The Globe
Thrashing leaves Fla on the verge of a nervous breakdown
Football leadership meets with Ney Franco to demand solutions
The angry expression in Bruno's eyes and the steamroller-like style displayed by goalkeeper Bruno, ready to run over anyone who got in his way, perfectly captured the Flamengo players' spirits upon their return to Rio yesterday, following the humiliating 4-0 defeat to Figueirense on Sunday in Florianópolis. Pure stress from someone who couldn't digest the previous day's result and who, right at the start of the Brazilian Championship, is already leaving the club on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
But what really worries Flamengo's management is Bruno's state of mind, whose contract ends on the 20th and whose fate is uncertain.
"We need to have a definition. No one can work like this," said Marcos Braz, the football director who closely followed the suffering in Florianópolis.
That evening, in Gávea, after a meeting with coach Ney Franco to assess the situation and demand a different approach on the field, vice president of football Kleber Leite announced that Bruno's situation will be discussed today with businessman Eduardo Uram, the goalkeeper's agent. An important step, in Ney's opinion.
"The Brazilian championship has barely started and we're already on the brink of the relegation zone. Thirteen goals in five games is really worrying," said Ney, who assured that he is not looking for a replacement for Bruno.
Another concern of the leadership is where to play against Vasco and Juventude, on the 24th and 28th. According to Suderj, Maracanã is not in a condition to be used due to the Pan construction works.
Sports Journal
Renato Augusto believes in Fla's improvement
It's clear that a defeat like the one Flamengo suffered last Sunday would have a profound impact on athletes, managers, and fans. It's no surprise that yesterday morning, upon the delegation's arrival, the group showed clear signs of dejection after their lackluster performance in the loss to Figueirense. Supporter Renato Augusto, who had been discreet in Florianópolis, decided to address the situation and made it clear that he believes the team will bounce back in the Brazilian Championship.
"The competition is very balanced. When the team gets three wins, it jumps to the top of the table. We'll play the next three games at home, and when we play with the support of our fans, we perform much better," said the supporter, referring to the upcoming games against Internacional, Vasco, and Juventude, before praising the team's qualities.
"Flamengo has a great group. A squad capable of withstanding these situations. These things happen. Internacional started the Brazilian Championship with three losses and is already doing better in the competition. I'm confident of a recovery," he added.
Despite the optimistic speech, Renato Augusto did not fail to criticize the team's performance and emphasized that, if Flamengo has ambitions in the Brazilian Championship, it will need to use this game against Figueirense as an example that should not be followed.
"We have to change our approach; we can't play the way we do. Figueirense taught us a lesson. From now on, we need to take this lesson and always apply it to the field," he reflected.
Irineu and Renato are expected to play for Flamengo on Saturday
Coach Ney Franco is expected to gain two important reinforcements for Saturday's match against Internacional. Defender Irineu and midfielder Renato have recovered from injuries sustained last week and can return to training normally. The return of these two players eases the manager's headache in assembling the team, as Souza, Thiago, and Renato Augusto are already confirmed to be absent. In the striker's place, young Paulo Sérgio, who will partner Leonardo, is expected to get a chance, as the other alternative for the position is the recently promoted Kaike from the youth academy.
Flamengo debuts with a rout in the Junior State Championship
Flamengo got off to a strong start in the state championship. In their opening match, they crushed Duque de Caxias 7-0. The match was this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in Gávea. Their next match will be against Profut in Itaboraí.
The match's standout players proved that talent runs in the genes. Matheus, Bebeto's son, scored the second goal from the penalty spot. Diego Dias, Djalminha's son, was the man of the match, scoring three goals.
Bebeto and Djalminha are among the club's idols. Bebeto won the Brazilian Championship with Flamengo in '87, scoring the goal in the final match against Internacional. Djalminha was part of the squad that won the Brazilian Championship in '92 and the Copa do Brasil in '90.
Emergency solutions at Rubro-Negro
Kleber Leite meets with Ney Franco, demands changes and the name of supporter Roger is on the agenda
Leo Schabbach and Thiago Bokel
Wallace Teixeira/JS
The new number 10? — Roger left Corinthians and could return to Rio de Janeiro. His destination is likely Gávea.
After the defeat to Figueirense, Flamengo began making moves to strengthen its squad. In a meeting that lasted more than three hours between coach Ney Franco and several members of the board, two supporters were offered to the coach to bolster the Flamengo midfield.
