THE GLOBE
Fla can put on the brakes to avoid long trips
Joel admits avoiding a rout over Bolognesi to avoid going to Mexico between the State finals
To have a chance of being the team with the best record in the first phase of the Libertadores, Flamengo needs to beat Coronel Bolognesi on Wednesday by a five-goal margin. But avoiding a long trip in the round of 16 seems to be the priority at Gávea. Yesterday, coach Joel Santana admitted that, to avoid a trip to Mexico in the middle of the state finals, he may opt for the second-best record.
"Our coaching staff will give us the options, and we'll have to make a choice. It might be a good idea to finish first or not," Joel said. "I was first once, I took on Boca Juniors, and I did well. The question is where to play."
The plan hits a snag: the opponent will depend on São Paulo's group matches, which will take place after Flamengo's match. Today, there's a good chance the team with the better record will face América from Mexico. However, even in second place, Flamengo could face the Mexicans. Other possible opponents include San Lorenzo from Argentina or Audax from Chile.
Full-back Juan was reported by the TJD (Department of Justice) for criticizing the refereeing in the match against Botafogo in the Taça Rio semifinal. He could be tried on the 30th, between the two state finals, and could face a sentence of one to four games. The prosecutor's office also appealed the recent acquittal of goalkeeper Bruno and the one-game suspensions of midfielders Toró and Jônatas. They may have to return to the TJD.
São Paulo midfielder Carlos Alberto was offered to Flamengo, who rejected him due to having too many players in the position.
FLA BASKETBALL
In the third game of the best-of-five South American Basketball League finals, Flamengo will face Regatas Corrientes on Tuesday at 19 p.m. at Maracanãzinho. The series is 2-0 in favor of the Argentine team. If Flamengo wins, the fourth game will be played on Wednesday at 17 p.m. at the same venue, before the club's Copa Libertadores match at Maracanã.
SPORTS JOURNAL
Souza lives a week of scares
Souza had a difficult week, with stomach problems and his father being robbed
Gávea's demolition derby, Souza, had a week to forget. First, the striker suffered from gastroenteritis, which kept him out of the second half of the match against Botafogo and from training earlier in the week. As if the digestive tract issue weren't enough, in the early hours of last Thursday, the player was shocked to learn that his father, 49-year-old port worker Wladimir de Souza Cardoso, had been shot at his doorstep after a robbery.
Despite the scare, the player participated normally in yesterday's training session in Gávea and, after training, explained to reporters what happened.
"He and my father were at his house, having a get-together with friends. When he arrived, he didn't have the gate control and called so we could open it. When he got out of the car, four men approached him, stole his gold chain and watch, and told him to run. As he was running away, they started shooting," said Souza, who said he had already asked his father to move: "I grew up in Bento Ribeiro, so I'm kind of used to these things. I've told my father several times to move, but since he was raised there, he doesn't want to leave at all," he said.
Wladimir de Souza Cardoso was hit twice, being wounded in the right leg and left foot.
Regarding the match on the 23rd, against Coronel Bolognesi, in the last round of the first phase of the Copa Libertadores, Douza said that he considers this game as just a training session for the final of the Campeonato Carioca, even knowing that the match is worth the leadership of Group 4 of the competition.
"We're actually looking at this game against Coronel Bolognesi as a training ground for the final. It's logical that if we're winning by 2-0, for example, we'll slow down a bit so we don't run the risk of getting injured," warned Souza.
Joel speculates on the advantages of the second-best campaign in the Libertadores
About to enter a sequence of decisive games between the State finals and the round of 6 of the Libertadores, coach Joel Santana explained that, for Flamengo, being first place overall in the Libertadores may not mean an easier path than the second best campaign.
According to the coach, it's preferable to face an Argentine or Uruguayan team rather than a Mexican team in the next stage of the competition. This is because the first leg of this stage's clash takes place exactly the week before the second leg of the Carioca final. Therefore, a longer trip would do more damage to the red-and-black team than an opponent considered stronger.
