THE GLOBE
Caio Júnior commands Fla on the stage where he began his career
The coach became a professional at Grêmio, today's opponent of Flamengo.
Photo caption: CAIO JÚNIOR guides the team during training at Gávea: option for three defenders and Tardelli in attack
Flamengo will attempt to break a 16-year streak in the Brazilian Championship against Grêmio today at 12 p.m. The team hasn't won its first two games in the competition since 1996. And they'll do so away from home, something that proved to be a stumbling block for the team last year, having won only three times away from Rio in the Brazilian Championship. But the Olympic Stadium, the venue for the game, is a familiar setting for Flamengo coach Caio Júnior.
He spent eight years at Grêmio, where he arrived at the age of 15. There, in 1985, he turned professional and, in one of his first games, faced Flamengo. On April 14 of that year, he scored both goals in the Gauchos' 2-0 victory.
"I even joked with Andrade (assistant coach) and Ronaldo Torres (fitness coach) that I scored the goals against them. They played that match," Caio recalls. "But Grêmio and Olímpico have changed a lot. A new generation of fans has emerged who are incredibly supportive. It's become a melting pot."
A fresh start for Leonardo and Diego Tardelli in Gávea
But Caio prefers to look to the near future and sees a chance for a breakthrough. After the Grêmio match, four matches will come in Rio. To win today, he wants Flamengo to go beyond simply scoring. Without Souza and Obina, who are injured, he believes Diego Tardelli's entry is appropriate for the type of game he'll face.
- Having a fast team up front, with Tardelli and Marcinho, is excellent - says Caio.
The choice of Tardelli, in fact, illustrates the new phase the striker is experiencing at Gávea. A scorer of decisive goals in the Guanabara Cup and the State Championship, he wasn't a starter under Joel Santana. He seemed discouraged and seemed to gain new life with Caio's arrival. Defender Leonardo is in a similar situation. Almost forgotten under Joel, he started against Santos in the opening match and will be retained today. Caio Júnior expects a Grêmio team willing to press constantly, especially through physical strength and aerial play. That's why he opted for Leonardo. Jaílton left the third-choice defender role and returned to midfield.
"Playing with three defenders is no secret. At Goiás, we played that way. The change is that, for some time, we haven't been playing in the defensive position," said Leonardo, explaining that Fábio Luciano will be responsible for the shadow play, leaving him and Ronaldo Angelim to do the direct combat.
Flamengo: Bruno, Leonardo, Fabio Luciano and Ronaldo Angelim; Leonardo Moura, Jailton, Ibson, Kleberson and Juan; Diego Tardelli and Marcinho. Grêmio: Victor, Leo, Pereira and Réver; Paulo Sergio, Eduardo Costa, Rafael Carioca, Roger and Helder; Soares and Perea. Referee: Wilson Seneme (SP-FIFA).
BROADCAST: Rede Globo, Premiere and Rádio Globo
SPORTS JOURNAL
Curse that haunts the attackers
Diego Tardelli has not yet said whether he will accept playing with the number 9 shirt, Souza's
The curse of the number 9 jersey has haunted Flamengo this year. Souza, who wore that number in the Campeonato Carioca and Libertadores, has scored only six goals in five months, often being criticized by the fans. To make matters worse, he was ruled out of today's game due to a right foot injury. Obina, his replacement, also injured his right ankle in training last Friday. A cautious striker, Diego Tardelli, wants to continue wearing the number 11 jersey, which he has worn since arriving at Flamengo.
With the team's elimination from the Copa Libertadores, the fixed numbering system that had been in place since the beginning of the year also ended. But not even the possibility of wearing the center forward's number was enough to excite Diego Tardelli. As a result, it's still unclear who will wear number nine today.
Meanwhile, the true owner of the jersey will return to ball training tomorrow, while the rest of the group will be off. However, Souza's presence for the match against Internacional on Saturday at Maracanã is not yet guaranteed.
The possibility of the player being benched by coach Caio Júnior is also not ruled out. Based on the coach's statements this week, Diego Tardelli should earn a few more starting opportunities in the upcoming matches.
Roth: Flamengo is the best team in Brazil
Coach Celso Roth is one of those who doesn't like to sit on the fence. Having worked for three Rio clubs, he's always been firm in his views, even when often challenged. And on the eve of his first home game in this Brazilian Championship, he doesn't shy away from giving his opinion on Flamengo.
"They're the team playing the best football in Brazil right now. They've had a serious setback, but they have quality players and a well-organized team. They'll certainly give us a hard time," predicts Celso Roth.
After being eliminated from the Campeonato Gaúcho and Copa do Brasil repeatedly, Grêmio began to face criticism from the Rio Grande do Sul press and its fans. In this climate of apprehension, the team debuted in the Brazilian Championship against São Paulo at Morumbi Stadium. The 1-0 victory surprised many, but at the same time, it showed that the team was recovering. For this reason, the coach has already announced that he will repeat the lineup that worked well in São Paulo. It will be an opportunity for the red-and-blacks to reunite with Roger, who had a lackluster stint with the club last year.
