The Globe
Fla draws in the last minute and avoids the relegation zone
To stay out, however, the red-black team depends on today's results.
A last-minute goal from Juan in yesterday's match against Inter at the Maracanã saved Flamengo from starting Sunday in the relegation zone of the Brazilian Championship. With the 2-2 draw, the team now has six points, in sixteenth place in the standings. However, depending on the matches played by Náutico, Santos, and Sport today, Flamengo could end the sixth round among the four worst teams in the championship.
"Unfortunately, we had a lot of players lacking match fitness. But we fought hard. Emotionally, the team didn't give in," said coach Ney Franco, who was called stupid by the fans when he replaced Toró with Kayke.
Flamengo had the most play until the 30th minute of the first half, when they had four shots on goal. In their best opportunity, just two minutes in, Paulo Sérgio received a great pass from Léo Medeiros and, even unmarked, shot weakly and completely wide.
Alex misses a penalty, but then scores a great goal
With strong marking, Inter leveled the game and, in the final fifteen minutes, nearly opened the scoring, first from a free kick taken by Ceará. Bruno made a great save.
Three minutes into the second half, Ronaldo Angelim awarded a penalty to Índio, but Alex sent the ball wide. In the 13th minute, Bruno stretched and saved Adriano's sliding goal, but he was powerless in the 19th minute, when Alex made a run past Angelim, Irineu, and the goalkeeper to score Inter's first goal.
In the 32nd minute, however, Juan went to the baseline and crossed for Ronaldo Angelim to head home. The goal galvanized the team, which nearly turned the game around in the 36th minute with Leonardo Moura. But in the 42nd minute, Adriano, already in the box, received a pass, cut past Jaílton, and slotted it past Bruno to score Inter's second. Salvation came in the 45th minute, when Leonardo Moura passed to Juan, who scored and prevented defeat.
Yellow cards: Pinga, Mossoró, Angelim, Paulo Sergio, and Juan. Attendance: 15.358 paying spectators Revenue: R$203.759,00.
FLAMENGO
BRUNO: He was lucky with the penalty kick that went wide. He wasn't to blame for the goals. 5.
LEONARDO MOURA: Safe in defense, he was a good attacking option. 6.
IRINEU: He failed in the beautiful play that led to Internacional's goal. 3.
RONALDO ANGELIM: He wasn't doing well in the match until he scored the equalizer. 5.
JUAN: Precise cross for Ronaldo Angelim to score. Scorer of the goal that saved Flamengo from defeat. 7.
JAÍLTON: He compromised attacking plays due to his poor passes and failed to secure the second goal. 3.
LÉO MEDEIROS: He made a pass early on, but didn't maintain consistency. 4.
TORÓ: He tried hard, he ran a lot, but he was unlucky. 4. KAYKE took his place and did nothing. 3.
LÉO LIMA: Could have scored twice, but he was uninspired and left the field to boos. 3,5. He was replaced by GÉRSON MAGRÃO, who was more productive. 5.
PAULO SÉRGIO: One weak shot wide and another without direction. Very little. 3,5. LUIZINHO came on in his place, but didn't change anything. 3.
LEONARDO: Without firepower, he missed many passes. 4.
NEY FRANCO: He failed to establish a standard for the team, which played shorthanded. He was slow to make substitutions. 4.
REAL ESTATE
Special mention goes to Alex, who missed the penalty and redeemed himself by scoring a beautiful goal, and to Adriano.
ARBITRATION
Heber Roberto Lopes was right in issuing the cards and awarding Inter's penalty.
Sports Journal
Fla goes through suffocation once again
Flamengo draws 2-2 with Inter, but is close to the relegation zone.
Leo Shabbach
Jair Mota/JS
Ronaldo Angelim and Juan celebrate the draw against Internacional. Flamengo escaped another defeat in the Brazilian Championship.
In a low-skilled game that only really got better near the end, Flamengo ended up drawing 2-2 with Internacional, and with just six points, they're in a tough spot in this Brazilian Championship. Ney Franco's team remains in 16th place, but depending on certain results, they could enter the relegation zone today.
Flamengo started the first half well, showing determination. The team was very active and posed a threat to Internacional's goal.