The first of these was Petkovic, who recently left Goiás and was one of the club's key players in recent years, even scoring the historic goal that gave Flamengo their third Rio de Janeiro championship. However, his name was rejected by Neymar, as his career was already declining.
The one really gaining momentum is supporter Roger, who left Corinthians about a month ago and was reportedly offered a contract to the club. Ney Franco asked for a week to decide whether or not to accept his signing, and it's very likely that the player, who was discovered by Fluminense, will wear the red-and-black jersey in the next few days.
The meeting decided that Flamengo needed a player capable of creating plays, as Renato and Renato Augusto lacked those characteristics. Roger's arrival would fill a void left in the squad by Juninho Paulista's departure on the eve of the Campeonato Carioca final.
Roger has been speculated about several times at Gávea. In fact, at the beginning of the year, his arrival was considered a certainty due to the partnership Flamengo would establish with MSI, which holds his federation rights. Currently unemployed, the player has reportedly expressed interest in returning to Rio de Janeiro, his hometown.
With the midfielder's arrival confirmed, Flamengo automatically gives up on midfielder Dinelson, who has been unable to separate himself from Corinthians. This delay in resolving the saga has reportedly already angered the board, and other names have begun to be considered, as Ney Franco himself admitted last week. Now we have to wait and see what the coach's decision will be, but it's very likely that the Rubro-Negro will soon have a new number 10.
Flamengo angry with the referee
The refereeing was a major focus for the players and coaching staff upon Flamengo's return from Florianópolis. Plays like the sending-off of striker Souza, the penalty awarded to Figueirense, and the accidental handball by defender Juan that led to the foul for the opponent's second goal were all cited as crucial for Flamengo leaving Orlando Scarpelli Stadium with a 4-0 deficit.
One of those who did not hold back in criticizing referee Alício Pena Júnior was striker Souza, who cannot understand the reason for his expulsion.
"It was unfair. I didn't do anything wrong and I didn't even have a yellow card. He ended up sending me off and hurt the team. It was a challenged ball and I kicked the guy, but it was slow. We really didn't play a good game, but he influenced the result," said Souza, furious.
With this expulsion, the red-and-black top scorer will be sidelined until at least the seventh round of the competition. For someone who was last year's leading scorer, Souza hasn't had the best start to the Brazilian Championship.
Renato is outraged by rumors that he is leaving Fla
Supporter Renato was quite irritated by the rumor that he would not have played against Figueirense because he had agreed to leave Flamengo.
"It's absurd. I regret that there are still professionals who don't respect others. Above all, I dedicate myself to my profession and, even in games where we didn't have major objectives, I never wanted to be left out. Just like everyone who works in football, or any other activity, I deserve due respect," he raged.
Kleber Leite criticizes Flamengo's stance and the referee's performance
Flamengo's vice president of football, Kleber Leite, was outraged by the team's stance, but the criticism was also directed at the game's referee, Alicio Pena Júnior from Minas Gerais.
"That referee is horrible, appalling. He's fat and unprepared. The defeat is undeniable due to the team's poor performance, but the huge scoreline is the referee's fault. He didn't award a penalty to Angelim, and Souza's sending-off was a bad joke," the club's director said.
Kleber Leite denied that there is a bounty on Ney Franco's head and sent a message to the players.
"Here at Flamengo, there's no rope around anyone's neck. But it's up to the players to find a solution, because here at the club they have all the support and affection they need. And our salaries are up to date. The team could be performing much better than it has been," Kleber Leite told Rádio Tupi.
Fla has a streak at Maracanã and Ney demands victories
Concerned about Flamengo's poor performance so far in the Brazilian Championship, coach Ney Franco is feeling the pressure of leading the Red-Blacks for the first time. To overcome the crisis, the coach believes that a sequence of three matches at Maracanã will bring the group back to calm. Flamengo faces Internacional, Vasco, and Juventude, in that order.
"This is the time for us to win these three home games and recover in the competition. We have to change our approach on the field. The championship has just started, and we're already in an uncomfortable position," lamented Ney Franco in an interview with Rádio Bandeirantes.
O Dia
Ney Franco comments on Bruno's turbulent phase
Goalkeeper slapped a reporter in an attempt to escape harassment from the press
Rio - Coach Ney Franco commented on the poor form goalkeeper Bruno has been going through in recent rounds of the Brazilian Championship. Flamengo's number 1 failed again, this time in the 4-0 rout of Figueirense in Florianópolis. On a free kick, Bruno simply watched the ball go in.
According to the red-black commander, all the uncertainty regarding the player's fate could be hindering Bruno's career.
