The Globe
Fla wins again on a dramatic night
With a goal from Leonardo Moura, in the 42nd minute of the second half, the team defeated Náutico in a comeback: 2-1
Photo caption: LEONARDO MOURA celebrates the winning goal against Náutico at Maracanã, in front of almost 35 thousand fans
Eight games and nearly two months later, Flamengo returned to Maracanã to experience intense emotions. Failing to play well but brimming with desire, the team started off trailing Náutico yesterday, but turned the tables in the 42th minute, securing their third 2-1 victory in the Brazilian Championship and three points that, while not keeping them out of the relegation zone, were crucial in restoring the team's confidence.
"We'd arrive and the ball wouldn't go in, but the goal came at just the right time. I tried once and it didn't work, but the second time I was lucky," lamented Leonardo Moura, who scored the winning goal.
- It was a victory just the way the red-blacks like it: hard-fought and sweaty - celebrated coach Joel Santana.
Fábio Luciano debuts with a header goal
Cheered on by nearly 35 fans, Flamengo took the lead, but Náutico was the one coming in with quality. So much so that, on a counterattack in the 11th minute, they opened the scoring, thanks to a play by Felipe. He spun around Ronaldo Angelim in the box and fired a cross-shot. The ball wasn't heading toward goal, but when he tried to clear it, Cristian put it in. Referee Paulo César Oliveira, however, awarded the goal to the striker.
Flamengo sensed the goal, spent a few minutes in a rush, and began to misplace passes repeatedly. Some of the fans booed Leonardo Moura, but the team had the courage to overcome the difficult situation. They pushed forward and, despite giving Náutico space, regained control of the match. In the 24th minute, they were rewarded. Juan took a free kick from the right, and debutant Fábio Luciano rose unmarked and equalized with a pinpoint header.
The red-and-blacks gained confidence and had at least three chances to turn the score around. In the 31st minute, after a cross from Renato Augusto, Roger fired a first-time shot over the bar; in the 41st minute, Ibson, inside the box, shot for an excellent save by Eduardo; and in the 43rd minute, after Cristian tried twice and hit the post the second time, the ball fell to Ibson, who headed it wide, unmarked. Náutico, in turn, also came close to scoring again with Felipe, a low shot that grazed Bruno's post.
Without captain Fábio Luciano, who suffered muscle pain and was replaced by Rodrigo Arroz, Flamengo returned with more desire than quality. And when they threatened, they were met by goalkeeper Eduardo's excellent saves. In the 13th minute, he sent Juan's cross out for a corner, with a scare. Then, he miraculously saved Ibson's shot from the penalty spot with his foot.
From then on, the team felt victory would only come through overcoming obstacles. With five minutes remaining, club security had already descended to protect the delegation bus, but before any protests could be made, Roger found Leonardo Moura coming in from the right, and the full-back fired a cross-shot, scoring the winning goal and a relief for the red-and-blacks with three minutes remaining.
Flamengo: Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Fabio Luciano (Rodrigo Arroz), Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Romulo, Cristian, Ibson and Roger; Renato Augusto (Maxi Biancucci) and Leonardo. Nautico: Eduardo, Deleu, Vagner, Toninho and Hamilton; Daniel, Elicarlos, Radamés (Geraldo) and Acosta; Felipe and Marcelo Silva (Everaldo). Referee: Paulo César Oliveira (SP). Yellow cards: Cristian, Elicarlos, Radamés, Deleu, Roger. Red card: Deleu. Paying audience: 34.457 Revenue: R$277.371,00.
A new option with red and black skin
With his career and prestige on the rise, Adílio could be an alternative for Fla in case Joel fails.
Photo caption: ADÍLIO, NEXT TO Joel Santana at Gávea: the successful youth coach would be one of the alternatives to replace the veteran coach
In Malaysia, Flamengo's youth team is shining in an international tournament. The red-and-black team qualified for the quarterfinals with a 2-1 victory over Arsenal and returns to the field today to face Ajax in Kuala Lumpur. The team needs a draw to advance to the next stage of the competition, and behind this success is Adílio, a collector of titles in the youth divisions who is beginning to be seen by some Flamengo supporters as an ideal solution for the professional team in the short term.
A talent scout and a capable playmaker for young teams, Adílio possesses the key qualifications needed to be supported by a hotbed like Flamengo: a red-and-black complexion. A fan favorite, revered as one of the most relatable stars, he's already being seen as an alternative in the event of another substitution in this Brazilian Championship. A homegrown solution that wouldn't burden the club, already mired in debt at all levels of its football.
An option viewed with affection, but without confirmation
At a club lacking the funds to invest in renowned coaches and almost always struggling with fundraising, Adílio would be an interesting alternative should Joel Santana's career take a hit. He knows the club well and has a free rein at all levels at Gávea, but so far he hasn't had an opportunity with the first team because he needs to develop and mature as a manager.
His maturity has been demonstrated by the titles he's won in the youth team. No manager, however, openly admits the possibility of replacing Joel if the coach fails to get the first team moving: after all, it would be admitting that hiring Joel was a mistake.
Sports Journal
Fabio Luciano makes a good debut for the red-black team
Fabio Luciano got off to a flying start at Maracanã this Saturday. Besides making his debut in Flamengo's starting lineup at home in front of the home crowd, the defender scored the first goal in the 2-1 comeback victory over Náutico.
The player highlighted the grit and support of the fans in achieving this result.
"That's what Flamengo is all about, the players are all about it: grit, plus the support of the fans who have supported us. We're on a good run at home now, and with the fans' help, we hope to turn this situation around," Fabio Luciano told Rádio Globo.
The defender was replaced at half-time by Rodrigo Arroz as he felt muscle pain.
“I haven't played at this pace for a long time, it's better to hold off so as not to cause any problems,” explained the player.
Flamengo's pulse still beats
Flamengo comes from behind to defeat Náutico and begin their comeback to escape the relegation zone.
