THE GLOBE
Breathtaking display
Flamengo ignores altitude, scores 3-0 at Cienciano and qualifies for Libertadores
Photo caption: RENATO AUGUSTO (left) hugs Souza, who gave him the pass to score the goal that secured Flamengo's early qualification to the Libertadores
Photo caption: Between two opponents, Toró tries to lead Flamengo to the attack: the midfielder scored the second goal after a great play by Ibson
Carlos Eduardo Mansur
Despite the lack of oxygen, Flamengo breathed a sigh of relief. With a performance of extreme clarity and class, the team defeated Cienciano 3.360-3 at the 0m altitude yesterday at Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium, securing their early qualification for the round of 1 of the Copa Libertadores. While the Peruvian team hadn't lost at home in nine months, Flamengo celebrated their first away win since beating América-RN 0-23 in October of last year. With ten points, compared to Nacional's nine and Cienciano's seven, Flamengo only needs to beat Coronel Bolognesi on the 4rd at Maracanã to finish first in Group XNUMX.
- The work we did helped us support the whole game - said Juan, who scored the third goal, the team's first free kick of the year.
Wearing black shorts and long-sleeved white shirts, Flamengo was elegant from the start. To mitigate the hostility, the Brazilians offered flowers to their opponents, which they refused. Despite the nine-degree temperature, the game started hotly. Within two minutes, Toró and Bazalar were already booked. With Kleberson among the starters, Flamengo defended in a block, waiting for counterattacks. In the 24th minute, Bazalar shot from outside the box, and Bruno parried. In the 37th minute, the Flamengo goalkeeper dangerously punched the ball into the corner, but redeemed himself with a great save on a header from the six-yard box.
"The ball moves a lot. We can't miss the pass and make things difficult at the back," said Renato Augusto at halftime. "We have to wait for the right moment to score."
At the end, Peruvians give a standing ovation
The chance soon arrived. In the eighth minute of the second half, Souza delivered a superb pass to Renato Augusto, who controlled the ball inside the box and chose the corner before making it 1-0 with a cross-shot. Trailing, Cienciano created space. In the 11th minute, in return for the goal, Renato left Souza free, but the striker was blocked. After a defensive clearance, Guevara forced Bruno into a difficult save. In the 17th minute, Flamengo gained momentum with the sending off of Bazalar for a foul on Leonardo Moura.
With the team moving the ball well, Renato Augusto forced Flores into a great save. In the 32nd minute, after a great play by Ibson, Toró doubled the lead in a move very similar to the first goal. In the 48th minute, Juan took a classy free kick to make it 3-0. Along with the few Flamengo fans present, the local fans gave a standing ovation to the Flamengo performance. After climbing the hill under threat of losing their spot, Flamengo now heads down to the Taça Rio semifinals on Sunday against Botafogo.
Cienciano: Flores, Guizasola, Solis, Marengo and Romaña; Bazalar, Ortiz (Guevara), Uribe and Sawa; Portillo (Corralles) and Vassallo. Flamengo: Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Cristian, Toro, Ibson (Jailton) and Kleberson; Renato Augusto (Marcinho) and Souza (Obina). Referee: Sergio Pessota (ARG). Yellow cards: Bazalar, Ortiz, Vassallo, Toro, Juan, Fabio Luciano. Red card: Bazalar.
Suffering more than desired
Faced with a series of decisive games, Joel says Fla shouldn't complain about fatigue
Carlos Eduardo Mansur
Despite the physical and emotional toll, the string of decisive matches Flamengo will face throughout April is far from a cause for regret for the club's coaching staff. On Sunday, the team faces Botafogo at the Maracanã in the semifinals of the Taça Rio. If they win, Flamengo will face the Taça Rio final. If they fail to advance in the second round and thus secure the State Championship title, the team would still have to play two more decisive matches. Before that, however, they will have to face Coronel Bolognesi in the final round of the first stage of the Libertadores.
"There's no point in complaining or lamenting. We have very difficult days ahead. But we're reaping what we sowed. Last year, we were in the relegation zone in the Brazilian Championship, and all we wanted was to gain a few spots in the table. Suddenly, we saw a slim chance of reaching the Libertadores. This team fought hard and made it. Now, we're where we always wanted to be," warns coach Joel Santana.
Although Botafogo is in a better moment than Vasco, the Flamengo coaching staff believes there's no reason to regret losing first place in the group in the Rio Cup. After all, the match against Botafogo will allow Flamengo to play on Sunday, gaining a day of rest after the grueling trip to Peru. Had Flamengo finished first in the group in the Rio Cup, the Flamengo would have had to face Vasco next Saturday.
- We would have great difficulty in the physical part - says Joel.
The coach's plan is to field Flamengo's best players for the semifinal against Botafogo. However, he will await the players' reaction, as they return to training tomorrow, to see how they've recovered from the trip. The goal is to have a team that combines technical ability and good physical condition.
Care to contain rivalry
The players are likely to begin training tomorrow for the derby. For now, the rivalry with Botafogo is off-limits.
"There's no reason to dwell on it. These are two high-quality teams that have been playing great games," Joel warns. "The finals need to be a great conclusion to the State Championship. Rio de Janeiro's football has been recovering, and this is the time to demonstrate the teams' power."
Against Botafogo, Joel could bring back players who aren't yet regular starters, like Marcinho and Kleberson.
"We have two groups. One is made up of last year's players, who have been with the club for more than eight months and have responded positively, know each other well, and are adapting. The other is made up of those who have been with the club for a shorter period of time and are still learning the game," the coach explained.
Restrained, Joel says the team's second half was excellent
Ibson celebrates his performance and says that until the end of June he will only think about Fla
CUZCO, Peru. Flamengo took precautions, which seemed overkill given the atmosphere surrounding the delegation's arrival in Cuzco. After the game, the mood was one of gratitude and euphoria for the victory. Coach Joel Santana was measured when discussing the 3-0 victory, reminding everyone that the team is going from one decisive match to another on Sunday.
"Flamengo played well in the first half and had an excellent performance in the second. We had already played well, but a win here, because of the Libertadores, gives us more prominence and morale. The team will improve a lot, and it's worth remembering that we went from one final today to another on Sunday, against Botafogo," warned Joel.
The coach's main concern was to emphasize the good treatment the delegation received in Peru, saying that a climate of terror had been created around a normal situation. All players were given oxygen in the locker room, but nothing alarming. Ibson was one of the fastest-running players and made no secret of his renewed enthusiasm for the excellent performance:
"The first half was tough, but in the second, Joel changed our positioning and we improved. When Ibson's down, they say he's focused on Porto. When Ibson's up, he's focused on Flamengo. I want to make it clear that until June 30th, I'm only thinking about Flamengo."
