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Today, Saturday, July 16, Flamengo's youth soccer team will play another Carioca Championship match against the home team in Volta Redonda. The game will kick off at 13 p.m. Flamengo is currently in first place in its group, two points ahead of Madureira. Lineup: Diego, Rafael, Lenon, Cristiano, Jomar, Luiz Antônio, Hugo, Guilherme, Bruno Paulo, Vítor Saba, and Vinícius.
Reserves: Douglas, Gabriel Assis, Diego Costa, Felipe Longo, Wescley, Rhuam and Diego Maurício.
The Globe
Fla faces Inter in search of tranquility
Paulinho is experiencing muscle pain and could be another player to miss the red-black team, which is trying to move away from the abyss.
Photo caption: PAULO SÉRGIO, who has the chance to score his second professional goal for Flamengo today, juggles the ball in training
Márcio Tavares
Just when everything seemed calm and settled, a pain in Paulinho's left calf derailed coach Ney Franco's plans. Although far from his ideal performance, Paulinho is still Ney's trusted guard and was in the starting lineup for tonight's match at 18:10 PM at the Maracanã, where Flamengo will attempt to break a winless streak against Inter dating back to 2003. And most importantly, to bounce back from the 4-0 thrashing by Figueirense on Sunday.
Faced with the new problem, the coach, who is already without star players like Renato, Renato Augusto, and Souza, has begun to live with the anticipation of Paulinho's response to the treatment. If the pain persists and he's ruled out, Toró, who had a special day yesterday, will be in. Released from training to get married in a civil ceremony, he saw the opportunity to start a match again fall into his lap.
Kleber tells Claiton to play more and talk less
Toró has returned to training well in recent training sessions and could help Flamengo improve its performance in this Brazilian Championship. With five points, the team sits in 16th place, on the brink of the relegation zone. They have two losses (Palmeiras and Figueirense), two draws (Sport and Botafogo), and only one win (Goiás).
"We need to improve that, and Toró is a good option to replace Paulinho. I also have Claiton, but Toró has quality in passing the ball, which could be decisive in the selection," said Ney Franco.
Despite the slight hesitation, the decision to go with Totó seems already made. Ney thinks a break will do Claiton good, and the supporter's complaint about being barred the day before yesterday didn't go down well. The coach reacted naturally, saying he heard about it from the press, but the football leadership reacted more harshly.
Football coordinator Isaías Tinoco reprimanded the supporter, who wasn't even aggressive in his complaint, merely showing resentment. Vice-president of football Kleber Leite, however, took a harsh approach:
"The coach's decision is final. Imagine if every player who gets benched decided to publicly complain. It would become a mess. If he didn't like being benched, he should try to play more, try to improve."
Flamengo: Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Irineu, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Paulinho (Toró), Jailton, Leo Medeiros and Leo Lima; Paulo Sergio and Leonardo. Inter: Clemer, Ceara, Indio, Sidnei and Rubens Cardoso; Edinho, Wellington Monteiro, Alex and Pinga; Iarley and Wellington (Marcio Mossoró). Referee: Heber Roberto Lopes (PR).
BROADCAST: Premiere and Rádios Globo and CBN
Lula fears for clubs and praises Maracanã
BRASILIA. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva expressed his concern about the fate of Brazilian clubs yesterday when he signed the government's guarantees to FIFA for Brazil to host the 2014 World Cup at the Planalto Palace, in the presence of CBF president Ricardo Teixeira and João Havelange, former FIFA president and recipient of the Order of Rio Branco.
"I'm worried about the fate of Brazilian clubs because the problem isn't just financial. It's very difficult for any club to form a great team like we had until the 80s."
Lula asked Sports Minister Orlando Silva to get involved in the discussion.
- Orlando, you need to think about allowing the training team to have at least the possibility of seeing the athlete play for a while on the team.
Lula's idea is for football in Brazil to grow alongside the 2014 project so that the country can reach the World Cup not just with a good team, but with good teams.
- Because when the team is good, the fans go.
In addition to mentioning players from clubs in the 50s and 60s, he assessed the effects of globalization on the exodus of star players. Before discussing the clubs, Lula compared Maracanã to the new Wembley Stadium, where he visited two weeks ago.