SERGIO MELO
Nina Lima
Much criticized in recent games, Leonardo Moura makes a beautiful play and scores the winning goal for Fla
It was tearful, painful, and dramatic, but Flamengo, with grit, came from behind to beat Náutico 2-1 last night at Maracanã. Despite the clear lack of play and excessive passing errors, Flamengo fans proved they are the 12th man, supporting the team throughout the match.
The start was worrying, with Náutico pressing heavily and threatening Bruno's goal. On the second chance, the Recife team took the lead. On a counterattack, Felipe received the ball inside the box and had time to control it, turn, and cross low. Halfway through, the ball hit Cristian's right foot, leaving the red-and-black goalkeeper with no chance.
Flamengo felt the blow and Náutico could have even increased their lead if, after Hamilton's cross from the left, Uruguayan Acosta hadn't embellished the play by attempting a bicycle kick goal.
Whether consciously or not, Flamengo equalized after the red-and-black fans did their part, chanting and pushing the team forward. Juan took a free kick from the right wing and crossed into the box. Debutant Fábio Luciano came in unexpectedly and headed home a powerful header to level the score. From then on, Flamengo dominated the game, wasting six clear scoring chances.
The key moment came late in the first half. Cristian received a pass in the box from the left, unleashed a powerful shot, and Eduardo made a reflex save. The ball came back to Cristian, who attempted a header that hit the crossbar. On the rebound, Ibson set up Leonardo to finish into the empty net, but the striker couldn't reach the ball, and it went just wide of goalkeeper Eduardo's right post.
Goal at the end
In the second half, the game started evenly, with both teams wasting their chances. But two moments changed the course of the match: in the 17th minute, Renato Augusto felt a twinge and was replaced by Maxi Biancucchi; and in the 35th minute, full-back Deleu was sent off, leaving Náutico with ten men.
Flamengo dominated the game, but struggled with their finishing. However, just as the match was heading for a draw, Roger delivered a beautiful pass to Léo Moura, who, despite having two defenders, controlled the ball and fired a cross-shot into the net, sending the Flamengo fans into a frenzy.
Flamengo: Shoo, urucubaca!
Euphoria grips the team, but Joel urges caution. He believes danger still lurks in Gávea.
THIAGO BOKEL AND SÉRGIO MELLO
Nina Lima
Defender Rodrigo Arroz celebrates the victory over Náutico. Yesterday, he applauded the fans and performed a decompression session on the pitch after the hard-fought triumph.
Flamengo's players, after yesterday's resounding victory over Náutico, felt they had finally shaken off the woes that have plagued the team this Brazilian Championship. Defender Rodrigo Arroz, immediately after the match, went to the fans expressing his relief at the team's first victory at Maracanã this season. Coach Joel Santana, however, disagrees that the bad streak is definitively over.
"It's too early to say this period of concentration was successful. We urged our fans to come out, and they didn't let us down. It was a hard-fought victory, but with the enthusiasm fans love to see," the coach praised.
The sense of accomplishment from this positive result will only last until today. Tomorrow the team will return to Teresópolis to prepare for the match against Fluminense. Joel celebrated, but he already wants the team focused on the next match.
"Every victory is a title. We had a series of events this week that hurt us, but we managed to overcome them. The team was focused for most of the match, and when that happens, you know things will work out in the end. Now the focus is on maintaining a strong pace in training to get out of this difficult period," Joel concluded.
Another factor that was remembered by the entire red-black group was the presence and support of the fans, who demonstrated that they still have hope that better days will come.
Before the game, Flamengo's vice president of Olympic Sports and city councilor, Patrícia Amorim, presented the Pan American Sports Merit medal to the Pan American athletes.
She was also invited to witness the sanctioning of Timemania, in Brasília, together with the club's president, Marcio Braga\ Juniors face Ajax in Malaysia\
After a 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the previous round, Flamengo's youth team returns to the field tomorrow at 7:50 a.m. to face Ajax in the Malaysian International Tournament. The match will be played in Kuala Lumpur. Flamengo, which leads Group A with four points, followed by Milan, boasts young striker Kayke as its top scorer in the competition, with two goals.
Léo Moura says the team still has room for improvement
Léo Moura was one of the key players in Flamengo's 2-1 comeback victory over Náutico this Saturday at Maracanã in the Brazilian Championship. But for the player, this was just the first step, and he warns that the team has a lot of room for improvement.
"The group has been under a lot of pressure to win games, so when you're winning, you want it to be over quickly. And that excitement makes the team grow, because everyone wants to win. Today things started to change, but we have to make adjustments; we can't think that just because we won, everything is fine," said the fullback.
Roger says victory was achieved through grit
Playing his first match for Flamengo at Maracanã, Roger may not have had a brilliant performance, but he was decisive, providing a sweet pass for Leonardo Moura to score the winning goal in a 2-0 victory over Náutico. The result still doesn't lift the Gávea team out of the relegation zone, but it has already lightened the mood at the club, so much so that all the players celebrate the victory as if they've won a championship.
Roger acknowledged that the chances existed and was grateful for the goal at the end of the match.
“Today’s (Saturday) match was a real heart-stopper, several balls hit the crossbar, went wide, but God helped and we managed to score a goal at the end,” said the supporter.
Fla defeats Náutico and lifts Maraca
Timbu can't resist the red-black pressure and Joel wins his first victory
Jorge Lourenço jlourenco@jsports.com.br
Nina Lima
Fábio Luciano celebrates his goal, the first of the red-black comeback. The victory gave Mengão a breather, but the team remains in the relegation zone.
On a night of redemption, the Flamengo fans finally let out a roar of victory and celebrated the team's victory over Náutico. After a thrilling match, Flamengo defeated the Pernambuco team 2-1 in a comeback victory. The match marked Joel's first victory in charge of the club and crowned the debut of Fábio Luciano, who scored Flamengo's equalizer.