Somewhere in the past
Caio Júnior leads Flamengo against the club for which he took his first kicks of the ball
Eduardo Lacombe and Thiago Bokel
Nina Lima/JS
Caio knows Grêmio's secrets well from playing at the Olímpico and hopes to surpass them.
Much more than just an opponent, coach Caio Júnior, upon entering the Olympic Stadium today at 16 p.m., will be confronted with his past. It was with Grêmio, Flamengo's rival this afternoon, that the current red-and-black coach took his first steps in football. Besides facing his second challenge at the helm of the club with the largest fan base in the world, he knows like few others the difficulties his team will face in the Rio Grande do Sul region.
Grêmio has a reputation for being nearly unbeatable in its stadium. There, its fanatical fans constantly cheer, transforming the pitch into a battlefield. It's undeniable that the football played in the South is different from the rest of the country.
Even with Uruguay's proximity, grit prevails over technique. Even more so when you have a local coach, as is the case today. The much-disputed Celso Roth is one of those coaches who doesn't mind playing poorly; he thinks only of victory.
For this reason, Caio Júnior fielded a more aggressive team, with three defenders to prevent the Gauchos' most dangerous play: the one resulting from a set piece. Even so, the coach's tactic is to exploit their speed while still attacking. From personal experience, Caio knows that staying on the defensive isn't enough.
"I spent eight years at Grêmio and I know the key to winning is to always attack them. Flamengo needs to do that. If they fall behind, the fans start to cheer, and the Olímpico becomes a cauldron," warns Caio Júnior, who still remembers a special match: "In 1985, in my first or second match as a professional, I scored the two goals that eliminated Flamengo from the Brazilian Championship that year. I even joked with Ronaldo Torres (fitness coach) and Andrade (assistant coach) because they were at that game," he explained.
Character
Given his history with the Rio Grande do Sul club, Caio Júnior, even if he doesn't play, will be the main character of the match. While he's already won over the Grêmio fans, he now needs to earn the trust of the red-and-blacks, and for that, a victory today is crucial.
For Caio Júnior, Tardelli deserves a chance
JS file
With his two goal-scorers, Obina and Souza, injured, coach Caio Júnior was forced to field a new attacking duo for Flamengo's Brasileirão match against Grêmio in Porto Alegre. Caio will field his team with Marcinho and Diego Tardelli (pictured) leading the attack. Marcinho has been a regular starter for some time, but Tardelli has yet to establish himself in the starting eleven since arriving at Flamengo at the start of the season.
For this reason, coach Caio Junior believes Tardelli has deserved another chance in the starting lineup for some time now. The striker has been playing well in matches, consistently creating good plays, especially on the counterattack, which will be Flamengo's weapon for Sunday's match at the Olímpico.
"Diego Tardelli deserved a chance to start. And he opened up a gap with Souza's problem. I've been following his performance and now we'll see how he'll behave starting from the start of the match," said the Flamengo manager.
Flamengo in the women's water polo final
Rio de Janeiro/RJ - Flamengo secured its place in the final of the Brazilian Under-17 Women's Water Polo Cup this Saturday morning (5/21) by defeating the home team, Tijuca Tênis, 10-2. The Rio de Janeiro red-and-black team will play the women's final at 9am this Sunday, 18/5, at Tijuca Tênis, against the winner of Tijuca and Botafogo, who will play this Saturday, starting at 17:30pm.
In the men's competition, with the results of the first phase, tonight's semifinals (Sat) will repeat the games from the morning shift: Flamengo x Tijuca, at 18:40 pm; and Fluminense x Botafogo, at 19:50 pm, always at the Tijuca pool, in the north zone of Rio de Janeiro. In the morning, Flamengo consolidated its lead in the first phase, beating Tijuca (4th) 11-10. Fluminense, the second best performer in the initial phase, beat Botafogo (9rd) 6-3.
The losers of the semifinals will play for bronze at 10:10 am this Sunday, while the winners will play the final from 11:20 am.
Flamengo defeats Botafogo in Showbol
Flamengo defeated Botafogo 10-8 this Saturday in the Brazilian Showbol Championship, which is being played in the Lagos Region of Rio de Janeiro. With the result, Flamengo qualified for the second phase of the competition, while Botafogo, with two losses in two games, is eliminated.
The match began with Flamengo dominating the match, leading 6-1 at halftime. Flamengo rallied in the second half. The standout performers were Djalminha for Flamengo and André Silva for Botafogo. Botafogo ends its campaign by playing Vasco, and Flamengo faces Fluminense in the battle for top spot in the Rio de Janeiro group.