After the game, the players thanked both sets of fans. The team left the field to applause, even from the Peruvians, dispelling any idea of local hostility. Upon arrival at the stadium, there were also no problems. The team was escorted by 150 police officers and found a calm atmosphere. The calm reception may also have been a result of local television campaigns.
"We were treated well. So much so that I insisted that the players thank the Peruvian fans, who applauded us even in defeat. If we made a mistake, I ask for your forgiveness," said Joel Santana.
Peaceful reception surprises the red-black team
Concern about tourism and a TV campaign explain the mild climate
CUZCO, Peru. Flamengo took precautions, which seemed excessive given the atmosphere surrounding the Flamengo delegation's arrival in Cuzco. As they left the airport, no more than ten fans wearing Cienciano jerseys, along with taxi drivers and people working in the terminal itself, did nothing more than boo the players and shout a few words in defense of playing at altitude.
A plan was in place to allow the delegation to board a bus on the airport runway if there were signs of a violent reaction from the Cusco residents. However, this soon proved unnecessary. Those who protested shouted phrases like "the altitude doesn't kill, Cienciano does," but without even threatening to approach the players. The team continued to the hotel, where they stayed in pressurized rooms to simulate an altitude of 2.400 meters, or a thousand meters lower than Cusco.
Upon arrival at the stadium, there were also no problems. The team was escorted by 150 police officers and found a calm atmosphere. There were boos, shouts, and even applause for the visitors. In the stands, instead of being isolated, the approximately 50 red-and-black fans mingled with the local fans.
Flamengo's calm reception may also have been a result of local television campaigns. News reports constantly urged Flamengo fans not to be attacked. City authorities were concerned about creating a negative image for tourism, Cuzco's main source of income. Many of the tickets sold for the match were even held by European tourists, who make up a large portion of the city's visitors.
The only scare came from defender Thiago Sales, who felt sick upon exiting the plane. However, it appears that his reaction was to the strong turbulence in the final stretch of the flight, not the altitude.
Towards the historic title
Fla eliminates Boca Juniors and will decide the South American Basketball League
Photo caption: HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME, Marcelinho throws himself at his teammates, after the victory that took Flamengo to the final of the South American League
On Tuesday, the inspiration was Ridley Scott's "Gladiator"; yesterday, it was Mel Gibson's "Braveheart" that fueled Flamengo's 72-66 (33-35 in the first half) victory over Boca Juniors at the Tijuca gymnasium. With the result, Flamengo closed out the best-of-three semifinal series of the South American Basketball League 2-1, reaching the final of the competition for the first time. The club, a three-time state champion and two-time Brazilian runner-up, will be aiming for its first international title of this magnitude.
In the final, the red-black team will face Regatas de Corrientes, who won the series against Universo/Brasília 2-0. As they are undefeated in the competition, the Argentine team will play the first two matches at their gymnasium in Corrientes, Argentina, on the 15th and 16th. The third and fourth games will be in Rio, on the 22nd and 23rd. The fifth match, if necessary, will be played again in Corrientes, on the 29th.
"The secret to this victory is the affection among the players. The team performed poorly in the second quarter, but in the locker room, we talked, and I told them we had to get back to playing as a team and mislead Boca. We did it. This is Flamengo," celebrated coach Paulo Chupeta, acknowledging that he doesn't know the final's opponent. "I don't know anything about the team. We'll have to watch the videos. The important thing is that we have to win a match there to decide here."
Winger stands out\ with double-double\
The standout player of the match, with 27 points and 11 rebounds, a double-double (two points in double digits), Marcelinho dedicated the victory to the fans, who filled the Tijuca gymnasium.
"It was a very close series, already with finals momentum. But if it weren't for the fans, we wouldn't have won. It's different to be part of Flamengo's history. They say I'm the star, but stars only shine together," said the winger/point guard.
Flamengo was devastating in the first quarter, winning 24-13. If, on Tuesday, they started losing 8-0, yesterday they opened up a ten-zero lead within two minutes of play.
Completely lost on the court, Boca Juniors complained a lot about the officiating. Unable to escape the red-and-black's heavy marking, they wasted their attacks. Only Gutiérrez, the team's star, managed to play, scoring 11 of the 13 points.
In the second quarter, the tables were turned. Boca Juniors came back stronger and began to score and dictate the pace. Flamengo, however, was inattentive and rushed the attack, missing numerous shots from both two- and three-point range. With 4:47 remaining, the Argentine team took the lead, 28-26. The red-and-black team only tied the game with 3:20 remaining, with a Maicon dunk, making it 31-31. And while the Argentine team scored 22 points, the red-and-black team only scored nine. Marcelinho, the first-half's leading scorer with 13 points, only scored two in the second. To the red-and-black team's relief, the first half ended 35-33 in favor of Boca Juniors.
After halftime, the game became more even. Despite mistakes on both sides, Flamengo performed slightly better, paying attention to rebounds and being less hasty, scoring 24 points to their opponent's 15. With less than a minute remaining, Boca Juniors lost one of their best players, Funes, who committed his fifth foul. The period ended 57-50 in favor of the red-and-blacks.
For the point guard, the film gave the team strength
In the fourth quarter, Flamengo started by scoring five points, extending their lead to 12 (62-50). Once again disconcerted on the court, Boca Juniors again complained about the fouls called during Flamengo's possession. In an argument, Marcelinho and Fernández were each called a technical foul. Even so, the red-and-black team maintained their lead.
With two minutes remaining, with two three-pointers, the Argentines reduced the red-and-black lead to three points: 68-65. With 1:30 remaining, Marcelinho hit a two-pointer, increasing the lead again. With 30 seconds remaining, Gutiérrez missed a three-pointer, sealing the red-and-black victory, 72-66.
- It was a tough game, very close, but our team was hurting after the defeat in Argentina (100-88). And the movie we watched ("Braveheart") helped the team have the determination to win - said power forward Alírio, who issued a warning: - We're in the final, everything went well, but we can't relax now.
Flamengo's second-highest scorer with 13 points, point guard Hélio also celebrated. But the battle, he said, continues:
"This is the club's first time reaching the final. It's unbelievable. And the fans made all the difference. Now, we have no doubt that the team has what it takes to compete for the title. There will be bloodshed in the final."
Flamengo: Marcelinho (27), Helio (13), Duda (8), Coloneze (4), Alírio (6). Amiel (7), Fernando (4) Mineiro, Maicon (2) and Fred (1) came on. Boca Juniors: Fernandez (6), Cequeira (7), Gutiérrez (23), Oroná (6) and Ford (3). Legaria (5), Funes (12), Alloatti and Reynolds (4) came on.
FLAMENGO
BRUNO: One miss on a high ball and three great saves, two from headers almost at close range. 7.
LEONARDO MOURA: He attacked less than usual and the team missed opportunities on the right. Defensively, he accomplished his mission. 5.
FÁBIO LUCIANO: Good at marking the opponent's attack. He won most of the plays, showing good positioning and a sense of coverage. 7.
