Fluminense and Red Bull Bragantino have a G-5 duel on the return of the Brasileirão

The clash also marks the first official match for both clubs since the break in the national calendar due to the World Cup. Before the strike, Fluminense experienced a period of oscillation, but resumed its activities on a high note.

During the interseason, they won two training games at Maracanã: they beat Nova Iguaçu 6-1 and beat Bahia 2-0 last Sunday (12), in a match that marked the debut of defender Thiago Silva, back after a spell at Porto, in Portugal. The tricolor team is banking on its good recent performance to maintain its strength at home and remain among the top four.

The main doubt in the lineup is in the attack. John Kennedy was the absolute starter before the World Cup break, but the athlete “won” the competition from Hulk, hired after leaving Atlético-MG. The experienced Germán Cano also appears as an option after standing out in the last friendlies.

Right-back Samuel Xavier is suspended and is not available to the coaching staff. Guga is tipped to take over the title. Striker Canobbio, back after playing for Uruguay in the World Cup, will also be selected.

Left-back Guilherme Arana returned to training this week after missing the team due to pain, which arose after a blow suffered last week. He was left out of the friendlies against Nova Iguaçu and Bahia, but had no injuries detected. The athlete competes for the title with Renê, chosen to fill the gap during the preparation period.

Coach Luís Zubeldía valued the preparation period and analyzed the possibility of prioritizing some competition when the games resume.

"There are always things to improve, but, regardless of who plays, it's important not to lose the way we played eight months ago. We have to be focused on the Brasileirão to be ready for the Libertadores and the Copa do Brasil. Goal by goal. If we have the ability to advance, we will analyze this up front", said the coach.

Red Bull Bragantino, in turn, ended the first half in great shape. The São Paulo club enjoyed a streak of three consecutive victories and entered the dispute for the top positions once and for all.

In preparation for the resumption of the competition, they beat Athletico-PR 2-1, in a friendly played last Saturday (11), in Bragança Paulista, and arrive motivated to try to score points away from home.

However, coach Vagner Mancini faces several problems. Left-backs Juninho Capixaba, suspended, and Vanderlan, injured, are out. The promising Cauê lives with the expectation of getting a chance. Midfielder Gabriel and striker Isidro Pitta, both with calf pain, are also absent. Matheus Fernandes is tipped to fill the gap in midfield, while Eduardo Sasha should be the reference man in attack.

Vagner Mancini assessed that the team is still below the performance presented before the World Cup break and highlighted that it needs time to reach its best form after a long period without games.

"We need time to get the team back to the shape it was in, but all teams will go through this process. I think the last training sessions have been better than the previous ones. Little by little, we are regaining what was seen in the last matches, which we consider our best moment of the semester. To do this, we will have to accelerate a little more."

TECHNICAL SHEET

FLUMINENSE X RED BULL BRAGANTINO

FLUMINENSE: Fábio; Guga, Thiago Silva, Freytes and Renê; Hércules, Martinelli and Lucho Acosta; Savarino, John Kennedy (Hulk) and Canobbio. Coach: Luís Zubeldía.

RED BULL BRAGANTINO: Tiago Volpi; Agustín Sant’Anna, Alix Vinícius, Gustavo Marques and Cauê; Matheus Fernandes, Eric Ramires and Rodriguinho; Fernando, Eduardo Sasha and Lucas Barbosa. Coach: Vagner Mancini.

REFEREE: Davi Oliveira Lacerda (ES).

TIME: 8pm.

LOCATION: Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).

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