The quest for the top continues, and now Flamengo will face the so-called "six-point game." Occupying second place in the table, the Mais Querido hosts Grêmio this Thursday (13), at 19:30 pm, at Ilha do Urubu, where they will try to maintain their 100% record and climb even further in the standings. And to achieve this goal, the team will count on their eternal second player: the fans. All tickets have been sold, and Ilha will have a full house in its stands. 

With the motto of "game by game" , Flamengo knows that the challenge is crucial for its ambitions. Especially because it is an opponent that has lost three games in a row and is in direct competition for second place. 

Recent history is favorable to Mais Querido. In the last match, in February of this year, Rubro-Negro beat Grêmio 2-0 in the Primeira Liga, in Brasília. in the illuminated debut of Orlando Berrio with the Holy Mantle. Relive what it was like in the video below. 

In the 2016 Brazilian Championship, we won at home in the second half by 2-1, but lost in Porto Alegre in the first half. 

Two of Flamengo's six Brazilian championship titles are closely linked to this Thursday's opponent. Thirty-five years ago, in April 35, Flamengo won its second national trophy against Grêmio in front of a packed Olímpico stadium. Ten minutes into the first half, Zico broke free from his marker and found Nunes at the edge of the box. The "Goal Scorer" made no mistake, firing a shot into Leão's left corner. On that day, Flamengo took the field with: Raul, Leandro (Antunes), Figueiredo, Marinho, and Junior; Andrade, Adílio, Tita, and Zico; Nunes (Vitor), and Lico.

The second "decision" wasn't quite a final. In 2009, Flamengo reached the 38th round of the Brazilian Championship, leading the way and relying solely on itself to lift the Hexa in front of its fans at the Maracanã. Grêmio, with no further ambitions in the championship, came with a mixed lineup, but willing to spoil the party. In the 21st minute of the first half, Roberson scored the first goal for the Tricolor Gaúcho. Relief, however, came quickly with David Braz equalizing in the 29th minute. And in the second half, in the 24th minute, Ronaldo Angelim's historic header put the final scoreline on the game and sealed the victory. For that match, Andrade sent Bruno, Leonardo Moura, David Braz, Ronaldo Angelim, and Juan onto the field. Aírton, Toró (Everton), Williams and Petkovic (Fierro), Zé Roberto (Kléberson), and Adriano. 

 

. Flamengo has not lost playing in the state of Rio de Janeiro for over a year (34 games; 22 wins/12 draws). Flamengo's last defeat in its home state was on 18/05/16: 1-2 Fortaleza, Copa do Brasil in Volta Redonda. Flamengo's last defeat in the city of Rio de Janeiro was 23 games ago (14 wins/9 draws), on 14/02/2016: 0-1 Vasco in São Januário for the Carioca, goal by Rafael Vaz in the 45th minute of the 2nd half.

If they beat Grêmio, Flamengo will have won seven games in a row, a feat they haven't achieved since February of this year. Earlier in the season, Flamengo had a seven-game winning streak, defeating Boavista, Macaé, Nova Iguaçu, Botafogo, and Madureira in the Campeonato Carioca and Grêmio and América/MG in the Primeira Liga.

Flamengo and Grêmio haven't faced each other in Rio de Janeiro for two years. The last meeting in the city took place on July 2, 18. Flamengo won 07-15 in a match for the first round of the 1 Brazilian Championship, with Guerrero scoring the goal. This was the Peruvian's first match in Rio de Janeiro wearing a Flamengo jersey.

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Tickets are all sold out! A packed house for the big game!

Flamengo is offering another EXCLUSIVE benefit to its fan club members. The club will sell round-trip transportation passes to matches at Ilha do Urubu for R$50. click here to buy yours now!

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