THE GLOBE
Rehabilitation in a cold and silent Maracanã
Without fans, Fla beats Santos reserves (3-1) and begins to move away from the mourning of elimination in the Libertadores
Photo caption: LATERAL JUAN shoots to score Flamengo's third goal in a counterattack designed at half-time by debutant coach Caio Júnior
Four days after the tragic elimination from the Libertadores and hours before the Brazilian Championship debut, Flamengo's football manager, Isaías Tinoco, maintained his unwavering routine amidst the joys and sorrows of football. At Mass at the Church of Santo Cristo dos Milagres in Alto da Boavista, he heard Father Navarro speak of the 50 days since Christ's resurrection and the love and freedom brought by new life. This moment of introspection, in which pain is purged in silence, lasted all Sunday for the red-and-blacks. With the Maracanã empty due to a punishment for an object thrown at the referee in the final game of last season, Flamengo defeated its own ghosts and Santos' reserves yesterday, 3-1, with goals from Marcinho, Ibson, and Juan.
"People think coaches don't suffer, but it's obvious I had some anxiety and concern," said coach Caio Júnior, who arrived with the expectation of leading the team to the world title and debuted yesterday with the mission of picking up the pieces. "I had the support of the group and felt there would be a response on the field, especially because Flamengo has quality."
Crisis forces new coach to get closer to the group
For many of the red-and-blacks, the unexpected 3-0 defeat to América de México was the end. But crisis, a word of Greek origin, means the possibility of remaking choices and seeking new paths. Faced with the urgent mission of treating exposed wounds, Caio was able to connect with the players in a way he might not have been able to with a team fueled by the work the coach had not been part of.
- I had to rethink everything I was going to do. Little by little, the group is getting to know me, and I've already taken a good step in that direction.
After the tragic night, reality once again conspired in their favor. In four days of work, Caio says he found a great atmosphere among the players. Even injured, the presence of captain Fábio Luciano in the locker room was one of the details that strengthened the team. The absence of the fans could be seen as another factor to alleviate the pressure, but the players prefer to have them by their side.
"We want to bring back the fans and their confidence. That's when we see the character. We have players here who have already played in the World Cup, so a single defeat won't bring us down," said Marcinho, after facing the gloomy side of Maracanã. "Our group has only had joy and victories; we haven't experienced the bitter side."
Nothing like one Sunday after another. The colorful, noisy crowds at the Carioca final gave way to an agonizing silence and darkness. With the lights on his ring off, only the floodlights illuminated the pitch. Everything was out of routine. Papa Joel's belly and clipboard gave way to Caio's sober demeanor. The only rule that remained was Souza's, who continued to miss goals. In the second minute, the striker headed the ball against the crossbar. After another precise pass from Juan, Marcinho made it 1-0 in the 29th. A minute later, Ibson received a backheel pass from Marcinho and sent the ball into the corner: 2-0. Despite the advantage, the pain still outweighed the joy.
- We are embarrassed to walk down the street, but all of this serves to bring us closer together - said Ibson.
In the second half, the team struggled to lift its head, as Diego Tardelli saw the goalkeeper off guard and hit the post. On a counterattack, planned at halftime, when Caio asked the full-backs to advance together, Leonardo Moura passed to Juan to make it 3-0 in the 29th minute. After missing chances to score, the team was once again reminded that football punishes. In the 44th minute, Bruno awarded a penalty to Moraes, who pulled one back. But this time, the lesson was one of perseverance and optimism. Flamengo hadn't started the Brazilian Championship with a victory since 2002. Both times the team debuted with a victory over Santos, in 1980 and 1983, Flamengo went on to win. Alone in the stands, Isaías ended Sunday as he began.
- The defeat is over, now is the time to work and have faith.
Flamengo: Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Leonardo, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Jailton, Kleberson (Cristian), Toro and Ibson (Obina); Marcinho and Souza (Diego Tardelli). Santos: Douglas, Filipi (Evaldo), Marcelo, Domingos and Carlinhos; Adriano, Hudson (Vitor), Adoniran, and Paulo Henrique (Moraes); Wesley and Lima. Referee: Heber Roberto Lopes (PR). Yellow cards: Moraes, Toro, Bruno.
FLAMENGO
BRUNO: Not very demanding, he was reckless in the penalty kick. 5.
LEONARDO MOURA: An impressive run in the third goal for the red-black team. 7.
LEONARDO: He replaced Fábio Luciano with relative ease. It didn't complicate things. 6.
RONALDO ANGELIM: He also had a calm performance. When necessary, he kicked the ball to the sides. 6.
JUAN: He delivered a perfect pass for the first goal and scored the third, with a good dose of luck. Furthermore, with his constant movement, he was the best player on the team. 8.
JAÍLTON: Discreet performance. With his known limitations and determination, he managed to maintain his standard. 5.
KLEBERSON: Another match in which he was neither brilliant nor bad. He ran intelligently, set up and disarmed effectively, but he still lacks a world champion performance. 5. CRISTIAN came on to close the midfield and didn't make things difficult. 5.
TORÓ: His usual hustle and bustle, which kept him in the starting lineup all this time. As always, he received the same old yellow card for a tackle from behind. 5.
IBSON: After some poor performances, he returned to near his normal level. He scored a beautiful goal, showing that, despite the adverse phase, he hasn't lost confidence. 6. OBINA came on late. 5.
MARCINHO: Another standout for the red-and-blacks. He scored a goal with an unstoppable shot, like an opportunistic striker, and back-heeled a pass for another. 8.
SOUZA: One of the few to break his tune. He missed a goal by hitting the crossbar and wasn't booed because the Maracanã was empty. 4. DIEGO TARDELLI came on and gave the attack more mobility. Once again, he hit the left post with a curling shot. 5.
CAIO JÚNIOR: He screamed a lot in his debut and didn't stray too far from the formula used by Joel Santana. 5.
SANTOS
With their attention focused on the Libertadores, the reserves were easy prey for the opponent. Goalkeeper Douglas and forward Moraes stood out. The rest were very out of sync.
ARBITRATION
Heber Roberto Lopes did not influence the result.
Rubro-negros get scared in front of the TV
With Maracanã closed to fans, the red-and-blacks got a shock yesterday: for 20 minutes, due to technical problems, Premiere Esporte Clube stopped broadcasting the Flamengo vs. Santos match. With the signal restored, fans were able to watch the match, even hearing the coaches' complaints from the sidelines. The club was punished by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) after a fan threw an object onto the field during the match against Grêmio.