"Wembley only has newer equipment, but Maracanã evokes more emotion. Others may have air conditioning, even carpeting, which they didn't have back then," he said, referring to the construction for the 50 World Cup. "But the smell with which it was created, no one can compare to Maracanã, the smell of the spectacle of football."
Sports Panorama
Default on the elite
The company that provides DVDs with images and analysis of opponents to the technical committees of most of the clubs in the Brazilian Championship Series A is the latest victim of the directors' default.
Even though the service is provided weekly, getting paid is the most difficult and painful part.
Botafogo, Fluminense, Internacional, Goiás, Atlético Mineiro, Sport Recife, and Náutico have been in debt for months. Only Flamengo and Figueirense have paid on time.
In Serie B, on the other hand, the situation is much more comfortable. The company's contract was signed directly with Futebol Brasil Associados (FBA), which pays strictly on the stipulated dates and receives the equipment, which is distributed to the 20 clubs competing in the national second division.
As you can see, another sad story from the Brazilian football elite.
Sports Journal
Toró, little used, could have a chance today at Fla
Toró hasn't yet demonstrated his worth to the demanding Flamengo fans due to limited opportunities. He wants to prove he can be a starter for Flamengo.
Midfielder Toró was excused from Flamengo's training session at Ninho do Urubu yesterday to get married in a civil ceremony at a registry office in Rio de Janeiro's North Zone. However, despite not having trained, the 21-year-old player had a second reason to celebrate.
With the injury of midfielder Paulinho, who has little chance of playing today, at 18:10 pm, against Internacional, he could be given a chance to start in the starting team, since Claiton fell out with coach Ney Franco, after complaining about being left out.
"Claiton is more solid in marking and protects the defense well. Toró, on the other hand, marks a little less, but can get up front with more quality when necessary. He's training well and it could be time to start a match. Who knows, maybe this is the chance he's been waiting for?" said the coach, who, even so, guaranteed that he will wait until the last minute to decide who will play.
For the more superstitious, the option for Toró could be a very good one. The player, who has not performed well for Flamengo to date, having scored only one goal in 36 games, could have a great chance to return to the fine form of his early career, taking advantage of the fact that the Rio Grande do Sul team holds fond memories for him. In 2005, while playing for Fluminense, he faced Internacional at Raulino de Oliveira Stadium in Volta Redonda. He put in an excellent performance and, in addition to giving the Flamengo defense constant trouble, scored the Tricolor's first goal in a 3-0 victory.
On Maraca's anniversary, Fla wants to party about Inter
Leo Schabbach and Thiago Bokel
Jair Motta/JS
Ney Franco says Bruno's potential transfer to Europe is affecting him. The number 1, however, wants to get back to playing well and help the team.
Facing difficult times, Flamengo needs the support of its loyal fans to defeat the reigning world champion, Internacional, today at 18:10 p.m. at Maracanã, in the sixth round of the Brazilian Championship. The team that takes the field could have up to six new additions compared to the team that was thrashed last Sunday by Figueirense. The day promises to be a day of celebration, after all, the stadium celebrates its 57th anniversary today.
With Renato injured, Thiago suspended and Renato Augusto in the U-20 squad, coach Ney Franco still runs the risk of having another absence for this game, which could seal the Rubro-Negro's entry into the relegation zone.
Midfielder Paulinho felt severe pain in his left calf yesterday during training at the Ninho do Urubu training center and is now doubtful for the match. Coach Ney Franco has two options if he can't count on the player. Toró, who has barely played this season, is competing for the spot with the previously overlooked Claiton, who was ruled out in favor of Jaílton.
Now, more than ever, the red-and-black coach knows he'll have to rely on star goalkeeper Bruno, whose mission is to prevent the competition's leakiest defense from conceding goals. The player has been consistently lacking in recent games and has yet to secure a permanent contract with the club after his contract expires at the end of the month. This will also be the first game Paulo Sérgio and Leonardo will play together in attack.
Internacional had a difficult start to the year, being eliminated early in the Libertadores and also in the Campeonato Gaúcho.
Now, with Gallo as their new coach, the team suffered three losses in the first rounds of the Brazilian Championship and, after winning the Recopa Sudamericana by defeating Pachuca of Mexico, managed to put together a good three-game winning streak. The team will be without Fernandão, who is injured, and Alexandre Pato, also with the U-20 national team.
