, with Flamengo eager to extend its domestic trophy tally.
Finally, Flamengo will contend in the Copa Sudamericana against Independiente del Valle, from February 21 to 28. The first leg takes place in Quito, while the second leg is staged at the Maracanã. The two clubs previously faced off in the 2020 season for continental glory, having success in the 2019 Copa Sudamericana and the Libertadores respectively.
The main national competition, the Brasileirão, starts on April 15 and runs through December. Twenty teams face each other in a double round-robin format. The bottom four are relegated to Serie B for the following year.
THE FLAMENGO CALENDAR:
*Statistics will be displayed when Flamengo’s participation in the competitions begins.
Which post did you like the most?
- Real Betty
- sao paulo
- cremonese
- Ajax
- Burnley
8878
Thanks for voting
The results will appear shortly.
Which post did you like the most?
- 49%Real Betty
- 12%sao paulo
- 5%cremonese
- 26%Ajax
- 7%Burnley
8878
Source: Goal