However, Flamengo gradually slowed down, and Colorado began to grow into the match. It's no surprise that, in the 32nd minute, Marcio Mossoró was awarded a penalty that referee Heber Roberto Lopes didn't award. Other than that, only two other dangerous shots from Internacional added to the excitement of the first half.
The second half started much more lively. Just two minutes in, defender Ronaldo Angelim conceded a childish penalty on Índio, which defender Alex kicked wide. However, in the 19th minute, redeeming himself for his poor penalty call, Alex dribbled past two defenders and goalkeeper Bruno to slot the ball into the back of the net with skill.
Then, on a night that seemed like one of redemption, it was Ronaldo Angelim who equalized the game, heading in a cross from Juan.
In the end, Inter striker Adriano scored a beautiful goal and, when everything pointed to another defeat for the red-blacks, full-back Juan, on an inspired night, equalized the score.
Ney Franco believes in improvement
Paulo Sérgio did not have a good performance and, marked under pressure by an Internacional defender, tried to control the ball to start an attack
After the draw with Internacional, the mood in Flamengo's locker room was one of concern. After all, depending on today's results, the team could fall into the relegation zone. Coach Ney Franco knows his team didn't play well, but he found positives in yesterday's performance.
"We lost a lot of players for this match and had to put some players on the field who hadn't played for a long time. Today (yesterday) I saw the team showing much more commitment than against Figueirense," said the coach.
Another concern for the red-and-black manager was the booing from the fans, who protested loudly against his changes. Even so, Ney Franco considers the reaction normal.
"We were coming off a loss and are in a difficult position in the table, but even so, the fans cheered us on at the start of the game and pushed the team. After we conceded the second goal, it was normal for the boos to come. In a highly competitive competition like the Brazilian Championship, home advantage has to prevail, and we haven't managed to win at home yet. That's why we're in a bad position," explained Ney Franco.
In six rounds of the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo has won only one, and boasts the most leaky defense in the competition, conceding 15 goals. Given these numbers, the coach will likely have his work cut out for him.
Ney Franco: 'At least in this game the players gave their all'
Flamengo was unable to break a 2-2 draw with Internacional this Saturday at Maracanã. Much changed by coach Ney Franco, the team from Gávea misplaced numerous passes and wasted numerous chances throughout the match, but at least the red-and-black players showed determination, something that was lacking in the last match, when the team was thrashed 4-0 by Figueirense. Coach Ney Franco commented on the match.
"We had to rely on some players who weren't feeling their match fitness. We made a lot of changes, and that impacted our technical performance. At least in this game, the players gave their all. It would have been better to leave the field with three points, but we only got one," said the coach.
Eduardo Paes confirms Maraca will be closed next weekend
Suderj accepts Pan American Games organizers' request, postpones Brazilian games, and divides Rio leaders
Eduardo Paes, the state secretary of Sports, Tourism, and Leisure and president of Suderj, announced yesterday that he will comply with the request from the competition's Organizing Committee (CO-Rio) to close the Maracanã stadium starting tomorrow, or at worst, Wednesday. With this decision, the Vasco-Flamengo and Botafogo-Corinthians matches, scheduled for the weekend, will need to be moved to other stadiums or have their dates changed. The most likely option for the Vasco-Flamengo match could be the capital of the Republic. Even São Januário Stadium could be considered, as the Cruzmaltinos are the home team. Or even Volta Redonda.
The need to close Maracanã arose because the director of the opening choreography of the Pan American Games, Bryan Walters, pressured the president of Co-Rio, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, threatening that if the process of setting up the set and rehearsals did not begin tomorrow, with a small tolerance until Wednesday, he would abandon the project, leaving the Pan American Games without the opening ceremony.
The news divided the leaders of Botafogo, Flamengo, and Vasco. Vasco's president, Eurico Miranda, declined to comment, while his vice president, José Luís Moreira, expressed surprise at the decision.
At Botafogo, the reaction to the news was more energetic. Club president Bebeto de Freitas was outraged by the decision, which he said could harm the club.
"Eduardo Paes promised we would play on Saturday, and at the last minute, he wants to change that. We won't play on Wednesday, because we have the Libertadores final and that will divide our attention. We proposed playing the match on Thursday, but so far we haven't received a response. One day won't make a difference," complained the director.
In contrast, Flamengo's vice president of football, Kleber Leite, said he will accept the decision to move the game against Vasco, which could be played in Brasília.