This could be Flamengo's time to show its tradition and try to recover in the Brazilian Championship.
Renato Agusto may miss the U-20 World Cup
File/JS
Renato Augusto is worried about muscle pain
Due to a muscle injury, midfielder Renato Augusto may be cut from the Brazilian U-20 squad. The player didn't train with the rest of the squad this Friday at Granja Comary. The injury is the same one that kept Flamengo's favorite out of some games this season.
Renato, who will remain under observation, was considered certain to start for the World Cup in Canada. Brazil will debut in the competition against Poland on June 30th in Montreal.
Flamengo vs Inter: The history of the confrontation
File/JS
Leo Lima and Leo Medeiros join Flamengo in search of victory over Inter
Flamengo is preparing to face Internacional next Saturday at Maracanã, aiming to break a three-year winless streak against the Colorados. The last score in favor of the red-and-blacks was on July 24, 2003, at Maracanã: 2-1.
The first match in the history of the confrontation, a friendly, ended in a 2-2 draw on September 12, 1937, in Porto Alegre. Since then, there have been 70 more matches, with 24 red-black wins, 25 Colorado wins, and 21 draws, which demonstrates the balance of this classic Brazilian football competition.
In the Brazilian Championships, there have been 38 clashes, with the Gauchos slightly superior. The Porto Alegre team won 16, compared to the Rio de Janeiro team's 11. The two teams also drew 11 times. In the last match between the two clubs, at the Maracanã, Internacional had the better result, winning 2-1 in the 2006 Brasileirão.
Flamengo's biggest win came at the Maracanã on April 1951, 6: 3-6 to the Red-Blacks, in a friendly match. The biggest score ever for the Colorados was 2-11, also in a friendly, this time at the Eucaliptos Stadium in Porto Alegre, on April 1947, XNUMX.
Ney Franco wants a 'turning point' against Inter
File/JS
Ney Franco is concerned about Flamengo's current position in the Brazilian Championship
After the thrashing suffered by Figueirense last Sunday in the fifth round of the Brazilian Championship, coach Ney Franco promised changes at Flamengo. Among them, Jaílton, Léo Lima, and Leo Medeiros are expected to be deployed in midfield, changes that clearly left Claiton upset, according to the player himself. The defensive midfielder will warm the bench in the next match.
"As a coach, it's difficult to talk about this subject because I only heard about it through the press. Claiton has been training normally, putting in the effort, and I can't comment on these statements," Ney Franco said evasively in a statement to Rádio Globo.
In addition to the midfield shuffling, the attack will also feature new additions for the upcoming match against Internacional. For the first time, the front duo will be formed by Paulo Sérgio and Leonardo.
"We're in a moment of change in every sense, especially in the way we've been playing. Regardless of which players take the field, our team must have a different attitude from the last game, with greater commitment. We had a very efficient week of work, the players gave their all in training, and we expect a positive result," said the Flamengo manager, concerned about Flamengo's campaign, which currently sits 16th in the standings.
"Our expectation is to stay ahead, and the work we're doing is geared toward that. After the last game, we had a moment of reflection, and I hope this match against Inter will be our turning point in the championship," the coach concluded.
O Dia
Fla is a patchwork quilt
Without both Renatos and Souza, Ney Franco will hardly have midfielder Paulinho in today's game.
Marluci Martins
Rio - There were four absences. Now, there may be five. Another player has been added to Flamengo's roster: Paulinho. He limped out of training yesterday and is at risk of missing the match against Internacional, starting at 18:10 p.m. today.
Pain in his left calf forced the defensive midfielder out of training early, and the club's medical department has announced that Paulinho's chances of taking to the field soon are 50%.
Coach Ney Franco has two options for the position if the starting midfielder is ruled out by doctors: Toró or Claiton. "Maybe it's the opportunity Toró was looking for," Ney Franco admitted.
Claiton, who had complained about being left out, was reprimanded by football manager Isaías Tinoco. The manager warned that if the player wasn't satisfied, "the front door is the door," indicating that he could dismiss him.
But Ney Franco assured that Claiton is fighting for Paulinho's spot. "Around me, the player trained very well, without any complaints. He didn't show any dissatisfaction. It's difficult for me to bring up this subject. If I heard him say something, I would definitely take action," he stated.