"It's much more advantageous to play there in Argentina or Uruguay than to have to go to Mexico and wear ourselves out on a long trip. Finishing second might be better for us than finishing first. We'll wait until Wednesday to see the other teams' results and see what will be best for Flamengo," Joel said in an interview with Rádio Globo.
In search of peace, before war
Joel Santana wants to take advantage of his stay in Teresópolis to regroup the team
Nathan de Lima and Thiago Bokel
Wallace Teixeira
Marcinho returned to training with the starters, as Renato Augusto continues to suffer from thigh pain
The air of Teresópolis, where Flamengo will travel next week to prepare for the Campeonato Carioca final and the match against Coronel Bolognesi in the Libertadores, will help coach Joel Santana bring the peace that his players would not have had in Rio.
The coach doesn't want to use the trip just to correct mistakes, but also to strengthen the players' mental health. "The most important aspect to work on will be the psychological aspect. There, I'll be able to spend more time with the players, share my experience, and calm them down, because whenever these decisive games approach, the tension increases," explains the coach.
Making it far in the South American competition, in fact, has become crucial for Flamengo. Struggling to pay salaries on time, the Board of Directors has already advanced the entire Petrobras sponsorship quota for 2008. Part of this amount (30%) was withheld by the Labor Court, and therefore, only revenue from the Libertadores—game ticket sales and bonuses for reaching the stage—would be able to alleviate the club's financial burden, which currently only has the guarantee of paying salaries until April.
For this reason, there are fears in Gávea that the team will have to face América of Mexico in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores. A trip to Mexico City would be exhausting and during the halftime break. Since América is already ranked as one of the worst second-placed teams in the group stage, it's quite likely that the club will cross paths with Flamengo.
"It would be much better to go to Argentina, as there would be less strain on them. Since their group game will be decided hours after our match, there's no point in speculating. Before, it would have been better to finish as one of the best top-ranked teams, but considering the level of those qualifying at the bottom, I don't know if that's such a good idea. We'll have two or three weeks to decide everything: Libertadores and Carioca," Joel assessed.
Yesterday, full-back Juan was indicted by the TJD (Department of Justice of the State of Rio de Janeiro) for allegedly insulting referee Péricles Bassols during the Taça Rio semifinal match against Botafogo. The trial is initially scheduled for the 30th, before the second leg of the Campeonato Carioca final. (TB)
THE DAY
Red alert in Fla
Full-back Juan is reported by the TJD Prosecutor's Office for a complaint and could be suspended for four matches, leaving the team out of the second game of the final.
Rodrigo Lima
Rio - Another Flamengo player could end up in the dock. Juan's comments at the end of the Rio Cup semifinal against the refereeing of Péricles Bassols Cortez could prevent the Flamengo full-back from competing in the state championship final on May 4th.
The player was charged by the Sports Justice Court Prosecutor's Office, citing Article 251 (complaining, through gestures or words, against refereeing decisions or disrespecting the referee and his assistants) of the Brazilian Sports Justice Code. The penalty could be up to four games. If convicted, Juan would miss the second leg of the State Championship final, as the initial trial date is set for the 30th of this month.
After the match, Juan said: "He won the game. The free kicks he called near our box were a joke. He didn't blow the whistle for us... The penalty was ridiculous; Toró won with his head and body. His concentration didn't do him any good."
For André Luiz Valentin, a prosecutor with the TJD, the charges against the defender were justified. "Juan said too much; there was no way this could go unnoticed, and that's why he was charged," the prosecutor said.
He also recently filed an appeal against the outcome of the trial of Bruno, Jônatas, Toró and Obina, who were tried due to incidents in Botafogo's 3-2 defeat in the first phase of the championship.
Being first doesn't excite
Joel stated yesterday that he may forgo the fight for first place in the first phase of the Copa Libertadores. To overtake Fluminense and secure the best record, Flamengo needs to beat Coronel Bolognesi on Wednesday by at least five goals. A challenge that doesn't motivate Joel much.
"Suddenly, being first isn't even a big deal. The problem isn't so much the opponent, but where the team will have to travel to play. If we can avoid long distances, it will be much better," said Joel.