Fla wins another in Dona Cristina's sweet break
Marcelinho and Duda's mother leaves the kitchen aside to watch her children in action in the 79-72 victory over Vila Velha
Photo caption: PARTY IN GÁVEA: Center Alírio falls on an opponent after a dunk, in the 79-72 victory. On the left, Mrs. Cristina (wearing glasses) and her daughter-in-law, Renata, receive affection from the men of the Machado family.
Ary Cunha
In the paint or in the kitchen, precise hands make all the difference. Cristina Machado, matriarch of a family with a long tradition on the basketball court, teaches that a pinch of seasoning can be as unwise as overdoing it on a decisive shot. Praised for her culinary skills, which range from the quintessentially Brazilian feijoada to the boeuf à la mode inherited from her French mother-in-law, yesterday she had a different Mother's Day. Not because she delayed her home-cooked lunch to go to Gávea to watch Flamengo defeat Cetaf/Vila Velha (ES) 79-72 in the National Men's Basketball Championship playoffs. What was truly unexpected was the time off the holiday afforded her.
"I love cooking; it gives me great pleasure. But today (yesterday) I want to stay well away from the stove. The paella for lunch is on them," joked the mother of Marcelinho and Duda and physiotherapist Ricardo, all of whom are red-and-black fans.
In fact, Marcelinho simply signed the check. The person tasked with picking up the dish from a Barra restaurant was another Machado honored yesterday: Renata, the wife of the Brazilian national team's shooting guard and five months pregnant.
"I lost the game to bring the paella," she said, arriving at the end of the game. "I try to follow my mother-in-law's recipes. If I can ever come close to what she does in the kitchen, I'll be very happy."
Machado Brothers lead 11-0 in a devastating start
For Paulo Chupeta's team, seeking its first title, coming close is not enough. Flamengo, the outright leader in the first phase of the Nacional and runner-up in the South American League, secured its second consecutive victory over the team from Espírito Santo yesterday and now only needs a victory tomorrow in Vila Velha to advance to the semifinals. On Saturday, the team defeated their rivals (90 to 77).
Since her husband, former soccer player Renê, didn't want to wait for her to set the table for the paella that was on the way, Cristina was only able to leave the house after Duda and Marcelinho presented Flamengo's business card, giving them an 11-0 lead. The first half ended 41-34, and the seven-point lead remained unchanged at the end. Even without Cristina's personal touch, the paella at the Machado house had a celebratory feel.
Flamengo: Marcelinho (21), Duda (12), Amiel (18), Coloneze (14) and Alírio (12). Entered: Helio and Fernando Mineiro (2). Vila Velha: Felipinho (15), Manuil (7), Jefferson (17), Gabriel (4) and Eric (12). Entered: Ederson, Gustavo (2), Marcio (4) and Rodrigo (11). Other results: Pitágoras/Minas 90 x 74 Saldanha da Gama (ES); and Universo/BRB/Converse (DF) 89 x 70 UTC/Uberlândia.
SPORTS JOURNAL
Confidence is back in the team
The return of confidence and greater unity among the group was the main outcome of Flamengo's victory over Santos in the Brasileirão opener yesterday at Maracanã. Relieved by the result and the team's strong performance, coach Caio Júnior was highly motivated by his work and, along with the players, became more convinced that Flamengo can indeed compete for this year's Brazilian title.
One of the main reasons the coach thinks this way is the unity of the group, which, according to many players, has increased even more after being eliminated from the Libertadores.
"I felt like a very close-knit group, they're friends. The presence of our captain, Fábio Luciano, at the hotel and in the locker room was very important," said the coach, who believes that managing Flamengo is the opportunity of a lifetime: "Being in charge of Flamengo at this moment is an honor. It's a source of happiness for me and my family, and I'm sure I'll do a great job here," he said.
Job accepted\ Known for becoming friends with his players, Caio is already starting to win over the club's athletes.\
"He showed in this game that he's an intelligent coach, he tried to respect the players' qualities, he kept the same team and he gave us a lot of confidence. We also have confidence in his work," said Marcinho.
The trust and unity that's beginning to grow at Gávea hasn't yet reached the fans. For Marcinho, Flamengo needs to win them back. "We have to bring the fans back to Maracanã. They have to have confidence in the team, because we have what it takes to be champions."
A good victory to calm down
Flamengo defeats Santos 3-1 and enjoys the lead in the Brazilian Championship
Bernardo Peirão and Pedro Chiaverini
Wallace Teixeira/JS
Juan celebrates his goal, Flamengo's third, which came from a play by Leonardo Moura
In a deserted Maracanã stadium, where only the sounds of southern lapwings and the useless cries of Émerson Leão could be heard, Flamengo, playing without its fans due to a punishment imposed by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD), defeated Santos' reserves 3-1 last night in the first round of the Brazilian Championship. A good debut for Caio Júnior as manager of the team, which is enjoying a temporary lead in the Championship.
The game started with a lively pace, with both teams attacking. Souza's shot hit the Santos crossbar within a minute. Flamengo showed a slight advantage but was unable to find any shots on target. Even with a new manager, the team still had long-standing problems. Souza, even without the pressure of the fans, was often out of the box and missed goals. Marcinho, however, maintained his strong performance and, once again, was by far Flamengo's most dangerous player.
In the 29th minute, the goal finally came: Ronaldo Angelim delivered a well-placed pass to Juan, who crossed perfectly for Marcinho to score. A minute later, Flamengo doubled their lead with a stunning goal: Kleberson found Marcinho, who, inside the box, delivered a beautiful backheel pass to Ibson, who finished into the top left corner of goalkeeper Douglas's net. The second goal was truly a masterpiece.
The second half began much like the first: with Flamengo controlling the score and Santos trying to find their footing. Coach Leão brought on Moraes and Vítor Júnior to boost the attack, but to no avail.
In the opening minutes, the game was lukewarm, with few dangerous plays. Then, Caio Júnior brought on Diego Tardelli for Souza, and the improvement was clear. Flamengo began creating more chances, but they were still conceding too many goals. Kleberson, Tardelli, who hit the post with a beautiful shot, and Ibson had good chances to score the third, but Juan did it in the 29th minute. In a blistering counterattack, Léo Moura broke through on the right and fed Juan, who only had to choose the corner.