If Paulinho doesn't play and Toró is Neymar's choice, the team will enter the field with six changes. Flamengo will be without Thiago, who received his third yellow card; Renato, recovering from left thigh edema; Renato Augusto, with the U-20 national team; and Souza, who was sent off against Figueirense.
Internacional will have a major absence today: Alexandre Pato, like Renato Augusto, is with the Brazilian under-20 team, which will compete in the World Cup in that category, in Canada.
Ney warns that if he doesn't turn now, it will be too late.
They've now gone three games without a win, which has led coach Ney Franco to warn Flamengo's players that it's time for a comeback.
Or it will be too late. "Our expectation in the Championship is to work at the top of the table. We have quality players to work towards a more comfortable position in the competition. It's a time for reflection, to review concepts, and work towards making this game our turning point in the Brazilian Championship," said the coach.
The substitutions made won't be an excuse. With a midfield completely shaken up and an attack consisting of Paulo Sérgio and Leonardo—who have never played together—Ney Franco doesn't want to hear anyone talk about a lack of chemistry. "This is a time for change, in every sense. Mainly, a change in attitude, in commitment," the coach stated.
The players see the match against Inter as a chance to prove themselves. Leonardo is one of them. "I've never played with Paulo Sérgio, but he wants to achieve the same thing I do: a starting spot on the team," the striker noted.
Renato Augusto could be cut from the Brazilian U-20 team
Player has a muscle problem and will be under observation for 72 hours
Rio - Flamengo may welcome back midfielder Renato Augusto. The player, who is still training with the Brazilian U-20 national team, may be ruled out due to a muscle problem. According to Brazil's medical department, the player will be under observation for 72 hours. Renato Augusto didn't even train this Friday.
The problem comes at a very bad time, as the player would be a starter for the Brazilian team in the world championships in Canada.
Ney Franco prefers to ignore Claiton's complaints
Coach says player's behavior hasn't changed
Rio - Midfielder Claiton's complaints, who expressed dissatisfaction at being dropped from Flamengo again, were ignored by coach Ney Franco. According to the manager, the player's behavior remains unchanged, and he prefers not to bring up the matter further.
"It's difficult to talk about this, because the player trained near me and, in my presence, he didn't comment or complain of any dissatisfaction. I learned about the matter through the press. In front of the group, I didn't see anything unusual about his behavior," he said in an interview with Rádio Globo.
Flamengo needs a win to quell the fans' complaints. This Sunday, against Internacional, Ney Franco says this is the time for change.
"Our expectation in the championship is to work to stay ahead. It's a time for reflection and I hope this match against Internacional will be our redemption," he concluded.
Corinthians director warns that the case of Dinélson's transfer to Flamengo is closed
Rio - Corinthians director Hilton José da Costa stated that the matter of Dinélson's transfer to Flamengo is closed. "The board told me this, and he's staying at Corinthians. Our coach is analyzing it, and Dinélson is improving his physical condition. He'll be available to the team soon."
Sports Gazette
Flamengo seeks rehabilitation against on-form Inter\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - After a turbulent week following the thrashing of Figueirense and criticism from the board, Flamengo hosts Internacional this Saturday at 18:10 pm (Brasília time) at Maracanã stadium for the sixth round of the Brazilian Championship. Flamengo sits in 16th place with five points. One point ahead, but buoyed by two consecutive wins in the competition, Flamengo is looking for another positive result to close in on the top spots. Flamengo coach Ney Franco spent the week trying to find solutions to correct the many mistakes his team had made in recent matches. One of his first moves was to abandon the three-man defense that had been in place since the second round of the Brazilian Championship. "I usually line up my team based on the opponent. For this game, I chose to make this change, and I hope the team can play a great game and take the three points," commented the coach.
To recover in the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo will need to overcome a series of absences. Starting with midfielder Renato, who has yet to recover from the injury that already sidelined him for the match against Figueirense. Midfielder Renato Augusto is another loss, having joined the Brazilian U-20 team for the World Cup in Canada. Without him, Ney Franco gives Léo Lima a new opportunity.