THE DAY
At Fla, confidence and sprint
Fla wants to shine against Grêmio to win back the fans and find its way
Janir Junior
Rio - After the victory in the debut in the Brazilian Championship — 3-1 over Santos, in Rio —, Flamengo faces Grêmio, this Sunday, at 16 pm, at the Olympic Stadium, looking for a good result to regain the fans' confidence and also prepare the start of the sequence of four games that will take place at the Maracanã against Internacional (24/5), Fluminense (1/6), Figueirense (7/6) and São Paulo (14/6).
"I think it will be a tough game. Grêmio is coming off an important win against São Paulo away from home, and that boosted the players and fans' morale," analyzed Caio Júnior, who considers the draw in Porto Alegre a good result but believes in victory: "Flamengo will be balanced and will play to win."
When he talks about balance, the coach is referring to the fact that he fielded three center-backs, plus Jaílton to protect the defense. In attack, with Souza and Obina injured, he opted for Marcinho and Diego Tardelli.
"The start of the Brazilian Championship should be interesting for us. Those who start well in the competition have better chances. After that, we have four home games, and the fans' role at Maracanã will be important," Caio emphasizes.
The coach, who played for Grêmio from the age of 15 to 23, points out a difference in the profile of opposing fans.
"Nowadays, they're more encouraging and make a lot of noise. The stadium has become a cauldron," he assures.
But he has fond memories of Grêmio. As a player, Caio had just made the professional ranks when he scored the goal that secured the 1985 Campeonato Gaúcho title against Taffarel's Internacional.
In the mix between past and present, sadness and glory, a victory today will serve as another step on the difficult path to forgetting the tragedy that was the elimination in the Copa Libertadores, in the Maracanã.
“Little by little, we will regain the trust of both the players and the fans,” believes the red-and-black coach.
The two teams have faced each other 83 times, with Grêmio winning 28 times to Flamengo's 25, and 30 draws. The record isn't favorable, but the desire to erase the statistics and the recent embarrassment speak louder and want to silence the fans at the Olímpico once and for all.
Caio Júnior, the red-and-black architect
Flamengo's new coach, who faces the challenge of rebuilding the team after the Libertadores 'holocaust', finds inspiration in a book about the restructuring of Europe after the devastation of World War II.
Janir Junior
Rio - Post-War, A History of Europe Since 1945, chronicles the continent's journey after the devastation caused by the most violent war in history. Tony Judt's book is Caio Júnior's current reading. Coincidence or not, the 43-year-old coach is experiencing a situation at Flamengo similar to the one in the book. He needs to rebuild the club after one of football's greatest embarrassments, their 3-0 elimination from the Copa Libertadores to América-MEX at the Maracanã.
But, given Caio Júnior's profile, it's possible to believe in a comeback, especially after the 3-1 victory over Santos, in the Brazilian debut, and because of the respect he has for Flamengo.
“Everyone in football thinks about one day working for Flamengo because of the immensity it represents,” he says.
The calm coach talks, works on the players' psychology, uses a clipboard during training, but doesn't forgo technology.
"The computer is part of my job. I use it to prepare team briefings, research the market and players, and also to prepare my team. I specifically use the Tatica 3D program," reveals the coach, referring to the program that allows the creation and control of tactical schemes, manages each player's functions, movements, and tactical roles, initially inspired by the button-based field.
As a young coach, with experience at Paraná, Gama, Palmeiras, Goiás, among other less important clubs, Caio was questioned, but later received a warm welcome.
"The reception was excellent, both from the fans, who showed a lot of affection, and from the players, who supported my arrival. Rio is a beautiful city. I've always loved it here," says the coach, who is awaiting the arrival of his wife, Adriana, and youngest son, Gabriel. His other son, Matheus, lives in Curitiba, where he studies and works.
Just like the Post-War of 1945, Caio's mission at Flamengo is to rebuild a club, a 'nation' with 35 million fans.
Caio Junior's profile
Rio - Get to know the profile of Caio Júnior, Flamengo's new coach, who idolizes Zico and wants, by all means, to win over the Red-Black Nation
Movie: 'The Kite Runner'\ Food: Italian\ Bedside book: What I'm reading right now. 'Now, it's Post-War'.\ Drink: Wine\ TV shows: Globo Esporte\ Music genre: MPB\ Song: Dire Straits\ Perfume: Armani\ Color: I don't have a specific one. My wardrobe varies according to the colors of the clubs where I'm working.\ Uniform or suit on the sidelines: Uniform\ Actor: Tarcisio Meira\ Actress: Glória Menezes\ Religion: Catholic\ Superstition: I don't have any\ Brand of glasses: How many do you have? I have several from different brands. I received them all as gifts.\ Clothing brand: Zinco\ What do you do in your free time: I relax with my family, read, go to the movies, theater, and I like to visit restaurants.\ Soccer idol: Zico\ Idol in life: Jesus\ Do you remember when and from whom you got your first soccer shoe?: My cousin Mauro lent it to me so I could try out for Grêmio.\ Greatest joy in soccer: There have been many, but I'll mention the first. I had just been promoted to the Grêmio professional team, and in a decisive Grenal, I scored the winning goal against Internacional's Taffarel. We won the 1985 Campeonato Gaúcho.\ Biggest disappointment: Losing our place in the Libertadores in the final round against Palmeiras last year.\ Dream: Seeing my children healthy, happy, and fulfilled.\ Rio's tourist attraction: I've been to several, but my favorite is the Maracanã.\ Unforgettable trip: At the end of last year, I went to Europe with my family.\ Importance of family: Foundation, support.\ One phrase: The weak use force; the strong use dialogue!\ Message to Flamengo fans: I'll do everything I can to win over these fans.\
Joel embarks for South Africa
Rio - Coach Joel Santana left Tom Jobim International Airport for South Africa this Saturday. Even after the bitter farewell, with elimination from the Copa Libertadores, the coach was warmly celebrated by fans who crossed his path in the lobby.
