Cano and Gabigol meet their biggest victims and are key points to decide the Guanabara Cup

It’s just the title of the Guanabara Cup, but starting at 9:10 pm, in Maracanã, Flamengo and Fluminense will face each other in the last round of the first phase of the Carioca Championship in search of the trophy. The red-black team, already qualified for the semifinals of the competition, only needs to draw. For the tricolor — which is not yet guaranteed among the top four —, only victory matters.

Even though not yet confirmed, Fluminense, with 22 points, has a calm situation. Botafogo and Volta Redonda, who take to the pitch today, can only tie on points. Still, they would have to take away on goal difference. The tricolor has 15; Voltaço, 12; and alvinegro, eight.

Flamengo can even close the first phase in third place with a defeat today and Vasco’s victory over Bangu tomorrow. In this case, the final position would be on goal difference. At the moment, the red-black has 14 to 12 in relation to the opponent.

Both for one side and for the other, today’s derby has a special ingredient: strikers Gabigol and Germán Cano, who will face their biggest victims defending the current teams. Flamengo’s number 10 has already scored ten times in 17 classics against Fluminense. The Argentine, on the other hand, faced Flamengo five times and scored four times since arriving at the tricolor. In this edition of Carioca, Germán Cano has nine goals, while Gabigol scored five times.

Another spice is the moment of red-blacks and tricolors in the season. The atmosphere at Flamengo is one of a lot of pressure on the players and, mainly, on coach Vítor Pereira, threatened with dismissal in case of failure in the Carioca Championship. The team comes from a defeat in the classic against Vasco, in addition to the losses of the Supercopa do Brasil and Recopa Sul-Americana and the failure with the third place in the Club World Cup. Yesterday, at the door of CT Ninho do Urubu, members of organized supporters protested. Gabigol was one of the most hostile, being called omissive, accompanied by some curses. In addition to him, defender Léo Pereira was also questioned. Even without acting in front of the Maltese cross, the athlete stopped to talk.

The red-black will have changes in relation to the previous game. In the defense, Rodrigo Caio must replace David Luiz, injured, forming a trio with Pablo and Fabrício Bruno. Striker Pedro, recovered from pain in his right thigh, should be listed, but remain as an option on the bench.

At Fluminense, the good football presented by coach Fernando Diniz’s team, which in the last round scored 5-0 at Bangu, may even leave the tricolor as favorites to win today. At least that’s what midfielder André believes.

— Flamengo is a very good team. Until last month, he was playing in the Club World Cup. So it can’t be bad. They are not in a very good phase, but each game has its own story. The alert gets even more on. I think they won’t come in as they always face us. They won’t want to lose again. In a way, the favoritism is a bit ours and it has everything to be a great classic – said midfielder André.

In a normal scenario, Fla-Flu has almost always been favoritism since 2017, when the club started its financial growth and skyrocketed in numbers in national football. Due to the investment made, Flamengo is a candidate for all the titles it has played, not just the State. But it’s not a normal time. The red-black team accumulates eliminations, defeats in classics and sees coach Vítor Pereira experiencing a moment of great pressure. With the stands calling for his resignation.

In addition to the title, today’s derby also decides the clubs’ final positions for the semifinals. Whoever takes first and second place has the advantage of a draw.