The player, whose continued presence at Gávea was recently questioned, hopes to prove himself to the coach. "I hope to take advantage of this; it's an important game at a delicate time. When I was at Grêmio last year, after my first start, I never lost my place," the Flamengo midfielder emphasized.
Meanwhile, the suspended Thiago and Souza are replaced by Léo Medeiros and Paulo Sérgio. Midfielder Paulinho was injured in Friday's training session and may be replaced by Toró. The only technical change is in midfield, where Claiton was benched for Jailton. The numerous changes to the lineup aren't a cause for concern for the coach. "The players have been with the club for a long time and are accustomed to the team's style of play. I don't believe this will be a problem for the match," the coach assured.
Alexandre Gallo also faces problems in starting the team at Internacional, especially in the attacking sector, where Fernandão and Christian were once again ruled out by the Colorado medical department. Meanwhile, the young talent Alexandre Pato, like fellow red-and-black Renato Augusto, is on the Brazilian U-20 team. Thus, Wellington and Márcio Mossoró are competing for Pato's spot alongside the experienced Iarley.
The absences don't appear to have shaken the Inter squad's confidence in continuing its run in the Brasileirão. The players hope to return from Rio de Janeiro with their third consecutive victory in the competition. "We have to continue our recovery in the Brasileirão. Nothing like an away win to give the group confidence," said midfielder Alex.
Léo Medeiros confident to face Internacional
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Léo Medeiros expressed confidence ahead of the match against Internacional, scheduled for this Saturday at Maracanã. The Flamengo midfielder, who earned a starting spot after the 4-0 thrashing against Figueirense, said he wants to seize the opportunity to stay in the first team. "I'm ready to help Flamengo get back to winning ways," the player declared. "I've been approaching each training session as if it were a game, just waiting for the moment the coach needs me. I'm very confident."
This year, Léo Medeiros scored two goals, both from free kicks, for Flamengo. His last start was on April 8, when Flamengo defeated América 4-1 in the second round of the Campeonato Carioca.
PeléNet
Flamengo and Internacional face each other with an inverted panorama
Flamengo entered the Brazilian Championship with the state title behind them. Internacional, the world champion, was under suspicion due to its poor performance in the local competition, where it didn't even reach the semifinals. However, the teams will face each other this Saturday at 18:10 PM at Maracanã Stadium, in a completely different situation than at the beginning of the year.
After the embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Figueirense in the last match, the red light was raised in Gávea. In 16th place with five points, the red-and-black team is one place above the relegation zone and is suffering from the distrust of its fans.
For coach Ney Franco, however, the result against the Santa Catarina team doesn't mean much. He emphasized that the team's attitude in the match against the Gauchos will be different.
"I'm not worried about that, it was just a bad game. The players are fine, it was an atypical match. I'm sure we'll have a good performance against Internacional," the manager emphasized.
On the other hand, Internacional has been slowly regaining credibility with its fans. After an early elimination from the Copa Libertadores, the competition in which it is the current champion (it fell in the first round of this season), the club won the Recopa Sudamericana against Pachuca-MEX and won its last two Brasileirão games, jumping to six points in 13th place.
With these victories, the Porto Alegre team has left the bottom of the table and is already dreaming of soaring higher. "Inter is fighting to stay at the top. We're just starting out, still close to the leaders, but we can't let our guard down," said coach Gallo.
Despite the confidence gained from the favorable results and the opponent's poor form, the coach asks for respect for the red-and-black team. "Flamengo is a quality team. We can't be fooled by the defeat they suffered," he recalled.
the teams
Coach Ney Franco has a series of problems for this Saturday's match. With five players out, the coach had to rebuild his midfield, as Renato Augusto, with the U-20 national team, and Renato and Paulinho, who are injured, will not participate in the game.
Additionally, defensive midfielder Claiton was benched by the manager due to his performance in the match against the Santa Catarina team. Jaílton, Léo Medeiros Toró, and Léo Lima are expected to fill in for him.
"I hope to take advantage of the opportunity. It's an important game, at a delicate time. When I was at Grêmio, after I played in the starting team for the first time, I never lost my place," said Léo Lima.
In attack, with Souza suspended after being sent off in Santa Catarina, young Paulo Sérgio takes the field. To complete the list of problems, defender Thiago, who received his third yellow card, gives way to Irineu, who has recovered from injury.