In the final minute of the game, Bruno awarded a penalty to defender Marcelo. Moraes converted the penalty with skill, giving the match its final score. It remains to be seen whether the red-and-black fans have forgotten their traumatic elimination from the Libertadores with this victory in the Brasileirão's opening round.
Mengão opens 2-0
Flamengo is just one win away from the National semi-final
Wallace Teixeira/JS
Pivot Coloneze tries to turn things around in Flamengo's victory over Cetaf on Saturday
Flamengo defeated Cetaf 79-72 yesterday in a game held in Gávea, Rio de Janeiro, and is one win away from the National Basketball Championship semifinals. The red-and-black star was Marcelinho Machado, who topped the scoreboard with 21 points. The third playoff game will be played tomorrow night in Vila Velha.
"There in Minas, at their home, it will certainly be much more difficult, but we are prepared, the team is consistent and we will fight hard," said point guard Marcelinho Machado.
In addition to the forward, Cuban Amiel contributed 18 points. And center Alírio added 12 points and 14 rebounds. Forward Jefferson Sobram scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds for Cetaf.
For the next match, the Rio team, besides having to play away from home, faces another challenge: finding a point guard. With a back injury, Hélio played only nine minutes for the team, which is already without Fred.
"Hélio felt pain in his back, so he was rested today. He had felt the twinge yesterday. I'll have to resort to the youth team if he doesn't recover by Tuesday," said coach Paulo Chupeta.
At the end, he gave a brief analysis. "It wasn't a bad game. We knew it wouldn't be easy, as it always is, but our performance was below expectations. But the important thing is to get the win and travel with the series advantage."
Pacifier expects repetition of the strategy
Coach Paulo Chupeta hopes the team maintains the momentum of the last two games to have a chance of securing a place in the semifinals.
Just like Flamengo, closing the first round of the quarterfinals, Minas defeated Saldanha da Gama 90-74, in Belo Horizonte (MG). The top scorers were Mãozão, from Minas, and Lucas Costa, from Saldanha, with 20 and 19 points, respectively.
Brasília defeated Uberlândia in the capital by 89 to 70. Arthur was the top scorer with 20 points. Olivinha was Minas Gerais' top scorer with 15 points.
With these results, both clubs lead their series one-nil. The teams' second matchup will be today, again in Belo Horizonte and Brasília.
FLAMENGO: Marcelinho (21), Duda (12), Amiel (18), Coloneze (14) and Alírio (12). Entered: Hélio and Fernando (2). Coach: Paulo Chupeta\ CETAF: Felipinho (15), Manuil (7), Jefferson (17), J.Gabriel (4) and Eric (12). Entered: Gustavo (2), Marcio (4), Rodrigo (11) and Ederson. Coach: Luiz Felipe.\
José Antonio Gerheim
In fact, it's also time for the CBF to rethink this idea of playing games behind closed doors, in total silence. Certainly, there are opportunities for more sensible punishments: heavy fines, moving games to other stadiums as a corrective measure against those who misbehave in stadiums. And, most importantly, educating fans. Football isn't just a product, a business for exporting raw materials. It's also culture, and Brazilians are the greatest pride of a nation on its way to becoming truly one of the greatest in the world, in every sense.
THE DAY
Without fans, Fla beats Santos 3-1 in Caio Jr.'s debut.
Gabriel Esteves
Rio - After the biggest embarrassment in its 112-year history—the shocking elimination from the Copa Libertadores to América-MEX at the Maracanã last Wednesday—Flamengo began to recover. Behind closed doors, the team led by Caio Jr. had no trouble defeating the mixed Santos team 3-1, with goals from Marcinho, Íbson, and Juan. Moraes, from the penalty spot, pulled one back for the visitors.
The aftermath of the loss to América-MEX was still lingering. Flamengo felt the need to make up for lost time, and they didn't need any encouragement from the Red-Black Nation to take the initiative. A minute into the match, Juan lofted a perfect ball into the box for Souza, who rose unmarked and headed the ball against the crossbar. The chance to lift the Red-Black players' spirits, but Santos continued to press the ball out. As a result, the game became a stalemate.
To escape Santos' defense, Flamengo tried to use its most famous offensive weapon: its full-backs. In the seventh minute, Léo Moura made a good play from the baseline, but his cross was blocked. In the 7th minute, it was Juan's turn to unsuccessfully work with Souza on the left to break through Santos' defense.
Gradually, Flamengo managed to better organize its attacks, but the players either held onto the ball too much or misplaced the final pass. In the 16th minute, when a beautiful exchange of passes left Léo Moura facing goal, he was flagged for offside.
Seven minutes later, Léo Moura had another chance to score. Souza, from the byline, headed a free kick into the box, and the Flamengo full-back caught it first time, but misdirected it.
After putting on so much pressure, and already being threatened by Santos' potential counterattacks, Flamengo took the lead in the 29th minute. In a quick move, Ronaldo Angelim launched Juan, who crossed first time for Marcinho, also first time, to finish with the inside of his foot, into the top right corner of Douglas' goal.
Just a minute later, the team led by debutant Caio Jr. extended their lead. In a stunning attack, Kléberson started the game, sprinting down the right and passing to Marcinho inside the penalty area. The scorer of the first goal provided a beautiful backheel for Ibson to control and slot the ball into Douglas's left corner.
With a two-goal lead, Flamengo slowed down, giving Santos more space to attack. In the 38th minute, Santos made their best move of the first half. Full-back Carlinhos launched a counterattack down the left that ended at Lima's feet. The striker still had space to advance toward goal, but he chose to experiment from the edge of the box, and the ball sailed over Bruno's crossbar in the final dangerous play of the first half.
The game resumed slowly. In the 11th minute, Souza called the defender to dance on the baseline, left it behind, and crossed, but Jaílton missed the ball. Flamengo still persisted with the same sin of the first half: despite good playmaking, the final pass always went wrong, wasting good plays.
With the red-and-blacks relaxing, Santos began to try to balance the game, but were unable to create any dangerous chances. The team's attacking moves almost always ended in a tackle by the opponent or with players shooting on goal without causing any danger. However, in the 22nd minute, Lima threatened with a powerful shot after a quick turn.
In the 24th minute, Flamengo launched its first full counterattack of the second half. Íbson initiated the play through the middle at speed, Marcinho passed to Tardelli, who, in a move very similar to the Guanabara Cup winning goal, fired a powerful shot but saw the ball hit the post.