"Life is a two-way street. So, let's not create problems. Paes said that this has already been decided. Now we have to wait for the CBF's position, but we are here to help."
However, the home field advantage for the classic belongs to the Colina team and, as president Eurico Miranda has not yet commented on the matter, the situation remains undefined.
O Dia
Juan saves Flamengo from defeat against Inter
Alberto João
Rio - With a game-winning goal in the 45th minute of the second half, Flamengo ended up drawing 2-2 with Internacional on Saturday night at Maracanã. The result means the team from Gávea could enter the relegation zone after Sunday's matches. The goals for the team from Rio Grande do Sul were scored by Alex, who also missed a penalty, and Adriano. Defender Ronaldo Angelim and full-back Juan scored for Flamengo.
Without Souza, Renato, and Renato Augusto, coach Ney Franco fielded a team with Léo Lima, Paulo Sérgio, and Leonardo. To replace Paulinho, the coach brought in Toró and left Claiton on the bench.
How was the game?
In the second minute of the first half, young Paulo Sérgio slipped past the Inter defenders and fired a superb shot. The ball went wide of Clemer's goal.
And it was the only good play from the Gávea team. In the 18th minute, Internacional created a threat but failed to finish well. Rubens Cardoso passed the ball to Ceará inside the box, the full-back cleared it and shot in. Pinga's poor handling of the ball wasted a good chance to open the scoring.
In the 31st minute, Internacional called for a penalty when Márcio Mossoró feinted past Leonardo Moura and ended up being brought down in the box. Referee Heber Roberto Lopes didn't award a penalty.
In the second half, the Rio Grande do Sul team was awarded a penalty early on. Pinga took a free kick in the Flamengo box, defender Índio was pulled down by Ronaldo Angelim, and the referee awarded a penalty. Midfielder Alex took the penalty, displacing Bruno, but sent it wide.
Failing to show any firepower, Flamengo conceded a goal in the 19th minute of the second half. Alex received the ball at the edge of the box, got past Irineu, dribbled past goalkeeper Bruno, and tapped it into the empty net.
Angered by the team's performance, Flamengo fans were uninterested and booed nonstop. Needing a result, coach Ney Franco took off Léo Lima and Paulo Sérgio and brought on Gérson Magrão and Luizinho.
The team improved and scored the equalizer. In the 32nd minute, Juan delivered a good cross from the penalty spot, Ronaldo Angelim appeared alone and headed the ball into the right corner, unstoppable for Clemer.
The red-and-black team's happiness was short-lived. In the 41st minute, Adriano dribbled past Jaílton and shot into the left corner to score Internacional's second goal.
However, full-back Juan ultimately saved Flamengo from defeat at the Maracanã. In the 45th minute, Leonardo Moura delivered a superb pass to Juan, who slotted it past Clemer.
Sports Gazette
Flamengo finds a late goal and draws with Internacional
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - With a goal scored by Juan in the 45th minute of the second half against Internacional, Flamengo managed to escape another defeat in the Brazilian Championship. In a match played this Saturday night at Maracanã, the two teams drew 2-2. The result somewhat eased the situation for the Rio de Janeiro team, which remained out of the relegation zone with six points after the sixth round. The result ended up being the fairest because neither team deserved the victory. Without Fernandão and Alexandre Pato, Inter showed only desire but little technique, and even missed a penalty early in the second half. Flamengo, despite the changes made by coach Ney Franco, failed to find its feet throughout the game.
Much changed compared to previous matches, the Red-Blacks started on the attack, and just two minutes in, young Paulo Sérgio received the ball between the Colorado defenders and shot to the right of Clemer's goal. The team from Gávea, cheered on by the fans, kept a close eye on Inter's ball, which was unable to organize itself. The visitors' first dangerous moment came in the 11th minute, when Wellington Monteiro's shot frightened goalkeeper Bruno.
Flamengo continued to maintain pressure, and the opposing goalkeeper had to work hard in the 17th minute to prevent the Rio de Janeiro team from scoring after a shot from Léo Lima from the edge of the box. Inter's response came a minute later when Ceará crossed and Pinga, free in the box, shot wide.