Timbu was undaunted by playing in the world's largest stadium and started attacking Urubu. Just 12 minutes in, Marcelo opened the scoring for the visitors. He dribbled past a defender and shot at goal, but the ball deflected off Cristian, deceiving goalkeeper Bruno.
Trailing 1-0, Flamengo woke up to the game, which became exciting. While Flamengo constantly threatened their opponent, Timbu launched dangerous counterattacks and almost extended their lead.
Debutant Fábio Luciano equalized for the home side in the 25th minute. The powerful defender headed in a free kick from Juan, rousing the Rio de Janeiro crowd. The team also missed a clear chance to turn the game around with a spectacular play: Leonardo Moura's shot was saved by goalkeeper Eduardo, who palmed it straight at Leonardo. The striker's header hit the crossbar. Ibson tried to head in the rebound, once again with a header, but sent it wide, just wide of the goal.
The second half belonged to Joel Santana's team. Náutico came back deep and faced constant pressure from Flamengo. Just five minutes into the second half, Cristian received the ball from Ibson and shot past the Timbu goalkeeper, who made an excellent save. Knowing the team needed a win, the coach took off Renato Augusto and brought on Maxi Biancuchi, cousin of Argentina's Messi, to bolster the attack.
Flamengo's pressure increased when the Pernambuco team was reduced to just 10 men. Defender Deleu fouled Juan hard, earning a red card. In the 37th minute, "Urubu" wasted another chance to turn the game around. After a great cross from Biancuchi, Leonardo headed the ball off balance towards the opposing goal, sending it to the goal line.
Leo Lima's introduction in place of Cristian put Flamengo fully on the attack. In the 42nd minute, Leonardo Moura roused the biggest crowd in Brazil, scoring the second goal and sealing Flamengo's victory. The full-back received a long ball from Roger, made no mistake, and turned the game around for the home team.
The victory didn't lift Flamengo out of the relegation zone, but it gave them a breathing space and allowed them to reach 15 points in the competition. The team's next match to avoid relegation will be against their old rival, Fluminense. The derby will be next Wednesday night at Maracanã. Náutico, also in a difficult situation, faces Atlético-MG in Pernambuco.
Fla pays tribute to Pan American medalists
Nina Lima
The red-and-black representatives pose on the Maracanã lawn before the match between Náutico and Flamengo for the Brazilian Championship
Before yesterday's match against Náutico at Maracanã Stadium in the Brazilian Football Championship, Flamengo's board of directors honored its athletes who helped Brazil shine in the Pan American Games medal table, including in artistic gymnastics and synchronized swimming. The club also had representatives in rowing, water polo, and men's soccer.
One of Brazil's biggest names at the American Olympics was Jade Barbosa, who won a gold medal in vaulting and a silver in team gymnastics. The Hypólito brothers (Diego Daniele) also shone in gymnastics, as did Victor Rosa and coach Renato Araújo.
And the Pan-American team seems to have gotten lucky, after all, the red-black team broke a winless streak and is starting to leave the relegation zone of the Brazilian Championship.
The Brazilian gymnastics team travels this week to compete in the Stuttgart World Championships, which will be a qualifying round for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This could mean the red-and-black delegation will participate in the world's biggest event.
"We're going to the World Championships with confidence to try to secure a spot in the Olympics. This would be a huge step forward for men's gymnastics, which has been showing signs of progress," commented Victor Rosa.
In synchronized swimming, the red-black team was represented by five athletes: Giovana Sthephan, Caroline Hildebrandt, Michelle Frota and Gláucia Heier.
Breno is the red-black security guard in futsal
Carioca standout, goalkeeper renewed his contract to fight for the State title
Eduardo Vieira
Wallace Teixeira
Goalkeeper Breno had an excellent championship and renewed his contract with Flamengo
Considered the best futsal goalkeeper in Rio de Janeiro, Flamengo's Breno remains humble and knows he has a lot to learn and intends to make history at Flamengo. At 22, he's one of the stars of the State Championship, which begins at the end of the month.
"All these accolades are the result of the work I put in during training and matches. Playing for Flamengo is already a dream come true because my whole family is Flamengo fans. I have goals like winning the club championship, competing in the Futsal League, and making it to the Brazilian National Team. But all of this will be the result of good work this season," commented Breno, the Gávea star.
At age 7, he was already successful in the position, playing for Clube dos Sargentos. He later had stints at Madureira and Minas Tênis, before joining Flamengo earlier this year. The Carioca team, which reached the semifinals, was strengthened with the signings of Sixel, Gabriel, Élcio, and Raphael.
“We will have a big challenge in the State Championship, which is to face professional teams, with high investment, and who train in two periods, such as Petrópolis, Teresópolis, Cabo Frio, Macaé and Vasco.
"If Flamengo has a good campaign, it will be an incentive for the board to invest more and compete in the League, which is everyone's main objective. It will be a very strong championship, and the first goal is to reach the semifinals. If that happens, then I'm sure it will be difficult to beat Flamengo. They're a team that thrives in decisive moments," said Breno.
The red-and-black nation, called by the players and led by Leléu (a fan symbol of futsal and basketball), will make a difference. "We had a meeting with the fans, and they'll support us in the games. Without a doubt, making Maracanãzinho our home is fantastic. An official court in an easily accessible location. I'm sure the fans will support us."
After a postponement, the table and number of clubs should be announced this week by the board.
Pacifier bets on the courage of Flamengo's new group
Eduardo Vieira
Wallace Teixeira
Coach Paulo Chupeta (C) is studying the best way to set up Flamengo for the 2007 State Championship and 2008 National Championship.
Coach Paulo Chupeta has already warned Flamengo's new players, who began preseason training this week. "Anyone who can't handle pressure shouldn't play for Flamengo. The pressure here is intense, and the team is committed to winning. And the goal is to be Brazilian champion."
In one fell swoop, point guard Hélio, forwards Duda, Fernando, and Ariel, and centers Alíro and Wagner arrived. But the biggest expectation is Duda's performance, who was the prodigy at Gávea in 2004 and returned with more experience after winning the championship in Brasília.
