/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2023/1/X/nkkB7tSdirnIUbGhakCQ/favicon-o-globo.png){kind=small}
/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_1f551ea7087a47f39ead75f64041559a/internal_photos/bs/2023/o/f/PWy6jxSeCxux1GWVkI0g/favicon.png){kind=small}
Overview
- Flamengo open the Intercontinental on Dec. 10 against Cruz Azul in Al-Rayyan, with the winner advancing to face Pyramids on Dec. 13 and a potential final versus PSG on Dec. 17.
- Coach Filipe Luís said striker Pedro, out since November with a fractured arm and thigh injury, is unlikely to debut but is with the squad because staff expect him to recover during the tournament.
- Cruz Azul arrived under heavy fan pressure on coach Nicolás Larcamón and will not have starting center-back Jesús Orozco after an ankle fracture sustained in the Apertura semifinal; the Mexican side has played far fewer matches this year than Flamengo.
- After a 2–0 loss to Celta, Real Madrid’s leadership held talks assessing Xabi Alonso’s future, with Spanish reports linking Zinedine Zidane and Jürgen Klopp as options; Kylian Mbappé missed the final training and is a doubt against Manchester City, joining a long injury list.
- In Brazil’s domestic cup, the semifinals are set for Fluminense vs Vasco and Cruzeiro vs Corinthians, with Vasco missing left back Lucas Piton through a knee injury and Fluminense without Agustín Canobbio due to suspension.