"Bruno doesn't know whether he's staying at Flamengo or not. This could be causing him some anxiety, but he's crucial to the team," the coach said in an interview with Rádio Tupi.
When the team arrived on Monday morning, Bruno slapped a reporter on the arm in an attempt to escape harassment from the press.
Tense atmosphere upon arrival of Flamengo players and coaching staff at Tom Jobim Airport
Goalkeeper Bruno leaves the airport angry and refuses to speak to the press.
Alberto João
Rio - Flamengo's board reinforced security at Tom Jobim Airport for the arrival of players and coaching staff who arrived Monday afternoon from Florianópolis, following a 4-0 defeat by Figueirense. Goalkeeper Bruno, who failed to save a free kick for the Santa Catarina team, left the airport lobby irritated and did not speak to anyone in the press.
The player's contract with Flamengo expires on June 30th, and for coach Ney Franco, this situation needs to be resolved immediately. "He's a reliable goalkeeper, but the sooner his situation is resolved, the better. He's under contract until the 30th and has to play; there's no way he'll want to keep him," said Ney Franco, who hopes the goalkeeper stays at the club. "Bruno is in the plans."
Having conceded thirteen goals in the Brasileirão, Flamengo's defense has been receiving a lot of criticism. Upon the arrival of the Flamengo delegation, defender Thiago Gosling was blunt. "There's no explanation. It was a really bad day. A team like Flamengo can't afford that many goals."
Souza, who was sent off after attacking a Figueirense player, said he didn't do anything wrong. "It was a challenge, and I kicked the player slowly to get out of the play. Our team didn't play well."
Ney Franco: 'Our team didn't look like a first division team'
Alberto João
Rio - As the Flamengo delegation arrived at Tim Jobim Airport, coach Ney Franco spoke about the team's campaign in the Brasileirão and acknowledged the uncomfortable situation. "We have a week to work and build the team. Our first half was unrecognizable. It didn't look like a first division team. The opponent was more attentive and focused," he said.
Regarding the number of goals the defense has conceded in the Brasileirão, the coach said the team needs a change. "It's too high for a team interested in finishing in the top five. We need to change our training and our approach. The problem isn't with the defense, it's with the entire team."
The coach revealed that the week will be difficult at Gávea. "The situation is uncomfortable for the squad. We have to know how to deal with it. It will be a week of pressure and criticism."
Kléber Leite demands more commitment and desire from Flamengo players
Rio - Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, met with the entire coaching staff this Monday. The meeting's objective was to demand greater commitment and attitude from the team, which suffered a lackadaisical 4-0 defeat to Figueirense this weekend at Orlando Scarpelli Stadium.
According to the director, coach Ney Franco is not at risk of being fired. Kléber stated that the team needs to be more dedicated on the field.
"Here at Flamengo, there's no rope around our necks. The problem is that the team isn't performing as it should. As a manager and as a fan, I'm not satisfied. We have problems, but not that serious. The team could be performing much better than it has so far," he said in an interview with Rádio Globo.
Renato Augusto goes to Teresópolis with the U-20 team and says Flamengo needs to be alert
Rio - Flamengo's Renato Augusto reported to coach Nelson Rodrigues of the U-20 national team on Monday morning and could miss up to eight games for the Gávea team. He said Flamengo needs to be vigilant after being thrashed 4-0 by Figueirense.
"We have to change the team's approach. Take the lesson Figueirense taught us and apply it to the field. We had some very bad moments. Figueirense knew how to capitalize on our mistakes. It wasn't just the 4-0 scoreline. A lot happened," the player told Rádio Brasil.
Sports Gazette
Ney meets with the board and promises changes
While Flamengo's squad was resting, coach Ney Franco met with vice president Kléber Leite and football manager Isaías Tinoco on Monday afternoon. The topic was the club's poor run in the Brazilian Championship, made worse by the defeat to Figueirense last weekend.
At the end of the meeting, the coach assured that he will make changes to get the team back on the winning track. Kléber Leite, while denying any crisis at the club, confirmed that he is dissatisfied with the recent results. "There's no rope around anyone's neck here. But the squad has to understand that things aren't going the right way," he declared. "I'm sure this squad could be performing much better than it is now. And our coach has complete autonomy to make any changes he deems necessary."
One of the first changes is happening at Flamengo's training facility. Starting Wednesday, the team will be holding its training sessions exclusively at its Vargem Grande training center. The coaching staff and board believe the team will have more peace of mind when training away from Gávea.
