Flamengo faces Bangu in the debut of the Campeonato Carioca
It will be Mais Querido's first match in front of its fans in 2019.
By John Peter Granette - in
The wait is over! The 2019 season is officially underway, and the first match will be at our home stadium: Maracanã. Flamengo faces Bangu this Sunday afternoon, bringing the team back to the nation. A packed stadium is expected, and kickoff is scheduled for 17 p.m.
The Mais Querido prepared for 2019 in the United States and also won the Florida Cup. The team, led by Abel Braga, defeated Ajax-HOL on penalties and Eintracht Frankfurt in regulation time.
Flamengo is in group C of the Guanabara Cup alongside Bangu, Boavista, Botafogo, Cabofriense and Resende.
Check out some of what happened in preparation for the confrontation
Hey, Cuellar!
During the week of preparation for the debut in the Campeonato Carioca, midfielder Cuéllar gave a press conference at Ninho do Urubu and spoke about meeting the Nation again at Maracanã.
"Having Flamengo play at Maracanã is always a reason to go. The Flamengo fans are wonderful. It's the first game of a team that wants to win and achieve important things this year. We were behind last year, and this year we're focused on winning. I ask the fans to come and support us."
The number 8 also spoke about his expectations for the 2019 season.
"We're eager to start the championship in the best possible way. I'm eager, but I feel nervous before games. This is normal among high-performance athletes. Flamengo makes you feel different things, and we're eager to start well and finish with the title."
Read the full interview clicking here.
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Check out the roster for the first home game of 2019
Flamengo x Bangu
The history of the Flamengo-Bangu clash is largely favorable to the Red-Blacks. In 204 matches, the "Mais Querido" won 127, drew 33, and lost 44. In goals, they have a new advantage: 485 to 247.
Flamengo and Bangu face off again at Maracanã after four years. The last match at the stadium took place on March 25, 03, in the Campeonato Carioca, with Flamengo winning 2015-2. Alecsandro and Pará scored for Mengão.
In the history of the Campeonato Carioca, Flamengo and Bangu have faced each other 84 times at Maracanã, with 47 victories for Rubro-Regro, 19 triumphs for the opponent and 18 draws.
The history of the match records several routs, most of them in Flamengo's favor. Highlights include the 8-0 wins in the 1973 Campeonato Carioca, the 5-0 win in 75, and the 6-1 win in 2000.
The last duel between the teams was in last season's Campeonato Carioca and had a special flavor for Lincoln. "The Boy from the Nest" scored his first professional goal in the 1-0 victory.
Remember what it was like through the lens of FlaTV
Tickets
More than 40 tickets have already been sold for the first game of the year at Maracanã. Tickets are still being sold, and red-and-black fans can buy them. clicking here.
Transmission
The match will be broadcast by Rede Globo and also by Canal Premiere FC.
Social media coverage
You can also follow the real-time action on Flamengo's official social media channels using the hashtag #FLAxBAN. Follow us on Twitter, at Instagram and like our page on Facebook. FlaTV also brings exclusive behind-the-scenes images to the Red-Black Nation. Sign up with one click, it's free!