Flamengo and São Paulo are preparing for a high-profile clash in the Copa do Brasil, scheduled for September 18.
Flamengo will be eager to bounce back from their recent performance, which saw them suffer a
0-3 to Atlético PR in Serie A
. In this match, Flamengo had 59% possession and managed 13 shots on goal, 5 of which were on target. On the other hand, Athletico Paranaense had 15 attempts on goal, with nine of them on target. Atlético Paranaense’s goals were scored by Cacá (27′), Alex Santana (84′) and Vitor Bueno (97′).
Under Jorge Sampaoli, Flamengo have scored a total of seven goals in their last six matches. During the same period, they conceded 7 goals to their opponents.
Meanwhile, after their recent defeat to Internacional in the Serie A competition, São Paulo and their dedicated fans are optimistic of a better result in their next match.
In the previous game against Internacional, São Paulo had 57% possession and made 11 attempts on goal, with 3 of them on target. Jonathan Calleri (45′) was the only scorer for São Paulo, while Internacional had 15 shots on goal, with 5 of them on target. Internacional’s goals were scored by Fabricio Bustos (59′) and Renê (70′).
Under the guidance of Dorival Júnior, São Paulo have successfully converted their attacking efforts into goals on 6 occasions in the last 6 games. Meanwhile, they conceded a total of 5 goals during that same period. However, São Paulo have been struggling defensively, conceding goals in seven consecutive away games.
Brazil Cup form
Flamengo have the best record in the competition, with six wins, one draw and just one defeat, which came in their opening game against Maringá. In the semi-finals, the Red and Whites won convincingly against Gremio. They won the away match against the team from Rio Grande do Sul 2-0 and confirmed their place in the final at the Maracanã, winning 1-0. In addition, the team from Rio de Janeiro has the league’s top scorer and second top scorer in its squad, with Pedro and Gabigol scoring five and four goals respectively.
São Paulo go into the final with a record of five wins, one draw and two defeats in the competition. In the semi-final of the tournament, they faced Corinthians, providing thrilling matches in the Majestoso that were intense until the final whistle. After a 2-1 defeat at the Arena Neo Química, São Paulo turned things around and won 2-0 at Morumbi.
Face to face
São Paulo have failed to beat Flamengo in their last seven head-to-head meetings. But after six defeats with a total score of 3-18, the team almost won the long-awaited victory in the most recent encounter, in August 14th. In the 19th round of the Serie A BrasileirãoMoura scored in the 38th minute in Maracanã, but in the 96th minute Pedro equalized from the penalty spot – 1-1.
Note that the overall statistics of the head-to-heads show that the opponents are evenly matched. São Paulo won 31 games, Flamengo 26 (another 25 games ended in draws).
Directly in the Copa do Brasil, the clubs have only met four times, and quite recently. In 2020, in the quarter-finals, São Paulo won away (2-1) and at home (3-0). And last year, in the semi-finals, they lost at home (1-3) and away (0-1).
Let’s add that Flamengo have already reached the final four times (1997, 2003, 2004, 2017) and won the trophy four more times: in 1990, 2006, 2013 and 2022 (under the leadership of the current São Paulo coach). São Paulo played in the final in 2000, losing to Cruzeiro on aggregate – 0:0, 1:2.
Team news
Giorgian de Arrascaeta, who has a hamstring injury, and Gabriel Noga, who has a knee injury, will unfortunately be sidelined and unavailable to play for Flamengo under Jorge Sampaoli. On the other side, São Paulo coach Dorival Júnior faces the challenge of dealing with several players who are not available for selection. Patryck, with an ankle injury, Caio Paulista, with a sprain, Erison, with a hamstring injury, Marcos Paulo, with a ligament injury, and Giuliano Galoppo, with a knee injury, are names that will not be on the squad list.
An important player to watch in the Flamengo team is Gabriel Barbosa, known for stepping up at critical moments, and he could make a significant impact in this final.
Forecast
We predict that São Paulo may manage to score a goal against Flamengo in this match, but it is unlikely that they will be able to prevent Flamengo from scoring two goals in return. Our prediction is for a very tight game, with Flamengo coming out victorious with a final score of 2-1. It promises to be an exciting match.