On the Gaucho side, coach Gallo also has trouble assembling his team. The biggest concern is in attack, where the only doubt lies, as Fernandão and Christian are injured and Alexandre Pato is playing for the Brazilian U-20 team.
As a result, only Iarley is guaranteed, and his partner will be chosen between Márcio Mossoró and Wellington. The former has always been used as a midfielder at Inter, but Gallo is banking on his versatility.
"Mossoró has all the conditions to play as a striker," the coach stated. Wellington, however, is a bit of an unknown quantity for fans, having come through Internacional's youth system and has yet to start a single game in this Brasileirão.
Even without training, Toró has an advantage in the fight for a place at Fla
Midfielder Claiton appears to be lacking coach Ney Franco's confidence. Even after midfielder Paulinho's injury, which is expected to rule him out of the match against Internacional this Saturday, the player is expected to remain sidelined. The coach hinted that Toró could start for the match.
"I have the option of working with a more defensive player, Claiton, or Toró, who fits in with the marking, but brings more quality to the attack," the manager analyzed to Rádio Brasil.
What's most surprising about Ney Franco's decision is that Toró didn't even participate in training this Friday morning at the Ninho do Urubu Training Center in Vargem Grande. The coaching staff cleared the athlete for the wedding ceremony.
Since the humiliating 4-0 defeat to Figueirense last Sunday, Claiton has not participated in a single training session among Fla's regular players.
To give you an idea, in addition to the problem with Paulinho, the Gávea team will not be able to count on midfielders Renato, who is injured, and Renato Augusto, who has been called up to the U-20 team.
For these spots, the coach has already confirmed the starting lineups of Jailton and Léo Medeiros. If Paulinho's veto is confirmed and Toró's starting lineup is confirmed, Claiton will be the team's fourth option, on the bench.
BalloonSport
Leo Medeiros: the new owner of fouls
Without Renato, the defensive midfielder will be responsible for set pieces. He hopes to respond to Eduardo Peixoto's expectations.
Besides his importance during the game, Renato's absence brings other drawbacks to Flamengo, especially in free kicks. But there is hope. Leo Medeiros, who will get another chance in the starting lineup, has set pieces as one of his strengths.
This year, he scored twice from free kicks: once against Volta Redonda and once against Friburguense.
"I hope I have the coach's confidence to hit. I'll focus on getting it right," he declares.
While Renato specializes in long-range shots, Leo Medeiros prefers balls closer to the box.
- I always try to improve myself - says the midfielder, who usually stays after training to practice the basics.
Paulo Sergio wants more goals
Striker has scored a goal as a professional and wants to celebrate again
Striker Paulo Sergio will start his second match for Flamengo and is hoping to score again for the club in this Saturday's match against Internacional at 18:10 p.m. at the Maracanã stadium, in the sixth round of the Brazilian Championship. His first start came against Palmeiras in the opening match of the national competition. The young striker's only goal came in the 2-2 draw in the derby against Botafogo, also in the Brazilian Championship (watch the video below).
"We'll leave with a victory over Inter and, if possible, with a goal from me. Training this week was intense, and everything will work out," said Paulo Sergio, who hopes the fans will cooperate and show up at Maracanã.
Without important players, Fla and Inter duel
Teams cannot count on their favorites and their highlights this Saturday, at Maracanã
Unpleasant coincidences have brought together the Flamengo and Internacional lineups for this Saturday's clash at 18:10 p.m. (Brasília time) for the sixth round of the Brazilian Championship. For the same reasons, both teams will enter the Maracanã stadium without their favorite player and their star player.
Training at Granja Comary with the Brazilian U-20 team, Renato Augusto and Alexandre Pato will watch the game together. Star players Renato and Fernandão are injured and will also miss the field. Despite their absences, the game has some exciting elements, such as the crisis surrounding Gávea and the rise of the Rio Grande do Sul team.
GLOBOESPORTE.COM will be covering the match live, starting at 18:10 p.m., with exclusive videos. Premiere will also be covering the match.
On the edge of the relegation zone, in 15th place with five points, the Rubro-Negro used the long week to escape the pressure. Since Wednesday, the team has left Gávea and has been training at the Ninho do Urubu Training Center, away from fans.