RONALDO ANGELIM: He also played bravely and efficiently, leaving no space for the Peruvian team's attackers. 6,5.
JUAN: He tried to attack and came up against Cienciano's strong marking. He was getting irritated by silly plays. He scored a beautiful goal from a free kick. 7.
CRISTIAN: He did well protecting the defense, but he rarely ventured forward. On one occasion when he did attack, he took a wild free kick. 6.
IBSON: Discreet in the first half. In the second half, with more mobility, he began to create dangerous plays, crowning his performance with the counterattack that led to Toró's goal. 7,5. JAÍLTON came on in the 46th minute. No rating.
KLEBERSON: He maintained his standard with a discreet and efficient performance. He showed great enthusiasm and loosened up a bit in the second half. He almost scored a beautiful goal, with a shot over the crossbar. 6.
TORÓ: He received a yellow card three minutes into the game, wasting a red-and-black attack with a clumsy shot wide, ignoring Souza's excellent placement. In the second half, he made the most of his chance and scored the second goal. 6.
RENATO AUGUSTO: In the first half, he made almost every mistake. His passes were mostly misplaced, and his shots were off target. In the second half, he stepped up his game and took advantage of his best opportunity with ease and skill. 6,5. MARCINHO came on late but created the foul for the third goal. No rating.
SOUZA: He maintained his fighting style throughout the game. However, playing alone in attack and without any play on the wings, he struggled in the first half. In the second, he left Renato Augusto free to score. He then made other good plays and delivered effective passes. He missed an incredible goal and another due to inattention. 8. OBINA also came on late. No rating.
JOEL SANTANA: He had the merit of not starting Flamengo just to defend. Even though they rested themselves after the first goal, the team managed to control the match. 7.
SCIENTIAN
Coach Franco Navarro's modest team surprised with its passivity and lack of ambition. With few talented players, their star player is the veteran Bazalar, 40, who made some good runs down the right, alongside Guizasola. With Bazalar's dismissal, their performance dropped even further and finally gave up after Renato Augusto's goal.
ARBITRATION
The Argentine trio led by Sergio Pezzotta controlled the game well and curbed the violence with rigor and authority.
Ancelmo Gois
On Sunday, at Maracanã, before the game against Botafogo, Flamengo fans, at the request of Minister Temporão, will unfurl a 35m x 40m flag in the fight against dengue fever.
SPORTS JOURNAL
With plenty of breath, Fla thrashes and qualifies
Rubro-Negro plays intelligently and ends up with altitude trauma
Renato Augusto paved the way for the red-black victory
It's the end of a trauma. With a stellar performance, Flamengo overcame the altitude and thrashed the weak Cienciano team, at 3.360 meters, 3-0. The victory secured the team from Gávea's qualification for the round of 4 of the Copa Libertadores. Flamengo now sits atop Group 10 with XNUMX points. Renato Augusto, Toró, and Juan scored for the Rio de Janeiro team.
The first half lacked technical quality and was marked by Flamengo's numerous passing errors. Flamengo struggled up front and struggled defensively to fend off dangerous high balls.
With nearly 60% possession, Cienciano created the best chances. In the 24th minute, Balazar hit a fine long-range shot, which Bruno palmed away. In the 37th minute, the red-and-black number 1 performed a miracle. Romaña headed the ball freely in the six-yard box, and Bruno flew to the left corner to put the ball out for a corner.
Fla defines in the second half
Flamengo came out looking completely different for the second half. Playing intelligently, Flamengo quickly opened the scoring. In the 8th minute, Souza received a pass on the left, protected it, turned, and passed it to Renato Augusto, who was free on the right. The defender had time to raise his head and shoot into the right corner, beating the Peruvian goalkeeper.
Cienciano lost their way after the goal. Misplaced passes became a constant for the home team. And from one of these errors, Flamengo capitalized to score their second. Ibson intercepted the opposing team's play and went one-on-one with the defender. Souza was waiting on the right, but Toró made a pass on the left and received the ball unmarked. The player calmly fired a cross, extending the lead for the Rio de Janeiro team.
From then on, Flamengo was calm, passing the ball around and only attacking freely, leaving the Peruvians to fend for themselves. The altitude seemed to be non-existent, and the red-and-blacks were multiplying on the field in their marking.
To top it all off, Flamengo added a third in the 42nd minute. Juan fired a free kick into the top corner from just outside the box, but Flores was unable to stop him.
Mengão is in the League final
72-66 victory over Boca Juniors guarantees a place in the final against Regatas, from Argentina
Pedro Ivo Almeida
Orsula Nery
Cuban winger Amiel, who played as a pivot, had a great performance and helped Flamengo win
With the support of their fans, Flamengo overcame their odds and defeated Boca Juniors (ARG) 72-66 (33-35) yesterday at the Tijuca gymnasium, qualifying for the final of the South American Basketball League against Regatas, also from Argentina. The first game of the best-of-five tournament is Tuesday in Rio. Coach Paulo Chupeta and the players dedicated the title to the fans, who put on a show in the stands.
Flamengo started out determined to finish off the Argentine team, and they came out with a strong defense and a well-timed counterattack. Their offensive weapons were working, and the score at the end of the first quarter reached 24-13. It looked like it would be another walk in the park, just like Tuesday's game.
However, Boca Juniors came out with a different attitude, knowing it would be their last chance. With a strong performance from Olympic champion Gutierrez, the team gradually chipped away at the red-and-blacks' lead and turned the game around in the second quarter: 35-33, largely due to Coloneze's departure, who was suspended due to fouls.
Cheer time
If the players felt the Argentine reaction, the fans didn't care and literally became the sixth man. This cheer of encouragement fired up the Flamengo fans, who, on the court, gave Boca Juniors a lesson. Brothers Duda and Marcelinho Machado, the latter the top scorer with 27 points, set the pace, and Flamengo was overwhelming in the third quarter.
From then on, it was just a matter of managing the advantage and irritating the opponents. As usual, the Argentines lost their temper and committed a few technical fouls. This only made things easier for the Rio team, which qualified for the final of an international competition for the first time.
The ever-emotional Paulo Chupeta, the strategist, thanked the fans. "I don't even have words to describe what this fan base means. Without it, Flamengo certainly wouldn't have achieved this result. It's a historic moment for the club, and we want to give this title as a gift to the fans."
Point guard Duda also echoed the sentiment. "I was pretty discouraged. But just look at this crowd and you'll find motivation. That's what happened, and I'm so happy to have won this game. Now, we're going after the title, which would mark our time with the club. This group has everything it takes to bring joy to the fans," said Duda, a fan of the soccer team in the stands and in his second stint with the red-and-black team.