Today, the youth team will play the Taça Rio title against Macaé at 15 p.m. in Édson Passos. The winner will face Fluminense in the state final.
Joel doesn't think that first place in the Libertadores is essential
Rio - Coach Joel Santana led a training session this Friday at Gávea and fielded his starting lineup with just one change: Marcinho, replacing Renato Augusto, who has been rested from training following a collision in the derby against Botafogo.
In the middle of the activity, the coach tested striker Diego Tardelli in place of midfielder Kleberson, making the team a little more offensive.
At the end of training, Joel spoke to the press. For the coach, finishing first among all the Libertadores teams isn't the team's main goal.
"We'll analyze all these games and the possible matchups. Our goal is to avoid overexerting the team with long trips. When I say "we" I mean myself, Isaias Tinoco, Ronaldo Torres, and our entire coaching staff," he declared.
In fact, Joel fears that, even with first place among the 16 qualified clubs (for that the club needs to beat Coronel Bolognesi by 5 goals), Flamengo could face an opponent like América, from Mexico.
Souza downplays the scare with his father
Rio - Even with qualification for the next stage of the Libertadores guaranteed, striker Souza said after this afternoon's collective training session in Gávea that the red-black team has to approach the game against Coronel Bolognesi very seriously, as they are fighting for a good position in the table of the South American competition and preparing for the final of the Campeonato Carioca.
"We're focused. It will be important to play well against Coronel Bolognesi, as we're fighting for a good position in the Libertadores standings, which gives us some privileges in the next stages. Furthermore, it will be a good test for the Campeonato Carioca final against Botafogo or Fluminense."
For the striker, the trip to Granja Comary, next week, will be important for the red-black group.
"It will be very good for the work. At Granja, the group is more united, we talk more, and that's important."
Flamengo's number nine spoke a little about his father, who was shot last night in Rio, after an attempted robbery.
"It was just a scare. He's home now and everything is fine."
SPORTS GAZETTE
Flamengo heads to Granja Comary on Monday\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Caught up in some issues that have angered him in recent days, such as the alleged harassment by the South African national team and the dissatisfaction of players like Diego Tardelli, Marcinho and Gavilán, coach Joel Santana made his decision and decided to take Flamengo to Granja Comary this Monday.\ The team will return to Rio de Janeiro (RJ) to face Coronel Bolognesi on Wednesday, in the last round of the first phase of the Copa Libertadores, and then will return to Granja to prepare for the finals of the Campeonato Carioca.\
"It'll be good for us all to be together and thinking about the state final. The other times we've gone out, it worked out, and this time it will work out too. The coaching staff and the board know what they're doing," said right-back Leonardo Moura.
The stay at Granja Comary will also be important for Flamengo's coaching staff to recover attacking midfielder Renato Augusto, who has been complaining of pain in his right leg in recent days. The player will only face Coronel Bolognesi if he is fully recovered. Otherwise, he will be replaced by Marcinho.
So, Joel Santana has the following team in mind for next Wednesday: Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Cristian, Kléberson, Ibson and Toró; Renato Souza and Souza.
Fla still believes in hegemony in the competition\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - After Fluminense's victory over LDU last Wednesday, Flamengo found itself in a tough spot to become the team with the best record in the entire first phase of the Copa Libertadores. Even so, Flamengo remains confident that it can win by five or more goals and erase the Rio de Janeiro team's goal difference advantage. "The group is much more mature today than last year. We learned a lot from the 2007 Libertadores and now we understand the importance of playing well away from home," said defender Leonardo.
"Our victory in Peru gave us even more confidence that we can do well even without playing in front of our fans. We're going to approach the match against Bolognesi with all seriousness because it's important to finish in the best possible position. This could be decisive for the next rounds," the defender added.
Off the field, Flamengo's board has already decided that Gavilán, whose contract expires on the 23rd, will be allowed to continue training at the club until a transfer to another team is finalized. Signed at the beginning of the year, the Paraguayan has rarely been used by coach Joel Santana. Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, will only comment on the matter after the state final.
