Vitória will host Flamengo at 21:30 on Thursday at Barradão in Salvador with a place in the round of 16 on the line, and the home side knows exactly what it needs: a win by at least one goal to force penalties or by more than one goal to advance in normal time. Flamengo, after taking the first leg 2-1 at Maracanã, goes through with a draw.
The tie has already tilted toward the visitors, but not enough to drain the night of pressure. Vitória comes in after an away draw with Fluminense in the Brazilian league and has gone six games unbeaten at Barradão, where it has posted a 76% success rate in Série A. Flamengo, meanwhile, arrives with 10 consecutive matches without defeat, a run built on eight wins and two draws, and it beat Grêmio in its last match in the Brazilian Championship.
For Vitória, Jair Ventura regains Erick and Matheuzinho after suspension against Fluminense, a useful lift with so many absences still on the list. Rúben Ismael, Claudinho, Dudu, Edu, Mateus Silva, Gabriel, Camutanga, Ricceli and Pedro Henrique are unavailable, while Cacá sat out Saturday’s training because of muscle discomfort but is expected to be available on Thursday. The likely lineup points to Lucas Arcanjo in goal, with Nathan Mendes, Cacá, Luan Cândido and Ramon across the back, Martínez and Caíque Gonçalves in midfield, Baralhas, Zé Vitor and the returning Erick and Matheuzinho behind Renê or Renato Kayzer.
Flamengo also has a list of absences that shapes the night. Pulgar, Paquetá and Arrascaeta are unavailable for Leonardo Jardim’s side, and because Evertton Araújo and Jorginho were suspended in the Brazilian league they are likely to start in Salvador. Plata is listed as rested. The expected team features Rossi, Royal, Danilo, Vitão, Alex Sandro, Evertton Araújo, Jorginho, Carrascal, Luiz Araújo, Bruno Henrique and Lino or Cebolinha. Raphael Claus will referee the match, which will be shown on Premiere and sportv.
That combination of form, injuries and need makes the second leg feel less like a routine cup return and more like a test of who can absorb the bigger shock. Flamengo has already done the hard work by winning in Rio, but Barradão has been a difficult place to travel to this season, and Vitória has enough momentum at home to make one goal matter.
The first 150 games of a season can blur together for some clubs, but this one is simpler: Vitória must turn home strength into a result that changes the bracket, while Flamengo must protect a narrow lead under pressure. If the visitors manage that, the path to the next round opens cleanly; if they do not, the tie goes to a night Vitória has been building toward since the first whistle at Maracanã.
