The Globe
PM still trying to postpone the classic between Fla x Vasco
After a Sunday off with the peace of mind of staying out of the relegation zone, a situation Flamengo hasn't experienced in a while, coach Joel Santana begins deciding on his team for the derby against Vasco da Gama, which may not be confirmed for Thursday. Today, the PM and GEPE command staff will meet to assess whether it's possible to confirm the match, as the entire GEPE squad will be in action on Wednesday for Brazil's match, and the derby is considered high-risk.
"Wednesday's game is more crowded, with a family crowd. The problem is Thursday. The PM general command is trying to postpone the game. It's already been postponed once, and it could be postponed a little more," explained Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Alves, commander of the 6th PM Battalion.
Flamengo's biggest change is likely to be the return of Renato Augusto to midfield, likely replacing Toró. In defense, Thiago Sales and Rodrigo Arroz will compete for the suspended Fábio Luciano's spot.
Sports Journal
Flamengo Juniors defeat Estácio de Sá by OPG
Under the watchful eye of defender Thiago Sales, midfielder Rômulo, and forward Kayke, who were recently part of the team and are now among the seniors, Flamengo's youth squad defeated Estácio de Sá 2-0 yesterday (with goals from Diguinho) at Gávea in the fourth round of the Octávio Pinto Guimarães Tournament. Flamengo leads its group with nine points (three wins and one loss).
Flamengo dominated the match from the start, and the goal was not long in coming. After a corner kick, striker Diego Oliveira headed the ball, and from the goalkeeper's rebound, midfielder Diguinho, a star player in the game, had only to tap it into the back of the net. From then on, the team began to control the result.
Hat
In the final stage, Diguinho appeared again, and in style. After receiving a pass from midfielder Vinícius Colombiano, the player chipped the ball over the goalkeeper and sealed the score with a stunning goal.
With a positive goal difference of five, Flamengo faces Villa Rio, on Wednesday, at 13 pm, to consolidate first place in group A. The game will be at Rua Bariri, in Olaria.
Fla dreams of new horizons
Before, the team was fighting relegation. Now, they're facing a new reality in the Brazilian league.
Thiago Bokel
Commander Joel Santana is about to plan higher flights
"Tomorrow will be another day (...). All this pent-up love/ this suppressed scream/ this samba in the dark (...)." Chico Buarque's song perfectly captures the feelings of Flamengo fans in this Brazilian Championship. After being considered the laughingstock of Rio's teams, and experts pointed out as one of the likely relegated teams to Serie B next year, the Rubro-Negro has managed to turn things around and is already planning for the possibility, albeit distant, of competing for a spot in the Copa Libertadores.
And the push that will determine whether this dream is still possible will take place this week. Flamengo will face two dangerous opponents: Vasco da Gama, on Thursday—who desperately need a win to avoid the specter of relegation—and Grêmio, who are fighting for a Libertadores spot. Both games will be at Maracanã—a stadium where Flamengo has an excellent record, even beating the reigning champion, São Paulo.
"Currently, home advantage has been crucial for the team. Playing with the support of our fans, it's very difficult to beat Flamengo at Maracanã. They're giving us a lot of support, and on the field, we're meeting our fans' expectations. We may not always win, but the team's determination and grit are bringing the fans to our side," explained coach Joel Santana last week.
The strength of the fans — who supported the team in the worst moments of the championship, such as in the match against Náutico, when the team was in second-to-last place and 40 people went to Maraca, not stopping singing for a single minute — shows that the red-and-black coach is right when he says that Flamengo's fans are truly different from all the others.
Honorable position
As Joel himself often said, he wouldn't breathe a sigh of relief until he reached 50 points, and from there he could aim for even higher. If he wins these two games, Flamengo would jump to 49, with a matchup against the already relegated América-RN at Machadão Stadium next up.
The reverse path of Botafogo and Vasco, who started the championship very well, but dropped off significantly in the final stretch, motivates Flamengo to dream of a possible place in the South American competition, or at least finish the year in a more honorable position, since it was not possible, due to the weak initial performance, to fight for the title.
