Flamengo faces Ceará this Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 9:30 pm, at Estádio of Maracanã, at Rio of Janeiro, for the 37th round of Brasileirão Betano. The red-black team, leader with 75 points, needs a victory to confirm their ninth national title. Ceará, 14th place with 43 points, is looking for points to avoid relegation.
Pedro, Flamengo striker, will not play due to a muscle injury in his left thigh and a fracture in his right forearm, according to a medical report released by the club. The absence, confirmed in the lineup, requires adjustments in the offensive sector.
Coach Filipe Luís maintains the 4-2-3-1 formation, prioritizing the repetition of Libertadores’s winning formation. The Ceará, under Léo Condé, adopts the same tactical pattern, but with changes due to suspensions.
- Flamengo: Rossi; Varela, Danilo, Léo Pereira, Alex Sandro; Pulgar, Jorginho; Arrascaeta, Carrascal, Samuel Lino; Bruno Henrique.
- Ceará: Bruno Ferreira; Fabiano Souza, Marcos Victor, Éder, Rafael Ramos; Dieguinho, Zanocelo, Fernando Sobral; Galeano, Paulo Baya, Pedro Raul.
Absence of Pedro changes red-black offensive dynamics
Pedro’s injury, suffered two weeks ago, prevents him from participating in the decisive game. The player, with 12 goals for Brasileirão, is undergoing intensive treatment in the medical department of Flamengo. Bruno Henrique takes the lead in the attack, with support from Arrascaeta in the frame.
Filipe Luís opts for Samuel Lino on the left wing to maintain speed, while Carrascal gains central space. Essa configuration recorded 2.1 goals per game in the last five matches without the center forward.
Suspensions force changes in Ceará’s defense
Léo Condé deals with the absences of Matheus Bahia and Willian Machado, suspended due to yellow cards. Rafael Ramos enters the left flank, and Éder reinforces the defensive core alongside Marcos Victor.
Ceará has just one win in the last six away games, with an average of 1.4 goals conceded. The focus is on Dieguinho to balance the midfield and on Pedro Raul as the main finisher.
Pedro Henrique, defender of Vozão, is also out due to a thigh injury, which worsens the absences.
The visiting team prioritizes counterattacks, exploring quick transitions with Galeano.
Previous clashes define tactical standards
Flamengo and Ceará drew 1-1 at Castelão in August, with goals from Bruno Henrique and Pedro Raul. The match was balanced, with 55% possession for Flamengo and 14 total shots.
In recent rounds, the red and black team has accumulated four consecutive victories at home, undefeated in the Maracanã with 14 victories in 17 games. Ceará alternates draws and defeats, with two positive results in the last ten matches.
Palmeiras, vice-leader with 70 points, plays later, but a red-black victory is enough for the title.
Rodrigo José Pereira from Lima referees the duel, with a low average number of cards, assisted by Rafael from Emerson of Almeida Ferreira acts in the VAR.
Highlights of the lineup without Pedro in attack
Bruno Henrique leads the offensive sector with nine goals and five assists in the championship. Arrascaeta, with 10 passes to goal, centralizes the creation of plays. Danilo, in defense, contributes with interceptions, an average of 3.2 per game.
In Ceará, Pedro Raul records six goals and is the main threat. Lucas Mugni, on the bench, offers options with a passing vision of 82% accuracy. Fernandinho can come in to add mobility.
These players shape the rhythm, with Flamengo betting on crosses and Ceará on set pieces.
Live coverage and expected audience at the stadium
Transmission takes place on TV Globo, Premiere and GE TV, with a signal for the entire Brasil. The Maracanã is packed with 65 thousand fans, tickets sold out in a few hours.
The CBF places the cup at the location for the eventual awards ceremony. The Ceará aims to score for the place in the Sul-Americana.
Local use reinforces red-black optimism
Flamengo boasts a 72% win rate against Maracanã, scoring 48 goals at home in this edition. Sem Pedro, the team tested alternative formations, converting 65% of the chances created. Filipe Luís highlights the adaptation of the cast post-Libertadores.
Ceará wins just 20% of its games as a visitor, with an average possession of 42%. Essa disparity favors Rio’s dominance from the opening whistle.
The strategy includes high pressure in the first 15 minutes to force opponent mistakes.
Pensioners and reserves test the depth of the squads
In Flamengo, Jorginho and Pulgar are hanging, which requires caution in the middle. Reservas like Gonzalo Plata and Luiz Araújo prepare to enter the second half to maintain intensity.
Ceará has seven players at risk of suspension, including Zanocelo and Galeano. Rotation includes Mugni and Richardson to preserve energy.
These factors balance the game, despite the red-black technical superiority.
Closing of the season and upcoming commitments
The Flamengo closes the Brasileirão against the Mirassol on December 7, with a possible gap to the Mundial from Clubes. Ceará receives Palmeiras at Castelão, in a key match to stay at Série A.
The competition records 1,120 goals in 37 rounds, an average of 2.7 per game, with a balance between leaders and mid-table. Ambas teams negotiate renewals for 2026.
A victory confirms the second red-and-black championship, while Ceará focuses on consolidation.