In good spirits, Joel posed for photos with fans, had a snack, bought newspapers, and even had his shoes shined. The flight is expected to last about nine hours and has a layover in São Paulo. Joel arrives in South Africa this Sunday, where he will watch a Brazilian national team match.
Here are some tips that coach Parreira, whom Joel replaced in the position, left for the coach:
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
“In addition to Ronaldo Torres (physical trainer who will travel in the last week of June), Joel will be accompanied by another Brazilian: Jairo Leal (assistant) was with me, knows everything and will stay there.”
DEBUT
"It will be against Nigeria on the 1st, in the qualifiers for the 2010 African Cup of Nations. This game is similar to Brazil vs. Argentina, more due to the difficulty than the rivalry, as Africa has only beaten Nigeria once in nine or 10 meetings. If they lose, it won't be a disaster."
DESAFIO
"It's a beautiful country. It's good to live there. The biggest challenge is changing the face of their football. When I arrived, they had no touch on the ball, and the full-backs weren't supporting. There's already been an improvement, and we beat Paraguay 3-0."
HOME
"He'll be living in Mandela Square, in the Sandton neighborhood. He'll be staying in my apartment. Or rather, in the apartment I lived in (laughs), on the third floor of the Raphael Penthouse Suites. The apartment is about 120 square meters, with two bedrooms, a small 3x3 meter pool, a barbecue grill, and a large balcony overlooking a giant statue of Nelson Mandela. It's decorated with African motifs."
TEMPERATURE
“It’s cold. He’s going to face 10 degrees.”
MORDOMIA
"Joel will have a Mercedes-Benz with a driver, but he will rarely use it, as there is everything where he will live. The culinary center is impressive."
VIOLENCE
"It's a concern for the country, but he'll be living on Fantasy Island. There's violence and rape, but I haven't experienced it. There's racism, but not in an overt way."
JOB
"Three times a week, he'll have to go to the Federation. The biggest task is traveling to watch games in other cities. He'll often have to go to Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban."
CLIPBOARD AND LANGUAGE
"It's Joel's trademark. I used to write my lectures on my laptop, but that won't be a problem. And he's getting by with English. In six months, he'll be giving interviews."
RESISTANCE
"He can't take into account what the newspapers will say. When I went there, they said I would earn more than the president of the Republic. I told them I already had my own home, a house in Angra and a boat. The press there is sensationalist."
PLAYERS
"Joel will be working with a great group. Recently, during the Africa Cup, we stayed in a poor city, in a three-star hotel. The players shared double beds—can you imagine that?"
FLAMENGO
"I once saw someone wearing a Flamengo shirt, but he was Brazilian. Brazilian clubs don't carry any weight there. They're really fanatical about English football. On Saturdays, the television shows five English football matches live. They support Manchester and Arsenal."
SPORTS GAZETTE
Maxi Biancuchi gets a chance with Caio Júnior\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - In last year's Brazilian Championship, Argentine forward Maxi Biancuchi was a starter for Flamengo under Joel Santana and played an active role in the second-round surge that took the team to this year's Copa Libertadores. This season, however, the player has seen little use and often hasn't even made the bench. However, with Caio Júnior taking over as head coach, Maxi should get a few chances to show he can regain his place. With forwards Souza and Obina out with injuries, Maxi was included in the delegation that headed to Porto Alegre, where Flamengo will face Grêmio this Sunday at the Olímpico Stadium in the second round of the Brazilian Championship.
The 23-year-old Argentine striker has been with Flamengo since July of last year. He's made 29 appearances and scored three goals for the club, including the one that decided a Fla-Flu match. The striker was confirmed as a starter alongside Marcinho by coach Caio Júnior. Jônatas, another who had fallen out of favor with the former coach, is expected to be an option on the bench.
Striker Éder, despite not being selected for the trip, will have new opportunities. He had his contract renewed for another three months at the coach's request, and Maxi is expected to be an option for Caio Júnior in the South. With Obina's injury, the Argentine will have another chance to be among the reserves.
In addition to giving opportunities to some players who were on the sidelines, the coach is already requesting some players from the youth team. The first is midfielder Erik Flores, who will begin training with the group next Monday.