Flamengo crushes the Municipal
With a show by Marcelinho, the red-black team wins its third victory in the State Championship
Rafael Oliveira
Coach Paulo Chupeta guides Flamengo in its quest for victory
As expected, Flamengo had no trouble beating Municipal and claiming their third victory in the State Basketball Championship. The score (94-45) clearly reflected the difference between the two teams.
The Rubro-Negro, which returns to action next Friday against Campos, boasts players who were recent champions: Duda and Alírio, who won the National Championship with Brasília, and Marcelinho, a gold medalist at the Pan American Games in Rio. Without any established players, the weak Municipal team didn't hold out for long and allowed their opponent to grow into the match.
Full Force\ Facing a technically superior opponent, coach Marquinhos opted for a zone defense. In the first quarter, the strategy actually worked. Flamengo struggled to break through Municipal's defense, and if they finished the quarter ahead (27-14), it was thanks to Marcelinho's efforts. In just ten minutes of play, the forward scored 14 points, the same as all the opposing players. He led all scorers with 17 points.\
From the second quarter onward, the Tijucan team's defense was no longer a hindrance. The red-and-blacks found their way to the basket and took off on the scoreboard. By halftime, the score was 43-24.
Amiel's Shine\ In the second half, it was Cuban Amiel's turn to shine. He led the attacking plays and, with two- and three-pointers, helped the team confirm its lead. The power forward/center was the second-highest scorer of the day, with 15 points.\
"Although we didn't have any difficulties, the match was important because I was able to get the team playing. The players need to get into the swing of things, as they've barely played this season. Furthermore, we encountered a good zonal marking in the first quarter and managed to find a way to escape it." The derby against Vasco is on the 29th.
Sports Gazette
Fábio Luciano will not face Vasco\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Flamengo coach Joel Santana will have a major problem for next Thursday's derby against Vasco: Flamengo captain Fábio Luciano will have to serve a suspension due to a third yellow card. Initially, the coach is expected to confirm the inclusion of youngster Thiago Salles to partner Ronaldo Angelim. Another absence is reserve midfielder Léo Medeiros, also punished with a third yellow card. During the training session on Monday morning, Joel Santana will also learn whether any of the injured players will be able to return. Among them are defensive midfielder Jaílton, midfielders Roger and Renato Augusto, and forward Leonardo.
Midfielder Ibson, who left the match against Paraná complaining of muscle pain, shouldn't be a problem for Joel Santana. He's expected to train with the rest of the group this Monday at Gávea.
With 43 points, Flamengo has moved away from the specter of relegation and is already in the Copa Sudamericana qualifying zone. That's why the Flamengo players celebrated last Saturday's victory over Paraná in Curitiba.
"The group is giving it their all, and this victory against Paraná was very important for Flamengo. From now on, we'll only have decisions to make, but we'll go into it with the same determination we showed in this match," said goalkeeper Bruno, who saved a penalty kick against Paraná.
PeléNet
Fla will file a complaint with the CBF against Alício Pena Júnior
From the Placar Agency\ In Rio de Janeiro\
According to vice-president of football Kleber Leite, Flamengo will file a complaint with the CBF against referee Alício Pena Júnior, who officiated the Rubro-Negro's 1-0 victory over Paraná Clube, Saturday, at Vila Capanema, in the 31st round of the Brazilian Championship.
The non-existent penalty has yet to be digested by Gávea officials. Kleber Leite celebrated the fact that the incident didn't change the outcome of the match. This is because goalkeeper Bruno saved the foul taken by striker Josiel.
"We will indeed file a complaint with the CBF. It was a disastrous refereeing decision and could have seriously harmed us. If the goal had been scored, we would have lost because of the refereeing," he said.
Globo Sport
Mano already draws up a strategy against Fla
Coach says he will set up his team to contain the red-black full-backs
Mano Menezes warns of Flamengo's strong performances at Maracanã\ After the match against Goiás, coach Mano Menezes celebrated Grêmio's first comeback in the Brasileirão. And he's already started thinking about strategies to face Flamengo next Sunday at Maracanã.\
The coach stated that he must change the positioning of his players to contain the strong point of the Rio team.
"Flamengo has been playing very well, especially at Maracanã. And they're using their wingers, both Leonardo Moura and Juan, very well. We have to position the team well to prevent them from taking the initiative."
