THE GLOBE
Thiago Neves leads the tricolor dance in Fla-Flu
Striker scores hat trick in 4-1 win over Flamengo. Fluminense is now the only unbeaten team in the Carioca Championship.
The only starting outfield player named by Renato Gaúcho yesterday stole the show in the Flamengo-Flu match at Maracanã. With a sensational performance, Thiago Neves scored a hat trick in the 4-1 rout, a result that ended Flamengo's 10-game winning streak at Maracanã. Fluminense, now the only undefeated team in the Campeonato Carioca, tied its 18-game unbeaten streak at the stadium, set in 1971.
"It was one of the most beautiful goals of my life. One thing I can guarantee: I won't sleep tonight," Thiago Neves celebrated after scoring the third goal.
With both teams stacked with reserves, the Fla-Flu match started fast. Just seven minutes in, Thiago Neves received the ball from Conca and shot just wide. Obina's response forced Fernando Henrique to make a great save. Diego Tardelli had the best chance in the 41st minute. He received the ball from Kleberson, dribbled past Arouca, and shot straight at the goalkeeper.
Mauricio closes the rout at the end
At halftime, Joel replaced Colace with Marcinho, who, in his first intervention, crossed for Kleberson to make it 1-0 in the fourth minute. The equalizer came in the seventh minute. Thiago Neves took a free kick, but Diego missed.
Then, it was a Tricolor celebration. In the 27th minute, Thiago Neves, with a free kick and another mistake by Diego, turned the game around. But the best of Thiago Neves's show was yet to come. In the 33rd minute, he dribbled past Thiago Sales, put the ball between Egídio's legs, and tapped it past Diego. A stunning goal. In the 42nd minute, Mauricio sealed the rout with a cross. Finally, irritated by Anderson's embassy, Obina launched a fight, but was restrained by Roger.
Yellow cards: Cristian, Colace, Leo Medeiros, Diego Tardelli, Thiago Sales, Gustavo Nery, Arouca, Romeu, Anderson. Revenue: R$630.691 Attendance: 39.056 paying spectators.
FLAMENGO
DIEGO: Disastrous performance. He failed miserably on Fluminense's first two goals. On the second, no one understood his glancing shot. 3.
LUIZINHO: Lost in the marking, he was completely overwhelmed by the tricolor attack. 4.
THIAGO SALES: He clashed heads with Rodrigo Arroz in the final stage. He was also dribbled past during Thiago Neves' third goal. 5.
RODRIGO ARROZ: He did not convey confidence at any time. 4.
EGÍDIO: Poor support, still got the "pen" from Thiago Neves in the third goal. 4.
COLACE: Technically limited, he wasn't seen with the ball at his feet. He came off at halftime. 4,5. MARCINHO came on well and, in his first intervention, set up the play that led to Kleberson's goal. Then he disappeared. 5,5.
CRISTIAN: He did well in the first half, providing security for the red-and-black defense. In the end, he ended up sinking with the entire team. 5,5.
LÉO MEDEIROS: Missing for 90 minutes, he should have been substituted. 4.
KLEBERSON: Missing in the first half when he played further forward, he improved by dropping back to his position after Marcinho came on. He showed opportunism in the goal. 6.
DIEGO TARDELLI: The best player on the team. He showed class and good finishing ability. He came out tired. 7,5. MAXI came on at the end and did nothing. No rating.
OBINA: He gave the Tricolor defense a lot of work and, after Diego Tardelli, was the best. He deserved to score a goal. 7.
JOEL SANTANA: His team was better in the first half, but in the second half they collapsed after Fluminense's second goal. No one understood the insistence on Léo Medeiros. 5.
FLUMINENSE
FERNANDO HENRIQUE: Great performance. He made at least three great saves and maintained his unbeaten run against Flamengo. 8.
RAFAEL: Discreet performance. He stuck to the marking and closed the spaces, preventing Egídio from advancing. 5.
ANDERSON: He played seriously and, even though he was clumsy, he got the job done. In the end, he showed calm and avoided a fight with Obina. 6.
ROGER: The best of the defense. He fought a duel with the red-and-black attack and came out on top. 6,5.
GUSTAVO NERY: He barely touched the ball, despite the team attacking heavily down the left. He still owes a good performance. 4.
FABINHO: He ran, fought, scored, and missed a lot of passes. As usual. 5,5.
ROMEU: He was very dedicated throughout the 90 minutes. He was tireless in marking and helped protect the Tricolor defenders. 6.
AROUCA: He played the ball well, helping the Tricolor midfield to surround the opponent. 6,5. DAVID came on and kept the pace in midfield, at a decisive moment in the match. 6.
CONCA: He excelled in the first half, creating the team's best chances. He disappeared in the second half and was eventually substituted. 6,5. MAURÍCIO came on and added dynamism to the Tricolor midfield. He sealed the rout with an opportunistic goal. 6,5.
CICERO: Good performance. He played forward and was important in opening up spaces with his intense movement. 7.
THIAGO NEVES: The absolute master of the Fla-Flu match. He was inspired from the start, constantly threatening the Flamengo goal. He showed great skill on both free kick goals, but it was on the third that he delighted the fans with a spectacular play. 10.
RENATO GAÚCHO: Despite fielding a reserve team, he managed to maintain a strong performance. His team dominated the second half, and the substitutions were crucial to the Tricolor's dominance. 7.
ARBITRATION
João Batista de Arruda performed well in a difficult game to referee. He followed the action closely and distributed cards well. His few mistakes didn't affect the outcome.
A defeat that closed the time
After the storm that fell on Maracanã and the rain of goals from Fluminense, Joel Santana, disappointed, defines today the list of players who will be registered in the Copa Libertadores
: THIAGO NEVES hugs coach Renato Gaúcho, in an explosion of happiness at Maracanã
JOEL SANTANA frowns at his team's performance in the 4-1 defeat
Gian Amato
After a ten-minute blackout at Maracanã, the power came back on and the game continued. But Flamengo remained in the dark. Despite taking the lead, the team allowed the comeback and left the stadium thrashed. In the red-and-black locker room, the players, drenched, heard shouts of "This is Flamengo! We can't do this!" from someone close to the club. To avoid another storm catching the team by surprise on the way to Tacna for their Libertadores debut, coach Joel Santana is today naming the group that will travel to Peru.
The coach deeply regretted the way Flamengo lost the match and expressed a hint of disappointment with the reserves. Joel claims to have warned about the danger of free kicks near the box, which resulted in two goals by Thiago Neves:
"Losing like this isn't normal, especially since during competitions I'll have to use these players. I didn't like some things, and tomorrow (today), we'll bring them up. I have to ask them what happened, because I explained to them the danger of fouls."
