FLA-FLU 431
In a joint action, clubs unify data from the classic and reinforce the importance of the Fla-Flu brand
By CR Flamengo and Fluminense FC - inOn Sunday, the 14th, Maracanã will host Fla-Flu match number 431. Starting with the game valid for the 3rd round of the 2021 Guanabara Cup, the duels between Flamengo and Fluminense will be numbered.
The new feature is the result of the unification of the match's data, promoted through a historical initiative involving the memory departments of both clubs. This effort aims to reinforce the importance of the most traditional classic in Brazilian football.
Official statistics now indicate 158 wins for Flamengo, 133 for Fluminense, and 139 draws in 430 matches. Flamengo scored 627 goals and Fluminense scored 566.
"The Flamengo-Flu derby is the most famous in the country. It's full of stories, great idols, and spectacular crowds filling Maracanã. It's only fitting that we further strengthen this century-old brand," declared Rodolfo Landim, president of Flamengo.
"Both Fluminense and Flamengo have centuries-old histories full of achievements and victories. But the Fla-Flu brand has a life of its own; it's a kind of cultural heritage of Rio de Janeiro and Brazil. Strengthening this brand also means strengthening Brazilian football," said Fluminense president Mário Bittencourt.
Flamengo vs Fluminense
Over 109 years of rivalry, Flamengo and Fluminense have become protagonists of Brazil's biggest and most captivating derby. In 2021, they are the only two Rio teams in both the Brasileirão Série A and the Copa Libertadores.
Considered a celebration that synthesizes the Carioca identity, Fla-Flu has been, since 2012, when it turned 100, an intangible heritage of Rio de Janeiro.
With its colors and magic, the classic of classics is the one that, according to Nelson Rodrigues, was born "40 minutes before nothing".
The first duel took place in 1912. The expression "Fla-Flu", however, only became popular in 1933, with the use of journalist Mário Filho, who defined the confrontation as the "Clássico das Muldões" and gave its name to its most iconic stage: Maracanã.
It was there, in fact, that the 1963 game drew nearly 200 people, a world record attendance for a club match. Also at the Biggest in the World, the Fla-Flu Combined faced the Brazilian National Team in 1977.
The rivalry between Flamengo and Fluminense has become synonymous with competition.
In the stands, the red-and-blacks and tricolors put on a visual spectacle of their own. The color scheme of the fans is one of the main hallmarks of the match.
The match between Flamengo and Fluminense is a classic filled with idols, emotion, and unpredictability. When the ball rolls, you never know what to expect. But it will certainly be etched in your memory.
Flamengo Regatta Club
Fluminense football club