Defender Pereira, who scored the Tricolor's first goal at the Olímpico, didn't seem overly concerned about the presence of the red-and-black fans, who have been packing Maracanã in recent matches. "Depending on the game, the fans could turn against the home team. We know that's how it is in Brazil, because the fans demand that the team not attack. We'll prepare well this week."
Dragon may lose home field advantage
Fans try to hit the referee with the object; the fourth referee observes the incident.
Already relegated to Serie B in 2008, América-RN may have an even more difficult exit from Serie A. After a 1-0 loss to Atlético-MG, a group of fans gathered to protest the refereeing by Pernambuco native Emerson Luiz Sobral, and one of them tried to hit the referee with a battery-powered radio (watch the video below). Believing the incident had gone unnoticed, a ball boy tried to retrieve the object but was detained by the fourth official. With the help of TV footage, the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) is expected to indict the club, which could lose home-field advantage in the upcoming rounds.
América-RN's next home match is against Flamengo on the 28th.
Flamengo crushes Municipal in the Carioca
Rubro-Negro defeats opponent by a difference of 49 points this Sunday in Gávea
Flamengo secured another victory in the Campeonato Carioca. Undeterred, the Rubro-Negro defeated Clube Municipal 94-45 (42-24) in a match in the third week of the competition, played this Sunday morning at the Hélio Maurício Gymnasium in Gávea. This was Flamengo's third victory, which leaves them undefeated alongside arch-rival Vasco.
Rubro-Negro had a strong performance from forward Marcelinho Machado, who scored 17 points (five three-pointers) and dished out six assists. The team returns to the court next Friday, starting at 18 p.m., to face ACF Campos in Gávea.
"The victory was more important; it keeps us in a good position in the championship. We had a good performance, we were able to work the ball a lot, play with more rhythm, and the team is gradually improving, as the games go by, becoming more united. Now it's time to think about the next opponent; we have a week to train and show more in the next game," says the three-time Pan American champion.
AGENDA: Stars train in Gávea
The Brazilian team does light work at Flamengo's field this Monday.
After a 0-0 draw with Colombia, the Brazilian national team turns its attention to the match against Ecuador next Wednesday at the Maracanã Stadium. This Monday, Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Kaká, Robinho and company will train at 16 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Gávea Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, home of Flamengo.
Throw
Renato Augusto is cleared to train
Supporter could be an option for the classic against Vasco, on Thursday
Without Fábio Luciano and Léo Medeiros against Vasco (they received their third yellow cards and are suspended), Joel Santana could have a reinforcement. Renato Augusto, cleared by the medical department, returns to training today and could play if he is fit and no longer feels pain in his right thigh.
Renato Augusto suffered a strained right thigh in the match against Vasco on September 16th and has been undergoing treatment since. The midfielder returned to training with the group last week, but felt muscle discomfort in the same thigh and was ruled out.
Flamengo defeats Estácio de Sá by OPG
Rubro-Negro wins 2-0 and leads Group A of the competition
Flamengo beat Estácio de Sá this Sunday by 2-0 and reached nine points in four games in the Otávio Pinto Guimarães (OPG) junior tournament, leading Group A alongside São Cristóvão.
Midfielder Diguinho scored both goals - one of which involved a hat-trick to the opponent - in the match held at Gávea.
Léo Medeiros comments on penalty in the South
Flamengo midfielder Léo Medeiros commented on the incident in which he committed a penalty on Paraná midfielder Adriano this Saturday in Curitiba.
For the player, this moment will be remembered as a negative, as there was no foul in the play. Léo also highlighted the card he received for the penalty.
radio l! - I've never seen such a bizarre penalty in my life. The press showed it, and so did everyone who was watching the match. What I found most absurd is that I even received a yellow card for the play - he says. (Click and listen)
Despite Léo Medeiros's outrage, Bruno saved Josiel's shot. Soon after, defender Fábio Luciano headed in the winning goal for the red-and-blacks.
Even so, Flamengo's number 15 criticized the way refereeing errors are handled in Brazil.
radio l! - When a player makes a mistake, he's suspended for five or more games. When it comes to refereeing, no one says anything. We work all week, and because of one incident, we'd ruin everything," he comments. (Click and listen)