"Duda returned mature and ready to become a fan favorite. He was a gamble I and the board made. He had an excellent season with Brasília and has everything he needs to have a great season. This team's strength lies in its consistency. It's a young group, with an average age of 25," said Chupeta.
Despite the quality of the group, he knows that they are players in development and that they do not arrive with the status of former idols like Ratto, Pipoka, Caio, Oscar, Robyn Davis and Gema.
"These players we've signed don't have the same track record as the aforementioned players, who arrived at Flamengo ready-made. But I'm very confident in this group, which has quality and a strong desire to work and progress in basketball. We're going to build a team with strong defense, aggressive marking, and speed."
From last season, point guard Fred, centers Cascão and Maicon, and forward Colin remained. One of the assistant coaches is former Flamengo idol João Batista.
Paulo Chupetar could be the only three-time champion
Current two-time state champion, coach Paulo Chupeta will have a completely revamped squad compared to the 2005 team that defeated favorite Rio de Janeiro. "It's true. I'm the only one who can be a three-time champion. But no one wins basketball alone. The quality of the players has always made the difference for Flamengo."
Yesterday, he led the youth team to a 88-75 victory over Comary. And there was good news for Rio basketball.
"I spoke with Miguel Palmier, Comary's coach, and he said that the NBA project could come to fruition. And that way, we'll have a very strong team. I know Macaé could have up to two teams, and I'm rooting for the success of Fluminense's project. Rio basketball deserves a great competition."
Vasco da Gama is also mobilizing, but it's only expected to respond by early September. The Federation, however, expects 10 to 12 teams to participate in the competition.
"We've already had 10 pre-registered teams. And we're waiting for the final decision. We're going to try to negotiate with a television channel, and we expect it to be a great championship," commented one of the Federation's directors, Fernando Lima.
O Dia
With a late goal, Flamengo wins again
Rio - Flamengo's 2-1 comeback victory over Náutico at the Maracanã was hard-fought, painful, and much celebrated. The salvation of a potentially disastrous draw came in the 42nd minute of the second half, through Léo Moura, after a series of missed goals throughout the match.
With the result, Rubro-Negro has 15 points, five behind the first team outside the relegation zone, but also with at least three games less than their opponents.
Before the match, coach Joel Santana urged the team to be careful not to concede another early goal. It took the players only 11 minutes to forget about that request. Felipe easily spun in front of Ronaldo Angelim, but his shot went wide. Cristian tried to clear it and tapped it into the goal. The fans showed some support, but soon lost patience with the team's repeated mistakes.
ERRORS AND MISSED GOALS
Fortunately, the first time they got close to Eduardo's goal, in the 24th minute, Flamengo equalized. Juan took a free kick from the right, and debutant Fábio Luciano rose unmarked to head it in. The team pressed forward, despite lacking coordination. In the 31st minute, Roger picked up a loose ball from the defense and slotted it over. Excited, Flamengo left spaces in defense, and Felipe nearly scored in the 38th minute. Eduardo saved an Ibson shot, and in the 43rd minute, Cristian, twice, and Ibson missed three clear chances in the same move.
Flamengo returned for the second half without Fábio Luciano, who was suffering from muscle pain after three months out. The team's slow pace only improved after Maxi Biancucchi came on for Renato Augusto, who was suffering from thigh pain. The Argentine played well and nearly scored in the 25th minute.
In the 34th minute, left-back Deleu was sent off, and Flamengo intensified the pressure. Late on, Roger found Léo Moura on the right, who scored to redeem the red-and-blacks. "It had to be through the heart. The ball wouldn't go in at all. But we managed to win, which was the most important thing," Roger lamented.
Sports Gazette
Flamengo players believe in a comeback in the second round
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Buoyed by their late victory over Náutico, Flamengo's players made it clear that the team has everything it takes to escape the relegation zone. With games in hand over the other teams fighting to avoid relegation to Série B, they aim to put together a winning streak in the second half of the Brazilian Championship. Midfielder Roger believes the situation for Flamengo, currently second-to-last with 15 points, is critical but should improve. "We're still in a dangerous zone. But we have every chance of getting more wins if we play this way," he analyzed.
The athlete praised the Rio de Janeiro team's determination. "Better than the victory was Flamengo's performance on the field. We sought the result and imposed our own rhythm," he reflected.
Leonardo Moura, scorer of the winning goal, was pleased with his performance. "Only those who keep trying score. I missed the previous chance, but managed to score soon after," he concluded.
Joel thanks the fans for their presence
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - After watching Flamengo defeat Náutico 2-1, coach Joel Santana thanked the fans. He said the approximately 35 paying fans who attended the Maracanã stadium helped the Red-Black team emerge victorious this Saturday. "We made a call, and they answered it. Even when we conceded a goal, they stuck by us. They supported us until the final minutes and helped us a lot," the coach declared.
The Rio de Janeiro team's manager also took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of the three points. "Every win is a title. But this game was worth a series of lineup issues," he stated. "We have to do our job of earning points. If we win the remaining games, we'll get out of this situation. The key is to win to get out of this situation."
Despite this, he made a point of criticizing the team for making some mistakes in Saturday's match. "We had the game in hand, with an extra man at the end, and the players were more interested in getting the third goal than in passing the ball well. We had to play with short passes, but they insisted on long passes," he said.
For Joel Santana, the substitutes and debutants made the difference in Saturday's match. It's worth noting that Fabio Luciano made his first appearance for Flamengo and scored a goal. "The reserves played well. Football isn't played with just 11 players," he summarized. Léo Lima, Argentina's Maxi, and Rodrigo Arroz all came on during the game.
Flamengo defeats Náutico in a comeback\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - With a goal scored by Leonardo Moura in the 42nd minute of the second half, Flamengo defeated Náutico 2-1 this Saturday night at Maracanã, returning to a positive result after three rounds. With the result, the red-and-black team reached 15 points, but remains in second-to-last place, despite having four games in hand. Náutico remains with 20 points and now occupies 16th place in the Brazilian Championship.