Flamengo and Grêmio fight for their second victory\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Victorious in the opening round of the Brazilian Championship, Grêmio and Flamengo will look to build on their strong start to the competition this Sunday when they face off at 16 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Olympic Stadium in Porto Alegre (RS). While the Gauchos arrive buoyed by a victory over defending champions São Paulo at Morumbi Stadium, Flamengo is looking to get back on track after beating Santos last week. Acquitted by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) earlier this week, coach Caio Júnior has had the entire week to prepare Flamengo for the battle in the south of the country. With extensive knowledge of Grêmio, where he played for many years as a player, the Flamengo manager asks for respect for the Gaucho team, but dreams of returning to Rio de Janeiro (RJ) with a victory.
"We know that Grêmio thrives when it plays at home, with the support of its fans. Furthermore, they have a very high-quality team. But Flamengo also has a great team and is capable of delivering good results," he emphasized.
After the clash against Grêmio, Flamengo will play four consecutive matches at Maracanã. Still seeking to reconnect with its fans after its traumatic elimination from the Copa Libertadores, Flamengo hopes a good result in the south will ease the fans' distrust.
"It would be great if we could get a good result, because we have four straight home games after that and a win in the south would bring our fans together to help us get off to a good start in the Brasileirão," the red-and-black coach emphasized.
One of Flamengo's bets is on attacking midfielder Marcinho, one of the standout players in the first round, when he scored a goal and provided a beautiful pass for Ibson to score another. The player is enjoying a good moment at the Rio de Janeiro club.
"To play for Flamengo, you have to dedicate yourself constantly, because the pressure is enormous. And that's exactly what I try to do in every game, giving my all in pursuit of victory," he stated.
And Marcinho will have a new teammate this Sunday. With Souza suffering an Achilles tendon injury and ruled out by Flamengo's doctors, as did Obina, who was injured on Friday, coach Caio Júnior, giving Diego Tardelli a chance. Defender Fábio Luciano, who missed the first round due to injury, is back at Flamengo. The Flamengo captain will form a defensive partnership with Ronaldo Angelim, a partnership they've had since last year's Brazilian Championship.
At Grêmio, coach Celso Roth makes no secret of his satisfaction with the team's performance in the Brazilian Championship opener against São Paulo. So much so that the coach won't make any changes to try to secure a second consecutive victory in the competition. However, the manager warns that the team isn't yet at its ideal level.
"The championship is just beginning. We have a lot of things to fix, and once we do, we'll move on," he emphasized.
Defender Pereira, who scored the winning goal against São Paulo, warns his teammates that the team needs to do their homework. "Since this is a points-based competition, we have to keep adding points, especially when we play at home. But our squad knows where it can go, and we have to win at the Olímpico," the player believes.
Grêmio set to face Flamengo\ By correspondent Ernani Campelo\
Porto Alegre (RS) - Coach Celso Roth has already named his Grêmio team to face Flamengo this Sunday at 16 p.m. at the Olímpico Stadium in the second round of the Brazilian Championship. Grêmio will maintain the 3-5-2 formation they used in their debut, when the Tricolor Gaúcho defeated São Paulo 1-0 at Morumbi Stadium. Celso Roth stated in his press conference this Friday that Flamengo currently has the best ball control in Brazilian football and has been playing excellent football, despite their loss to América of Mexico and subsequent elimination from the Copa Libertadores.
This Saturday morning, Celso led a tactical drill defining the Grêmio defensive system. The team from Rio Grande do Sul will start with Victor; Leo, Réver, and Pereira; Paulo Sérgio, Rafael Carioca, Eduardo Costa, Roger, and Helder; Perea and Soares.
PELENET
After a good start, Grêmio and Flamengo find themselves aiming for the lead
From UOL Esporte\In Porto Alegre\
Grêmio and Flamengo, clubs that started the Brazilian Championship with a victory, face each other this Sunday afternoon at the Olímpico stadium in Porto Alegre, in search of the three points that will guarantee a 100% success rate at the start of the competition and will leave whoever gets them among the leaders.
Caio Jr. changes Fla from 4-4-2 to 3-5-2
Roth can switch from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2
Both have faced recent disappointments, Grêmio due to the fiasco of their early elimination from the Copa do Brasil against Atlético-GO (along with their defeat in the State Championship), while Flamengo due to the incredible loss to América-MEX that eliminated them from the Copa Libertadores at the Maracanã stadium. Given this, the Tricolor and Rubro-Negro teams were left with the Brasileirão, in which they started well, recovering their good spirits.
Flamengo, which kicked off the season with a 3-1 home win over Santos, arrives in Porto Alegre led by a new coach, Caio Júnior. He knows the opponent well, having played for Grêmio for many years as a player, and claims to keep himself constantly informed about the Rio Grande do Sul team. For this Sunday's game, he's making two changes to his team. One is a tactical choice, the other is a necessity.