In a game that served as an evaluation for the rest of the season, and mainly to decide which players will be registered in the Libertadores, it is certain that some of them lost their places on Tuesday's flight, which will take the red-black team to the 3.400 meters of altitude of Tacna, for the debut against Coronel Bolognesi, on Wednesday.
"We still have time to review some concepts, because the Libertadores won't be easy. Now, for us, it's do or die. Since my arrival at Flamengo last year, I haven't suffered a defeat like this. We'll evaluate it in a training session with the juniors, at Gávea, because we want to take a strong group to Peru," Joel declared.
Joel Santana praises Thiago Neves, the owner of the game
The only thing Joel celebrated yesterday was the fact that he'll be able to face Vasco on Sunday in the Guanabara Cup semifinal. The coach will have an extra day to train, as the team returns to Brazil on Thursday:
"It will be a privilege to play on Sunday. Regardless of whether it's against Vasco, because in a decisive game you don't choose your opponent."
And if there's one opponent that brings tears and greed to Joel's eyes, it's Thiago Neves, who is highly praised by the red-black coach.
"Whoever has a good penalty taker comes out ahead. Congratulations to Thiago. Just when we were at our best, we conceded goals to him," he said.
The defeat was so significant that even defender Fábio Luciano, who didn't play, made a point of giving interviews. He expressed his support and hoped that the international campaign, which begins tomorrow with a trip to Peru, will be free from further storms.
The red-black cast is unknown
Coronel Bolognesi players watch the Fla-Flu match on TV
Photo caption: Goalkeeper Penny, the only one to play in the 2010 qualifiers, trains
Carlos Eduardo Mansur
TACNA, Peru. The talent exporting nature of South American football, the closer ties between Peruvians and Argentine football, and, of course, a period of no major international successes mean that today's Flamengo is, in Tacna, an unknown team. Unlike Coronel Bolognesi, who were largely ignored in Brazil until recently, Flamengo is recognized in Peru. But these references are based on the club's size, its fan base, and past names. In Bolognesi's current squad, for example, the players admit they don't know any of their current opponents. Sometimes, they say they do know São Paulo players. This is a sign that the current Flamengo squad has the responsibility of paving the way for the club's return to international recognition in the Libertadores.
- Honestly, I don't know any of the players - says striker Juniors Ross, repeating the answer given by all the players when asked about Flamengo.
The knowledge that Kleberson, a five-time champion in 2002, is at the club comes as a surprise to Peruvians. Colonel Bolognesi's coaching staff, however, is already deepening its investigation into Flamengo. They claim to have a DVD of the victory over Caxias. Yesterday, they were scheduled to watch the Fla-Flu match, broadcast live in Tacna. Although disappointed to learn that the starting players would be rested, the game was part of the schedule for coach Juan Reynoso and his assistants.
"You always take something away. Especially the way you play," says Miguel Miranda, former national team goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach.
"Peruvians know that Flamengo has the largest fan base in the world. Historically, they remember Zico. But they know little about him today. The image is more closely tied to idols of the past. It's the same as the big clubs in Peru," says Leroy Maquera of Radio Uno.
While studying Flamengo and watching the fans and the city rally, Coronel Bolognesi's players seem to be trying to break the spirit of admiration that prevails among the people of Tacna regarding Brazilian football. Goalkeeper Diego Penny, the only player on the team who played for Peru in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, says that Peruvian football is shrouded in defeatism.
"This is our biggest problem. When a Peruvian team faces a Brazilian team, for example, the people, the press, everyone says we've already lost. There's a pessimism that infects the players. If we train well, it will be a balanced game," says the goalkeeper. "I see the match against Flamengo as a chance that life gives us. We're facing a powerful team. Playing in the Libertadores already means making history at Coronel Bolognesi. Imagine if we can win."
The goalkeeper, however, says he knows there are obstacles in the way of his dream.
- Of course Brazilian football is above Peruvian football.
Midfielder Uribe has the same speech:
- Winning is possible. The game starts 0-0, and it will be 11 against 11 on the field. We need to understand that we've worked hard.
Yesterday, Colonel Bolognesi unveiled his most talked-about signing to date: striker Miguel Mostto, who was at Barnsley in England's Second Division, where he spent only six months. Previously, he had played for Bolognesi and Cienciano.
Who will stop Fla in basketball?
Rubro-negro beats Uberlândia and continues with 100% success in the National
FLAMENGO'S DUDA climbs to grab the rebound in the easy red-black victory over Uberlândia (MG)
Tatiana Furtado
Giving no chance to its opponents, Flamengo remains the only undefeated team in the National Men's Basketball Championship. The team won its seventh straight game, defeating Uberlândia (MG) 97-75 (48-37 in the first half) yesterday afternoon in Gávea. The red-and-black team's next match will be against FTC/EAD (BA) on Friday at 20 p.m. in Salvador.
Once again, the Rio team's standout performer was winger Marcelinho, who topped the scoreboard with 25 points. He is the championship's top scorer so far.
"We have a great squad, and even with changes during the match, the level doesn't drop. Sometimes it even improves. That's made all the difference," said the winger.
Team strength makes victory easier
However, the start of the match wasn't so easy. In the first two quarters, Uberlândia managed to keep pace with their opponent. With strong marking and capitalizing on Flamengo's mistakes, the Minas Gerais team maintained its balance and finished the first quarter just four points behind: 26 to 22.
In the second quarter, Uberlândia managed to turn the game around after a counterattack converted by forward/center Jaz (29-28). However, the lead was short-lived. From the midpoint of the quarter onward, Marcelinho decided to emerge. With beautiful assists, steals, and three-pointers, the forward helped extend the score to 48-37.
The halftime break was good for Flamengo, who came back with a bang. In a minute and a half, the team scored seven points. Their opponents only scored after more than three minutes had passed, and in the entire period, they managed just six points. In the end, Flamengo extended the lead to more than 30 points: 77 to 43.
In the fourth and final period, the team relaxed and simply managed the advantage.
The Women's National Semifinal starts today
Satisfied with another positive result, Flamengo coach Paulo Chupeta praised the strength of the group.
"The first two quarters were a time for the teams to study each other. That's why we didn't have much of a lead. But my team is very strong, and we didn't lose momentum for the rest of the game. So much so that in the third quarter, we were up 29-6," the coach assessed.
Flamengo: Marcelinho (25), Helio (5), Fred (7), Coloneze (14) and Alírio (6). Igor, Wagner (3), Fernando (7), Duda (14), Maicon (11), Marcellus (4) and Wanderson (1) came on. Uberlândia: Jaz (13), Raul, Olivinha (14), Adriano (12) and Ricardo (1). Eduardo, Alexandre (5), Leonardo (3), Ralfi, Wellington (3), Rodrigo (2) and Salgueiro (22) came on.