THE DAY
Fla beats Cienciano and guarantees a place in the round of 16
Cuzco, Peru - With attitude at altitude. This was Flamengo's style in their 3-0 victory over Cienciano this Wednesday in the Copa Libertadores da América. Unaware of Cuzco's 3.360m altitude, Flamengo was superior and deserved to win. With the result, Flamengo reached 10 points and secured qualification for the round of 23 with a round to spare. Goals were scored by Renato Augusto, Toró, and Juan. Now, Flamengo, with the spot already in hand, will face Coronel Bolognesi at the Maracanã stadium on the XNUMXrd.
See photos of the game
Buoyed by the roar of their fans, Cienciano started pressing. The Rio de Janeiro team tried to respond in kind. But even trying to push forward, they couldn't trouble Cienciano's goalkeeper. In one such attempt, Toró fired a shot off target in the 21st minute. Soon after, Romaña's header gave goalkeeper Bruno a scare.
Even without producing any big plays, the red-and-black team was undaunted by Cienciano's runs and kept going. But their lack of stamina and accuracy made things difficult.
In a very dangerous move for Flamengo, Bruno saved the team: in the 24th minute, Bazalar got away from Juan and sent a powerful shot, well saved by the goalkeeper.
In the 37th minute, Bruno made another great save, stopping Romaña's header, preventing the Peruvian team from scoring. The first half ended as it began: with Renato Augusto's misdirected shots and Souza's sheer inertia, who simply didn't touch the ball.
Early in the second half, a scare arose: Sawa broke free from the red-and-black defense and sent the ball just wide of Bruno's right post. But the duo of Souza and Renato Augusto found their stride in the 8th minute. The striker delivered a great pass for Gávea's number 10 to open the scoring. Soon after, Souza missed a great chance, shooting the ball over the goal.
Harassed by their fans, Cienciano had to come out and play. In the 15th minute, Bruno, alert, saved a powerful shot from Guevara. But Flamengo wanted more, and in the 32nd minute, Toró doubled the lead after receiving a great pass from Íbson. In stoppage time, Juan, with a free kick, scored the third.
Rodrigo Arroz, an example of love for Fla
Rio - He's an example that passion for Flamengo is paramount. Overlooked by Joel Santana among the Copa Libertadores rosters, and languishing on the bench since the start of the season, Rodrigo Arroz could seek new opportunities and even force a move to another club, where he'd be better served.
However, the player isn't even considering leaving Gávea. What's most surprising is that he doesn't complain about anything and tries not to cause any disturbance, unlike many 'bad boys' who hang out at clubs. "Just being at Flamengo is enough for me. I love this club and can't see myself leaving. I like the atmosphere and the vibe at Gávea," says Rodrigo Arroz.
But despite not causing any intrigue, the reserve is already starting to bother. Especially since Rodrigo Arroz always delivers, as he did in the last match on Sunday, when he scored the second goal in the 2-2 draw with rival Vasco in the Rio Cup.
"I always try to stay motivated and ready to serve the club and the coaching staff. I'd like to play regularly, but unfortunately, coach Joel Santana can only field 11 players. My family even pesters me from time to time, asking when I'll play, since every time I can, I always do my part. But I can't let myself get down. If it weren't for their support, I might not be here defending Flamengo. All I can do is keep searching for my place," emphasizes the player, who hopes to be registered for the next stage of the Libertadores.
Despite his desire to play every game for the club he loves, Rodrigo praises Joel's current starting defensemen, who are his favorites. "Fábio Luciano and Ronaldo Angelim are doing very well. They're in sync and make few mistakes. It's hard to stop either of them," says the defender.
Ronaldo packed his bags for Flamengo
Marluci Martins
Rio - The dream of playing for Flamengo hasn't yet left his mind and turned it into a reality, but the sacred jersey is already in his hands. Ronaldo arrived in Rio last night—as 'Ataque' exclusively reported—and, to his surprise, received a personalized official jersey as a gift from a fan waiting for him at Tom Jobim International Airport.
"Before anything, I have to get better, and only then can I make any decisions," said Ronaldo, who, leaning on a cane, avoided compromising himself further.
But, if only short sentences came out of the player's mouth — tired from the long trip from Madrid to Rio —, his official website left no doubt: 'Ronaldo talks about playing for Flamengo again' was the website's headline, confirming the interview published the day before in the newspaper 'La Gazzetta dello Sport'.
Alongside his girlfriend, Maria Beatriz Antony, Ronaldo spent nearly two hours shopping at the Duty Free Shop. He's also in no rush to return to Italy. Recovering from left knee surgery for two months, he doesn't even know when he'll leave Rio.
"I always come here on vacation, but now everything is ready for me to stay here for a while. I'm going to physical therapy. I'm the same. The circumstances are just different now," said the Phenomenon, who will be at his clinic, Fisio R9, in Jacarepaguá, daily, under the care of physical therapist Bruno Mazziotti.
Flamengo doctor José Luiz Runco will monitor Ronaldo's recovery process in Rio: "He brought a series of tests back to Brazil. He arrived recently and is arranging his life so I can see him and take a look at his knee. I can tell he's very excited," the doctor confirmed over the phone.
Just as excited as Ronaldo, fan José Carlos Peruano left the airport with a sense of accomplishment. For almost two months, he'd been trying to give the player a Flamengo jersey and flag, and even spent a week in Paris, wandering the streets, searching in vain for his idol: "Finally, I managed to give him the jersey. I also gave him a flag, which he'll have to return to the fans when he signs a contract with Flamengo."
Basketball: Fla turns three-game series against Boca Juniors and goes to the final
Rio - Flamengo defeated Boca Juniors, from Argentina, 72 to 66, at the Tijuca Tênis Clube gymnasium and secured a place in the final of the South American Basketball League.
The team closed out the semifinals 2-1 and now faces Regatas Corrientes, also from Argentina, in the championship final. Their spot was secured after the Brazilian team defeated Boca Juniors 72-66 in Rio de Janeiro.
With the victory, Flamengo, who lost the first game in Argentina and got revenge in Rio de Janeiro last Tuesday, reached a League final for the first time.
In today's game, the Brazilian team had a great performance from Marcelinho Machado. The athlete, who has already scored over 1000 points for the red and black team, was responsible for a double-double (double digits in two categories), with 27 points and 11 rebounds, in addition to three assists.
In the competition's final, Flamengo will face the Argentine team Regatas Corrientes, which eliminated Brasília in the semifinals.
To date, Brazil has won three South American League titles. Vasco won twice (in 1999 and 2000), while Uberlândia took the trophy in 2005.