Bruno and Renato Augusto may leave Fla soon
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - The game against Internacional, Saturday, at Maracanã, could mark the farewell of goalkeeper Bruno from Flamengo, whose contract with the Gávea team ends on the 20th.
The player's federation rights belong to a group of investors and the intention is to place the goalkeeper on the European market in the middle of the year.
'The quicker they resolve Bruno's situation, the better for everyone,' summarized coach Ney Franco, already preparing to lose his number one.
Another player who may be leaving is midfielder Renato Augusto, who will play for the U-20 national team at the World Cup in Canada. The player has attracted interest from European clubs but has confirmed he hasn't received any official offers.
"I'm like you (the press), only knowing speculation. The moment something concrete arrives is when I'll stop and analyze it," the midfielder explained, upon arriving in Rio de Janeiro this Monday morning.
After the rout, Ney Franco considers abandoning 3-5-2
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - After losing four goals to Figueirense in Santa Catarina, Flamengo is expected to make changes for next Saturday's game against Internacional at Maracanã.
The tendency is for coach Ney Franco to abandon the three-defender scheme, used last Sunday, to try to rehabilitate playing at home.
Thiago received his third yellow card and is out, but Irineu, having recovered from injury, could take a place in defense. Moisés and Ronaldo Angelim, who didn't perform well against Figueira, are competing for the other spot in defense.
"We've built our team based on our upcoming opponent. It's going to be a busy week, but we also know it's going to be a difficult week, with a lot of criticism," Ney Franco said Monday morning as the Flamengo delegation arrived.
More changes: Flamengo, however, has other problems for the next round. This Monday, midfielder Renato Augusto reported to the Brazilian U-20 squad for the World Cup in Canada.
Without his number ten, coach Ney Franco is waiting for the recovery of Renato Abreu, who did not face Figueirense due to muscle problems in his thigh.
In addition to Renato Augusto, the red-and-black team has another certain absence for the match against Colorado in striker Souza. The player was sent off last weekend and will have to serve a suspension.
Coach Ney Franco will only start planning his team from this Tuesday, when Flamengo returns and trains full time.
PeléNet
Flamengo holds meeting to discuss the team's poor performance
Flamengo's vice-president of football, Kleber Leite, coach Ney Franco, and club football supervisor Isaías Tinoco met on Monday afternoon to discuss the team's poor performance at the start of the Brazilian Championship.
Last Sunday, the Rio de Janeiro club lost 4-0 to Figueirense in Florianópolis. After five rounds, Flamengo has only one win.
"As far as possible, we're doing everything we can to provide support, and the problems aren't that serious. It's up to them [the players] to change the situation. The coach has the autonomy to make changes and ask whoever he wants, and we'll do our best to help," said Kleber Leite.
The director also expressed dissatisfaction with Flamengo's performance, but ruled out the possibility of finding a specific culprit.
"There's no rope around anyone's neck here. The players go out on the field and have to see that what's happening shouldn't happen. As a fan and a manager, I'm outraged. There's no reason for this," said Kleber Leite, assuring that coach Ney Franco remains highly regarded.
Flamengo sits 16th in the Brazilian Championship, one place above the relegation zone, with five points. The red-and-black team will attempt to bounce back next Saturday against Internacional at the Maracanã stadium.
The leakiest defense raises concerns at Flamengo
Even playing with three defenders, Flamengo boasts the leakiest defense in this Brazilian Championship and is starting to cause discomfort for coach Ney Franco. After the 4-0 loss to Figueirense last Sunday in Florianópolis, the club's vice president of football, Kleber Leite, expressed his irritation with the situation and called for changes to the team.
"Some things aren't going well, and we need to find an immediate solution. Nobody here just puts problems off. Flamengo isn't the Hungarian national team of '54, but they can't play like that. It's up to Ney to find an alternative. The team is conceding too many goals. He'll certainly make the necessary changes, because something needs to be done," the director stated.
In five games played in this Brazilian Championship, Flamengo has conceded 13 goals, as has Cruzeiro. After the opening match against Palmeiras at Maracanã, in which they played a 4-4-2 formation and lost 4-2, coach Ney Franco adopted a three-man defense in an attempt to provide greater protection for the defense.
However, Flamengo conceded nine goals in four games, an average of more than two per match. "A team of Flamengo's caliber can't afford to lose games with such high scores, and on top of that, playing poorly. We have to correct our mistakes for the next matches and work to ensure this doesn't happen again," admitted coach Ney Franco.