The semifinal stage (played in the best of five matches) of the National Women's Basketball Championship begins today with Ourinhos (SP) x Sport (PE), at the Monstrinho gym, in Ourinhos, at 20 pm.
BEST GYMNAST OF THE YEAR
American Shawn Johnson—winner of three gold medals at the Gymnastics World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, and four gold medals and one silver medal at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio—was named last year's best gymnast by the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in the USA. Jade Barbosa was also participating in the competition. In the men's competition, she defeated Germany's Fabian Hambuchen.
SPORTS JOURNAL
Depression takes over Fla
Coach Joel Santana, throughout the game, tried to correct the mistakes
Although yesterday's game was meaningless, as Flamengo remained top of Group A of the Guanabara Cup despite the loss, the mood in the red-and-black locker room after the match was deeply sad. The players' disappointment was clear, but Joel Santana and the more experienced players in the group did everything they could to cheer up the younger players.
Moments before the interviews began, Joel Santana could be heard trying to cheer on his players. The shouts were encouraging.
"Let's think ahead, think hard! We lost when we could have lost! We have to hold our heads high, we know our team is strong," he roared.
When the interviews began, the reporters present were surprised when defender Fábio Luciano, who did not participate in the game, sat down at the table to defend his teammates.
"I know I didn't play, but I came here to say that our group is united and that we must respect these boys who played. There aren't just 11 athletes here, we're a united group. We know they didn't have a good second half, but they're important to everyone," he said.
Joel warned that although the team lost when they could have, yesterday's mistakes cannot happen again and said that today there will be a meeting to re-plan the year.
"I'm not here to pat anyone on the head. We knew that Flu's strength was in those set pieces on the left, and we conceded the goals there. Let's talk to see why we made our mistakes," said Joel.
Shot - Three Flu fans were shot on Rua Sobral in Engenho Novo before the game. A group rode by on a motorcycle and opened fire on the fans. The injured were taken to Salgado Filho Hospital in Méier, but are not in danger of dying.
Flamengo won the junior preliminary round.
In the preliminary match of yesterday's derby at the Maracanã, Flamengo's juniors defeated Fluminense 1-0 in the final round of the first round of the Rio de Janeiro State Championship. The goal of the match was scored by supporter Vander.
Besides number 10 Vander, Erick Flores was the match's standout performer. The player had a flawless performance, providing the attack with plenty of movement. The red-and-black fans who arrived early were the only ones able to celebrate. But the victory was of little value, as the red-and-blacks no longer had a chance of qualifying for the tournament semifinals. With 13 points, Fluminense finished the first stage in second place and now faces Vasco in the semifinals.
Factions - While chaos raged around the Maracanã stadium, in the stands, Flamengo's two largest organized factions staged a moment the red-and-black fans had long awaited. During halftime, when the floodlights went out and the game threatened to be postponed, the two factions united and, in a gesture of peace, celebrated their union. Now we just have to wait and see how long the peace will last.
A very different Fla-Flu
Julio Gracco and Nathan de Lima
Diego Tardelli will start this Sunday
The mystique of the country's most captivating derby prevents fans from distancing themselves from the thrills of a Fla-Flu match under any circumstances. Some of the shine, however, will be lost with the lineups of virtually reserve teams on both sides. The changes mark a reality that fans will have to live with from now on: the start of the Libertadores and the consequent need to field a mixed team simultaneously in both competitions. For this reason, today at 18:10 PM at the Maracanã stadium, the substitutes should take the field with a knife between their teeth, seeking a place in the lineup and the confidence of the coaches.
The possibility of injuries, since derbies are usually heated and closely contested, also factored into the coaches' decision. Furthermore, some players are currently sidelined, which could hurt the teams in the semifinals.
Both clubs have promoted youth players to bolster their squads and help with the lineup. For Flu, midfielder Vinícius Tartá will be on the bench. Because Soares has the flu, forward Maurício Alves was rushed from Xerém. For Fla, defender Anderson Bamba, right-back Davidson, and defensive midfielder Antônio will be available for Joel on the bench.
Thiago Neves, who could return to the Flu squad after missing the team's last match to play for the national team in a friendly, is a likely player. As the team's starting lineup remains a mystery, the number 10 has not yet been confirmed, but he is focused and should play. He expects plenty of action in the derby.
"Everyone wants to show the coaches that they have what it takes to be a starter. It's going to be a very good game, a great watch. I don't know what system Renato will adopt, but I'm sure the best one will be used on the field," he said.
There's a lot of anticipation for Flamengo, especially for newcomer Kléberson, who will be playing in his first Fla-Flu match. For him, his first appearance is a special boost.
"It's an important match, especially for getting into the swing of things. For me, it's going to be a very close game, and so we have to be patient to get the best possible result. It's my debut, so it's an extra motivation. We have a strong team and we're going all out to win," he said.
Another good reason to go to Maracanã: before the classic, at 16 pm, the juniors from Flu and Fla compete in the preliminary round.
Peruvians mock Flamengo
Cienciano players say Fla is afraid of losing
Since last year, when it had to face Real Potosí at an altitude of approximately 4.000 meters above sea level in Bolivia, Flamengo has taken a radical stance against games played at high altitudes. The Gávea club has already filed a series of official complaints, but ironically, it will have to face the altitude once again in the 2008 Copa Libertadores.
Flamengo will face Cienciano, from Peru, in the group stage. The game will be in Cuzco, 3.360 meters above sea level. Flamengo has already stated that it does not want to play at such an altitude, a statement that has already provoked reactions from Cienciano's players, who mocked the red-and-black team's "fear."
"It's ridiculous and a little pathetic that Flamengo doesn't want to come to Cuzco knowing that other teams, like Santos and Grêmio, were here and didn't suffer at all," Julio Garcia, one of the Peruvian team's main players, told "El Bocón."
The match between Flamengo and Cienciano is scheduled for April 9th
Mengão wins the seventh in a row
Rubro-Negro crushes Uberlândia and continues to lead the National Basketball Championship
Photo by Ari Versiani/Disclosure
Winger Duda put on his usual show with dunks
Flamengo is unstoppable in the National Men's Basketball Championship. Yesterday, the red-and-black team defeated UTC/Uberlândia (MG) 97-75 (48-37) at the Gávea gymnasium. The top scorers of the match were Marcelinho Machado, of Flamengo, and Leandro Salgueiro, of Uberlândia, with 25 and 22 points, respectively.
With the victory, the Rio de Janeiro team remains at the top of the competition with a 100% record in seven matches (seven wins). "We knew it would be a tough match, because Uberlândia was coming off a positive result against Universo/DF, the current Brazilian champion. We started very focused, but we couldn't play our game due to their good defense.
In the final stage, we got the defensive part right and, with that, we imposed our rhythm and dominated the match”, commented Marcelinho, who highlighted the strength of the red-black team.