The biggest change will be the formation change, from former coach Joel Santana's 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2. Toró, a defensive midfielder, will be replaced by center-back Leonardo, who has the support of Caio Júnior. "This isn't exactly new; the team already played like this, but with a defensive midfielder—Jaílton—playing the third center-back role. So, for the match against Grêmio, I decided to play Leonardo because the opponent's high ball is very strong," explained the red-and-black coach.
The mandatory change is Diego Tardelli in place of Souza, who has an Achilles tendon injury. The immediate replacement would have been Obina, but Obina, with a sprained ankle, is also out.
At Grêmio, coach Celso Roth may also field a modified formation. He started the Brazilian Championship, a 1-0 victory over São Paulo at Morumbi Stadium, with a 3-5-2 formation, with the defensive trio consisting of Léo, Pereira, and Réver. However, the latter felt unwell on Saturday, the day before the game, and had to leave training, replaced by defensive midfielder Makelele. If the change remains, the team will field a 4-4-2 formation.
"I'm ready and I'm really looking forward to playing. I know that Grêmio fans like a team with grit and that's my thing," says Makelele, eager to have his name confirmed among the starters.
The Grêmio board expects 40 fans to watch the game between the two clubs that dream of asserting themselves as contenders for the 2008 Brazilian title.
Grêmio and Flamengo maintain balanced record in Brazilian Championships
From UOL Esporte\In Porto Alegre\
In October 2007 the last confrontation: Flamengo 2-0, with a goal by Souza (f)
Grêmio and Flamengo, clubs that play one of the biggest derbies in Brazilian football, will face each other this Sunday for the 43rd time in the history of the Brazilian Championship. And the record of this duel has shown a balance between the two forces, even though the Rio de Janeiro red-and-black team has won the title five times and the Rio Grande do Sul tricolor only twice.
In the 42 games played so far, Grêmio has won 15, Flamengo 13, and there have been 14 draws. The goal difference also favors the team from Rio Grande do Sul: 49 to 46.
At the Olympic Stadium, where they will face off this Sunday, 18 matches have already been played, with a clear advantage for Grêmio, winning ten, drawing six, and losing only two. However, one of those two defeats occurred in the 1982 Brasileirão final. On April 25 of that year, Flamengo won 1-0 in front of 62.256 people—the fourth-largest crowd in Grêmio's history in that competition.
In the most recent clashes last year, each team won one match. In the first round, a match played on July 22nd in Porto Alegre, Grêmio won 1-0, with an own goal by Irineu. In the return match, in Rio de Janeiro, Flamengo won 2-0, with goals from Souza and Ibson. The last meeting between the two clubs took place on October 21st and was part of the 32nd round of the Brasileirão.
Souza is expected to return to training on Monday at Flamengo
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Striker Souza is virtually pain-free in the Achilles tendon of his right foot and is expected to return to ball training on Monday. This means the number 9 could return to the team for the match against Internacional next Saturday at Maracanã Stadium in the third round of the Brazilian Championship.
Due to the injury, Souza will miss the Rubro-Negro's match this Sunday against Grêmio at the Olímpico, also in the Nacional. Obina was the first choice to replace him, but ended up spraining his right ankle.
With that, Diego Tardelli "inherited" the spot and will form the team's front line alongside the starter, and seemingly untouchable, Marcinho.
Flamengo should go to the field with: Bruno; Fábio Luciano, Leonardo and Ronaldo Angelim; Leonardo Moura, Jaílton, Kléberson, Ibson and Juan; Diego Tardelli and Marcinho.
GLOBOESPORTE
After good debuts, Grêmio and Flamengo face each other at the Olímpico
Diego Tardelli gets a starting spot for the Rubro-Negro team. Celso Roth tries to win over the Grêmio fans.
Caio Junior training Flamengo
Flamengo and Grêmio have faced difficult times in recent weeks. The Tricolor was eliminated from the Copa do Brasil and didn't even play in the Campeonato Gaúcho final. The Rubro-Negro lost at the Maracanã and said goodbye to the Copa Libertadores after losing to América-MEX. However, both clubs started the Brazilian Championship well. They beat Santos and São Paulo, respectively, in their opening matches. This Sunday, at 16 pm, at the Olímpico Stadium in Porto Alegre, the rivals hope to continue their march toward a new phase and the lead in the competition.
GLOBOESPORTE.COM will be following the match in real time. Rede Globo will be broadcasting the game live.
The match will be special for Flamengo, which is celebrating its 950th Brazilian Championship match. But the Rio de Janeiro team has problems. Souza and Obina are injured and will not play. This leaves Diego Tardelli open. The striker, who was instrumental in winning the Campeonato Carioca title, gets a starting spot alongside Marcinho.
"I have fond memories of the south. Last year, when I was at São Paulo, I scored one of the winning goals against Grêmio. It was the beginning of the title run," recalled Diego Tardelli.
Caio Júnior decided to change Flamengo's tactical formation due to Grêmio's strong aerial game. As a result, Toró lost his starting spot to defender Leonardo. The team will now play a 3-5-2 formation.