Santos' response came two minutes later, through Moraes. The Santos player burst into the penalty area from the right and, face-to-face with Bruno, shot straight at the Flamengo goalkeeper, Santos' best chance of the match so far.
Soon after, it was Flamengo's turn to miss a clear chance. Ibson advanced through the middle and, face-to-face with Douglas, fired a low shot just wide of the post, missing an easy goal.
In the 29th minute, Juan tried hard, but couldn't stop the Carioca Champion's third goal. In a counterattack from wing to wing, Léo Moura sprinted down the right, leaving two defenders behind and leaving Juan alone, face to face with the goalkeeper. The left-back controlled the ball, stopped, and took his time shooting, but luckily the ball went under the beaten Douglas. Mengão 3-0.
From then on, Flamengo began to control the game, despite still missing a few chances. Santos, sensing that Flamengo had put on the brakes, went in search of a consolation goal, which nearly came in the 37th minute, when Wesley, on a run down the left, fired a powerful, point-blank shot at Bruno.
Just when it seemed the match was drawing to a close, Bruno's clearance to a ball in the box was poor, tripping Moraes. Referee Heber Roberto Lopes awarded a penalty, well taken by Morais, in the final play of the match.
For the superstitious, a breath of fresh air after the "Americanazzo": both times Flamengo debuted in the Brazilian Championship by beating Santos, they won the national championship. A sign that, after the storm in Gávea, a calm may come—and the sixth Brazilian championship, a demand from the hurt red-and-black fans to forgive their beloved team.
For Caio Jr., tranquility and confidence brought victory over Santos
Coach reveals he wants to create new leaders on the team
Rio - The team that comfortably defeated Santos 3-1 this Sunday at an empty Maracanã stadium was the same one fielded by Joel Santana in the fateful 3-0 loss to América-MEX, which resulted in elimination from the Copa Libertadores. However, it can't be said that Caio Jr. hasn't already implemented his working method. The coach's influence on the match's outcome was invisible: restoring the players' confidence.
"I had to rethink everything I was going to do on Thursday, given the 3-0 result. I had to know exactly what to do on Thursday and Friday, so I had a chat with the players, honestly and frankly, to get them to talk about what happened in the game against América, which, in my opinion, was atypical. It happens, but it's not normal. So I tried to regain their trust, giving everyone a chance to speak," explained the coach.
"The team was confident, I think the merit was giving the players peace of mind. The idea of repeating the team, the conversation we had on the field, and internally in the training camp, the presence of the captain (Fábio Luciano, injured) in the training camp and in the locker room, were details that contributed to strengthening the team," he added.
The coach, who has already said he enjoys working as a psychologist for the players, revealed the keynote of his work philosophy to be put into practice at Flamengo: the creation of new leaders on the field.
"I think it's a team that can grow in terms of leadership, of creating new leaders. That's what happened at Palmeiras (led by the coach in the 2007 Brazilian Championship) last year. I hope to create new leaders. It's a job I really enjoy and want to do here," he revealed.
Marcinho praises Caio Jr.'s work.
Rio - For Flamengo coach Caio Jr., the main factor behind the 3-1 victory over Santos was the calmness and confidence instilled in his players. Striker Marcinho, who scored the goal that paved the way for the result, echoed the coach's words, taking the opportunity to praise Caio's work in his first match in charge of Flamengo.
"Caio showed that he's an intelligent coach, who knows how to get the best out of a player. He gave us peace of mind after a difficult match, saying he trusted our team - and we trusted his work too. Caio knew how to put the team together well, studied the Santos team thoroughly, and gave us the confidence to play well. And that's what happened: if you look at the 14 players who played in this match, you'll see that most of them played well. The team is ready, now it's time to build confidence for the rest of the championship," analyzed Marcinho.
When asked if the Maracanã with closed doors - due to a STJD punishment related to an incident in the match against Grêmio in the 2007 Brasileirão - in any way helped the team, since there would be no pressure from the fans after the Americanazzo, Marcinho showed personality:
"To tell you the truth, I wish the stadium had a good crowd, because those are the times when you see a player with personality, a player who knows how to play under pressure. Flamengo has players who have played in the World Cup and other major championships, so a defeat won't get us down. The group is experienced and knows what they want, so if the stadium had been full, we would have played a good game too," he said.
But the celebrations for the striker's strong debut end on Monday. If Flamengo wants to win the Brazilian Championship for the sixth time and erase the fans' resentment over the club's biggest embarrassment, Marcinho believes every game should be treated as a final:
"The Brasileirão is a long championship and we have to approach each game like a final. Today, we won, it was good, but from tomorrow on, we have to think only about Grêmio. We have to focus, study Grêmio's strengths and weaknesses, go to the Olympic Stadium, play a good game and get the victory, because in the Brasileirão, it's not enough to just win at home. You have to win away too," he concluded.
Maracanã, a sad and emotionless stage
Rio - The giant has fallen silent. Yesterday, the closed-door game made Maracanã a depressing stage. With no fans, just journalists and officials, the silence inside the cold stadium was piercing. From the stands, one could hear the dialogue between the players, the coaches' instructions and complaints, and the "song" of five southern lapwings flying over the pitch.
In 1983, in the Brazilian Championship final, Flamengo and Santos brought 155 people to Maracanã. Yesterday, there were no fans, but rather witnesses to what still felt like a wake for the Libertadores elimination. At 18:02 p.m., when Flamengo took the field, instead of the chant of "let's go Flamengo, let's go champion team," there was only the sound of the ball during the warm-up.
In the "ring" of stands, darkness; on the pitch, even the police took the opportunity to watch the game. Bruno was the player who shouted the loudest: "Get it, get it!" Heber Roberto Lopes's whistle seemed amplified. At goals, a few Flamengo officials celebrated, but in the deathly silence, it sounded more like thousands of voices. "I wish the fans were there. Under pressure, you can see the player's personality," said Marcinho.
To complete the funereal atmosphere, it began to rain after halftime. The cold and chill that surrounded Maracanã intensified. Having served its punishment for losing home-field advantage—due to a can thrown onto the pitch in the 2007 match against Grêmio—the stadium was the biggest loser. A stage of glories and historic demonstrations by Flamengo fans, yesterday Maracanã was a sleeping giant that endured a nightmarish night.