Set
“The final difference of 22 points shows that Flamengo has a great squad and each player who steps onto the court plays their role well.”
Flamengo had another solid defensive performance, which was crucial to controlling the Minas Gerais team. Coach Paulo Chupeta's strategic approach innovated with his attacking moves, confusing Uberlândia's defense. Point guard Hélio and center Coloneze were also crucial to the victory, as was Duda, who came off the bench.
Garrafao
In rebounds, the red-black team grabbed 38, 31 of which were defensive, against Uberlândia's 28, with good performances from Marcelinho (6) and Coloneze (5)
Flamengo returns to play on Friday against FTC, in Salvador (Bahia), at 20 pm.
Minas Gerais standout Leandro Salgueiro acknowledged the superiority of his Rio de Janeiro rival:
"In the first half, we managed to keep the match balanced because the defense neutralized the red-and-black attack. In the third quarter, we were inconsistent on both offense and defense. We only scored six points, and that was crucial to the final result. But we'll keep working, because our goal is to secure a spot in the playoffs, and the team has every chance of getting there."
Flamengo: Marcelinho (25), Hélio (5), Fred (7), Coloneze (14) and Alírio (6). Entered: Wagner (3), Fernando (7), Duda (14), Maicon (11), Marcelus (4) and Wanderson (1).\ Coach: Paulo Chupeta\
Uberlândia: Jaz (13), Raul, Olivinha (14), Adriano (12) and Ricardo (1). Entered: Alexandre (5), Leonardo (3), Wellington (6), Rodrigo (2) and Salgueiro (22).\ Coach: C.Romano\
Location: Gávea Gymnasium\ Referees: J. Pelissari (MG), E. Batista (SC) and G. Locatelli (SC)\
THE DAY
Flu thrashes Fla at Maracanã: 4-1
Nilo Junior
Rio - With a stellar performance from midfielder Thiago Neves, Fluminense thrashed Flamengo 4-1 this Sunday at Maracanã. The result ended the Flamengo's unbeaten streak, which was the only team with a 100% record, and boosted the Tricolor's morale for next Saturday's semifinal against Botafogo. Under heavy rain, Fluminense relied on the skill of Thiago Neves, who scored a hat trick. Maurício completed the rout, with Kleberson pulling one back for Flamengo.
When the ball started rolling, it was Fluminense who started the scoring, starting in the third minute with a Thiago Neves free kick that Diego struggled to save. Fluminense only managed their first shot on goal in the 3th minute, with Diego Tardelli making a poor connection and sending the ball over the bar. In the 13st minute, Rafael headed in a dangerous header from a Thiago Neves cross. Fluminense responded in the 21th minute, again with Tardelli, who was the red-and-black team's best attacking option.
In the 32nd minute, the assistant referee wrongly signaled offside on Gustavo Nery, who was advancing unmarked toward goal, and this hurt Fluminense. The game continued to be lively, but both teams missed shots. Four minutes later, the best chance of the first half came. Obina fed Tardelli, who dribbled past the defender and onto Fernando Henrique.
During halftime, a storm lashed Rio de Janeiro, and lightning struck the power lines outside the stadium, leaving the Maracanã stadium in darkness. A little over 10 minutes late, the second half began, and the rain seemed to have energized Flamengo, who opened the scoring after just four minutes. Marcinho crossed, Rafael made a poor clearance, and Kleberson scored.
The Flamengo fans didn't even have time to celebrate, as three minutes later, Thiago Neves took a perfect free kick to equalize. In the 20th minute, Flamengo nearly broke the deadlock, with Obina's header going just wide of the post. In the 27th minute, Thiago Neves scored again from a free kick to put Flu ahead. This time, however, he had the help of Diego, who was off his feet and watched the ball go in.
Flamengo had a chance to equalize in the 31st minute, but Tiago Sales preferred to kick the ball away instead of playing it in, missing a huge opportunity. In the 33rd minute, Thiago Neves scored a stunning goal. The midfielder placed the ball between Egídio's legs and skillfully tapped it past Diego.
Although the game was already decided, Flu wanted more and went in search of the rout, which came in the 41st minute. After a cross from David, Maurício, who came on for Conca, scored the fourth.
Focus on the Libertadores
Janir Junior
Rio - Even though the game wasn't worth anything, the rout was hard to swallow. And, to avoid indigestion, Joel Santana used catchphrases to emphasize the importance of Flamengo's Copa Libertadores debut on Wednesday against Coronel Bolognesi in Peru, and the Guanabara Cup semifinal against Vasco on Sunday.
"Now, it's do or die. We're upset with the result, but this week we have some truly decisive games. And there's no turning back, it's win or win," Joel emphasized. Moments earlier, the team's captain, Fábio Luciano, had come screaming into the locker room, demanding that everyone hold their heads up high. "This defeat doesn't break our confidence. Flamengo isn't made up of just 11 players, it's a group," the defender roared.
Joel absolved Diego of blame, but the fans booed the goalkeeper and blamed the first two goals on him. "It was Thiago Neves's quality, not Diego's fault," said the coach, who today announced the list of 25 players registered for the Libertadores. The team trains this afternoon and travels to Peru tomorrow.
SPORTS GAZETTE
After the rout, players are worried about the Libertadores
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - The 4-1 defeat to Fluminense in the derby has left Flamengo players apprehensive about their Copa Libertadores debut. They say the team can't let Sunday's result affect their performance on Wednesday, when Flamengo faces Peru's Coronel Bolognesi. Defender Fábio Luciano, who didn't even participate in the game but decided to support his teammates, downplayed the final score, noting that Flamengo is currently in first place in its group. "Now they're going to be really sad, and it's going to be hard to sleep. But everyone has to be happy in training, because we have an important game coming up," he declared.
Scorer of Flamengo's only goal, Kléberson agreed with the defender. "The Copa Libertadores is a high-level competition. If we get a positive result, we'll start our journey well. Therefore, I hope this result doesn't affect us midweek," he stated.
Despite suffering a thrashing, the midfielder made it clear he's not sad. "The team played well, but we lacked composure. Personally, I'm very happy to be participating in a classic. Of course, I didn't want it to end like this, but we have to make the most of it," he added.
Thiago Neves shines and Flu thrashes Flamengo\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - One of the few starters on the field in this Sunday's derby at the Maracanã, midfielder Thiago Neves scored three goals - the other by Maurício - and helped Fluminense defeat Flamengo 4-1 in a comeback derby in the final round of the Taça Guanabara. Kléberson scored for Fluminense, who now face Vasco in the semifinals of the first round. Fluminense will face Botafogo. Sunday's result ended Flamengo's ten-game winning streak at the Maracanã. Fluminense started the derby better. In the third minute, Thiago Neves took a free kick and Diego struggled to palm the ball out for a corner. Thiago had another good chance in the sixth minute, but shot wide after receiving a cross from Conca.
