Flamengo face their toughest spell of the Filipe Luís era after a 1-0 first-leg defeat to Lanús in Argentina, and must overturn the deficit at Maracanã on Thursday to keep their Recopa bid alive. They have not overturned a knockout deficit since 2022.
According to Globo.com, here are five reasons for belief, and Maracanã will be full.
In 2025 Flamengo posted 77.4% at Maracanã, and in 2026 they have three wins from five there, with only one defeat, to Fluminense.
They must win by two goals in normal time. Since mid-2025, after a squad revamp, they have done so in 12 matches, including 8-0 Vitória, 5-1 Sport and 7-1 Sampaio Corrêa-RJ.
Plata returns from suspension and could start. Wallace Yan has overcome a thigh issue and should be on the bench. Jorginho may also return, back in training after six games out with a left thigh injury.
The head-to-head with Lanús is level, one win each and one draw in three meetings, and Flamengo won 3-0 in the only game in Rio, at Engenhão in 2012. Against Argentine teams overall, they are 52-34-34.
There is also superstition. Since 2017 a Brazilian club has lost one year and won the next, Chapecoense vice 2017, Grêmio champions 2018, Athletico-PR fell 2019, Flamengo lifted 2020. Palmeiras lost in 2021 then won 2022, Flamengo beaten 2023, Fluminense 2024, and in 2025 Botafogo lost to Racing, will the pattern repeat in 2026?