The team led by Joel Santana always had attacking ambition, while the visiting team entered with the sole objective of defending itself and ended up being punished with a goal at the end of the match.
Defender Fábio Luciano scored a goal on his debut, but only played for a short period. The one who earned the fans' praise was Argentine Maxi, who came on in the second half and became the team's best player from Gávea. In the next round, Flamengo will face Fluminense in a postponed match, while Náutico will host Atlético-MG at Aflitos Stadium.
The first half was a lively affair this Saturday. Just four minutes in, Hamilton took a shot from distance, and Bruno fumbled the save, nearly letting the ball in. In the 11th minute, before Flamengo could get organized, Náutico scored through striker Felipe, who received the ball in the box and struck hard. The ball hit Cristian and deceived Bruno. At a disadvantage, the Rio players became very nervous and began to misplace passes, irritating the fans.
The crowd only calmed down in the 24th minute, when Juan took a free kick and debutant Fábio Luciano capitalized on the defense's inattention to head it in and tie the match. The goal gave Joel Santana's team a new lease of life, and they began pressing for a second goal. Náutico attacked sporadically and nearly scored in the 38th minute, again through Felipe, who shot dangerously.
In the final minutes of the half, Flamengo went on the attack and forced goalkeeper Eduardo to work hard. In the 42nd minute, Ibson forced the goalkeeper to palm the ball out for a corner. A minute later, Cristian received a shot from Leonardo Moura; Eduardo rebounded, and Cristian, with the goalpost empty, headed the ball against the crossbar. In the final play of the half, Leonardo crossed from the left, and Juan and Renato Augusto were unmarked when they were free in the six-yard box.
Flamengo returned for the second half without Fábio Luciano, who couldn't handle the pace of the game, and tried to take control of the match, attacking heavily with full-backs Leonardo Moura and Juan. Meanwhile, Náutico remained defensive, trying to break through with Acosto's through balls to Felipe, who was isolated up front. In the 11th minute, goalkeeper Eduardo had to work hard to prevent Rodrigo Arroz from heading home. A minute later, Renato Augusto and Roger attempted shots that were blocked by the Pernambuco defense.
Náutico only threatened in the 18th minute with a shot from Radamés that Bruno saved with a scare. The pressure from Rio increased with each passing minute under Argentine Maxi, who demonstrated excellent leadership and playmaking. Náutico's situation worsened in the 31st minute, when Deleu was sent off after bringing down Juan and receiving a second yellow card.
In the final minutes, Flamengo went all out to score the winning goal, but the players' nervousness hampered their chances. In the 43rd minute, a well-placed pass from Roger led to Leonardo Moura coming in from the right and slotting past goalkeeper Eduardo, sending the Flamengo fans into a roar of joy at the Maracanã stadium.
PeléNet
Fla slows down Náutico, wins the 1st with Joel, but remains in second to last
From the Editorial Team\ In Rio de Janeiro\
In its return to Maracanã, which had been closed for the Pan American Games since June 18, Flamengo also regained victory, its first since the return of coach Joel Santana. This Saturday, the team—which hadn't won in three matches—defeated Náutico 2-1 and halted its direct rival's rise in the relegation battle. However, the Rio de Janeiro team remained in second-to-last place in the Brazilian Championship. The winning goal came from right-back Leonardo Moura in the 42nd minute. The victory was hard-fought, as Flamengo pressed from the start, but conceded a goal in the 12th minute, due to an unfortunate challenge by midfielder Cristian, who deflected a shot from Felipe—the scorer of the goal—into his own net.
However, in the 24th minute, defender Fábio Luciano (formerly of Corinthians), making his Flamengo debut, equalized with a header. The goal galvanized the Flamengo fans, who turned out in good numbers. The team then put intense pressure on Náutico in search of a comeback, but missed several excellent scoring chances.
After a thrilling first half, the teams slowed down in the second half. But the introduction of the speedy and skillful Argentine Maxi Biancucchi (Messi's cousin) improved Flamengo's performance, and they began to dominate the match. Flamengo's pressure increased with Deleu's red-and-black sending-off in the 34th minute. After persistent efforts, Leonardo Moura scored the winning goal.
"This victory was super important. We were under a lot of pressure to win. Flamengo was being heavily criticized. But the group is strong and will show that by winning," commented Leonardo Moura.
With the victory (their first at Maracanã in this Brasileirão), Flamengo reached 15 points from 15 matches—four fewer than most of their opponents—and remained in 19th place. Regardless, the positive result was very important in several ways.
First, because it prevented Náutico from escaping. The Pernambuco team—the first outside the relegation zone—also hovered in the risk group for several rounds, but emerged from it with a comeback: winning three games, including the last two, and drawing one.
By ending Náutico's four-match unbeaten streak, Flamengo kept their opponents in 20th place with 16 points. However, the Recife team could return to the relegation zone at the end of this 19th round.
Furthermore, the victory brought relief to coach Joel Santana. Hired to replace Ney Franco precisely because of the team's poor run of results, the coach suffered two losses in his first two matches after returning to Flamengo. However, this Saturday, he finally won for the first time since returning to the club for his fourth stint at Gávea.
"For me, every victory is a title. This is my home. I know Maracanã well. Today's game [Saturday] was important to get us out of this situation," said the coach, who was quite distressed on the sidelines after Flamengo's second goal.
Now, the red-and-black team will try to get the winning streak needed to escape the relegation zone, starting with the derby against Fluminense, next Thursday, again at Maracanã. Meanwhile, Náutico will look to recover next Sunday (the 19th), against Atlético-MG, in Recife.
Joel celebrates his first victory after returning to Flamengo
From the Editorial Team\ In Rio de Janeiro\
After losing Flamengo's first two games under his leadership, coach Joel Santana finally celebrated a victory. It came this Saturday, a 2-1 comeback victory over Náutico in the Brazilian Championship.