SPORTS GAZETTE
In Caio Júnior's debut, Flamengo beats Santos' reserves
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Without its fans in the stands at the Maracanã (due to a sanction from the Superior Court of Justice (STJD), but with debutant Caio Júnior on the bench, Flamengo recovered from its surprising defeat to América of Mexico in the Copa Libertadores. The red-and-black team defeated Santos' "B team" 3-1 this Sunday, with goals from Marcinho, Ibson, and Juan. Moraes pulled one back. With the victory in the opening round of the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo earned its first three points and moved into first place in the competition. Next weekend, it will face Grêmio in Porto Alegre, while Santos will host Ipatinga. Before that, Emerson Leão's team will begin its Libertadores quarterfinal clash with América of Mexico.
The Game – From its very first attack, Flamengo gave the false impression that the first half would be quite eventful. Juan burst down the left and crossed into the box, from where Souza headed the ball against the crossbar. For the next 20 minutes, however, Flamengo struggled against Santos' defense.
Peixe, with three defensive midfielders in midfield and a lackluster Paulo Henrique in the midfield, appeared timid when it came to attacking. The attacking duo of the ever-starting Wesley and Lima tried hard to create scoring chances, but were barely getting any. On the sidelines, Leão screamed in despair, now without a crowd to cover them.
The Santos coach became even more irritated after halftime. In the 28th minute, Marcinho received the ball from Juan and, inside the box, fired a powerful shot into the top corner, leaving Douglas with no chance to save. The goalkeeper was also left speechless when, in the 30th minute, the same Marcinho backheel passed to Ibson to extend the lead with a beautiful finish.
Trailing, Santos finally let loose on the field. But they produced very little. It wasn't until the 35th minute that they shot on goal for the first time. Or rather, wide. Lima took a chance from outside the box, but his shot went wide. Much more organized on the field, Flamengo began to control the result until the end of the first half.
At halftime, Leão took off Húdson and Paulo Henrique, bringing on Moraes and Vitor Júnior. The former didn't live up to the change, but the midfielder gave Santos more of a game. Against a Flamengo side that was slowing down the match, the visitors finally managed to be more incisive. It wasn't enough to find the net.
Rubro-Negro got back on track after 20 minutes. Diego Tardelli, who replaced Souza, hit the crossbar with a powerful shot from the edge of the box. Shortly after, in the 29th minute, Leonardo Moura led a fast counterattack, followed by Juan, who received the ball and finished unmarked: 3-0, the game all but sealed.
There was still time for Santos to pull one back. After much insistence, Emerson Leão's men managed to find the net from the penalty spot, awarded for a foul by Bruno. Moraes beat the goalkeeper with his shot, scoring Santos' first goal of the Brasileirão.
Even with victory, Caio Júnior prepares for pressure
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - The 3-1 victory over Santos' reserves momentarily relieved Caio Júnior, Flamengo's new coach. He knows he hasn't completely shaken off the pressure he already faced after the incredible Copa Libertadores elimination against América of Mexico. "We're always under pressure in Brazilian football, unlike in Europe," realized Caio Júnior, who is preparing to face trial at the Superior Court of Justice (STJD). "Win or lose, I'll work the same way, trying to maintain my balance. But football is very dynamic, and sometimes we react incorrectly, like I did in the Goiás game against Corinthians."
Despite the rhetoric, Joel Santana's replacement was pleased with Flamengo's performance against Santos. "The team was solid and only left something to be desired at times. Santos was without their starters, but they played very well. I felt a great atmosphere and saw that the players are friends," commented Caio Júnior.
PELENET
Without fans and in Caio Júnior's debut, Fla beats Santos
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Fans couldn't watch Caio Júnior's first match, but Flamengo overcame the trauma of their Copa Libertadores elimination and defeated Santos' reserves 3-1 this Sunday at the Maracanã, their Brazilian Championship debut. Marcinho, Ibson, and Juan scored the goals in the Rubro-Negro's victory. Moraes pulled one back from the penalty spot.
In the national competition, the two teams return to action next Sunday. Santos will host Ipatinga at 18:10 PM at Vila Belmiro. Flamengo will face Grêmio at 16 PM at Olímpico Stadium.
Flamengo scores two goals in one minute
Within the first minute, Flamengo showed signs of dominating much of the action. Souza's header grazed the crossbar. However, the home team's momentum waned somewhat. Meanwhile, Santos played defensively and tried to exploit counterattacks, to no avail.
This was due to the defensive lineup designed by coach Emerson Leão. For much of the first half, Bruno simply watched as Flamengo dominated. The home team's best performance translated into the scoreboard in the 28th minute, through striker Marcinho.
A minute later, the player delivered a beautiful backheel for Ibson to send into the top corner past Douglas. Santos' best chance of the first half was missed by Lima in the 37th minute.
Despite Flamengo's advantage, Toró issued a warning as he left the field: "We were in a similar situation and we weren't able to secure the result. We have to maintain consistency and even improve," he said, referring to the fact that Flamengo squandered the advantage in the clash against América-MEX, for the Copa Libertadores.
Santos improves in the second half and one goal for each side
Not satisfied with his team's offensive production, coach Emerson Leão took off Hudson and Paulo Henrique and brought on Vítor Júnior and Moraes, respectively.
However, with the lead, the home team was content and simply exchanged passes. Santos, on the other hand, barely threatened Bruno. In the 22nd minute, Lima sent a shot over the red-and-black goal.
In the 25th minute, Diego Tardelli, Souza's replacement, hit the post. A minute later, Bruno saved a shot from Moraes. In the 27th minute, Ibson made a great play, but sent the ball just wide of the right post.
In the 29th minute, however, Leonardo Moura left Juan facing the goalkeeper to score. With the advantage, Flamengo just waited for Heber Roberto Lopes' final whistle. Before that, however, Bruno brought down Moraes in the box. Moraes himself reduced the score.
Caio Júnior approves debut and looks forward to new leaders within Fla
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Caio Júnior made his debut as Flamengo's coach with a victory. The team's performance, which saw them beat Santos 3-1 at Maracanã Stadium behind closed doors, was convincing, despite their opponents not playing at their full strength.
Flamengo striker Souza fights for the ball with Santos defender Domingos
"I thought the team was solid overall, but there were a few moments where they left something to be desired. We could have scored a fourth goal and come away with a very good chance. We missed a few, but the important thing is that the team creates the chances. Santos didn't come with their starters, but they were very good, as it had been a while since Flamengo had won their opening game," he analyzed.