In the 31st minute, the most controversial play of the first half occurred. Márcio Mossoró dribbled past Leonardo Moura in the box and was brought down by the Flamengo player. Referee Héber Roberto Lopes didn't call the foul and even issued a yellow card to the Flamengo player. In the last important play of the first half, the same Flamengo midfielder passed the ball to Edinho, who ran in and unleashed a powerful shot that sailed just wide of Bruno's goal.
Inter returned for the second half with Adriano replacing Márcio Mossoró, and just two minutes in, Ronaldo Angelim pulled Índio's shirt inside the box, and the referee awarded a penalty. Alex's shot went wide, wasting a great opportunity. In the eighth minute, Juan challenged Alex in the box and went down, only to receive a yellow card for simulation.
Both teams began committing numerous fouls, leaving the match sluggish, irritating fans who were unable to see any good football at the Maracanã. Even so, Inter had a slight advantage over the home team and created better opportunities, as happened in the 13th minute, when Pinga cut in from the left and fired a cross. Goalkeeper Bruno rebounded, and Adriano arrived too late and was unable to finish.
Inter's best football was rewarded in the 19th minute, when Alex, who had missed a penalty, received the ball at the edge of the box, dribbled past Irineu, got past goalkeeper Bruno and scored for Flamengo.
The Rio team desperately tried to equalize and almost achieved their goal when Leonardo Moura crossed from the right, Léo Lima headed it, but the ball hit defender Índio, almost deceiving goalkeeper Clemer.
Coach Ney Franco replaced Toró with young Kayke, hoping to add more aggression to the team. As the change didn't yield immediate results, the Flamengo coach made two more changes, removing Léo Lima and Paulo Sérgio from the team. Flamengo finally equalized in the 32nd minute when Juan crossed from the left and Ronaldo Angelim cut in between the defenders to head the ball past goalkeeper Clemer.
Flamengo tried to push for a tiebreaker but conceded a second goal in the 41st minute, when Adriano received the ball at the edge of the box, dribbled past Jailton, and shot to score. With the crowd already booing, Flamengo equalized with Juan, who received the ball in the box and beat goalkeeper Clemer.
Maracanã closure changes Flamengo's plans
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Due to the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Flamengo's derby against Vasco da Gama has been moved up. For Flamengo coach Ney Franco, the decision, while acceptable, will jeopardize the schedule for the remainder of the Brazilian Championship. After the 2-2 draw against Internacional this Saturday, the coach expressed regret and, at the same time, celebration of the schedule overhaul. "The cause is just, and Rio is already breathing the Pan American air. In a way, it's positive because it allows our squad to recover all the players who are injured or have physical problems. This will be important for us to return at full strength. On the other hand, we will be without playing for two rounds and unable to score," stated the coach.
This Saturday, it was announced that the Maracanã will remain closed to Rio clubs and will only be used for the Rio de Janeiro Games, which will begin on July 13. According to Ney Franco, the decision forces Flamengo to plan an unwanted offseason.
"We'll have to train elsewhere, a forced offseason, and that changes our entire plan. Now it's time to work hard to get back to playing against Atlético-MG (not until July 3rd) at Mineirão," he concluded.
Flamengo players regret draw, but believe in recovery
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - In a match with few technically well-crafted plays, Flamengo's second goal in the 2-2 draw with Internacional, however, featured a stellar contribution from Leonardo Moura. With the right-back's help in attacking, Flamengo managed to leave Maracanã this Saturday with an important point, having been behind throughout the match. Despite the recovery, the Gávea players lamented the stumble. Displaced from their home area, the player carried the ball through midfield and found Juan inside the Inter box, who made no mistake and scored in the 45th minute of the second half. Despite the assist, Leo Moura was not satisfied with the Flamengo team's performance.
"We need to lift our heads. The result wasn't good, since we were playing at home. Now we have to work hard to keep improving," the full-back declared. Regarding being used as a makeshift midfielder, the player doesn't seem to have fully adapted to the role. "That's not my position, but the choice is up to the coach (Ney Franco), and I have to accept it," he added.
Goalkeeper Bruno also complained about the negative result at Maracanã. "Now is the time to find balance, because this draw was quite bad. We'll have to stay focused throughout the week and improve in the next round (against Vasco)," he concluded.