Flamengo, under pressure until then, went on the attack in the 11th minute, when Luizinho fed Obina, who set up a powerful shot that drew a great save from Fernando Henrique. The Tricolor goalkeeper also made a good save in the 27th minute, preventing Diego Tardelli from scoring. Shortly before that, in the 21st minute, Rafael missed a good chance for Fluminense, heading over the bar from inside the six-yard box.
The game was evenly matched at this point at Maracanã. In the 36th minute, Diego Tardelli dribbled past Roger inside the box, but his shot went straight at Fernando Henrique. Despite chances for both sides, the 0-0 score remained unchanged in the first half.
The teams returned from the locker room under a downpour. But before the ball could roll again, the lights at the Maracanã went out. After another ten minutes, the floodlights came back on, and both teams woke up as well. Four minutes into the second half, Kléberson appeared well in the box and opened the scoring at the Maracanã for Flamengo.
Wasting no time, Fluminense quickly equalized. Thiago Neves took a skillful free kick in the seventh minute and placed it in the left corner for Diego, who jumped late on the play. Without much responsibility, since both teams were already qualified, Flamengo and Fluminense abandoned defense and prioritized attack. Obina almost put Flamengo back in front in the 21st minute, but his header went just wide of Fernando Henrique's post.
Fluminense didn't waste their opportunity. In the 28th minute, Thiago Neves took another free kick, and Diego helped him turn the game around for Fluminense.
Inspired, Thiago Neves found the net again in the 33rd minute, getting past two defenders and chipping the ball past goalkeeper Diego. The player secured the Tricolor victory and celebrated as he left the field, having been substituted minutes before the final whistle. "I'm definitely not going to sleep tonight," he said.
From the bench, Thiago Neves also saw Maurício head in a cross in the 42nd minute and turn Fluminense's victory into a rout.
PELENET
Thiago Neves unbalances and Fluminense thrashes Flamengo
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
THIAGO NEVES COMMANDS ROUTING
In the substitutes' match, Fluminense prevailed. In a match with a good crowd, heavy rain, and a power outage at halftime, Fluminense came from behind to defeat Flamengo 4-1 this Sunday at Maracanã Stadium in the seventh and final round of Group A of the Guanabara Cup, the first round of the State Championship.
With the result, the Laranjeiras team, the only unbeaten team in the competition, which had already qualified for the Guanabara Cup semifinals thanks to Boavista's 2-1 victory over Macaé, reached 17 points. Although Flamengo lost its unbeaten streak in the competition, it remains the leader with 18.
Flamengo is better and Fernando Henrique stands out
The reserves started the derby full of energy. However, even though it was a meaningless match, the nervousness was evident on both sides. The first dangerous play came in the 11th minute. Obina forced Fernando Henrique into an acrobatic save. Fluminense responded when Thiago Neves, in the 16th minute, crossed from the left and Diego punched it away. The Tricolor's number 10, this time from a free kick, headed the ball over Rafael's head in the 21st.
While Flamengo threatened with attacks down the right flank, Tricolor practically "backed" the ball to the red-and-black goalkeeper. In the 27th minute, Diego Tardelli unleashed a bomb, and Fernando Henrique, the team's standout player, sent it out for a corner. In the 38th minute, the red-and-black number 11 cut past two opponents, and the Tricolor goalkeeper saved with his left foot. In the last dangerous play of the first half, Thiago Neves left Cristian talking to himself and scared Diego.
Tardelli lamented the missed chances, but praised Flamengo's stance in the first half: "Fernando Henrique did very well in the play and prevented the goal, but the team is balanced. Now we just need to get the passes right to come out with the victory," he said.
Despite power outage, teams are back on
The second half started 10 minutes late due to a power outage at Maracanã Stadium. It rained heavily in much of Rio de Janeiro.
In the first significant play of the second half, Flamengo opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Marcinho crossed, Tardelli fouled the referee, and Kleberson fired a bomb into the top corner.
However, Flamengo didn't even have time to assimilate the advantage. In the seventh minute, Thiago Neves took a free kick, Diego missed, and Flamengo equalized. In the 17th minute, Obina shot, and the ball hit Anderson's hand. João Batista de Arruda ignored the penalty.
In a "copycat" of the first goal, Thiago Neves scored the second. In the 27th minute, the midfielder hit a free kick into the top corner, but Diego missed again and was booed by the red-and-black fans. In the 34th minute, the midfielder played a one-two with Cícero and scored the third for Tricolor. Maurício still had time to add the fourth and, in the 41st minute, complete the scoring.
Fábio Luciano says Flamengo players will have a "sad night"
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo captain Fábio Luciano was rested for this Sunday's Fla-Flu match, but he was the first to appear at the press conference following the 4-1 loss at Maracanã. Visibly upset, the defender stated that the players will have a terrible night after the rout, but that by the time they return on Monday afternoon, joy will have returned to the squad.
"We'll have a sad night, it'll be hard to sleep. We'll toss and turn, have a rest tomorrow morning, and then we'll show up again in the afternoon. Then, our motivation will have to return, our joy will have to return, because of Wednesday's game," said the player, referring to the red-and-black team's debut in the Copa Libertadores, against Coronel Bolognesi, in Tacna, Peru.
For Fábio Luciano, this Sunday's rout must be used as a learning experience for the younger players who participated in the classic.
"Everyone has to take this game as a lesson and grow from everything that happened," he added.
Joel announces this Monday that Flamengo players are going to Peru
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
The 4-1 rout by Fluminense alarmed Joel Santana. After Sunday's match at Maracanã, in the seventh and final round of Group A of the Guanabara Cup, Flamengo's coach admitted he will have a meeting with the coaching staff on Monday to decide on the team that will travel to Peru to face Coronel Bolognesi on Wednesday in the Copa Libertadores da América opener.
The coach left open the possibility of resting some athletes in the clash in Tacna to use his best in the semi-final of the first round of the State Championship, against Vasco, next Sunday, at 16 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã.
"Tomorrow afternoon we will meet in Gávea to decide which players will go to Peru and which will be on standby for the match against Vasco," said the red-black commander.
After the comment, the coach acknowledged that Flamengo was seriously lacking in its first derby of the year. Joel expects a different approach next weekend.
"We made mistakes in many aspects, but we lost when we could. When it comes to a decisive game, it's a different story," he concluded.
Kléberson says set pieces made the difference in the Fla-Flu
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
This Sunday's Fla-Flu clash had everything to be special for point guard Kléberson. He scored the first goal of the derby four minutes into the second half, played under heavy rain at the Maracanã stadium. The opponent, however, fought back and turned the game around, winning 4-1. For the five-time world champion, one detail in particular led to Flamengo's defeat.