After the match, the coach couldn't hide his relief at the positive result. "For me, every victory is a title. This is my home. I know Maracanã well. Today's game [Saturday] was important to get us out of this situation," the coach stated.
Joel Santana took over the team, replacing Ney Franco, who left the position precisely because of the team's poor performance - still in second-to-last place - in this Brazilian Championship.
Therefore, Joel's poor record at the beginning of his tenure was already a concern. In the first two matches after the coach's return to Gávea, the team conceded five goals and scored none – losing 3-0 to Santos in his debut and 2-0 to Atlético-PR, both away from home.
The greatest proof of Joel's eagerness for victory came from himself at the end of the match against the Pernambuco team. After the red-and-black's winning goal, the coach despaired on the sidelines due to his players' mistakes, who rushed forward in search of a third goal and put the victory at risk, as they left the team exposed to the visitors' counterattacks.
"At the end, there was a certain anxiety. Because when you build up the advantage the way we did, you don't need to expose yourself to score the third goal. We needed to have the quality to hold the ball and attack firmly, but that wasn't happening. We were supposed to value possession," concluded Joel Santana, who almost invaded the pitch and gave the assistant referee a lot of work.
Now, Joel will try to give Flamengo a winning streak next Thursday, when the classic against Fluminense will take place, at Maracanã.
Relieved, Flamengo players thank the fans for their support
From the Editorial Team\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Despite Flamengo's poor performance in the Brazilian Championship, the red-and-black fans turned out in good numbers at Maracanã this Saturday against Náutico, pushing the team in search of a comeback. Therefore, after the match, the players and coach Joel Santana thanked the more than 34 fans who attended the stadium that night for their support.
"The important thing is that we appealed to the fans, and they showed up. And even after conceding a goal prematurely, the fans continued to support. That's what was great. In the end, it was the way Flamengo likes it: suffering, sweat, and hard work, but the team went out and got the result," said Joel Santana, who called on the fans during the week, as did the club's vice president of football, Kléber Leite.
Right-back Leonardo Moura, who scored Flamengo's second goal, highlighted that if the team were in better form, the fans' support would be even more intense.
"We're not in a good position, and the fans did what they did. Imagine if we were in a better position. So, that's what we're going to look for in the championship. But now is the time to celebrate and get this mess over with. The ball wasn't going in," he said.
For debutant Fábio Luciano, who scored the team's first goal in Saturday's match, the good attendance of the fans was fundamental to the team's comeback, which won 2-1.
"That's what Flamengo is all about, it's about that spirit. We were lacking confidence, but it will come with the support of the fans, who came and supported us. We have a string of home games and with the support of the fans we will get out of this situation," said the defender.
With the victory over Náutico, the red-and-black team reached 15 points in the league standings—five less than the Pernambuco team, the first to stay out of the relegation zone. Next Thursday, Flamengo will face Fluminense in a derby at 20:30 p.m. at the Maracanã.
Fábio Luciano debuts and helps Flamengo win at home
From the Editorial Team\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Defender Fábio Luciano had a strong debut for Flamengo in Saturday's Brazilian Championship match against Náutico at Maracanã. Besides demonstrating solid defensive play, the former Corinthians player scored the goal that paved the way for the red-and-blacks' 2-1 comeback victory.
Incidentally, Fábio Luciano showed opportunism in the goal. Well-positioned inside the box, he rose unmarked and headed the ball past the Náutico goalkeeper to level the match, which at that point was being won by the Pernambuco team 1-0.
After the match, Fábio Luciano praised the support of the fans, who turned out in good numbers despite the team's poor performance - second to last in the competition.
"Flamengo is like that, with that spirit. We were lacking confidence, but it will come with the support of the fans, who came and supported us. We have a sequence of home games and with the support of the fans we will get out of this situation," he said.
As expected, Fábio Luciano had to be substituted at halftime. The defender, who hadn't played since the end of April, when he played his last match for Cologne in Germany, came off with muscle pain, making way for Rodrigo Arroz. "I felt a pinch, but nothing serious. I hadn't played in a long time," the defender commented.
On the day the defender was introduced, coach Joel Santana already announced that he arrived at the club to be a starter. It remains to be seen when he will be able to play for 90 minutes.
BalloonSport
Timemania regulation will help Fla
Club may receive sponsor funds after signing lottery regulations
Marcio Iannacca
Flamengo's board expects to receive the sponsorship funds from Petrobras within two weeks, which have been withheld since the beginning of the year due to debts owed to the government. The club will only be able to receive them after the signing of the Timemania regulations, scheduled for next Tuesday at 14:30 p.m. in Brasília. Flamengo's president, Márcio Braga, will be in the federal capital to monitor the entire process, which awaits the signature of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
After signing, Flamengo must submit the debt acknowledgment documentation to Caixa Econômica Federal, and only then will it receive the debt clearance certificate. With the CND in hand, the club will be able to receive all the funds from the state-owned oil company. Approximately R$6 million will go into Flamengo's coffers. Flamengo and Petrobras have been partners since 1984.
In 2007, the club began receiving approximately R$1,3 million per month from its sponsor. However, the money is being held due to a lawsuit. With Timemania, the club will no longer have problems receiving the agreed-upon amounts. Player and staff salaries are up to date.
The club's board of directors is planning to bring a delegation of athletes to Brasília. Striker Obina and athletes from other sports are expected to be present to witness the signing of the regulations.
Joel: 'Every victory is a title'
Coach says team still needs winning streak to stay in the table
Marcio Iannacca
Before the end of this Saturday's match, in which Flamengo defeated Náutico 2-1 at Maracanã, coach Joel Santana was tense and nervous, and even ran onto the field, so anxious to hear referee Paulo César de Oliveira's final whistle (watch the video below). When the match ended, the Flamengo manager rushed to the locker room, knowing that his team still has a long way to go to escape the relegation zone in the Brazilian Championship.
At the press conference, calmer, the coach analyzed Flamengo's victory on its return to Maracanã - the team had not played at the stadium for 55 days.