After the opening round, Flamengo beat Goiás 3-1, drew with Botafogo and Sport 2-2 and lost to Figueirense 4-0.
"We're trying to do our best to avoid conceding so many goals. We've already changed our strategy, but things aren't working out. On Sunday, we conceded four," commented goalkeeper Bruno, who, however, defends maintaining the same strategy.
"We have to lift our heads and continue working, because we know our capabilities. We have to keep doing what we're doing," he said.
Defender Thiago agrees. For him, the tactical system isn't to blame for Flamengo's high number of goals conceded. "Our team has been playing like this. We don't have to hide behind these things. Our team trains with all the different systems, but Sunday wasn't a very happy day for us," the player stated.
On the other hand, Thiago acknowledges that the situation at Gávea is unacceptable. "We now have to work hard and see what's happening, because we can't stay in this situation. This is unacceptable for Flamengo," concluded the defender, who received his third yellow card against Figueirense and will serve an automatic suspension against Inter.
BalloonSport
Souza mocks expulsion with support from Fla
Striker gets angry when asked about possible punishment due to card
Eduardo Peixoto
The light kick he gave to Vinícius, of Figueirense, and the subsequent sending off (watch the incident below) will not result in any punishment for Souza at Flamengo. This is the analysis of the board and, of course, the player himself.
When asked about a possible fine for the incident, the top scorer of the 2006 Brazilian Championship became extremely angry.
- Of course not! Being punished for what? What is this? - he says, explaining the episode:
"It was unfair. I didn't do anything wrong. There was a divided play and I kicked the guy's leg, but it was slow."
Exaggerated or not, the red card rules Souza out of Saturday's match against Internacional at Maracanã. In six rounds, it will be the fourth game he has missed. Despite the limited presence of his potential goalscorer, Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, preferred to blame referee Alício Pena Júnior, who had a disastrous performance in the match.
"That referee is a notorious idiot. Souza's expulsion was a joke," the manager declares.
Without Souza and Renato Augusto, who joined the Brazilian under-20 team, coach Ney Franco is expected to field Leonardo and Paulo Sergio as the attacking duo.
Neymar calls for reinforcements. The board will study them.
The international transfer window only opens in August, making Flamengo's work more difficult.
Eduardo Peixoto
Ney Franco spoke with the directors to assess the squad's needs
Flamengo's 16th-place finish in the Brazilian Championship will prompt changes to its roster. However, these changes will be more subtle than coach Ney Franco would like. This Monday, he provided the board with a list of players he recommends signing.
Some were dismissed outright, while others will be studied. Ney also requested a definitive resolution to the Dinelson case. Vice President of Football Kléber Leite immediately called the player's agent and, again, received a less than conclusive response.
There's interest in repatriating some forgotten athletes in Europe. However, the international transfer window only reopens on August 8th. Flamengo has too long to wait.
"We're analyzing potential names. Some are viable, others aren't. The fact that the market only opens in August is a real problem. It's absurd and needs to end soon," complains Kléber Leite.
Ney Franco considers midfield to be Flamengo's most vulnerable area. He's dissatisfied with the production of the defensive midfield duo of Paulinho and Claiton and would like a player who can bring more quality to the ball. His dream player would be Ibson, but the board doesn't believe this is a viable option.
Kléber puts a rope around the group's neck
Manager harshly criticizes the attitude of Flamengo athletes and promises a scolding
Eduardo Peixoto
Kléber Leite is very angry with the team's attitude and will demand action from the players.
Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, won't be sending messages. He'll personally visit the players to convey his dissatisfaction with the team's performance in the first five rounds of the Brazilian Championship and, above all, with their lackluster performance in the match against Figueirense.
"It was a dreadful afternoon," says the manager. The pressure will have a cascading effect. This Monday, Kléber met with coach Ney Franco and the coaching staff. For now, the coach's position is secure.
"The rope is tightening around the squad's neck. They have all the support, all the affection, and the results so far are completely inconsistent," says the irritated Flamengo director.
In previous years, excuses for poor campaigns often revolved around late salaries. But this isn't the case. Last week, the board paid May's salaries and brought the payroll up to date.
The management's position is one of absolute pressure. If results don't emerge immediately, players will be released. The first changes will be to the lineup.
"Ney knows he has to change. And he will. The team can't continue the way it is. It's a good thing we turned on the red light early," declares Kléber Leite.
The three-defender system will be retired, and players like Claiton and Paulinho are unlikely to be in the starting lineup. On the other hand, striker Paulo Sergio will start alongside Leonardo.