PeléNet
Flamengo and Internacional draw and have their plans frustrated
Flamengo and Internacional drew 2-2 this Saturday at Maracanã, frustrating their pre-match goals. The Rio de Janeiro team was fighting for a comeback in the Brazilian Championship, while Internacional, which had won two straight home games, had its momentum halted.
Now with six points, the Gávea team remains in 16th place and could end the sixth round, this Sunday, in the relegation zone. Furthermore, the team was unable to recover from the 4-0 defeat to Figueirense and remains under suspicion among fans.
"We have to find balance because the work is being done. A draw at home is always bad, but this is our moment, there's nothing more to say," lamented goalkeeper Bruno.
Internacional, in turn, after winning the Recopa Sudamericana over Pachuca-MEX, appears with seven points in the national championship, only in the middle of the table (12th place).
"We always come onto the field to win, but we end up conceding a goal at the end, and that's detrimental," complained striker Adriano.
The lack of synergy in the Flamengo midfield—coach Ney Franco used a new formation—appeared to be largely unnoticed by Flamengo's players, who dominated the midfield early in the match. However, the Rio de Janeiro team's dominance didn't translate into many real scoring chances.
In the best of them, young striker Paulo Sérgio received a free kick in the middle of the field, advanced, and shot wide of Clemer's goal. From the 25th minute onward, the Porto Alegre team managed to level the score, mainly due to the outstanding performance of striker Iarley.
However, the poor passing skills hurt Inter. "We misplaced a lot of passes, and their team is playing well. We can play a little more with the ball on the ground because we only have Iarley in the box," said midfielder Alex on the way to the locker room.
Early in the second half, the team from Rio Grande do Sul missed a prime opportunity: Alex sent a penalty kick wide after Índio had won. The move motivated the fans, who then began cheering on the team from Gávea.
But, contrary to what one might assume, the missed penalty didn't shake the Colorado team, who scored their first goal in the 19th minute. In an individual play, Alex redeemed himself for his mistake by getting past Irineu and Bruno and shooting from a near-miss angle into the back of the net.
Under pressure from the unfavorable result, Flamengo began to take more risks in attack and equalized with a beautiful header from defender Ronaldo Angelim, who took advantage of a cross from Juan. Adriano and Juan himself still had time to score a goal for each team in the final minutes, sealing the tie.
In an attempt to avoid a major crisis, Flamengo will face Vasco da Gama in the derby. The match was initially scheduled for the Maracanã on the 24th. However, due to preparations for the Pan American Games, the stadium will be closed next Monday.
With that, there are two options: either the match will be rescheduled—the most likely scenario—or the game will be played at another venue. A decision on the matter is expected this Sunday. Internacional will face archrival Grêmio at the Olímpico Stadium on Sunday, the 24th, at 18:10 PM.
Fasting in Rio de Janeiro worries Flamengo squad
The 2-2 draw with Internacional this Saturday continued an uncomfortable drought for Flamengo fans. The team has yet to win a game in Rio de Janeiro in the current edition of the Brazilian Championship.
The lack of victories is already distressing the club's players and coaching staff. Coach Ney Franco, for example, considers victories at Maracanã essential for the team to maintain a healthy balance in the national competition.
"Of course, getting three points would be ideal. In a championship like this, home advantage has to prevail, and this is the second time we've played at home where we haven't won," he emphasized.
This was actually the third time the team from Gávea has not won in Rio. In addition to tonight's draw, there was the defeat to Palmeiras in the opening match (4-2) and the draw in the derby against Botafogo (2-2).
The manager, in fact, attributed the team's poor performance in the Brasileirão to this situation. "We're in an uncomfortable position. We were projected to be in a better position at this point in the competition, but the results in Rio hurt that," he commented.
Another player who lamented the lack of home wins was left-back Juan, who scored the equalizer on Saturday. Even so, the player emphasized that the Rio de Janeiro team faced high-level opponents in Rio.
"This draw represented a difficult situation in the table, and we remain close to the relegation zone. We are aware that at home we have to get the three points, but the games at Maracanã were against difficult opponents," he said.
Flamengo is in 16th place in the Brazilian league, with six points, and will finish the round among the last four in the table this Sunday if one of the teams in the risk area wins - Náutico-PE, Sport, Santos and América-RN.