"We already played like this. The difference now is that we'll have three full-time defenders instead of one defensive midfielder (Jaílton). It's a change I decided to make for this match because Grêmio has three 1,90'XNUMX" defenders and knows how to exploit that very well," said the red-and-black coach.
As soon as the match against São Paulo ended, with a 1-0 victory at Morumbi Stadium, Celso Roth avoided the guillotine. If he failed, he would have been fired. With the good result, he gained prestige, but his situation is still not entirely comfortable. Much of the fans are not buying the coach. The fans' reaction will be measured this Sunday, in the first game at the Olímpico Stadium since the eliminations from the Campeonato Gaúcho and the Copa do Brasil. And it's precisely the match against the team that, according to Roth, plays the best football in Brazil right now.
"Flamengo has been doing very well since last year. And now they've added quality. They have skillful and fast players. I have the impression that they're the team playing the best football in Brazil right now, perhaps along with Cruzeiro. It's modern football, with everyone marking and going out to play," says Roth.
The team has no problems for the match against Flamengo. The tendency is to maintain the formation that beat São Paulo, but with a possible change in dynamics. Roth said that, with the same players from Morumbi, he can make the team more attacking. This is the change from 3-5-2 to 4-4-2. Réver moves from defense to the defensive midfield role, alongside Eduardo Costa. This gives young Rafael Carioca, a good pass rusher, more freedom and becomes an assistant to Roger in creating plays for forwards Soares and Perea. However, this is a more likely variation for the rest of the match. The team should indeed field three fixed defenders behind. Pereira is the sweeper.
The Tricolor board is banking on a packed stadium against the Red-Blacks. They believe that Inter's elimination from the Copa do Brasil will boost the Tricolor's spirits. Around 40 fans are expected to be present at the stadium.
Flamengo's lineup will depend on each opponent, says Caio
The coach will study each opponent before deciding which team will take the field.
From News Agencies in Rio de Janeiro
Caio: changes in the team depending on the opponent
Caio Júnior's decision to go with three defenders against Grêmio at the Olímpico doesn't mean Flamengo will always play this formation. According to the coach, the team's lineup will depend on the opponent, but without changing the team's style of play.
Against Grêmio, Caio Júnior's main concern is aerial play. That's why the coach opted to add an extra defender (Leonardo) and take off Toró.
"In today's football, you need to know your opponent to build the best possible team. But I can't change their characteristics. Each game is different. The opponent is playing at home, and we have to have a system that works. I thought it was a good idea to have three natural center-backs. We increase the defense's stature and add speed to the attack," says Caio Júnior.
The coach is betting on the success of the new attacking duo, formed by Marcinho and Diego Tardelli.
- The speed of this duo could be interesting.
Former Grêmio player, Caio Júnior was once Flamengo's executioner
In 1985, the current coach eliminated Rubro-negro from the Brazilian Championship
Thiago Lavinas From GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in Rio de Janeiro
Today at Fla, Caio Júnior was the executioner of Rubro-Negro in the 85 Brazilian Championship, when he played for Grêmio
Flamengo and Grêmio face off this Sunday at 16 p.m. at the Olímpico Stadium in Porto Alegre. Caio Júnior will be playing his second match as coach of the Rubro-Negro. Interestingly, just over 23 years ago, the current coach was responsible for the Rio de Janeiro team's elimination from the Brazilian Championship.
In 1985, Caio Júnior, in his first year as a professional, paved the way for Grêmio's 2-0 victory over Flamengo at the Olímpico Stadium. The second goal, scored by Osvaldo, came in the final minutes of the match. The result eliminated the Red-Black team from the Brazilian Championship.
"I was even joking around here with Ronaldo Torres (former Flamengo defender in the 80s and current fitness coach for the team), who was marking me in that match. And with Andrade, who also played in that match. I was just starting my career. It was one of my first games for Grêmio. And I scored one of the winning goals," recalls Caio Júnior.
The match took place on April 14th. Flamengo took to the field that day with Cantarele, Bigu, Ronaldo, Guto, Lula, Andrade, Gilmar, Marquinho, Toninho Cajuru (Heider), Chiquinho and Júlio Cesar. Grêmio played with Beto, Raul, Baidek, Rogério and Casemiro; Bonamigo, Osvaldo, Sabella (Luís Fernando) and Tarciso (Renato); Caio Júnior and Valdo.
Tardelli, away from the number 9 shirt
Striker doesn't plan on wearing 'cursed number' and sticks with 11
Thiago Lavinas From GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in Rio de Janeiro
Diego Tardelli will continue with the 11
The club's fixed numbering system for matches ended with its elimination from the Copa Libertadores. As a result, striker Diego Tardelli was advised not to wear the number 9 jersey in the match against Grêmio this Sunday at the Olímpico Stadium in Porto Alegre, in the second round of the Brazilian Championship.
The number is worn by Souza. The striker, who will not play and has remained in Rio de Janeiro undergoing treatment, is going through a difficult period and has not scored a goal in eight games.
