Key keywords: Alan Patrick, Sport Club Internacional, Flamengo, Brazilian Serie A, 2024 Brasileirão, Inter starting lineup, football comeback debut, Maracanã Stadium, Brazilian top-flight football Sport Club Internacional (commonly referred to as Inter) has officially released its starting lineup for the upcoming 2024 Brasileirão round 12 fixture against reigning title contenders Flamengo, with the biggest headline being the inclusion of attacking midfielder Alan Patrick in the first 11, marking both his return to the club after an 11-year absence and his competitive debut for the side in his second stint. Alan Patrick first represented Inter between 2011 and 2013, before moving to Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk where he spent 10 seasons, winning 16 domestic trophies and making 37 UEFA Champions League appearances, scoring 7 goals in Europe’s top club competition. His return to Inter was confirmed last month, and he has spent the past four weeks training with the squad to adapt to head coach Eduardo Coudet’s high-press, possession-focused tactical system. Coudet confirmed in his pre-match press conference on Saturday that Alan Patrick is fully match-fit and has earned his starting spot through consistent performances in training sessions and friendly matches over the past weeks. The rest of Inter’s confirmed lineup features goalkeeper Keiller, a back four of Carlos de Pena, Vitão, Rodrigo Moledo and Renê, a double pivot of Johnny Cardoso and Maurício, with Alan Patrick operating as the number 10 behind a front three of Wanderson, Enner Valencia and Alexandre Alemão. Coudet noted that Alan Patrick’s proven ability to create scoring chances under high pressure and his experience facing elite opposition made him the ideal choice to start against a Flamengo side that currently sits second on the Brasileirão table, just two points ahead of sixth-placed Inter. The match will be hosted at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracanã Stadium on Sunday evening local time, with over 70,000 fans expected to be in attendance. Broadcast data confirms the fixture will be aired in 162 countries worldwide, making it one of the most-watched club football matches of the weekend across the globe. Inter’s supporters have taken to social media in droves to express their excitement for Alan Patrick’s return, with many noting that his creative output is the missing piece the club needed to push for a top-three finish and a Copa Libertadores qualification spot this season. Flamengo, meanwhile, has named a full-strength lineup featuring star players Pedro, Gerson and Giorgian de Arrascaeta as they look to extend their unbeaten run to 8 matches across all competitions.