"Every Flamengo victory is a title. You know this is my home. We had problems selecting the team during the week, but we overcame all of that and got a victory," he says.
When asked if Saturday's victory could be compared to a World Cup final, Joel took a deep breath and responded.
"I can say it's almost like a World Cup final. In the game, we had an extra player and they only had defensive players. We needed to maintain possession to kill the game," says the coach.
Leo Moura goes from booed to hero
Right-back scores Flamengo's winning goal in the 43rd minute of the second half
Marcio Iannacca
Right-back Leo Moura was the hero of Flamengo's 2-1 victory over Náutico at Maracanã in the Brazilian Championship. The player was being booed by the fans, but he turned things around and sealed the match for Flamengo.
"I thank God for that goal. Only those who keep trying score. I missed the previous chance, but managed to score soon after. Thank goodness," says Leo Moura.
Leo Moura scored his second goal of the season. In 2005, under Joel Santana, the full-back was also one of the club's top scorers in their quest to avoid relegation. Now, in 2007, he finds the net again.
In a dramatic game, Fla beats Náutico
Rubro-Negro turns the score around at the end of the game and wins for the third time in the Brasileirão
Marcio Iannacca
In a dramatic and tense match, Flamengo defeated Náutico 2-1 at Maracanã Stadium in a Brazilian Championship match (watch the video below for highlights). While Flamengo fans did their part in the stands, on the field, the Rio de Janeiro team only managed to do their homework in the 42nd minute of the second half, with a goal from Leonardo Moura.
With the result, Flamengo reached 15 points in the Brazilian Championship and remains second-to-last in the standings. Náutico remains out of the relegation zone with 20. In the next round, Flamengo will face Fluminense on Thursday, the 16th, at Maracanã Stadium. The Pernambuco team faces Atlético-MG at Aflitos Stadium on Sunday, the 19th.
Fla improves after the draw
Flamengo started the match better, capitalizing on the support of their fans, who turned out in good numbers at Maracanã. However, Náutico opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Felipe controlled the ball at the edge of the box, got past Ronaldo Angelim, and shot. The ball deflected off Cristian and deceived goalkeeper Bruno. In the 25th minute, Fábio Luciano, the night's debutant, equalized after a free kick from Juan.
From then on, Flamengo dominated Náutico, who only threatened on the counterattack. The Rio de Janeiro Red-and-Black team had three clear chances to turn the score around—two from Ibson and one from Cristian. Unlike previous matches, the team from Gávea demonstrated defensive confidence and offensive prowess to find the opposing goal.
Roger's pass rewards Fla
The red-and-black team returned without their captain Fábio Luciano. The player suffered muscle pain, and coach Joel Santana preferred to rest him. Rodrigo Arroz came on in his place. Flamengo tried hard to turn the game around, but had very few shots on goal. The Rio de Janeiro team only threatened their rivals when Argentine Maxi Biancucchi came on to replace Renato Augusto, who left the field with pain in the back of his left thigh.
Barcelona's Lionel Messi's cousin set the game alight. The Argentine made excellent runs down the right wing and even missed a great opportunity to break the deadlock. After the 30th minute, Flamengo desperately sought a goal but lacked confidence. Deleu was even sent off after a violent challenge on Maxi Biancucchi.
Flamengo kept up the pressure and achieved their goal. In the end, the more than 34 fans who attended Maracanã were rewarded with a beautiful play by Roger and the winning goal by Leo Moura.
Renato Augusto leaves the field crying
Midfielder feels pain in his left thigh, is substituted and is booed by Flamengo fans
Marcio Iannacca
Midfielder Renato Augusto was substituted in Saturday's match against Náutico at Maracanã, feeling severe pain in the back of his left thigh. Crying profusely, the player was booed by the red-and-black fans as he left the field.
Renato Augusto hasn't performed well since the U-20 World Cup in Canada. The Brazilian national team was eliminated in the round of XNUMX by Spain. The Brazilian team, then led by Nelson Rodrigues, had one win and three losses.
In recent days, Flamengo received a €15 million offer for Renato Augusto. Flamengo's board, however, declined and refused to even speak with Palermo, Italy.
Fábio Luciano debuts on the right foot
Defender only plays for Flamengo for a short time and leaves the field with muscle pain
Marcio Iannacca
Defender Fábio Luciano made a great debut for Flamengo. Coach Joel Santana named him team captain and also scored a goal in his first game for the red-and-black team (watch the video of the goal below). He left the field at halftime with muscle pain and didn't return for the second half.
The player approved his debut after the first half.
- It's good, but we have to come back with the same commitment - says Fábio Luciano.
Fábio Luciano will be re-evaluated by Flamengo doctors on Monday to find out if he will be fit to face Fluminense on Thursday at Maracanã in the Brazilian Championship classic.
Pan American athletes are honored
Red-and-black medalists in the competition receive affection from fans at Maracanã
Marcio Iannacca
Flamengo athletes who competed in the Pan American Games in Rio were honored this Saturday before the match between Flamengo and Náutico in the Brazilian Championship. Diego and Daniele Hypólito, Jade Barbosa, Vitor Rosa, and others performed a lap of honor around the stadium's lawn.
"Flamengo is a multi-sport club and has done its job. These athletes have written another chapter in Flamengo's history," says Patrícia Amorim, Flamengo's vice president of Olympic sports.
Flamengo was represented at the Pan American Games by 20 athletes. The club won ten medals—three gold, three silver, and four bronze.
Throw
Flamengo beats Náutico in a comeback: 2-1
Rubro-Negro finally wins at Maracanã in this Brazilian Championship. However, the team plays poorly again and only turns things around at the end.
Fla wins third match in this Brazilian Championship (Credit: Júlio César Guimarães)
Rafael Ximenes
Before the match began, Flamengo's athletes who participated in the Pan American Games were honored by the fans with a huge celebration. Names such as the brothers Hipólito and Jade Barbosa were present. On the field, Flamengo, which hadn't played at Maracanã for almost two months, took advantage of the renewed partnership with the fans and defeated Náutico 2-1, achieving its first victory at Maracanã in this Brazilian Championship.