Ronaldo Angelim approves Flamengo's return to the 4-4-2 system
Scorer of one of Flamengo's goals in the 2-2 draw with Internacional this Saturday, defender Ronaldo Angelim highlighted that he prefers the team to play in a 4-4-2 formation, as was the case in the match against the Gauchos at Maracanã.
The defender recalled that this formation was chosen by coach Ney Franco at the beginning of the season, and the team thus gained chemistry. However, the player said he accepts playing however the red-and-black manager chooses.
"Regardless of how he plays, if the player does what the coach tells him to do, the team will do well. For me, the 4-4-2 is where the team is best trained and performs best," the athlete emphasized.
Ney Franco opted for a four-man defensive line after the embarrassing 4-0 loss to Figueirense in Florianópolis last Sunday. Flamengo fielded three defenders—Moisés, Thiago, and Angelim himself.
The player stated that because he also uses his left foot, he can adapt to both styles of play. "I'm a left-footed defender and can play in either formation," he concluded.
Ronaldo Angelim also showed opportunism in the match. In the 32nd minute, after Juan's cross from the left, the defender headed the ball stylishly into Clemer's right corner, scoring Flamengo's first goal.
Ney Franco celebrates and laments Flamengo's period without games
With the likely postponement of the derby against Vasco—the match was scheduled for next Sunday, June 24th, but will likely be rescheduled because the Maracanã stadium cannot be used—Flamengo will be sidelined until July 3rd, when they face Atlético-MG at Mineirão Stadium. For coach Ney Franco, this situation has its upside and downside.
"It's positive because it allows all the athletes with physical problems to recover and return to full strength. On the other hand, we will go two rounds without playing or scoring points," analyzed the coach of the red-black team after the 2-2 draw with Internacional-RS, this Saturday, in Rio de Janeiro.
With the closure of the Maracanã stadium due to the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro in July, some of Rio's clubs' matches in the Brazilian Championship were rescheduled. Flamengo's match against Juventude was also postponed, and the home-field advantage in its clash with São Paulo was reversed in favor of the São Paulo club.
Ney Franco believes it's now up to the club to find a way to make the most of these free days ahead. Caught off guard by the almost certain postponement of the derby, the Flamengo manager will meet with the board to make the decision.
"We'll have to do a forced offseason, we'll be forced to modify our plans. The reason for postponing the game is fair; the city is already breathing life into the Pan American Games. It's up to us to work hard to get back on the field at Minerão with a strong team," commented the coach, who will speak with the directors on Monday at Gávea, the club's headquarters.
BalloonSport
Obina's name echoes in Granja Comary
Black Angel is remembered in Teresópolis with every touch of the ball by striker Afonso Alves
Marcio Iannacca
Obina is already training with the ball at Fla
Obina isn't even playing for Flamengo, recovering from left knee surgery. However, with every touch of the ball by striker Afonso Alves, from Herenveen in the Netherlands, called up for the Copa América in Venezuela, the name of the Black Angel was chanted by the fans who gathered at Granja Comary in Teresópolis, in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro.
Afonso has only made two appearances for the Brazilian national team, against England and Türkiye, and has yet to score a goal in the yellow jersey. Obina, meanwhile, has never been named in a Brazil call-up.
The Black Angel is only expected to return to the field in July. When he was injured, the player was enjoying one of the best periods of his career.
Fla scores late and draws with Inter
In a thrilling second-half match, the teams draw 2-2 at the Maracanã.
Gustavo Rotstein
There was plenty of action in just 45 minutes. With four second-half goals, Flamengo and Internacional drew 2-2 this Saturday in the sixth round of the Brazilian Championship. With the result, the red-and-black team could enter the relegation zone at the end of the round. The team currently sits in 16th place with six points.
Inter, currently in 11th place with seven points, now focuses on rivals Grêmio in the Gaucho derby next Sunday. Flamengo's future is uncertain. The match against Vasco, initially scheduled for the 24th at Maracanã, may be postponed, as the stadium will be used for the Pan-American Games. Therefore, Flamengo's match will likely be against Atlético-MG on July 3rd in Belo Horizonte.
Only shots from outside the area are scary in the 1st half
Flamengo started the game imposing a fast pace, driven by Toró and Paulo Sérgio, who threatened in the opening minutes. But the first goal could have come had it not been for their poor finishing. Inter had spaces left by the red-and-black defense, but they couldn't capitalize on their chances due to a high number of misplaced passes.
