Flamengo and Cruzeiro meet on Wednesday at 21:30 at the Maracanã with a place in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals on the line. The tie is level after a 1-1 draw in the first leg at the Mineirão, and another draw would send the matchup straight to penalties.
The match is drawing attention not only because of what is at stake, but because both sides arrive with recent results that keep the contest tight. Flamengo comes in after beating Mirassol 5-1 in the Campeonato Brasileiro, while Cruzeiro backed up its own momentum with a 2-1 away win over Corinthians and has gone six matches unbeaten in all competitions. Fans can follow the action on TV Globo, ge tv and Paramount+, while ge will provide live play-by-play in Tempo Real.
Bruno Henrique is part of Flamengo’s available options after training in the last few days, but his place in the starting side is still unresolved. The probable Flamengo lineup leaves one final opening up front, with Pedro or Bruno Henrique next to Plata and Lino, and that is the decision that matters most for the home side’s attack. Cruzeiro also has a selection question of its own, with Otávio or Cássio set to be chosen in goal, while Matheus Henrique is suspended and Gabriel Pec and Sinisterra are out injured.
That is what makes this night more than a routine second leg. Flamengo is trying to control a knockout tie at home, while Cruzeiro is chasing a route back toward a title it last won in 1997. If the score stays level after 90 minutes, neither side gets the comfort of extra time from the setup given here; the result goes to penalties, and one team leaves the Maracanã with the quarterfinal spot.
