Midfielder Maldonado seems to be back in great form. After being sidelined for a long time due to a serious knee injury, he has recovered and has gradually regained his place in the Flamengo squad and also in the Chilean national team. Last week, he was called up by coach Marcelo Bielsa and this Tuesday (September 27.09th) he will make his first start since returning to the Flamengo team.

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Toró, who took over the starting spot with the arrival of coach Silas, complained of pain in his right thigh and was ultimately ruled out by the Medical Department, opening a spot for Maldonado's return. The Chilean returns to the starting lineup after exactly one round of matches. His last game from the start was in the 2-1 defeat to Goiás at the Maracanã.

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"Maldonado is an experienced player who has been progressing. He needed match rhythm and now he's ready to participate in the game," explained coach Silas.

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The experienced midfielder knows he can be important to the team during this difficult time the group is going through. Coincidentally, in 2009, he joined the team just as Flamengo was on its way to the title.

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"I need to convey calm. Given the situation we're in, we need to talk. Little by little, we'll get the team in a good position in the standings. That's how football is. Sometimes there are players who are in better condition. I'm well and recovered. I believe that from now on I can have a good run here at Flamengo," said Maldonado, who also commented on his call-up to the national team.

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"Bielsa is like that. He's always observing, watching the Chilean players' training sessions. Now he's given me this new opportunity. It's going to be good because I'll be playing in my third Copa América and I'm returning to play here at Flamengo," he concluded.

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The starting lineup for the match should be formed with: Marcelo Lomba; Léo Moura, David, Jean (Ronaldo Angelim) and Juan; Maldonado, Willians, Kleberson and Renato; Diogo and Deivid.

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