Meanwhile, Flamengo president Márcio Braga had lunch this week with Fabiano Farah, striker Ronaldo's agent. The Rio de Janeiro club's director, who dreams of having Ronaldo for next season, offered the club's facilities for the athlete to recover from his knee injury.
Juan may be suspended by the TJD\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Flamengo risks an unexpected absence for the second leg of the Campeonato Carioca final. After harshly criticizing referee Péricles Bassols in the derby against Botafogo last Sunday, left-back Juan was charged in the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice under Article 251 (Complaining, through gestures or words, against refereeing decisions or disrespecting the referee and his assistants). "Juan talked too much; there was no way this could go unnoticed, and that's why he was charged. The Prosecutor's Office believes the athlete must be sentenced to the penalties set forth in this article," said prosecutor André Valentim.
Juan is scheduled to be tried on Wednesday, April 30. This means he is guaranteed at least a spot in the first game of the Carioca final on the 27th.
PELENET
Juan is reported by the TJD-RJ and may be out of action for Flamengo
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
As expected, Flamengo left-back Juan has been charged by the Rio de Janeiro Sports Court (TJD/RJ) Prosecutor's Office. The player will have to answer for his strong statements regarding referee Péricles Bassols Cortez's actions in the Flamengo's 3-0 loss to Botafogo last Sunday in the Taça Rio semifinal, the second round of the State Championship. The trial is expected to take place next Wednesday.
Juan criticized the performance of referee Péricles Bassols Cortez and will be tried by the TJD-RJ
The player was charged under Article 251 (Complaining, by gestures or words, against refereeing decisions or disrespecting the referee and his assistants) of the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice (CBJD). Punishment for this type of case ranges from a one- to four-game suspension.
"Juan said too much, there was no way this could go unnoticed and that's why he was reported. The Prosecutor's Office understands that the athlete must be convicted under the article's penalties," said André Luiz Valentin, Prosecutor of the TJD-RJ, to the website Justicadesportiva.
Outraged by the referee's performance, Juan let rip as he left the field. Hot-headed and stunned by the negative result, the full-back claimed that Péricles Bassols "would have won the match" for the black and whites.
According to Juan, the referee applied different weights to similar situations, awarding excessive fouls near Flamengo's penalty area and failing to do so on the black and white field. The number six also complained about Toró's penalty on Jorge Henrique, which led to Glorioso's third goal.
Defender Leonardo is released and returns to training at Flamengo
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Defender Leonardo is back at Flamengo. The defender, a backup to Fábio Luciano, spent nearly two weeks treating inflammation in his left foot, which prevented him from participating in the 2-2 draw against Vasco da Gama on April 6th, in the final round of the Taça Rio, the second round of the State Championship. Coach Joel Santana fielded a mixed squad.
Recovered, Leonardo will still face a strong competition for a place in Flamengo's defense.
"I was sad not to have played. It was bad to be out for so long, but it's good that I'll have time to train and get back into a good rhythm since we only play next week," said the defender, referring to the match against Coronel Bolognesi-PER, on Wednesday, at Maracanã, in the last round of the group stage of the Copa Libertadores.
Despite all the anxiety about returning to the field, Leonardo will have to work hard to play effectively, as the starting defensive duo (Ronaldo Angelim and Fábio Luciano) has more and more confidence from coach Joel Santana every day.
But while Leonardo is back, the same can't be said for Jônatas. Still recovering from a left thigh injury, the midfielder is limited to a few laps around the Gávea field and is only expected to be released for the first leg of the State Championship final on April 27th. The red-and-black opponent will be coming off the Botafogo vs. Fluminense matchup, which will decide the Taça Rio in the second round of the State Championship on Sunday.
Flamengo president had lunch with Ronaldo's agent
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Apparently, Flamengo has already launched a new "task force" to sign striker Ronaldo from Milan. This Thursday, Flamengo president Márcio Braga had lunch with Fabiano Farah and Amir Bocaiúva, the player's agent and lawyer, respectively.