Despite taking over after one of the worst games in the club's history, Caio found a lighthearted atmosphere at Gávea. "I felt a great atmosphere. I saw that the players are friends. We, the staff, talked, and it was great, including the presence of our captain," he said.
Caio Júnior hopes, through much conversation and friendship, to develop new leaders within the squad. "Little by little, they will get to know me better. I hope and enjoy seeking new leaders. With sincerity and openness, the team will grow in this regard," the new coach added.
For Ronaldo Angelim, victory brought peace back to Fla
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
According to Ronaldo Angelim, the 3-1 victory over Santos, in the debut of the Brazilian Championship, at Maracanã, served to give the red-black group peace of mind for the rest of the national competition.
Flamengo striker Souza fights for the ball with Santos defender Domingos
The atmosphere at Gávea was tense after the tragic midweek loss to América-MEX in the Copa Libertadores. An alert Ronaldo Angelim praised the Rubro-Negro's performance. "We played a good game, which helped bring some peace of mind back," the defender analyzed.
However, the team's performance dropped off sharply after Flamengo opened up a three-goal lead. Ronaldo Angelim warned the Red and Black team not to make such a mistake in next weekend's match.
"We could have scored more goals. We slowed down, but everyone deserves congratulations. Now we have to think about Grêmio, our next opponent," recalled Angelim, referring to the second round, when Flamengo goes to the Olímpico.
GLOBOESPORTE
Away from the fans, Fla easily beats Santos' reserves
In the aftermath of the Libertadores Cup, the Rio de Janeiro team debuts in the Brazilian Championship with a 3-1 victory, at the Maracanã behind closed doors
Eduardo Peixoto From GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in Rio de Janeiro
It was with the southern lapwings that Flamengo celebrated its 3-1 victory over Santos at Maracanã Stadium. In addition to the fans' ill will toward the team after its elimination from the Copa Libertadores, the STJD's punishment prevented the red-and-blacks from attending their crucial debut in the Brazilian Championship.
With the stadium deserted, free from the likely irritation of the fans and still facing a team made up almost of reserves, Flamengo had its work cut out for it in its first match under Caio Júnior's command.
Joel Santana's replacement kept his predecessor's team, but he lost the arrogance that had so hampered the match against América-MEX. Without most of his starters, Emerson Leão fielded a mix of reserves and former juniors, but they never threatened the Rio de Janeiro team.
But the red-and-black fans would certainly prefer Santos' place. After all, despite losing this Sunday, the São Paulo team will face América-MEX in Mexico City next Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores.
Meanwhile, the Rio de Janeiro team will have the week to rest and prepare for the second round of the Brasileirão. Their next match will be Sunday against Grêmio in Porto Alegre.
Even crickets have a turn
The players' shouts echoed through the empty stadium. Many of them served as encouragement from "fans in disguise." With Bruno's "go, go!" chant, Ronaldo Angelim crossed from the left, and Souza headed the ball against the crossbar. The helmsman, wearing the red-and-black number 1 jersey, continued to push his teammates. On the other side, Douglas also set the tone for the mixed Santos team.
In a game without fans, you could even hear the crickets on the Maracanã pitch. The "theater" atmosphere made the match boring. In the 26th minute, Marcinho took a shot, but the Santos goalkeeper made a save. Three minutes later, Juan crossed, and Marcinho opened the scoring.
In two minutes, Fla solves
A minute later, a beautiful attacking move by the red-and-blacks resulted in another goal. Kleberson passed the ball to Marcinho, who backheeled it, and Ibson fired a shot over the bar to extend the lead.
Flamengo players celebrate in the deserted stadium
Anyone who thinks there would be absolute silence in the stadium is mistaken. On the last steps of the special seating, members of Flamengo's coaching staff broke the silence. One of the only Santos starters on the field, Lima nearly pulled one back in the 37th minute.
In the second half, the rain contributed to the even more mournful atmosphere in the stadium. Souza, in the tenth minute, beautifully dribbled past Domingos and nearly scored the third.
Santos threatened with long-range shots, but it was Douglas who prevented Kleberson from scoring in the 23rd minute. Soon after, Diego Tardelli hit the post.
The match improved, and in the 26th minute, Ibson failed to mark him, and Moraes shot straight at Bruno's legs. The midfielder had a chance to redeem himself soon after, but his shot went wide.
In the 29th minute, Leonardo Moura broke through on the right wing and passed to Juan. The full-back's shot was poor, but he scored the third. At that point, the match felt like a scrimmage. Juan moved to the right wing, and Santos almost pulled one back through Vítor Júnior, but Bruno made the save again. In the last minute, Moraes converted a penalty and reduced the deficit.
Marcinho asks fans to support the team again
Striker says Flamengo has the potential to be champions and fans can trust the players
Eduardo Peixoto From GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in Rio de Janeiro
The closed gates at Maracanã helped mask Flamengo fans' dissatisfaction with the team. Had the public been able to attend the match against Santos, hostility toward the players would certainly have surfaced. It would have been a reflection of the aftermath of Wednesday's Copa Libertadores elimination to América-MEX. Without fans, the team won 3-1 and is off to a strong start in the Brazilian Championship. The three points, in Marcinho's opinion, are enough to restore confidence in the team.
"Since this group was formed, there's been nothing but joy and victories. I hadn't experienced the bitter side of defeat. But we learned the lesson. We knew our debut had to be a convincing victory so people would start talking highly of our team. I hope the fans forget about it too and start supporting the team again," says the player, who scored a goal.
The favorable result raised the possibility that the team "enjoyed" playing without fans to escape the pressure. Marcinho disagrees.
"I wish the stadium had a good crowd because it's times like these that you see who has personality, who knows how to play under pressure. A loss isn't going to get us down. If the stadium were full, we'd still play a great game," he assures.
Flamengo returns to action next Sunday against Grêmio. The match takes place at 16 p.m. at the Olímpico Stadium.
Bruno celebrates, but remembers that the fans will demand more from the team
The red-and-black goalkeeper also promises to help coach Caio Júnior
From news agencies in Rio de Janeiro
Goalkeeper Bruno celebrated Flamengo's strong performance, beating Santos 3-1 this Sunday in the team's Brazilian Championship debut. However, the player knows that the 3-0 loss to América (MEX) in Rio and the elimination from the Copa Libertadores won't be forgotten by fans for a while. Therefore, he expects the pressure to continue in the team's upcoming matches.