But even so, he didn't escape controversy. And problems. First, the squad was angered by suggestions that he wasn't training enough. Then, Claiton was dropped from the starting lineup and decided to publicly lament the coach's decision. As if the tense atmosphere weren't enough, Ney also suffered from injuries.
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A hot week at Fla and a calm week at Inter
Renato was ruled out on Thursday. A day later, Paulinho felt a strain in his left calf, and although he's focused, he's unlikely to play (Toró is on standby). It's worth noting that forward Souza and defender Thiago are suspended.
The accumulation of absences combined with the poor campaign at the beginning of the competition caused a transformation in the team. The 3-5-2 formation was sidelined. The 4-4-2 returned, and with it came a new formation: Jaílton, Leo Medeiros, Leo Lima, and Paulo Sergio were given a chance.
- These are players who already know our way of playing and I don't think these changes will affect the team's performance - says Ney Franco.
Inter takes the field buoyed by two weeks of peace. The Colorados' tranquility began with a 2-0 victory over Náutico, peaked with the Recopa title win with a 4-0 rout of Pachuca, and continued with a 1-0 triumph over Santos (watch the video of the match). To all this, we can't ignore Grêmio's loss to Boca Juniors, which injected a little more energy into the Reds.
But not everything is rosy for the Beira-Rio team. Coach Alexandre Gallo will be without his namesake, Pato, the team's star player, who has been assigned to the Brazilian U-20 national team. Fernandão and Christian, injured, remain out. Of the traditional front four, only Iarley is available to the coach. Márcio Mossoró and youngster Wellington are vying for the remaining spot.
After leaving the relegation zone and moving to the middle of the table, Colorado, which has six points, is looking for another victory to enter the zone of access to continental competitions.
Toró misses training to exchange rings
Player should start in this Saturday's match against Inter, at Maracanã
Eduardo Peixoto
While Toró said "yes" to the judge in a registry office in Del Castilho, coach Ney Franco placed the midfielder as the favorite to start for Flamengo in the game against Internacional, this Saturday.
Absent from training to celebrate his civil wedding, the player benefited from Paulinho's injury and the conflict between Claiton and Ney Franco. Unless there's a turnaround, Toró will have his first chance to start since December 2nd of last year.
On that occasion, in the final round of the Brazilian Championship, he participated in the 4-1 rout of São Caetano. This year, he has appeared in two games, both coming on in the second half.
"He's training well. I'm really enjoying Toró's performance and can give him this opportunity in the game against Inter," says coach Ney Franco.
Despite his absence from training, Toró will be training normally with the rest of the group. The presentation is scheduled for 19 p.m. at a hotel in Barra da Tijuca.
Throw
Toró has the advantage in the fight for a spot
Claiton, the other option, should really stay on the bench
Toró should have another chance as a starter at Flamengo (Credit: Cléber Mendes)
Training this Friday was coming to an end when another problem arose for Ney Franco: midfielder Paulinho felt pain in his left calf, left the field and is almost out of this Saturday's match against Internacional, at Maracanã.
To replace Paulinho, Ney Franco has two options: Claiton or Toró. The latter has a better chance of starting, according to the coach.
"Toró fits in well with the marking and gets into the attack more easily. He's training well and it might be time to start playing a match. Who knows, maybe this will be the chance he's been waiting for?" said Ney Franco.
Favorite to win the position, Toró didn't train this Friday. The 21-year-old player got married at a registry office in Rio's North Zone and was released. That night, he joined the squad and slept in the training camp.
Claiton's irritation at being barred from training last Thursday was downplayed by Ney Franco.
"He didn't say anything around me. Claiton trained well, didn't complain, and didn't show any dissatisfaction. It's even difficult to talk about it. I only found out through the press. If I had heard something, I could have done something," he assured.
Renato Augusto could be cut from the U-20 squad
Flamengo supporter complained of muscle pain
Supporter felt muscle problem and will be under observation (Credit: Paulo Wrencher)
Midfielder Renato Augusto may be cut from the Brazilian U-20 squad. The player complained of a muscle problem during training this Friday at Granja Comary in Teresópolis and will remain under observation for 72 hours.
Brazil will debut at the World Cup in Canada against Poland on June 30. Renato was practically guaranteed a starting spot.
Grêmio goalkeeper Cássio has bursitis and is also under observation.