"Inexplicably, we fell after scoring the first goal. And to make matters worse, the set pieces made the difference in their favor," he explained, referring to three Tricolor goals. The first two were scored by Thiago Neves from free kicks and the fourth was scored by Maurício, who took advantage of a foul taken by David on the left side of the attack.
Young defender Thiago Salles, who had the opportunity to play after Joel Santana opted for the reserve team, also highlighted the fouls as decisive, in addition to the defense being very exposed at some points in the match.
"After they turned the game around, we tried to attack in search of goals. But they took advantage of counterattacks and set pieces," he concluded.
GLOBOESPORTE
Rodrigo is discharged and becomes a fan
Defender calls friend several times during Fla-Flu and laments defeat
Eduardo Peixoto
Rodrigo broke his arm last Thursday and was discharged this Sunday
Flamengo's defensive performance against Fluminense left much to be desired. Many fans certainly remembered Rodrigo, who fractured his arm and won't be back for four months. And the defender hasn't forgotten the club either.
He was discharged this Sunday and allowed to spend a week in São Paulo before beginning physical therapy. Even so, he made a point of calling friends who were at Mareacanã during the game to check the score.
Upon learning of the crushing defeat, he was upset, but praised Fábio Luciano's attitude. The Flamengo captain insisted on going to the locker room and, even without playing, gave a press conference defending his defeated teammates.
Regarding his recovery, Rodrigo is pain-free and excited to begin treatment. He returns to Rio next Sunday.
After the classic against Fluminense, Joel Santana said again that Rubro-Negro is considering signing a defender.
"We've studied this situation, but it's not simple. If it's a player to replace Angelim and Fábio Luciano, that's fine. Otherwise, we'll stick with Thiago and Rodrigo," the coach declared.
Fla's strengths for the semifinal
Bruno, Leo Moura, Juan, Ibson and Souza count on the support of the crowd to beat Vasco
Eduardo Peixoto
Next Sunday, the 17th, Flamengo and Vasco will decide who will play in the final of the Taça Guanabara—the first round of the Campeonato Carioca—against the winner of Fluminense vs. Botafogo. Even with the Libertadores starting this Wednesday, the red-and-black team won't want to be unlucky and be eliminated by their archrival. So, check out the team's main weapons for this duel.
Thiago Neves irritates Flamengo fans and team
The player's celebrations, who scored three goals, left the red-blacks angry
Eduardo Peixoto
It wasn't just Thiago Neves' performance on the field that unnerved Flamengo fans. The man of the match in Fluminense's 4-1 rout, he angered the Flamengo fans for reasons other than his three goals.
On two of the three occasions he scored, he went to the Flamengo fans to provoke them. He danced and put his hand to his ear, gestures that were enough to outrage many fans. Although Souza, the Flamengo center forward, always celebrates by dancing, Flamengo fans claim he never addresses the opposing fans, limiting himself to celebrating with his teammates.
"This kid is dazzled. But he needs to know that the world turns and we can meet again in two weeks. And then, with the starters..." says retired José Franciso, one of the few who criticized the Tricolor without resorting to profanity.
Flamengo's players also have long-standing reservations and grudges against Thiago. In 2007, after a 2-0 victory in the second round of the Brazilian Championship, the player mocked Flamengo and told them to be careful because they could end up relegated to the second division. The statement greatly angered Flamengo fans, and some even questioned the Tricolor's character internally.
This Sunday, he was back to cracking jokes during the match. Even the players who weren't playing commented on Thiago's attitude.
Another defender who also received criticism in the Flamengo locker room was defender Anderson. At the end of the match, Obina alleged that he kept his ball in check and belittled Flamengo. A scuffle broke out, and the Bahian asked for more respect (watch the video above).
Flamengo and Fluminense will play in the Guanabara Cup semifinals against Vasco and Botafogo, respectively. If they advance, they'll meet again on the 23rd. There are people in Gávea crossing off their calendars, waiting for the chance for revenge.
Thrashing makes Joel 'review concepts'
Coach avoids harsh criticism but says he will show the team some things
Eduardo Peixoto
Nothing like a bad result to make something sweet turn bitter. The 4-1 defeat to Fluminense this Sunday made coach Joel Santana reconsider his views on some Flamengo players.
Many of the reserves used in this Sunday's classic did not perform and the coach promises to explain this to the group this Monday.
"It was a test game, to see who we can count on from now on. Saying we're out of match fitness is no excuse, and it was obviously a game to reevaluate our thinking. I didn't like it, and obviously we'll talk about it tomorrow (Monday)," says the coach.
This Monday, the club will release the list of players registered for the first phase of the Copa Libertadores. "Those who play well, play well. Those who play poorly, play poorly. There's no point in trying to convince them. Most of the players had already played several games. We need to know why this alarming drop occurred," asks Joel Santana.
Regarding goalkeeper Diego, Joel reiterated that a lack of match fitness is no excuse. However, he preferred to praise Thiago Neves.
- It was more of a quality from Thiago than a mistake from Diego - he analyzes
Flamengo's starters watch the classic
Even though they're off, Leo Moura and Fábio Luciano will go to Maracanã this Sunday
Flamengo's starting players were given the day off this Sunday. Even so, many of them went to Maracanã to watch the derby against Fluminense. They left frustrated by the 4-1 thrashing by the reserves.
Leo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Toró, Jaílton, and Juan were some of those who traded their free time for the stadium's special seats. The national team's right-back was even accompanied by his girlfriend, singer Perlla. However, he was discreet and preferred to avoid photos with her.
Flamengo's squad will report back to training this Monday afternoon in Gávea. The delegation will depart for Tacna on Tuesday afternoon. Their Copa Libertadores debut will be Wednesday against Coronel Bolognesi in Peru.
Even in the 'friendly', fans show up
More than 42 people will go to Maracanã to watch the reserves' duel in Fla-Flu
The Fla-Flu match was so highly anticipated that even its status as a luxury friendly didn't discourage fans. Both teams—already qualified for the Guanabara Cup semifinals—fielded substitutes and still drew 42.543 fans (39.056 paying) to the Maracanã.
As the winner of Group A, Flamengo had the most fans in the stands. However, it was the Tricolor fans who were the ones making the most noise. With the score at 4-1, they danced the "créu" in the stands until speed four.
In turn, the red-and-blacks vented their anger at the rout on goalkeeper Diego. Bruno's backup missed two goals and left the field to boos.
Thiago Neves puts on a show, and Flu thrashes Fla
Supporter scores three goals in friendly between reserves. Diego is the red-and-black villain
Eduardo Peixoto
Fluminense used only one starting outfield player in the "reserves' derby" against Flamengo. And he, Thiago Neves, was enough to crush his rival. The midfielder scored three goals at the Maracanã, made fun of the red-and-black fans, and even gave the Tricolor fans the right to dance the créu at speed four in the stands. (Watch the highlights below).