A rout changes the red-black routine
The team leaves Gávea starting Wednesday and takes refuge in the training center
Eduardo Peixoto
The pressure mounted on Flamengo after the rout by Figueirense claimed its first victim: the Gávea headquarters. Early Monday evening, the club announced that of the five training sessions this week, four will take place at the Ninho do Urubu training center in Vargem Grande.
Last week, for example, none of the club's six training sessions took place at the training center. Coach Ney Franco made the decision to remove the group from the eye of the storm. At Gávea, he believes the players are more exposed to protests from members and fans.
The club's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, guarantees that he was not consulted about the change in the schedule.
"That wasn't my decision. The coaching staff has complete autonomy to make that kind of change," he declares.
Aloof, Flamengo players arrive in Rio
The red-black delegation leaves with few words after the humiliating defeat
Eduardo Peixoto
Flamengo's players arrived at Tom Jobim International Airport looking grim. Aloof and downcast, few offered any explanation for the 4-0 thrashing they suffered against Figueirense this Sunday in Florianópolis (watch the video below).
Goalkeeper Bruno left the venue in a hurry, without speaking to the press, as did much of the delegation. Only coach Ney Franco and forwards Souza and Paulo Sérgio exchanged brief words with the journalists waiting for the group to arrive.
The flight from Santa Catarina arrived 40 minutes late. Six security guards accompanied the squad, but no fans went to the airport to protest the poor performance in the fifth round. The club's director of football, Marcos Braz, tried to downplay the onset of the crisis.
"There's no point in despairing. This same team was the Rio de Janeiro champion, and despite being close to the relegation zone, they're six points behind the leader," he explains.
This Monday afternoon, there will be a board meeting in Gávea. The players are off and will return to training on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.
Throw
Kleber Leite admits looking for reinforcements
Flamengo's vice president of football believes the squad can perform better.
Kleber Leite demands good results from the red-black squad (Credit: Julio Cesar Guimarães)
Flamengo's 4-0 thrashing by Figueirense in Florianópolis wasn't well received. This Monday, the club's vice president of football, Kleber Leite, met with coach Ney Franco and the club's football manager, Isaías Tinoco, to discuss the team's current situation in the Brazilian Championship. Kleber demands changes and admits he's looking for reinforcements.
"The coach has complete autonomy to change the team and ask for reinforcements. He's even asked us for some names. It's complicated, but we're working on it, as the European market opens in July," he stated.
It's not just the new players that are a concern for Flamengo. According to Kleber Leite, the current squad's performance is below expectations, even with management making efforts to improve working conditions.
"As a fan and manager, I'm dissatisfied. This team is the one that has to perform, especially because they have support, affection, attention, and timely pay. The problems here aren't serious; they're completely bearable. The results aren't compatible, because I'm sure this squad can perform better," added Kleber Leite.
Flamengo is in 16th place, with just five points.
Bad-tempered Bruno doesn't answer journalists
Against Figueira, the goalkeeper conceded his fourth free kick goal in the last five games.
Fred Gomes
When Flamengo arrived on Monday morning, one player seemed more upset than the others, after the 4-0 defeat suffered by Figueirense. Goalkeeper Bruno, with a grumpy expression, left the airport without speaking to the press and appeared very irritated.
He's conceded four free kicks in his last five games, two of which he was held to a standstill. Furthermore, Flamengo has the worst defense in the Brasileirão, alongside Cruzeiro, with 13 goals conceded.
Renato Augusto regrets being out of Flamengo
Supporter was called up by the National Team to compete in the U-20 World Cup
Fred Gomes
Flamengo's delegation arrived in Rio de Janeiro this Monday and has already lost one of its key players for the upcoming rounds. Renato Augusto was called up to the U-20 national team for the World Cup and will miss the Rubro-Negro's Brasileirão campaign, a situation that upsets supporters.
"It's going to be tough watching Flamengo from afar. I'll be cheering them on. Saturday is the match against Internacional, and I'll be at Granja Comary with Alexandre Pato. I don't even want to talk to him during the match," he said, with a lot of humor.
With Renato Augusto out, coach Ney Franco has already hinted at the possibility of testing out some young players from Flamengo's youth academy. The team's number 10 believes the option is a valid one.
"There are some players from the youth academy who have already been training with us, like Kayke and Vinícius (Colombian). I think Ney's decision is interesting," said the 19-year-old, who was also a choice made by the club's coach in last year's Copa do Brasil finals.