"We're coming off a tough time, and the fans will be holding us accountable. We managed to debut with a win, something that hasn't happened in a long time. We have to stay calm and keep a cool head, as our next game will be away (against Grêmio, in Porto Alegre, on the 18th)."
Bruno believes that the arrival of coach Caio Junior at Flamengo will also serve to turn things around and lift the team's spirits.
- I think Caio will arrive and help us a lot. I'm sure he'll do very well at Flamengo. Just as he will help us, we will help him too.
Caio Júnior attributes the turnaround to the quality of the red-black team
Coach says Flamengo had a solid performance in its debut in the Brazilian Championship
Eduardò Peixoto From GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in Rio de Janeiro
Caio Júnior arrived at Flamengo in the eye of the storm. He took over the team the day after the traumatic elimination from the Copa Libertadores and worked on the team's mental health. The result was satisfactory. In his debut, the Rubro-Negro defeated Santos 3-1 and got the Brazilian Championship off to a strong start.
The coach admits he experienced moments of anxiety after the match against América-MEX. But after reflecting, he spoke with the players and reassured them. Caio Júnior believes that because Flamengo's team is good, recovery is easier.
"After the game against América, I started thinking about what I had to do. A coach isn't a machine and also has emotions. I was anxious, but nothing too much. But I felt the support of the group, and the main focus is: Flamengo has quality. Therefore, the chance of turning around a bad situation is very high," declares the Flamengo manager.
Despite the emotional trauma, Flamengo managed to overcome their distrust and beat the Alvinegro praiano's reserves with restraint, with few scares.
"The team was confident, and that was the great merit of the committee. We gave the players peace of mind and replicated the team that lost. The group has a great atmosphere, and that makes things easier. We could have even scored a fourth goal on the counterattack, but unfortunately, we conceded a late goal," he says.
Flamengo hadn't won its Brasileirão debut since 2002, when it defeated Internacional 3-1 in Porto Alegre. In 2007, for example, the team lost 4-2 at the Maracanã to Palmeiras, then managed by Caio Júnior. Flamengo had also been eliminated midweek from the Libertadores and suffered from the fans' impatience. This time, behind closed doors, the players didn't need to show "nerves of steel" to withstand the pressure.
Flamengo's board releases and criticizes Rodrigo's behavior
Defender recovering from injury, but will no longer play for the Rio de Janeiro club. Defender expected to return to São Paulo
Eduardo Peixoto From GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in Rio de Janeiro
Rodrigo insisted he intended to fulfill his contract with Flamengo. Now, the defender is part of the club's past and joins the list of unsuccessful signings. The defender will not be missed by the squad or the management. Upon arriving at the club, coach Caio Júnior said he was counting on the defender and intended to leave him on the bench against Santos this Sunday. However, he changed his mind upon learning there was a movement to remove the player from Gávea. The board has already released him, and without regret.
"May it go quickly. If Fábio Luciano is a dream player, Rodrigo is the opposite," said Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, to the newspaper "Lance."
Rodrigo's dissatisfaction with Flamengo began shortly before the arm injury. A reserve, the player complained about lack of pay. The player's agent, Giuseppe Dioguardi, tried to resolve the issue. He was unsuccessful, and the relationship deteriorated, with complaints from both sides.
At Flamengo, there are complaints that the player missed several days of treatment to stay in São Paulo and manage his newly opened gym. He also didn't adapt to the squad and rarely spoke to his teammates. During preseason, he complained to coach Joel Santana that when Souza was called Rodrigo—the striker's real name—his teammates confused him on the field.
Rodrigo has played six games for Flamengo and hasn't played since February. São Paulo, where he excelled, is interested in the player.
Fla just one win away from the semifinals
Team leads 2-0 and can decide the spot if they win at their opponent's home ground
GLOBOESPORTE.COM Rio de Janeiro
Flamengo and Vila Velha will meet again next Tuesday, in the city of Espírito Santo
Flamengo once again confirmed its favoritism in the quarterfinal playoffs of the National Men's Basketball Championship. Led by point guard Marcelinho Machado, who topped the scoreboard with 21 points, the red-and-black team won the second game against Vila Velha by a score of 79 to 72 this Sunday at the Gávea gymnasium in Rio de Janeiro. After winning the first game, Flamengo is just one win away from the semifinals, and can decide the classification in next Tuesday's game in Vila Velha, Espírito Santo, starting at 20 pm.
For Vila Velha, Jefferson Sobral stood out with 17 points. Although the team extended its lead, Marcelinho Machado believes the group didn't perform as expected in this second leg. He sends a message: Flamengo needs to improve to try to close out the series in Espírito Santo and have some time to rest after the series, which also included the South American League final.
"We played below our usual standards. We even opened up a fifteen-point lead, but their team improved their marking and made our job more difficult at the end. We need to improve for the next match, as playing there in Vila Velha will be much more difficult. It's important to close out the series 3-0 on Tuesday so the team can have more rest time for the semifinals," explains winger Marcelinho.
\"In a playoff, anything is possible, even when the opponent is Flamengo" Felipinho, Vila Velha's winger/point guard\ \
Vila Velha's winger/point guard, Felipinho, believes he has nothing to lose against the team that placed first in the opening stages of the National Championship. He believes the team has the ability to take advantage in home games.
"We managed to play a more balanced match, but we lost out on the details. For Tuesday's game, we're confident we have what it takes to win. In a playoff, anything is possible, even when the opponent is Flamengo."
THROW
Fla leaves the crisis aside and beats Santos
Rubro-Negro debuts well in the Brasileirão with Maracanã behind closed doors
Marcinho and Juan scored in the game against Santos (Credit: Ricardo Cassiano)
LANCEPRESS!\ Even without the support of their fans, Flamengo had no trouble beating Santos this Sunday in the Brazilian Championship debut for both teams. Marcinho, Ibson, and Juan scored two beautiful goals in the 3-1 victory over Santos' reserve team at Maracanã, with Morais pulling one back. The Flamengo fans were unable to watch the match at the stadium because the Rio de Janeiro club was serving a STJD penalty related to last year's Brasileirão.\
Just one minute into the game, Souza nearly scored. Juan crossed from the left, the striker headed the ball, but it skimmed the crossbar and went over the goal. After this chance, Flamengo dominated the match, but failed to threaten goalkeeper Douglas. One of the main reasons for Santos' strong defensive performance was defender Marcelo, who was efficient in tackling.