Leandro Taques/AE/AE
Striker Ronaldo continues to be a source of speculation within the red-black club
"It was a social lunch. It wasn't business-related. He (Ronaldo) has a contract with Milan. The priority now is his treatment. At the end of the year, when he returns to playing, we'll deal with this situation," the director said evasively.
Last week, the player once again declared his love for the Gávea club and, in an interview with the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, admitted his desire to play for the Rio de Janeiro club before returning to Milan.
Ronaldo has been in Brazil since February 9th to treat a serious left knee injury (a ruptured patellar tendon), which will keep him out of action for about nine months. The "Phenomenon" was injured on February 13th during a Serie A match between Milan and Livorno. Days later, he underwent surgery in a Paris hospital.
Flamengo and Ronaldo: An old relationship
The Rio de Janeiro club has long dreamed of signing Ronaldo. In December 2007, between Christmas and New Year's, the club's board held a press conference to discuss the matter. According to vice president of football Kleber Leite, a "task force" would be created to sign the striker.
However, Milan dug in their heels and refused to release the player. Ronaldo continued playing for the Italian club until he suffered the injury that once again forced him out of action.
GLOBOESPORTE
Flamengo boys compete in the Rio Cup final
Rubro-Negro faces Macaé this Saturday. The team's standout is midfielder Erick Flores.
Eduardo Peixoto
Adílio leads Fla's juniors in the final
After failing to win the Guanabara Cup, Flamengo has a chance to secure a spot in the final of the Rio de Janeiro Junior Championship this Saturday against Macaé. The match takes place at 15 p.m. at the Edson Passos Stadium in Mesquita.
The current three-time champions of the category, Rubro-Negro, performed poorly in the first round and didn't even reach the semifinals. But in the Rio Cup, Adílio's team regained their dominance and qualified first in Group A.
In the semifinals, they defeated Resende 1-0, with a goal by Paulo Sergio. Flamengo's youth team includes two players who have already had a chance in the professional ranks: Paulo Sergio himself and defensive midfielder Aírton. However, the team's biggest star is midfielder Erick Flores. The number 8 player highlights the team's strong work.
- The team worked hard all week. It's time to put it into practice - he says
Flamengo will enter the field with the following formation: Marcelo; Davidson, Anderson Bamba, Wellinton and Leozinho; Aírton, Antônio, Erick Flores and Renan; Paulo Sergio and Pedro Beda.
Juan is reported by the TJD
Rubro-negro full-back could be suspended for up to four games
Juan's statements after the defeat to Botafogo could keep him out of the Carioca final
Juan's comments at the end of the Taça Rio semifinal could become a major headache for the Flamengo defender. He was reported by the Rio de Janeiro Sports Court Prosecutor's Office, and was included under Article 251 (Complaining, by gestures or words, against refereeing decisions or disrespecting the referee and his assistants) of the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice. If convicted, Juan could be ruled out of the final of the Campeonato Carioca.
For André Luiz Valentin, prosecutor for the TJD/RJ, the full-back's accusation was fair.
"Juan said too much; there was no way this could go unnoticed, and that's why he was reported. The Prosecutor's Office believes the athlete should be convicted under the terms of the article," he said in an interview with the website Justiça Desportiva.
The initial trial date is set for Wednesday, April 30, but has not yet been confirmed.
Joel doesn't think it's 'business' to be the best
Coach hints that he may ask players not to thrash Bolognesi
Eduardo Peixoto
Joel Santana can 'stop' his players
While Fluminense coach Renato Gaúcho boasts about his best ever Libertadores Cup campaign, Joel Santana smiles. The Flamengo coach points out that being first in this stage isn't always a sign of an easy life.
Remember that when he managed Vasco in the South American competition in 2001, he won every match in the group stage. However, he faced Boca Juniors in the round of 16 and was eliminated.
To overtake Fluminense and take the lead, Flamengo needs to beat Coronel Bolognesi on Wednesday at Maracanã by at least five goals. A challenge that doesn't exactly motivate Joel.