Diego Tardelli has assured that he will continue wearing the number 11 jersey. And who will inherit the number 9 jersey this Sunday is still a mystery. It's possible that she won't even take the field. This way, Marcinho would continue wearing the number 22 jersey.
THROW
Leonardo worried about aerial balls
Grêmio's main move worries the red-black defender who could be a starter
Although not confirmed, Leonardo fears Grêmio's high-flying plays
LANCEPRESS!\ Defender Leonardo, who still doesn't know if he will start for Flamengo in the match against Grêmio, spoke about Grêmio's ability to play high balls.\
– Set pieces were predominant in my lineup and Caio has been talking to me about it – he said.
Leonardo is still competing with Toró for the last spot in the Rubro-Negro starting eleven who will take to the field this Sunday at the Olympic Stadium.
Fla doesn't have good memories of the Olympics
Last year, the team was going through a difficult time and lost to Grêmio
LANCEPRESS!\ The red-and-black nation hopes that this Sunday's match against Grêmio will be completely different from the one played in the 2007 Brazilian Championship at the Olympic Stadium. At that point, Flamengo, which was hovering in the relegation zone, lost 1-0 with a ridiculous own goal from defender Irineu in the second half.\
Souza also lost something else in that game: his head. The center forward elbowed Grêmio's Tcheco and was sent off in the first half (later suspended for seven games).
Goalkeeper Bruno, who performed well in last year's defeat but could do nothing to prevent the own goal, remembered that game and highlighted that there have been changes in the team since then.
"At that point, Flamengo was going through a difficult time. We were doing well in the game, but we conceded a goal and couldn't react. Today, it's a different story. We have a different squad, and we're going to go for the win," he stated.
The consequences of the defeat were traumatic. The following day, several fans protested at training in Gávea. The main target was then-coach Ney Franco, who was subjected to constant harassment, including during his press conference.
Other targets of the fans, who were frequently insulted, were the former Ipatinga players, including Irineu. The tension was so intense that even the football supervisor, Isaías Tinoco, climbed into the stands to talk to the fans, who also didn't spare the officials.
Flamengo hasn't won their first two since 1996
Rubro-Negro will try to break this streak in the Brazilian Championship against Grêmio
Cassius Leitao RIO DE JANEIRO
Flamengo has an excellent chance to break a losing streak this Sunday that has lasted since 1996. It was in that year's Brazilian Championship that the Red-Blacks last won their first two matches of the Brazilian Championship. After beating Santos, the Rio de Janeiro club faces Grêmio in Porto Alegre.
In 1996, Flamengo debuted with a 2-1 victory over Atlético Mineiro (goals by Marques and Ronaldo (own goal)) and in the second round they went to Barradão, in Salvador, and defeated Vitória 1-0, with a goal by defender Ronaldão.
From then on, Flamengo never had a convincing start to the Brazilian Championship. Perhaps this explains Flamengo's so many poor campaigns in recent years. It's worth noting that the club hasn't won the Brazilian Championship since 1992 and has been at risk of relegation on four occasions (2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005).
Check out Flamengo's first two games in the Brasileirão since 1996:
YEAR 1ST ROUND 2ND ROUND\ 1996 Fla 2 x 1 Atlético-MG Vitória 0 x 1 Fla\ 1997 Fla 2 x 3 Santos Bahia 1 x 0 Fla\ 1998 Fla 1 x 1 Botafogo Coritiba 1 x 3 Fla\ 1999 Fla 1 x 0 Ponte Preta Atlético-PR 3 x 2 Fla\ 2000 Juventude 1 x 1 Fla Fla 3 x 0 Grêmio\ 2001 Fla 0 x 0 Ponte Preta Goiás 2 x 0 Fla\ 2002 Internacional 1 x 3 Fla Fla 0 x 0 Juventude\ 2003 Fla 1 x 1 Coritiba Bahia 1 x 2 Fla\ 2004 Grêmio 0 x 0 Fla Fla 0 x 0 Ponte Preta\ 2005 Fla 1 x 1 Cruzeiro Figueirense 0 x 1 Fla\ 2006 Sao Paulo 1 x 0 Fla Fla 3 x 1 Juventude\ 2007 Fla 2 x 4 Palmeiras Goiás 1 x 3 Fla\ 2008 Fla 3 x 1 Santos Grêmio ? x ? Fla\
Caio Junior says Fla will be offensive at the Olímpico
But the coach highlights Grêmio's good result in the first round
Caio Júnior promises a team that plays forward (Archive)
LANCEPRESS!
In goalkeeper Bruno's opinion, a draw at the Olímpico would be a good result for Flamengo. But coach Caio Júnior has already made it clear that the team will play to beat Grêmio.
"I'm sure it will be a close game. They beat São Paulo away from home in the first round, and their fans will be at the Olímpico. Even so, Flamengo has to play to win. The big secret to playing well away from home is attacking the opponent."