With no established plays, the only option was to take chances from distance. And that's how Clemer was called upon for the first time, when Léo Medeiros fired a shot from outside the box, forcing the Colorado goalkeeper to make a good save.
The Rio Grande do Sul team complained about a penalty kick by Leonardo Moura on Márcio Mossoró in the 32nd minute. The Inter player received a yellow card for simulation.
In the 36th minute, goalkeeper Bruno finally got his act together. Ceará unleashed a powerful free kick from outside the box, but the Flamengo goalkeeper made a beautiful save in his own right corner. Late in the first half, another long-range shot threatened Bruno again. The ball fell to Alex, who took a chance, but it went wide.
Inter misses penalty at the start of the 2nd half
The teams had barely warmed up when Internacional was awarded a penalty. After a free kick, Ronaldo Angelim brought down Índio outside the ball. Four minutes in, Alex stopped, took the shot, and shot wide. Soon after, it was Flamengo's turn to claim a penalty for Alex's foul on Juan. The Flamengo full-back was cautioned for allegedly diving.
But it seems Alex wasn't looking for a simple goal. In the 20th minute, the midfielder sped into Flamengo's box, dribbled past Bruno, and, from a near-miss angle, tapped in for a stunning goal.
Soon after, coach Ney Franco decided to bring on young striker Kayke, but taking off Toró angered the fans, who called him a fool. Even so, the coach made other substitutions. The introduction of Luizinho and Gérson Magrão fired up the team, which went on the attack. Just as the fans were showing their most anger, Flamengo equalized. Juan went to the byline and crossed for Ronaldo Angelim, who, free in the middle of the box, headed in to make it 1-1.
Despite Flamengo's pressure, the punishment came in the 41st minute. On a counterattack, Adriano calmly slotted the ball into Bruno's corner in the penalty area. But Flamengo refused to give up, and Juan equalized in the 45th minute.
Boos don't shake coach Ney Franco
Commander remembers that, when he played well, the team was encouraged by its fans
Gustavo Rotstein
At times during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Internacional in the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo fans seemed to have lost their patience. Coach Ney Franco and the players were subjected to insults from the stands.
When Flamengo conceded the second goal, chants of "donkey" for the coach and "shit team" for the players rang out. However, the criticism doesn't seem to have shaken Ney Franco's composure.
"The fans cheered us on at the start of the match, but when we were down 2-1, they booed us. The team didn't give in and went after the equalizer," he notes.
Juan, who admitted that Flamengo didn't perform well, says he understands the criticism from the red-blacks.
- That's Flamengo. When we're bad, the fans boo, but when we're good, we're cheered on. It's normal for us.
Juan: 'Renatos and Souza were missed'
The defender praises the red-and-black team, but admits that reinforcements would be welcome.
Gustavo Rotstein
Scorer of the goal that saved Flamengo from defeat this Saturday (watch the video below), Juan acknowledged that the absence of starters harmed Flamengo in the 2-2 draw with Internacional, at Maracanã, in the sixth round of the Brazilian Championship.
Renato and Paulinho are injured; Renato Augusto is currently a member of the Brazilian under-20 team; Souza served a suspension for his sending off against Figueirense.
"Renatos and Souza are missing from the team. With their return in the next round, we'll improve. We only played a reasonable game," he says.
For the full-back, although Flamengo's squad is of quality, some reinforcements could be useful to improve the team this season.
- With all the players available, we have a good squad, but reinforcements are always welcome.
Throw
Fla scores late and draws with Inter
Left-back Juan scores in the 45th minute of the second half and ties the match against Internacional at Maracanã
Flamengo and Inter drew (Credit: Julio Cesar Guimarães)
Rodrigo Mandarini
Drama, resilience, the beginning of a crisis, refereeing errors, and late goals. These were some of the ingredients in the match between Flamengo and Inter this Saturday at Maracanã. The result: 2-2. The goals, all in the second half, were scored by Alex and Adriano for Inter, with Juan and Angelim scoring for Flamengo.
Unable to field Renatos, Augusto, and Abreu, Ney Franco had to opt for his namesakes Leonardos, Medeiros, and Lima, along with Toró. At Inter, Alexandre Gallo was left without his namesake Pato and Fernandão. He had to settle for Alex and Mossoró. With so many absences, whoever had the most luck and made the fewest mistakes would win.