"Suddenly, being first isn't the only option. You have to know how to play, manipulate the possibilities, and make choices. Let's look at the possibilities and see if it's worth going for it," he says.
In the current scenario, there are two possibilities for the red-and-black team's path. The first is daunting. Facing América, with the first game in Mexico City, between the two state finals. The other option, at the moment, is to face the second-place team in Group 7, which could be São Paulo, Nacional-COL, or Audax.
"It's much better to play in Argentina, in Uruguay, which is very close by, than to go to Mexico. We'll choose where we'll play," says Joel.
The big problem is that the final games in Group 7 kick off at 21:50 PM on the 23rd. Flamengo plays on the same date, but at 19:30 PM. Therefore, there's little choice. If they stumble against Bolognesi, the club could move into second place in their group. To do so, Nacional simply needs to defeat Cienciano in Montevideo.
Collective
Despite the possibility of asking his players not to thrash Bolognesi, Joel tested an attacking formation in Friday's training session. At one point, he replaced Kleberson with Diego Tardelli. The attack still included Souza and Marcinho. In midfield, Jaílton replaced Cristian. Even so, the reserves won 4-3.
After the scare, Souza trains at Fla
The striker's father was shot on Thursday night. The player didn't have a good week.
Eduardo Peixoto
Flamengo's Souza gives an interview after a scare with his father
Souza's week wasn't the best. First, he was out of training due to gastroenteritis. On Thursday, the Flamengo forward's father was shot outside his home in Sulacap.
Despite facing so many problems, the player participated normally in training this Friday at Gávea. Last to enter the field, Souza spoke briefly with his friend Egídio and began training. Without showing any discouragement, he scored the first goal for the starters.
After an attempted robbery in Sulacap, Wladimir de Souza Cardoso was injured in the right leg and left foot, but is doing well and is at home. The player was at his parents' house playing cards and commented on the incident.
"My father arrived home and didn't have the remote control to open the garage. While he was waiting, they announced the robbery. He handed over everything and told him to run. At that point, they fired a lot of shots. I don't know if the condominium security guards shot at the robbers and they fired back," says the player.
Dad doesn't want to move
Despite the scare, he assures that Wladimir does not intend to move.
"I even made him an offer, but he really likes it there. Especially because Sulacap is very close to Bento Ribeiro, the neighborhood where we lived for a long time," says the player, who currently lives in Barra.
Marcelinho: suspension should only be for one game
Flamengo's board is confident that its star athlete will be on the court this Tuesday
Thiago Fernandes
Marcelinho Machado should be able to take the court this Tuesday
Sent off in Flamengo's loss to Regatas Corrientes in the first match of the South American League's decisive series, point guard Marcelinho is expected to be suspended for only one game. Since he sat out the second decisive match, the team captain could have already taken the field on Tuesday, when Flamengo needs a win to force a fourth game.
"The Consubasquet commissioners told me that Marcelo might only miss one game. The referee says in the match report that the player insulted him, but the TV footage shows he didn't. We have to wait and see, but I believe he'll be able to help the team win on Tuesday," says Arnaldo Szpiro, Flamengo's basketball director.
Consubasquet is expected to announce the number of games Marcelinho will miss this Saturday. This will allow coach Paulo Chupeta to consider how he will prepare his team for the third game of the final.
Team arrives exhausted
The red-and-black delegation went straight from the gym to a bus that took them from Corrientes to the Asunción airport (Pará). From there, the players and coaching staff continued on to São Paulo, where they took a shuttle flight to Rio de Janeiro. Since there wasn't enough room for everyone on the same plane, the delegation was divided into groups.
"We arrived battered, damaged, whatever... The trip was very tiring, especially since it was right after the match. But the players will rest so we can start to fix the situation on Tuesday," says Arnaldo.
Flamengo will need a lot of unity to turn around the decisive series against Corrientes
With two losses in Argentina, Flamengo finds itself in a delicate position in the series. If Corrientes wins another game, they will be crowned South American champions. Therefore, Flamengo needs to win Tuesday's and Wednesday's matches in Rio to secure a fifth match in Argentina.