SPORTS GAZETTE
Fla wins at altitude and qualifies\ Gazeta Press\
Cusco (Peru) - Overcoming the threat of altitude, Flamengo traveled to Cusco this Wednesday and defeated Cienciano-PER 3-0, a result that mathematically secured the team a place in the Copa Libertadores round of 3.400. Midfielders Renato Augusto and Toró, and left-back Juan, scored the red-and-black goals at 4 meters above sea level, leaving the Brazilian team with ten points, leading Group 23. The Peruvians remain with seven, two behind Nacional-URU. The two teams play the final round of the first phase on the XNUMXrd. Rubro-Negro hosts Bolognesi at Maracanã, while Cienciano will visit Nacional in Uruguay. Before that, Flamengo faces Botafogo on Sunday in the Taça Rio semifinal. Despite the altitude, Flamengo didn't want to play defensively and started the match attacking even more than their opponent. Encouraged by coach Joel Santana, the red-and-blacks risked long-range shots. Toró had a good chance on the counterattack in the tenth minute, but shot wide and wasted it.
Cienciano, meanwhile, relied on repeated crosses into the Flamengo box. When he decided to shoot from distance, the Peruvian team threatened for the first time. In the 24th minute, Bazalar took a shot from distance, and Bruno made a great save to save Flamengo. The Flamengo goalkeeper excelled again in the 36th minute, palming away Vassallo's powerful header.
The game, though non-violent, was fiercely contested, with numerous fouls to stop the opponent's attacks, and plenty of complaints from both sides. Less than 30 minutes into the game, the referee had already handed out four yellow cards.
And during the first half, the altitude wasn't as much of a hindrance as the red-and-blacks had feared. In the first half, only defender Fábio Luciano needed to use a spray to alleviate his discomfort.
In the second half, Flamengo renewed its momentum and opened the scoring in the eighth minute. After a good play, Souza passed the ball to Renato Augusto, who calmly controlled the ball and slotted it into the right corner of the Peruvian goalkeeper's net.
The goal stunned Cienciano, who began to create even more space for Flamengo. In successive plays, in the tenth and eleventh minutes, Leonardo Moura and Souza missed good chances to extend the lead for the Brazilian team. The Peruvians' intemperance would even lead to Bazalar's red card less than 11 minutes into the second half.
In the 32nd minute, Toró was released by Ibson and burst into the box to cross the ball and score Flamengo's second goal in Peru. Juan still had time, in the 48th minute, to take a free kick and extend Flamengo's lead. From then on, Flamengo had no choice but to wait for the final whistle, which brought relief and qualification for the second round of the Libertadores. The players left the field celebrating as if they had won a title.
PELENET
Flamengo overcomes Cienciano, altitude and advances in the Libertadores
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo has qualified for the round of 3.400 of the Copa Libertadores da América. Completely ignoring Cusco's altitude (about 3 meters above sea level) and the off-field pressure, the Rubro-Negro, playing beautiful football, defeated Cienciano-PER 0-XNUMX this Wednesday. The goals were scored by Renato Augusto, Toró, and Juan.
With the result, Flamengo jumped to ten points and took the lead in Group 4 of the competition. Nacional, from Uruguay, is second with nine, while Cienciano, with seven, is in third place. Coronel Bolognesi-PER, in last place, has two and is already eliminated.
In the next round, the final of the qualifying phase, Flamengo hosts Coronel Bolognesi on April 23 at Maracanã Stadium. On the same date, Cienciano visits Nacional in Montevideo.
However, before that, the Red-Blacks have a State Championship match. This Sunday, they face Botafogo at 16 p.m., also at Maracanã, in the Rio Cup semifinal, the second round of the tournament.
The game started evenly, with Flamengo showing signs that they weren't feeling the effects of the altitude in Cusco. Cienciano, for their part, also didn't trouble Bruno.
However, little by little, the Peruvians began to dominate the game. The red-and-black goalkeeper, with some good saves, prevented Cienciano's first goal. With his best chance, Bruno saved Marengo's header.
"The match is very complicated. The ball is moving too much. But with a good one-two, the goal will come. We can beat Cienciano," said Renato Augusto, heading out for halftime.
And Renato Augusto was right. In the first good play of the second half, eight minutes in, the midfielder received the ball from Souza and had no trouble opening the scoring for Flamengo.
Cienciano "took the blow" and began to be dominated by the red-and-black team. In the 17th minute, after a hard foul on Toró, Bazalar, who already had a yellow card, was shown a red card, making the situation easier for Flamengo.
With a man up, the Red-Blacks calmly held off Cienciano's long shots into the box. In the 32nd minute, on a counterattack, Toró scored the second goal. In the 48th minute, Juan scored the third from a free kick, sealing the Red-Blacks' qualification.
Coach Joel Santana highlights Flamengo's good second half
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
In the 3-0 victory over Cienciano-PER in Cusco, which secured Flamengo's place in the round of XNUMX of the Copa Libertadores da América, Flamengo had two distinct halves. The first half saw them struggle, but they improved in the second, overwhelming their opponent.
"In the final stage, we managed to close the gaps. At halftime, I asked the team to be more careful and we improved our ball possession. They loosened up their defense with Bazalar's sending off, and we came away with the victory," he analyzed, adding.
"They lost a quality player. As a result, we had dominance in midfield. From that moment on, we were able to control the pace of the game," he explained.
Finally, the red-black commander praised the opponent and took the opportunity to put an end to the behind-the-scenes fight between Flamengo and Cienciano, due to the altitude of Cusco (around 3.400 meters above sea level).
"Cienciano is a brilliant team. They were better in the match, but we scored our goal and that changed the outlook. In any case, playing at altitude is always difficult. In fact, I have to say that the crowd welcomed us well. At no point were we attacked. If we made any mistakes, we apologize," he concluded.
Juan celebrates Flamengo's first free kick goal in 2008
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Juan's goal, Flamengo's third in their 3-0 victory over Cienciano-PER, represents a significant milestone for the Red-Blacks this season. After all, it was their first goal scored from a free kick. The match was part of the fifth round of Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores.
"I've been training a lot for a long time. However, I still haven't had many opportunities to try and score," said the left-back, who is one of the highlights of the current group.
Flamengo's victory over the Peruvians secured Joel Santana's team a spot in the round of 23 of the continental competition. Flamengo concludes its group stage campaign on April 19rd, facing Coronel Bolognesi at 30:XNUMX pm at the Maracanã stadium.
But before that, the team from Gávea faces Botafogo, Sunday, at 16 pm, in the same stadium, in the semifinal of the Taça Rio, second round of the State Championship.
Ronaldo arrives in Brazil to treat knee injury
From international agencies\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Brazilian striker Ronaldo, from AC Milan, arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday to receive treatment for a serious knee injury that will keep him out of action for around nine months.
The Milan player will continue his recovery in Rio de Janeiro
The footballer arrived at Rio de Janeiro airport with a cane that he has been using since his operation, carried out in Paris in February, and accompanied by his personal physiotherapist, Bruno Mazziotti.
The Milan striker told the newspaper O Dia that he has "everything prepared" to spend a "good while" in Brazil. Ronaldo declined to discuss his future when he returns to play.