With the result, Rubro-Negro reached 15 points, but still remains in 19th place, albeit with 15 games played. Timbu remained with twenty, in 16th place, with 19 matches played.
Everyone expected Flamengo to come out on top, but with many misplaced passes, Náutico started the game better and had the first opportunity thanks to a blunder by Bruno. Hamilton shot from distance, and the goalkeeper was caught off guard, but managed to clear the danger.
In the 11th minute, the Pernambuco team opened the scoring with a lucky chance. Felipe received the ball in the penalty area, spun on Ronaldo Angelim, and fired a cross-shot. The ball deflected off Cristian and went in.
Flamengo, which had only reached the target with a free kick from Cristian, was rewarded with another set piece. Juan took a free kick. Captain Fábio Luciano beat goalkeeper Eduardo and headed the ball into the back of the Timbu net.
The goal gave the Red-Blacks a boost, and they began to look for a comeback. In the 31st minute, Roger missed a good chance, shooting over Eduardo's goal. Náutico capitalized on counterattacks and relied on strong performances from Acosta and Felipe.
In one of these plays, the ball reached Felipe in the penalty area. Like a replay of the first goal, the striker turned and fired a cross-shot. The ball grazed Bruno's right post.
After 40 minutes, the match became even more exciting. Flamengo had two excellent chances, and Náutico had one. In the first for Flamengo, Ibson took a beautiful shot, and Eduardo made an excellent save. Then came the most incredible play of the game: Cristian received the ball inside the box and shot. Eduardo palmed it away, and the ball came back to the midfielder, who headed it against the post. On the rebound, Ibson, with an open goal, headed wide. Náutico arrived after a rebound in the box. Marcelo Silva, from the edge of the box, shot wide.
The second half began with changes for both teams. On Flamengo's side, Fábio Luciano, suffering from muscle pain, made way for Rodrigo Arroz. For Timbu, coach Roberto Fernandes took off striker Marcelo Silva and brought on defender Everaldo, switching the formation to a 3-5-2.
Before the five-minute mark, striker Felipe, Náutico's best player, twice created danger. For Flamengo, Renato Augusto and Leonardo were barely noticeable on the field. The best opportunities were limited to set pieces.
The team only improved after the introduction of Argentine Maxi Biancucchi. The short player brought more movement to the previously static attack. In the 25th minute, the forward received the ball inside the box, dribbled past the defender, and shot. Eduardo saved.
In the 34th minute, right-back Deleu fouled Juan and was sent off. The Timbu coach moved quickly and brought on Rafael Mineiro, further depriving the attack. Joel Santana, meanwhile, sent on Léo Lima to score the winning goal.
At this point, Flamengo was under intense pressure, and their effort was rewarded in the 42nd minute. Roger passed to Léo Moura. The full-back entered the box from the right and fired a cross. The ball hit the post and went in. The crowd celebrated.
In the next round, Flamengo will face Fluminense in the derby at Maracanã on Thursday, in a game postponed from the 11th round. Náutico will face Atlético-MG on Sunday at Aflitos.
Joel Santana: 'Victory the way Fla likes it'
Flamengo struggles to beat Náutico 2-1 at Maracanã
LANCEPRESS!
Flamengo's 2-1 victory over Náutico this Saturday at Maracanã in the 19th round of the Brazilian Championship was achieved in the final minutes, with a goal from Léo Moura in the 42nd minute of the second half. For coach Joel Santana, the triumph was typical of the club.
"It was the way Flamengo likes it: hard work, sweat, and struggle. Even when we conceded the goal, the fans helped and kept us united, it was great," said the coach, before defining Saturday's victory as follows:
"Every victory means a title; this is my home. It was worth it for the series of situations that have been happening. We had trouble selecting the team and were forced to take off Fábio Luciano to avoid blowing him out."
Flamengo's newcomers are lucky
Fábio Luciano and Rômulo participate well in the victory over Náutico
LANCEPRESS!
Defender Fábio Luciano and midfielder Rômulo made their debuts in Flamengo's 2-1 victory over Náutico this Saturday at Maracanã in the 19th round of the Brazilian Championship. Both showed their star qualities.
Fábio Luciano scored the first goal, but ended up coming off at halftime after feeling a twinge in his calf.
"Flamengo is like that, grit. We were lacking a bit of confidence, but with a good run at home we'll get results," said the defender.
Midfielder Rômulo, who came up from the juniors, praised the partnership with the red-black fans.
"We conceded a goal from a mistake. I made my debut on the right foot. These fans are the most beautiful thing," he said.
Roger says the team's dedication against Timbu was worth it
Supporter praised the team's grit in the 2-1 victory against Naútico
LANCEPRESS!
Supporter Roger is aware that Flamengo didn't play great football in its 2-1 victory over Náutico this Saturday at Maracanã Stadium in the 19th round of the Brazilian Championship. However, he praised another of the team's strengths.
"I think we played a great game, with everyone's commitment. It's through our hearts that we'll get through this situation. In these games, willpower matters more than technique," said the player, who praised the Náutico team's performance.
"They have great players, they marked hard and made it very difficult. Congratulations to them," he said.
Leo Moura dedicates victory to the fans and his family
The full-back was the hero of the red-black victory with a goal at the end of the match
LANCEPRESS!
Leonardo Moura, who scored Flamengo's comeback goal against Náutico with a cross-shot in the 42nd minute of the second half, dedicated the victory to the fans, who turned out in force at Maracanã. He also didn't forget his family.
"The victory is for this wonderful crowd, who came and supported us so much. The fight continues to overcome this difficult situation."
The player wore a shirt given to him by his family under his uniform as a sort of talisman. And it worked:
- This victory is dedicated to my family, who support me, to God and also to this wonderful crowd - he said.