March 4 – Flamengo clinched the Taça Guanabara with a 3-0 victory against Madureira to kickstart the new year in style.
With goals from Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Pedro and Leo Pereira the Rio giants breezed past Madureira to claim the local competition for the 24th time, having last won the Taça Guanabara in 2021. Flamengo left their opponents little chance, playing with a solid defence and an intense attack. After a slow start, they picked up the pace to overwhelm a limited Madureira side.
Last year, Flamengo competed for seven titles but didn’t land a single trophy, rendering 2023 a disaster for the Rio club and its enormous fanbase.
“It is difficult to compare,” said Flamengo manager Tite. “What I can say is that there is the satisfaction of developing the work. We don’t just want to be champions, we want to be champions with great football, being better than the opponent, being the most disciplined team in the championship.”
Flamengo remain unbeaten in 2024 and will take on crosstown rivals and Copa Libertadores champions Fluminense in the semi-finals of the state championship. The winner will take on Vasco da Gama or Nova Iguacu in the final.
While the Taça Guanabara carries little weight, the victory suggests that Flamengo will once again be competitive this season in Brazil and across the continent. Next month, Flamengo kick off their Brazilian league campaign against Atletico Goianiense.
They brought Tite, the former Brazil manager, on board in October. His contract runs until the end of the year.
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