The 31-year-old player expressed last week his intention to complete the final phase of his recovery with Flamengo, before his hypothetical return to Milan.
The Rio de Janeiro club's directors, in turn, reiterated their interest in signing Ronaldo, something they had already done months before his injury. Flamengo vice president Kleber Leite stated that he will take the opportunity to talk to the player about his future.
Precisely, Flamengo's doctor - and also the Brazilian national team's - José Luis Runco, will study Ronaldo's injury during the player's stay in Brazil and will guide him with the aim of speeding up his recovery.
Ronaldo ruptured the patellar tendon in his left knee on February 13th during a Serie A match between Milan and Livorno. The player underwent surgery in a Paris hospital days later and then completed his initial recovery exercises in Milan before traveling to Brazil.
GLOBO ESPORTE
Fla overcomes fears and qualifies at altitude
The team had an excellent second half and beat Cienciano 3-0 in the 3.400m of Cuzco
Márcio Iannacca Special correspondent for GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in Cuzco, get in touch
Renato Augusto celebrates Flamengo's first goal against Cienciano
Fear of early elimination, fear of lack of oxygen. Flamengo had accumulated fears before the match against Cienciano. But, with stored air and a stellar second-half performance, the red-and-black team won 3-0 and secured early qualification for the round of 3.400 of the Copa Libertadores. Redemption came at the Garcilaso de la Vega stadium, nearly XNUMX meters above Cuzco.
Under pressure for being the standard-bearer for the fight against high-altitude games, Flamengo faced a moral hardship until arriving in the Peruvian city. The press and locals mocked the Flamengo's campaign. Even a donkey carrying a "heights don't kill" sign greeted the Rio delegation at the airport.
The answer came on the field. While the Rio de Janeiro team repeated old mistakes in the first half, the performance was exemplary in the second half. Renato Augusto, the previously criticized Toró, and Juan scored, securing the victory. But the standout performer was Ibson. The midfielder, booed by the red-and-black fans, responded with agility and precise passes in the two goals.
Flamengo jumps to ten points, taking the lead in Group 4, and securing qualification even before facing Coronel Bolognesi in the final round at Maracanã. Nacional (nine points) and Cienciano (seven) face off in the final round to battle for the remaining spot.
Oxygen saved from the "cowards"
The reputation of cowardice stuck with the red-and-blacks before the game began. As soon as they posed for the official photo, the players heard chants of "maricón" from the stands. All due to the club's persistent refusal to play at high altitudes.
But the "fearful" started out playing toe-to-toe with the taller men. With space on the left, Souza and Renato Augusto linked up, but their shots didn't bother goalkeeper Flores. This surprising performance didn't last long.
Souza provided the assist for a Flamengo goal
Fearing the thin air, the red-and-blacks began to play it safe even before the 20th minute. Sitting back, they watched the Peruvians improve. In the 23rd minute, Bazalar shot from outside the box, and Bruno jumped into the left corner to save.
The ideological duel over the altitude issue heightened tensions among the players on the field. Violent fouls multiplied, and, just like in the match against Nacional in Montevideo, the red-and-blacks overreacted to Argentine referee Sergio Pezzotta. Three yellow cards were issued in the first half alone.
Flamengo, disorganized on the field, only avoided conceding a goal in the 36th minute thanks to Bruno's brilliant save on a diving header from Romaña. Afterward, the goalkeeper was responsible for delaying the ball's rebounds while his teammates limited themselves to shooting high or misplacing easy passes. Even so, ignoring the inability to organize any attack for most of the first half, midfielder Ibson classified the performance as "good."
Who's afraid of heights?
Cienciano wasn't having its best days. The Peruvian team missed Chiroque, the left winger who had tormented Leo Moura at the Maracanã. Since he was injured, Japanese player Sawa was tasked with slotting in alongside the Flamengo right-back.
Remember Souza and Renato Augusto's one-twos at the start of the game? One finally worked eight minutes into the second half. The striker left a Peruvian player down and passed to the defender. He calmly controlled the ball and slotted it into the right corner of Flores's net.
Souza had a chance to score the second in the 12th minute. Ibson rolled the ball, the forward poorly controlled it, and shot under pressure. Having dominated the second half, the Rio de Janeiro team missed another chance with Kleberson.
Stunned by the "cowards'" blitz, Cienciano only threatened in the 15th minute. But, once again, Bruno stretched to make a save on Guevara's attempt. In fact, Flamengo's emotional outburst in the first half carried over to the Peruvian team. Bazalar was sent off in the 18th minute.
During the break, some red-and-blacks, like Fábio Luciano and Cristian, used oxygen spray. But the one who needed air in his lungs was goalkeeper Flores to be able to jump and save Renato Augusto's powerful shot.
The minutes ticked by, and Ibson set up Toró to face the goal. Once again, the right corner was left open, and Flamengo scored the second.
In the final minutes, Joel Santana made the substitutions, the players embraced, and celebrated—above the standings—the moral victory. But there was still the final act. In the final play, Juan took a free kick—again on the right—and scored the third.
Juan ignores the dreaded altitude
Left-back says he felt good in the almost 3.400 meters of Cuzco
Juan scored a free kick in the 48th minute of the second half and ran to celebrate qualifying for the round of 3.400 of the Copa Libertadores. This was a sign that the XNUMX meters of Cuzco didn't affect Flamengo's left-back.
At the end of the 3-0 victory over Cienciano, the player confirmed that he did not feel the effects of the thin air.
"Fortunately, I felt good. The hard work we did every day helped me get through the whole game," he told TV Globo after the game.
The work he's referring to included apnea sessions in the Gávea pool. And Juan was the record holder, holding the record for two minutes and 40 seconds underwater.
The full-back scored from a free kick. A rare occurrence for Flamengo lately. The last goal scored this way was scored by Roger on November 4th against Cruzeiro.
"I've been training every day at Gávea after practice with Joel's support. I was lucky and managed to score," he says.
Ibson: 'I only think about Flamengo'
Midfielder mocks link between his good performance and Porto's 'forgetfulness'
Márcio Iannacca Special correspondent for GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in Cuzco
Ibson had a great performance in Cuzco
Ibson has had a rough time in recent weeks. He was even booed by Flamengo fans in the match against Madureira. At the altitude of Cuzco, he put in a brilliant performance and was one of the key players in the 3-0 victory over Cienciano in the Copa Libertadores.
He ran, scored, and created. He was actively involved in two goals and left the field to celebrations. In the press conference, he mocked those who say he's focused on Porto, the club that holds his economic rights.
"When Ibson is doing badly, it's because his mind is on Porto. When he's doing well, it's because his mind is on here. I have a contract until June 30th, and until then, I'm only thinking about Flamengo," says the player. He avoided basking in the glory of victory and warned about the need for rest for the match against Botafogo in the Rio Cup semifinal.