After three winless matches, Flamengo began the match trying to erase its inconsistent performances from the fans' memory and establish itself in the more comfortable positions in the standings. Just two minutes in, Paulo Sérgio advanced unmarked and shot across goal, but the ball went wide, harmlessly. The 18-year-old had two more chances in the first half, but neither were particularly dangerous.
Inter also tried, but without much quality. First, Wellington Monteiro's shot went past Bruno, who stretched but couldn't reach it. Then, Ceará made a good play and passed the ball to Pinga, who missed the penalty spot. Still in the first half, the Colorados complained about a penalty by Léo Moura in Mossoró. But the referee didn't award it.
At halftime, Flamengo fans called for grit. Before leaving the field, defender Ronaldo Angelim disagreed with the Flamengo fans, stating, "What's missing is a goal." He was right. Early in the second half, the same Ronaldo Angelim held up Índio: a penalty. Alex shot wide and missed the chance to open the scoring. It's worth remembering that in Bruno's debut for Flamengo last year, against the same Inter, Fernandão scored two goals from penalties, giving the Colorado team a 2-1 victory.
The next play brought controversy. Juan invaded the penalty area and was pushed by Alex. Héber Roberto Lopes' name wasn't shouted by the fans. What was heard in the stands was Edílson's name, a reference to Edílson Pereira de Carvalho, of the "Whistle Mafia."
In the 19th minute, Alex cleared his name and scored a stunning goal: he dribbled into the box, even past Bruno, and opened the scoring. It was Inter fans' turn to chant his name, Alex.
Just as the crisis seemed to be brewing at Flamengo, Ney Franco took off the persecuted Toró and Léo Lima, as well as Paulo Sérgio. Kayke, Gerson Magrão, and Luizinho came on, respectively. The fans were unforgiving, calling the coach stupid. To make matters worse, Claiton, who had been overlooked, scowled and pointed at the coach, turning the fans against him.
Ney Franco finally breathed a sigh of relief in the 31st minute. Juan crossed, and Angelim headed firmly into Clemer's right corner: 1-1. The goal brought a respite from the boos. But only briefly.
In the 41st minute, Adriano, who had come on at halftime, received a pass, passed Jaílton at will, and broke the tie: 2-1 Inter. More boos, more insults to Ney Franco, and fights in the stands.
When the Maracanã had already turned into a cauldron, with Ney Franco and his players burning in the red-black flames, the relief: Léo Moura slipped a ball to Juan, who touched it past Clemer: 2-2, in the 45th minute.
With the draw, Flamengo reaches six points. Flamengo has yet to win at home. Inter, with seven points, earned its first point away from home.
Ney Franco defends Flamengo players
Coach says there was no lack of quality, there was a lack of rhythm
Rodrigo Mandarini
Coach Ney Franco said Flamengo's absences were crucial to the team's failure to achieve a better result against Inter this Saturday at Maracanã. The coach was without Renato, Renato Augusto, Souza, and Paulinho in the 2-2 draw with Colorado.
"We lost a lot of players. I don't think the replacements lacked quality. What hindered us was the lack of rhythm. Toró, Jaílton, and Léo Lima weren't playing consistently," Ney noted.
With key players missing, Flamengo struggled to find suitable replacements. Ney Franco, however, refuses to admit the squad's weakness.
"We are carefully evaluating possible reinforcements. We have no replacements because we lost key players," he said.
Angelim thinks it doesn't matter whether it's 3-5-2 or 4-4-2
Defender says the important thing is to obey the coach
Defender Ronaldo Angelim scored Flamengo's first goal in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Inter at Maracanã Stadium. After the match, the player said that the 4-4-2 formation he used was no better or worse than the 3-5-2 he used in Sunday's 4-0 loss to Figueirense.
"Regardless of the style of play, the important thing is to do what the coach asks. 4-4-2 is the formation we've practiced most. But the other formation works too," he assured.
With the 4-4-2 formation, Angelim competes for a starting spot with Thiago. Thiago didn't play against Inter due to a suspension after receiving his third yellow card. There's also the possibility of Ney Franco starting Angelim and Thiago and taking out Irineu.