The match, for the purposes of qualifying for the Guanabara Cup, was of no importance. Even so, more than 39 people paid for tickets to see it. And the Tricolores were treated to a stellar performance by Thiago, who scored twice from free kicks and the third, deflecting the opposing defense. The other starter on the field, goalkeeper Fernando Henrique, also stood out with some good saves.
Meanwhile, Flamengo struggled with Bruno's substitute appearance. Diego missed two goals and was instrumental in ending Flamengo's unbeaten run this year. The only positives were Diego Tardelli's flashes of brilliance and a strong performance by Kleberson, who scored Flamengo's only goal.
Despite the victory, Fluminense finishes the first phase in second place in Group A, with 17 points, and faces Botafogo next Saturday. In this match, the Tricolor reached the considerable milestone of 18 games without a loss at Maracanã.
Flamengo maintains its first place with 18 points and faces Vasco next Sunday at 16 p.m. But before that, the team from Gávea makes its Copa Libertadores debut on Wednesday against Coronel Bolognesi in Peru.
Sun and blank scoreboard
Amidst so many reserves, Thiago Neves showed pedigree as a Tricolor starter early on. He created two dangerous chances in just six minutes. The first, Diego saved the free kick. Then, he fired a right-footed shot just wide of the post.
Flamengo leveled the match, but came up against another Flu starter: Fernando Henrique. The goalkeeper made two similar saves on shots from Obina and Diego Tardelli, which went into the left corner.
Flu made trouble with Cicero, but in the 31st minute, the Tricolor goalkeeper saved what would have been a great goal by Diego Tardelli with his feet. The Rubro-Negro defense slacked off in the 44th minute, and Thiago Neves dribbled past Luizinho and shot dangerously.
Temporal and creu
During halftime, the Maracanã's lightning rod had to withstand a lightning strike that shook the stadium. It was just a harbinger of the storm that arrived soon after. The rain caused power outages and delayed the restart, but greatly excited both sets of fans.
When the ball rolled, Kleberson pounced on a loose ball in the box and hit the left corner of Fernando Henrique's goal. During the goal celebration, the five-time champion was wildly cheered by his teammates, who surrounded him and formed a "red-and-black circle."
The red-and-blacks were still cheering when Thiago Neves took a free kick from a long way out, and Diego took it. Undeterred by the goalkeeper's mistake, the Tricolor ran toward the opposing fans and provoked them.
Thiago Neves makes waves at Maracanã. He made Flamengo dance the créu in the classic
The rain eased, but the teams continued their blistering pace. Thiago Neves nearly turned the match around, then Obina's clumsy shot narrowly missed catching Fernando Henrique Cardoso. Obina himself rose alone in the 21st minute and headed wide.
But it was Thiago Neves who turned the game around in the 28th minute. He sent a free kick into the top right corner, and Diego, poorly positioned, simply watched. The celebration? Once again in front of the red-and-blacks, and more mocking dances.
But he wasn't satisfied and further mocked Flamengo's reserves. In the 33rd minute, Thiago dribbled past two opposing defenders and slotted past Diego. To "relieve" Flamengo's situation, Renato Gaúcho replaced his number 10 shortly after.
But the Tricolor party was guaranteed. In the stands, the fans decided to "dance the créu," a funk song all the rage in Rio. As the lyrics of Mc Créu say, the Tricolors went from speed one to speed four. That's because, in the 41st minute, Maurício took advantage of a slack by the Flamengo defense and scored the fourth.
Fla beats Flu in the juniors
Vânder scores, kicks the ball, and makes the red-and-blacks cheer at Maracanã. But the team is eliminated.
Eduardo Peixoto
Despite being eliminated from the semifinals of the Guanabara Junior Cup, Flamengo came out on top, defeating Fluminense 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at the Maracanã Stadium. The match was a preliminary match for the senior team.
The game's standout performer was Vânder, who scored the only goal of the match and sent the stadium fans into a frenzy with his second-half kicks.
Despite the victory, Flamengo, the current three-time champion of the category, is out of the next round. The team finished the first half with 12 points. Flu, previously qualified for the semifinals, finished with 13.
Fla wins and remains undefeated in the National
Rubro-Negro dominated the scoreboard from the end of the second quarter
Marcelinho Machado in Fla's attack
Flamengo continues with a 100% record in this National Men's Basketball Championship. Playing at home, at the Gávea gymnasium in Rio de Janeiro, the Red-Black team defeated Uberlândia 97-75 and remained atop the competition with seven wins. In the next round, the Rio de Janeiro team travels to the federal capital to face Brasília. Coach Paulo Chupeta highlights the strength of the team in yet another victory, secured late in the second quarter.
"My group is very strong. My opponents don't have the squad I have. When I start making changes, I manage to maintain balance," he said in an interview with SporTV reporter Kiko Menezes.
Despite his confidence, Chupeta knows he will have work to do in the next round, against Brasília, the current national champion.
"We're going to Brasília knowing the difficulties we'll face. They're a strong team, but they're struggling, but Flamengo is going to win," says Chupeta, noting that the capital team has lost three times in the competition.
THROW
Thiago Neves shines and Flu, in a comeback, wins
Supporter scores three beautiful goals in the rout in which Tricolor puts the rival on four
Thiago Neves was the name of the game this Sunday
Bernardo Besouchet RIO DE JANEIRO
Torrential rain, lightning, power outages, and a special performance by Thiago Neves. All these factors contributed to Fluminense's 4-1 rout of Flamengo this Sunday at Maracanã. To spice up the classic even more, the victory was a comeback, with a hat trick from Thiago Neves—Maurício completed the game and Kleberson scored for the Red-Blacks. As a bonus, the Laranjeiras team became the only undefeated team in the Campeonato Carioca.
The first ten minutes of the match were a testament to the first half, as Fluminense were clearly insinuating, dominating possession and demanding a lot from goalkeeper Diego. Capitalizing on the strong performances of Arouca, Dario Conca, and Thiago Neves, Fluminense exploited the space left by Flamengo's left wing, behind Egídio. Meanwhile, the team from Gávea sought counterattacks.
However, there's no such thing as a good goal, no matter which side. Although Thiago Neves tried. Throughout the first half, the midfielder, deployed in the makeshift attack, had no fewer than four dangerous shots on the Flamengo goal. For Flamengo, Diego Tardelli was the standout performer. Taking responsibility for himself, the striker required Fernando Henrique to make two crucial saves to keep the score unchanged.
With missed chances by the attackers and a major refereeing error, which incorrectly called offside against Fluminense, the fans' hopes of goals were postponed until the second half. However, the fans had to wait a while because of the storm in Rio de Janeiro. Lightning struck near the stadium and knocked out the power.
