In its return to the Campeonato Carioca, Flamengo faces the Clássico da Rivalidade (Rivalry Classic). This Saturday, Mengão faces Botafogo at Nilton Santos in the third round of the 2018 Taça Rio. The team is coming off a loss to Fluminense and will need to go to full strength to bounce back in the competition. 

Last Wednesday, Flamengo drew with River Plate in their Libertadores debut. On Thursday, the team returned to training for this Saturday's derby. In their final training session, on Friday, midfielder Jonas spoke to reporters about the importance of today's match and expressed confidence in victory. 

"Regardless of the coach or the opponent, we know we have to play a great game and go after a positive result. We know the team. There have been some changes, but that won't affect us. We just have to put into practice what we've been working on every day, and I'm sure we'll get a good result."

It wasn't long ago that Flamengo and Botafogo met on the field. More precisely, on February 10th, in Volta Redonda, in the Guanabara Cup semifinal. And it was a red-and-black spectacle. 

The match marked Henrique Dourado's debut for Mengão, and the Reaper didn't let it go unnoticed. He scored his second goal of the game and celebrated his first match with the nation. Everton opened the scoring, and Vinicius Júnior closed it out with a stunning goal. 

Counting all competitions and friendlies, Flamengo and Botafogo have faced each other 360 times. Flamengo leads the way with 127 wins, 110 losses, and 123 draws. Flamengo has a new advantage in goals scored: 550 to 513. (Not counting Torneio Início matches)

This will be the 16th match between Flamengo and Botafogo at Nilton Santos Stadium. Flamengo's current record is four wins, Botafogo's two, and nine draws. The first meeting was in 2009, with Flamengo winning 1-0, with Adriano scoring the goal, on October 25th. 

Flamengo has won its last three matches against Botafogo in the Carioca Championship and has not lost to its rival in the State Championship for three years (four games; three wins and one draw). In the last 11 matches played between the teams, counting all the

competitions, Mais Querido obtained four victories, suffered two defeats, in addition to five draws.

Flamengo has played 92 games at Nilton Santos, with 46 wins, 33 draws and 13 losses, scoring 141 goals and conceding 85. In 2018, there were two games: 4x0 Madureira and 2x2 River Plate. The team's top scorers at the stadium are Deivid, with 14 goals, Vagner Love and Thiago Neves (12) and Renato Abreu (10).

Tickets for Flamengo vs. Botafogo are on sale and can still be purchased online until noon this Saturday. Check all physical sales and ticket exchange locations. on our special website. 

Flamengo x Botafogo will be broadcast exclusively on Canal Premiere throughout the country. Those who are proud to be members make the team stronger and always have more Flamengo: discounts on tickets and pay-per-view, exclusive videos to stay up-to-date, advantages in official stores to get the jersey and other products, and much more. Click and join now!

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