Flamengo vs Athletico-PR Prediction: Flamengo faces rough times

Flamengo and Athletico-PR will meet in the same week that both teams were eliminated from the South American competitions. Tite and his players were already under intense pressure with the latest results, but the Copa Libertadores exit has worsened the situation. Meanwhile, Athletico suffered a heavy defeat in Argentina and is out of the Copa Sudamericana.

After losing 1-0 at the Maracanã, only victory would do against Peñarol in Montevideo. Playing in a hostile atmosphere, Flamengo failed to create clear chances to score despite finishing the game with 74% possession. The Uruguayans closed the door to their own goal, just as they did in the first leg, and the Scarlet-Black rarely troubled goalkeeper Aguerre. Flamengo was the main favorite to win the competition, and the elimination in the quarter-finals intensified rumors about Tite's departure. In the Brasileirão, the Cariocas are in fourth place, 11 points behind Botafogo, so winning the title is unlikely. Flamengo is in the Copa do Brasil semi-finals, and that will be its best chance of winning something this season. The first leg against Corinthians will take place in the middle of next week, so Tite could give some of the players who played in Montevideo a rest.

In the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals, Athletico had won 1-0 at home to Racing, but things were very different in Avellaneda. In Lucho González's debut as coach, the Paranaenses made an awful appearance and lost 4-1. The Argentinians scored in the first minute, and Athletico fell apart. The Hurricane's season has been very turbulent, with several manager changes. Martín Varini was sacked three days before the game against Racing, and it's difficult for the players to have the stability to do well. The Curitiba side is in 15th place and goes to the Maracanã with little confidence.

It's hard to say which team was most affected by the elimination from the international competitions. Flamengo drew while Athletico lost 4-1, but for the Cariocas, it was terrible to be knocked out of the Copa Libertadores. Tite's future at the club is at risk, and another negative result could have consequences for the former Brazil coach. Flamengo may not field its best line-up due to the decisive Copa do Brasil match against Corinthians a few days later. Even so, I'm going to bet on Flamengo winning.