Overview
- After three matches with the under-20s, Flamengo has one point and sits last in Group B and 12th overall in the state championship.
- The run includes a 3–0 defeat to Volta Redonda that highlighted physical and cohesion gaps against seasoned opponents.
- Sporting director José Boto and the staff are considering adding senior players for Wednesday’s clássico, with options cited including Emerson Royal, Ayrton Lucas, Allan, Evertton Araújo, Michael, Everton Cebolinha, Andrew and Vitão, and the president has deferred to their decision.
- The staff has not finalized who will lead the team against Vasco, with Bruno Pivetti and coach Filipe Luís both under consideration.
- Under the 2026 rules, the bottom two in each group enter a four-team relegation quadrangular where the last-placed team drops, raising the stakes for upcoming games against Vasco (Jan 21), Fluminense (Jan 25) and Sampaio Corrêa (Feb 7).