"It was a good performance by the whole team. We played some good football. Now it's time to rest because we have another important game on Sunday," says Ibson.
PHOTO: Fla has fans even at altitude
Red-and-black fans celebrate victory and early qualification
The 3.400m of Cuzco didn't scare Flamengo fans who watched the red-and-black victory over Cienciano at the Garcilaso de la Vega stadium. And they had the energy to celebrate the result.
Joel: 'The second half was excellent'
Coach praises Flamengo's performance and says the team achieved its goal in the Libertadores
Márcio Iannacca Special correspondent for GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in Cuzco, Peru, get in touch
Joel Santana in the game against Cienciano
After Flamengo's 3-0 victory over Cienciano on Wednesday night in Cuzco, Peru, coach Joel Santana spoke with the press. During the chat, he analyzed the triumph, discussed the final match of the Copa Libertadores first stage, and praised the attitude of the Peruvian fans and the Flamengo fans who attended the Garcilaso de la Vega stadium.
Performance before the Cienciano
- The game was difficult in both halves. However, in the second half, the team improved its marking. We managed to reduce their dangerous plays and scored an early goal. We didn't give them freedom in the play. We scored more because they needed a goal and relaxed their marking.
Best performance?
"We've already played well. In a Libertadores match against Cienciano, I can say that the performance was very good. In the first half, they were a good team. In the second half, they were an excellent team. It was a beautiful match. Cienciano is a brilliant team, and until we scored the first goal, they were playing very well. At no point did Cienciano resort to violence or aggression.
Red-black reception and party
"We were very well treated and welcomed here. It's created a huge soap opera, and that's not good. The fans were warm and welcoming. We have to thank our fans who came here and made it a great party."
Friendly against Bolo?\ - I see that in football, every game is a decision, and every decision is a responsibility. We're in first place in our group and managed to erase that goal advantage from Nacional. We achieved our goal and will continue with our plan. There's nothing friendly about it.\
Fla uses and abuses oxygen. And only
The red-and-black players don't get sick in the locker room and are able to withstand the altitude in Cuzco well.
Márcio Iannacca Special correspondent for GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in Cuzco
Flamengo players applaud the fans after the victory over Cienciano
Light sprays of oxygen. Flamengo held up well at Cusco's nearly 3.400-meter altitude. After the 3-0 victory, doctor Serafim Borges praised the players' preparation and performance.
"It was the result of 40 days of work. We controlled our diet and rest. And everything worked out," says the cardiologist.
In 2007, when he was in Potosí, several Flamengo players fell ill, and the sight of some of them receiving oxygen on the sidelines alarmed everyone. This time, the reactions were much milder. All the players used oxygen. But there was no nausea or other complications from the thin air.
Despite the triumph, Serafim advises that Flamengo continue its fight to ban international matches at altitude.
- Even with Flamengo's victory, clubs need to maintain their position against games in these conditions - says the doctor.
Juan ignores the dreaded altitude
Left-back says he felt good in the almost 3.400 meters of Cuzco
Juan scored a free kick in the 48th minute of the second half and ran to celebrate qualifying for the round of 3.400 of the Copa Libertadores. This was a sign that the XNUMX meters of Cuzco didn't affect Flamengo's left-back.
At the end of the 3-0 victory over Cienciano, the player confirmed that he did not feel the effects of the thin air.
"Fortunately, I felt good. The hard work we did every day helped me get through the whole game," he told TV Globo after the game.
The work he's referring to included apnea sessions in the Gávea pool. And Juan was the record holder, holding the record for two minutes and 40 seconds underwater.
The full-back scored from a free kick. A rare occurrence for Flamengo lately. The last goal scored this way was scored by Roger on November 4th against Cruzeiro.
"I've been training every day at Gávea after practice with Joel's support. I was lucky and managed to score," he says.
Flamengo reaches the final of the South American League
Fans cheer, Rio de Janeiro team defeats Boca Juniors and will decide the title of the competition
Gabriele Lomba From GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in Rio de Janeiro
Flamengo stops Boca Juniors and will play the final of the South American League
Encouraged by the fans, who didn't stay silent for a single minute in the Tijuca gymnasium, Flamengo left the Argentine catimba aside and beat Boca Juniors 72 to 66. With the result on Wednesday night, the Rio de Janeiro team secured a place in the final of the South American League, where they will face Regatas Corrientes, also from Argentina, who closed the series 2 to 0 against Brasília.
"I don't have much to say. The fans' enthusiasm says it all. It couldn't have been any different with this crowd's support," says point guard Marcelinho, the game's top scorer with 27 points.
Flamengo needed all three games to end its best-of-three series. In the first match, the Red-Black team traveled to Argentina and lost 100-88. In the next match, in Rio de Janeiro, the players knew they couldn't afford to slip up and, with a strong defense, scored 83-58 and tied the match at 1-1. That night, buoyed by the chance to reach the final, the team scored 72-66 and secured their place in the final.
"During the break between the second and third quarters, I had to scold the team. I told the players they needed to get back to playing together, because Boca Juniors is better individually. And we won because each player showed their affection for the team, each one giving their all on the court," says coach Paulo Chupeta.
Argentinean catimba isn't enough to beat Flamengo. A packed Tijuca Gymnasium was the perfect stage for a stunning Flamengo performance. And so it was! In the first quarter, Flamengo took a 10-0 lead and intimidated Boca Juniors. Showing great determination and motivation, the team held on to the lead.
In the next period, Flamengo led 24-13 but lost their way on the court. Marcelinho didn't perform as well as he had in the previous quarter, as did Fred and Fernando. In the final five minutes, Gutierrez, an Olympic medalist from Argentina, managed to turn the game around with a three-pointer and a foul. Duda entered the court and led the Rio de Janeiro team's comeback, which sent the crowd into a frenzy.
The third quarter was the most evenly matched. The two teams alternated in front. However, showing more consistency, Flamengo closed the period at 57-50. In the final period, the Rubro-Negro managed their lead, kept their cool against the Argentines, who began to provoke them, and secured a spot in the South American League final.
THROW
Fla beats Cienciano 3-0 and qualifies
With goals from Renato Augusto, Toró and Juan, the team overcomes the effects of altitude
LANCEPRESS!
Not all of the altitude issues fazed Flamengo. The Rubro-Negra team won the 3.400m in Cuzco (PER), overcame pressure from the Peruvian fans, and the match against Cienciano 3-0 on Wednesday night. With goals from Renato Augusto, Toró, and Juan, the team from Gávea reached 10 points and secured early qualification from Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores.
Due to all the controversy, both teams started the match with a lot of energy. Cienciano, playing at home, had greater initial control, although Flamengo tried to threaten with counterattacks. However, due to their nervousness, neither team gave the opposing goalkeeper any trouble.
