One of the most anticipated moments of the season is upon us. Flamengo and Fluminense will face each other at Maracanã on Sunday (25) in a new edition of the most exciting derby in Rio de Janeiro, with one of the most important rivalries in Brazilian football as well.
In addition to all the appeal that the history between them generates by itself, it is a key match for the Campeonato Carioca. Both teams arrive at this fixture as leaders of the tournament with 21 points, with one round left in the regular phase. In case there’s a losing side, that team could complicate its chances of advancing to the semifinals.
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While the derby was played up to seven times throughout 2023, this will be the first Fla-Flu of the year. Three of last year’s meetings were for the state tournament, two for the Copa do Brasil, and two for the Brasileirao.
¡PERO MIRÁ LO QUE ES @maracana!😍@Flamengo 🆚 @FluminenseFC I 🏆 Final Cariocão
📺El Clássico 🇾🇪FLA-FLU🇭🇺, vivilo por #brasileiraoplay pic.twitter.com/N1GbrjHRMp
— Brasileirão Play (@BrasileiraoPlay) April 1, 2023
First Fla-Flu of the year after seven derbies in 2023
The Tricolor won 2-1 in the last round of the 2023 Carioca, and then got the upper hand in the grand final in April. After losing 2-0 in the first leg, Fernando Diniz’s team shone in the rematch to turn the series around with a commanding 4-1 victory.
The Rubro-Negro claimed revenge a few months later, eliminating Flu in the round of 16 of the Brazilian Cup with a 2-0 lead on aggregate. The following league matches were all square, with a goalless draw in July and a 1-1 tie in November.
This time, Tite’s team will look to build on a streak of four consecutive wins in the state championship, while Fluminense hopes to return to winning ways after losing to Liga de Quito 1-0 in the first leg of the Recopa Sudamericana.
