The Rubro-Negro will chase its first victory over the Tricolor in the Classic as a step toward the No. 38 title in the state championship, underscoring the importance of momentum in the final stretch of the competition. Flamengo is set to return to the field this Saturday for the opening leg of the 2023 Carioca Championship final. Led by coach Vitor Pereira, the team will clash with the traditional rival in another edition of the Fluminense Derby on the iconic Maracana ground, aiming to plant a decisive blow that can be capitalized on at home next Sunday, April 9, granting a psychological edge going into the second leg.
Mengão earned its place in this deciding match after advancing on aggregate with a 6-3 victory over Vasco da Gama in the semifinals. In the first leg, Flamengo secured a 3-2 win thanks to goals from Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Pedro, and Fabrício Bruno, with Arturo Vidal starting for the squad. In the second leg they overcame Almirante with a 3-1 win, thanks to a Pedro strike and a second by Ayrton Lucas, with Vidal appearing as a substitute. The Maracanã club pressed forward with clinical finishing over the two legs to book the final berth.
The squad led by Fernando Diniz advanced past Volta Redonda with a commanding 8-2 aggregate result. In the first match, Volta Redonda managed a surprise by beating Tricolor 2-1, but Flamengo responded decisively in the rematch with a crushing 7-0 performance that reflected the team’s offensive depth and technical quality. That turnaround demonstrated Flamengo’s ability to adapt and come back strong in the most critical moments of the cup.
It is worth recalling that in the most recent head to head, Flamengo missed out on the Taça Guanabara title after a 1-2 defeat to the championship winners. In that context, Flamengo will look for compensation by claiming the first trophy of the season and proving its resilience in a high stakes series against a familiar rival.
Questions linger about when Flamengo last won the Cariocão. If Flamengo manages to lift the trophy, the club will add another star to a decorated history that already includes numerous domestic titles and international honors. A standout player who joined the squad from abroad recently arrived in Rio de Janeiro after participating in a late FIFA date international friendly, marking his involvement in a busy schedule that has kept the team in high tempo across multiple competitions this year. It was the second consecutive match in which this player featured from start to finish in 2023 after starring throughout a key Recopa Sudamericana contest against a major South American challenger.
The Classic between Flamengo and Fluminense can be followed live on the target TV platform and the target TV channel. In addition, Via GOAL will provide updates on the main events of the match. Viewers will find multiple options to watch, with several regional and national channels offering coverage depending on the service package and location. The match day presentation will emphasize the tactical duel, the depth of Flamengo’s attack, and Fluminense’s countering approach as both teams seek to establish early dominance and quiet nerves in a crowded stadium atmosphere.
The broadcast options are as follows:
– VCR: 163 (SD) – 845 (HD)
– BRIGHT: 196 (SD)
– GTD/TELSUR: 88 (SD) – 849 (HD)
– MOVISTAR: 478 (SD) – 894 (HD)
– YOU SEE: 600 (SD)
Citations: Goal