In the second half, a storm of goals
With a 25-minute delay, the ball rolled for the second half. And then the scoring storm began. Right off the bat, in the fourth minute, Kleberson did what no one else in the first half could. After a play by midfielder Marcinho, who replaced the ineffective Colace, and a poor clearance by Rafael, Kleberson had only to shoot and bulge the net: 1-0.
And the Tricolor's revenge was not long in coming. In the seventh minute, after a free kick on the left side of the Flamengo box, Thiago Neves perfectly placed the ball into Diego's left corner to equalize: 1-1. Flamengo's goalkeeper made a mistake.
After a fast-paced start to the second half, the teams slowed down. But that didn't stop Diego and Fernando Henrique from creating dangerous chances. Obina, twice for Flamengo, and Cícero, for Fluminense, both failed to score at the crucial moment.
However, Thiago Neves made no mistake. In the 27th minute of the second half, after another foul on the left side of the Flamengo defense, the midfielder only had to change the corner of the kick that led to the first goal. And there was no way around it. The ball went in, the Tricolor turned the game around, and the score was 2-1 Fluminense. It was another "contribution" from the Flamengo goalkeeper.
Just like Flu, which quickly retaliated, Flamengo almost did too. Defender Thiago Salles received the ball on the left side of the Tricolor defense and shot powerfully. The ball rose and hit the crossbar before stopping in the lower seats of the Maracanã stadium.
But Thiago Neves was inspired. In the 33rd minute, the midfielder capped off his performance with a flourish. After exchanging passes with Cícero, the midfielder performed a stunning dribble past Egídio and, face-to-face with Diego, simply had to tap the ball into the corner to make it 3-1.
To complete the tricolor show, after a free kick taken by Tartá on the right side of the red-black area, midfielder Maurício, who came on in place of Conca in the classic, headed the ball to seal the tricolor victory, as well as ending the red-black's unbeaten run.
Tricolor will face Botafogo next Saturday in the Guanabara Cup semifinal. In the other match, the Rubro-Negro will face Vasco, but first they face Coronel Bolegnesi in a Copa Libertadores match.
Fábio Luciano is already thinking about the Libertadores
Defender was spared by Joel Santana in the classic against Fluminense
LANCEPRESS!
Rested by coach Joel Santana for the derby against Fluminense this Sunday, defender Fábio Luciano is already thinking about Flamengo's Copa Libertadores debut. According to the player, those who took the field in the 4-1 rout suffered by the Red-Blacks will be sad, but they should be ready for the match in Peru against Coronel Bolognesi on Wednesday.
"They really have to be sad. They won't be able to sleep until 6 a.m. They'll wake up grumpy and grumpy. But in the afternoon, they'll be back 100% ready so we can focus on the Libertadores game."
For Fábio Luciano, Flamengo performed well, especially in the first half.
"The chances were created. However, victory did not come," he concluded.
For Kléberson, a set piece decided the classic
Supporter scored Flamengo's only goal in the match
LANCEPRESS!
Flamengo supporter Kléberson lamented the 4-1 defeat to Fluminense this Sunday at Maracanã. He opened the scoring but couldn't prevent the Tricolor's comeback. For the player, the set piece was the difference in the red-and-black's defeat.
"I'm not saying we lacked experience. The team was good, we scored the goal. We just had a bit of a letdown, which is normal. Unfortunately, we conceded the goals. The difference was the set pieces," he said.
Kléberson happy to be back playing
Before arriving at Fla, the supporter had not played an official match since April
LANCEPRESS!
Despite the 4-1 defeat to Fluminense this Sunday at Maracanã, Flamengo supporter Kléberson said he was happy to be able to play a full match again. He started the match against Volta Redonda but was eventually substituted.
"I'm happy for the opportunity. Playing in a classic like this, with a heavy field, was good for me. I didn't want to lose. But we have to lift our heads after the defeat and strengthen ourselves," he said.
Kléberson also spoke about his expectations for Flamengo's debut in the Libertadores, this Wednesday, against Coronel Bolognesi, in Peru.
"The Libertadores is a different kind of competition. We'll wait for Joel to give us instructions so we can work toward this match," he concluded.
For Joel Santana, defeat occurred when it could have
However, Flamengo coach says responsibility grows
LANCEPRESS!
Coach Joel Santana downplayed Flamengo's 4-1 defeat to Fluminense this Sunday at the Maracanã Stadium. Playing with substitutes, the coach said the loss came at a time when the team could have suffered a setback. However, he also emphasized that the responsibility will increase from this point on.
"Defeat always increases the responsibility. But we have to live with it. We haven't suffered a defeat at Maracanã in a while. But it came at a time when we could have lost," he commented.
Joel stated that he will meet with the coaching staff to evaluate the team's performance throughout the Guanabara Cup. The result will be the selection of the delegation that will travel to Peru for Flamengo's Copa Libertadores debut against Coronel Bolognesi this Wednesday.
"I haven't suffered a defeat like this since I arrived. I'll meet with the coaching staff and we'll look at everything we can to bring a competitive team to Peru. We'll analyze what was done in this first phase," he concluded.
Flamengo's squad returns to training this Monday afternoon.
Flamengo wins another and remains 100% in the National Championship
At home, the Rio team beats traditional Uberlândia by 98 to 75 and achieves its seventh victory in the competition
Game in Gávea opened the sixth week of the National Championship (Credit: Disclosure/CBB)
LANCEPRESS!
Flamengo remains undefeated in the National Men's Basketball Championship. On Sunday afternoon, the Rio de Janeiro team defeated Uberlândia 98-75 at the Gávea gymnasium in the opening round of the sixth week of the competition. Flamengo's Marcelinho Machado and Uberlândia's Leandro Salgueiro scored the top scorers, with 25 and 22 points, respectively.
With another triumph, Rubro-Negro achieved its seventh victory and remains at the top of the competition with a 100% success rate.
"We knew it would be a tough match, as Uberlândia was coming off a positive result against Universo (DF), the current Brazilian champion. We started very focused, but we couldn't impose our game due to their strong defense. In the final half, we tightened up our defense and, as a result, imposed our rhythm and dominated the match. The final difference of 22 points shows that Flamengo has a great squad, and every player who steps on the court plays their role well," commented shooting guard Marcelinho Machado, who led the game with 25 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
For Minas Gerais, point guard Leandro Salgueiro highlighted that the setback in Rio de Janeiro will not bring the group down.
"In the first half, we managed to keep the game balanced because our defense neutralized their attack. In the third period, we were inconsistent on both offense and defense. We only scored six points, and that was crucial to the final result. But we'll keep working because our goal is to secure a spot in the playoffs, and the team has every chance of getting there," he said.
Also this Sunday, Joinville (SC) hosts Londrina (PR), at 19 pm.