The first chance came just 15 minutes in. Guizzasola made a good run on the right side of Flamengo's box, but failed to finish. Flamengo responded four minutes later with a set piece that Cristian sent over the bar.
Despite the scare, Cienciano had the majority of possession in the match. So much so that in the 24th minute, Bruno worked for the first time in the match, on a shot from Bazalar. The goalkeeper flew to the right corner to palm the shot away for a corner.
After the 30th minute, Flamengo pushed up their defense and began to dominate the game a bit more. Despite this, Cienciano was the one who threatened again, with a header from Uribe, which Bruno saved without any trouble. In the 38th minute, another header, this time from Romaña, left the Flamengo goalkeeper struggling again.
In the second half, Flamengo opened the scoring early on. In the 8th minute, Souza made a good play on the left wing and passed to Renato Augusto, who was alone in the box. The defender calmly had to displace goalkeeper Flores to score: Flamengo 1-0.
The goal prompted Cienciano to attack. However, due to their nervousness, the Peruvians were unable to create any danger. On the contrary, the Rubro-Negro had even more space to threaten on the counterattack. As they did with Souza in the 10th minute, who finished over the bar. In the 13th minute, it was Kleberson's turn to mishit the ball.
Cienciano's pressure only paid off in the 15th minute. Guevara, who had just come on, shot into the top corner, and Bruno palmed it away for a corner. But with Bazalar's red card in the 18th minute, things got even easier for the Red-Blacks. With more space on the field, the team began to control the game. In the 21st minute, Renato Augusto nearly extended the lead with a shot from outside the box.
The lead increased in the 32nd minute. Ibson advanced through midfield and passed to Toró. The midfielder burst into the box and fired a cross-shot: Flamengo 2-0.
The Gávea team began to control the scoreboard and return to Brazil with qualification for the round of 48. However, they still had time to score one more goal. In the 3th minute, after a free kick just outside the box, Juan fired a perfect shot to complete the score: Flamengo 0-XNUMX.
Now, Flamengo faces Coronel Bolognesi on the 23rd to try to secure first place in the group. Cienciano, in turn, will travel to Montevideo to face Nacional (URU) for the other spot in the next round.
Rubro-negros venture out to see Fla
Fans living in Bolivia face a trip in the luggage compartment of a bus
Rubro-negros gathered in Praça das Armas (Credit: Rodrigo Benchimol)
Bruno Braz RIO DE JANEIRO
Cuzco woke up in the spirit of the game, and on every street corner, someone wearing a Cienciano jersey could be seen. But it was the Flamengo fans who became a tourist attraction in one of the city's main landmarks. They stopped at Plaza de Armas, chosen as the meeting point for their journey to Garcilaso Stadium.
Among the fans, two came from Bolivia on an adventure that will remain with them forever. Medical students in Cochabamba, Cláudio Pinheiro and Ramon Lima da Silva – both 19 and from Rio Branco, Acre – traveled for a day by bus to Cuzco. However, it wasn't such a simple journey.
"The road connecting Cochabamba to La Paz was blocked. We had to reroute: we went to Oruro, then to La Paz, and that's how we got there. I think we're the only ones who made it from Bolivia," Ramon said.
The most interesting thing, however, was the sacrifice they made to get to Oruro.
– There was no more room on the bus from Cochabamba to Oruro.
"So, we had to go in the luggage compartment. We laid out a sleeping mat and balanced ourselves between the bags. And the worst part was that we had to pay 25 bolivars (about R$7). We had a hard time, some moments of fear, but it was worth it to see Flamengo," said Cláudio.
With the construction of the Pacific Highway, which connects Rio Branco to Lima (PER), life was made easier for other red-and-black fans. A van carrying seven fans traveled the 700 kilometers from the capital of Acre to Puerto Maldonado (PER). From there, it was another 40 minutes to Cuzco.
Given these stories, the traffic jam that brought Cuzco to a standstill was easily overcome. Throughout the day, several Cienciano fan factions held marches through the city. Taxi drivers decorated their cars, and many left work to go to the game.
Juan scores Fla's first free kick goal
The full-back scored the third goal in Flamengo's 3-0 win over Cienciano.
LANCEPRESS!
The match was already decided when left-back Juan scored Flamengo's first free-kick goal of the season. The team's third goal in Wednesday's 3-0 Copa Libertadores victory over Cienciano (PER) simply confirmed Flamengo's qualification for the next round.
The full-back stated that he had been preparing for when this opportunity arose.
"I've been training for a long time, and sometimes (coach) Joel Santanta didn't want to let me shoot. Thank God, I managed to score," the player said after the match.
With the victory, Flamengo's objective now is to take first place in Group 4, on the 23rd, against Coronel Bolognesi (BOL), at Maracanã.
Ibson: 'My head is focused on Fla'
The standout from the victory over Cienciano turns his attention to the Rio Cup
LANCEPRESS!
In recent weeks, due to some inconsistent performances, there has been much talk that Ibson is already considering a return to European football, as his contract is linked to Porto (POR). However, the midfielder was one of the standout performers in Flamengo's 3-0 victory over Cienciano this Wednesday in Cuzco (PER). The player spoke out after the match, assuring that his thoughts are focused solely on Flamengo. At least until June 30th.
"If Ibson is doing poorly, his mind is on Porto. If Ibson is doing well, his mind is on Flamengo. I have a contract with Flamengo until June 30th, and until then, my mind is focused solely on the club. After that, those responsible for my federation contract will resolve this issue," he stated.
Wednesday's result secured the club an early spot in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores. With that goal achieved, Ibson is already thinking ahead. Specifically, Botafogo, the club Flamengo will face next Sunday at the Maracanã in the Taça Rio semifinal.
Ibson said that his plan is to win the Taça Rio and secure the Rio title without having to play in the final.
"It was an important victory, but now we'll focus on Sunday's game. It's going to be tough. The team will focus on Friday afternoon. This game is very important for us. We're two games away from the Rio de Janeiro title," he concluded.
Flamengo fans without seats in the stadium in Cuzco
Rubro-negros are among the Cienciano fans
Rodrigo Benchimol IN CUZCO (PERU)
One curious fact caught our attention at Garcilaso Stadium. It's the area designated for Flamengo fans: it simply doesn't exist. Flamengo fans are sandwiched between Cienciano fans.
Without a designated seating area, Flamengo fans—who number between 50 and 100 in the stadium—are being protected by a small police cordon. However, the atmosphere among rival fans is mild, and there has been no trouble so far.
Outside the stadium, 150 police officers guard the Flamengo bus's arrival. Despite controversy surrounding the altitude, the Flamengo delegation was able to arrive for the game without any major setbacks.
Despite the narrow streets surrounding the stadium, there hasn't been any chaos so far. There are very long lines to get in, but the crowd is orderly and respectful, despite the free play of ticket scalpers, who sell tickets at the same price.