Midfielder Thiago Neves has been struggling to recover from a thigh injury which he had picked up during a training session ahead of Flu’s Copa Libertadores encounter with Boca Juniors last week, thus being the reason for his absence.
As for Fred, Deco and Wellington Nem not being included in the squad, Braga stated that beating Zamora in the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday is currently the clubs priority, so the 59-year-old wants to rest the in-form trio.
The only other notable absentee is left-back Carlinhos, who according to Globoesporte, complained about feeling some pain in his muscles after Fluminense’s 2-1 triumph over Boca Juniors.
Fluminense’s squad for the Fla-Flu:
Diego Cavalieri, Ricardo Berna; Anderson, Leandro Euzébio, Gum, Digão, Bruno, Thiago Carleto, Wallace; Diguinho, Edinho, Valencia, Fábio Braga, Jean, Lanzini, Souza, Wagner; Matheus Carvalho, Rafael Sobis, Rafael Moura, Samuel Rosa