However, it only took a defensive blunder for Flamengo to open the scoring. In the 29th minute, Ronaldo Angelim passed the ball high to Juan on the left wing. The full-back flicked it into the middle of the box, and Marcinho appeared to fire into the top corner: Flamengo 1-0.
The goal forced Santos to risk their first attack. But on the counterattack, Flamengo scored another. The play began on the right. Kleberson stole the ball on the right and passed it low to Marcinho on the edge of the box. The forward flicked the ball on and found Ibson alone in the box. The player hit a beautiful shot high into the air, doubling the lead: Flamengo 2-0 in the 30th minute.
Trailing, Santos only managed to create some danger in the 36th minute, with Lima. The striker controlled the ball at the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful shot, but the ball went out of bounds. Three minutes later, Adriano appeared in the box to finish, but mishit the ball.
At halftime, coach Emerson Leão made two changes, pushing his team forward. Vitor Junior and Morais replaced Hudson and Paulo Henrique, respectively. The changes resulted in Santos playing more attacking. However, their aerial attempts were stopped by goalkeeper Bruno.
Flamengo nearly extended their lead with Leonardo in the 11th minute. Souza made a good run down the left, got past Domingos, and crossed into the box. The Flamengo defender narrowly missed getting a header. Santos responded in the 20th minute with Wesley, whose shot from the edge of the box narrowly missed.
From that moment on, the game became more open. In the 24th minute, Kleberson unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box that forced goalkeeper Douglas into a fine save. A minute later, Diego Tardelli, also from midfield, unleashed a well-placed shot, but the ball bounced off the right post. Then, in the 26th minute, Bruno saved a shot from Morais with his feet. On the counterattack, Ibson missed a good chance.
The goal that was being planned came in the 29th minute. Léo Moura quickly advanced down the right and passed a low ball to Juan. Alone, the left-back calmly controlled the ball, waited for Doulgas to come out, and then slotted it between the goalkeeper's legs: Flamengo 3-0.
Santos still tried to score a consolation goal in the 36th minute with Lima, but Bruno saved it without any problems. Before the end of the match, goalkeeper Bruno still had time to concede a childish penalty in the 46th minute. Morais converted and reduced the deficit: Flamengo 3-1.
Flamengo will now have a week to focus on their match against Grêmio next Sunday in Porto Alegre. Santos will now focus their thoughts on the first leg of their Copa Libertadores quarterfinals next Thursday against América (MEX) in Mexico City.
Rodrigo leaves Flamengo and is expected to report to São Paulo
Kléber Leite confirms negotiations and fires at defender
Rodrigo has not played since February due to an injury to his right arm (Credit: Paulo Sérgio)
LANCEPRESS!
Defender Rodrigo was released by Flamengo's board to finalize his transfer to São Paulo, as reported by LANCENET! last Saturday.
The player is expected to be presented on Monday at his new club, which will pay an amount for the loan proportional to the length of the contract that was due to end on June 30, plus any outstanding payments.
Vice President of Football, Kléber Leite, confirmed the negotiation
"May it go quickly. Fábio Luciano is a dream player, and Rodrigo is the opposite," said Kléber.
Understand the negotiation
Dynamo Kyiv (UKR) loaned Rodrigo to Flamengo until June 30th. However, the player is unhappy at the Rio de Janeiro club. He has outstanding image rights and hasn't played since February due to a fractured right arm. São Paulo's strategy is for the Ukrainian club to extend Flamengo's loan until December, and for the Rio de Janeiro rival to transfer him until the end of the season to bolster the São Paulo defense.
This is the only way São Paulo can register him for the Libertadores by next Monday night, the registration deadline for the Libertadores quarterfinals. If he were to terminate his contract with Flamengo and Dinamo loaned him to Tricolor, it would be considered an international transfer, which is currently prohibited. The transfer window will only be open between August 3rd and 31st.
Rodrigo hasn't played a competitive match since February, when he fractured his right arm. Even if he's signed and registered, it's unlikely he'll be selected by Muricy, who fears fielding out-of-form players in crucial matches.
Caio Júnior praises Flamengo's reaction
Coach said he managed to revive the spirit of the red-black team through a lot of conversation\ LANCEPRESS!\
The days leading up to Flamengo's Brazilian Championship debut against Santos were filled with intense pressure. After the humiliation of being eliminated from the Copa Libertadores, a 3-0 loss to América (MEX) at the Maracanã stadium, it was traumatic for the Flamengo players. But through dialogue, coach Caio Júnior, who made his debut as manager of the team this Sunday, managed to bring the players some much-needed peace.
radio l! – The great merit of the coaching staff and everyone at the club was to give the group peace of mind. The repetition of the lineup, the conversations, the presence of captain Fábio Luciano in the training camp and in the locker room. All of this was important. Flamengo had a solid performance and could have scored a fourth goal,” said Caio. (Click and hear more)
Olympikus will be Flamengo's new partner
The amount offered by the company to Rubro-Negro reaches R$20 million
Rodrigo Benchimol RIO DE JANEIRO
Behind the scenes at Gávea, there's been little talk other than the recent verbal agreement between Flamengo and Olympikus/Reebok. Flamengo's executives have already reached a consensus that an amicable split with Nike is the best decision, and the announcement of the agreement with the new sports equipment supplier will be made as soon as it happens.
Initially, the plan was to announce the positive outcome with Olympikus on president Marcio Braga's birthday next Wednesday. But this is unlikely to happen, as Nike still hopes that Flamengo will accept the offer of approximately R$15 million per year it recently made.
LANCE! learned from high-ranking sources at Gávea that the R$20 million and ten stores across Brazil offered by Olympikus have already been accepted. The contract will be for five and a half years (with an additional six months later this year), and Flamengo would receive a R$10 million advance upon signing.
The Brazilian company convinced the executives not only with financial support but also with future guarantees. Vulcabras, which controls Olympikus/Reebok in Brazil, has a structure that ensures the sports equipment will be received and sold efficiently—factors that were decisive in the split with Nike.
The future partner's forecast for 2009, for example, is to sell 800 shirts. In 2006, Nike sold around 120. Furthermore, the structure behind Vulcabras impressed the executives: 50 employees, 32 factories, and 5 points of sale across the country.
When contacted by LANCE!, Marcio Braga declined to confirm the agreement and said he was still studying Nike's proposal.