Even with the unfavorable situation, the club's board believes in a turnaround in the series, including a victory in Argentina, in the last game.
"We have to take it game by game. First, we have to win Tuesday to force a Wednesday match and, if all goes well, tie the series. I believe we can win the fifth match in Argentina. In the second game, we maintained a completely different approach, and if we had Marcelinho to alternate with the rest of the team, we might have achieved a different result."
Free of inflammation, Leonardo returns
Flamengo defender is available to coach Joel Santana for upcoming games.
Leonardo returns to training at Flamengo
Defender Leonardo has been cleared by Flamengo's doctors to play for the club. The player was sidelined last week due to inflammation in his left foot. Because of the problem, he was ruled out of the derby against Vasco da Gama on April 6th, moments before the game.
"I was very upset when I couldn't play in the derby against Vasco, because it was a match in which I was extremely motivated to defend Flamengo. Being out for a week was bad for me, but at least I'll have time to recover from those days without training, after all, we only play on the 23rd," he says, referring to the Libertadores match against Coronel Bolognesi.
Jônatas\ Midfielder Jônatas, meanwhile, circled the field last Thursday. He continues to recover from a muscle injury in his right thigh. He is expected to return to the team for the first leg of the final, on the 27th.\
THROW
Tardelli is highlighted in a collective in Gávea
The striker has a good performance and leaves his mark on the reserve team and the starting team.
Tardelli was tested in the starting lineup
LANCEPRESS!
At the training session held in Gávea this Friday afternoon, coach Joel Santana had a headache. Striker Diego Tardelli started as a reserve but performed so well on the field that he earned a starting spot. The striker made his mark on both teams and performed very well.
The reserves defeated the starters 4-3, with goals from Tardelli, Jaílton, Kleberson, and Egídio for the reserves, and Egídio (own goal), Léo Moura, and Tardelli for the starters. The main team's defeat was due to a great performance by goalkeeper Marcelo Lomba for the reserves.\ In addition to Tardelli, Joel Santana tested Jaílton in Cristian's place in the starting lineup and explained the changes.\
"I'm testing the best possible formation. With Tardelli's entry, the offensive part went very well. As a result, the reserves became more engaged in the game and joined the collective effort. I brought in Jaílton to reinforce the defensive marking. I'll continue testing again to define Wednesday's lineup," he stated.
Flamengo plays on Wednesday against Coronel Bolognesi (BOL), at Maracanã, at 19:30 pm, for the last game of the group stage of the Copa Libertadores.
Flamengo decides junior round with Macaé
Saturday's match will determine Fluminense's opponent in the State final\ LANCEPRESS!\
Flamengo will face Macaé this Saturday at 15 p.m. in Édson Passos Stadium in the final of the Taça Rio of the Carioca Junior Championship. Whoever wins this round will face Fluminense (the Taça Guanabara champion) in the state final.
The current three-time state champions in the category, Flamengo are favorites against the Norte-Fluminense team and hope to maintain their dominance. Flamengo's hope for the second-round final is striker Paulo Sérgio. Besides having had a few opportunities with Flamengo's first team, he is the competition's top scorer with 16 goals.
The finals of the State Championship are scheduled for April 27th and May 4th and will in principle be held in the preliminaries of the two final games between professionals, which will be between Flamengo and the winner of Botafogo and Fluminense.
Léo Moura: 'I want to end my career here'
Right-back vows his love for Flamengo, his childhood club
Leonardo Moura has been a Flamengo starter for three years (Credit: Cléber Mendes)
LANCEPRESS!
After bouncing around for several clubs in Brazil and abroad, Leonardo Moura has found his feet at Flamengo. Having spent three years at Gávea, the right-back has made no secret of the fact that Flamengo has been his childhood passion and is already planning to end his career with his beloved club.
At 29, Léo Moura is at the peak of his football career. Earlier this year, he earned his first call-up to the Brazilian national team and faced Ireland in Dublin.
The LANCE! reporting team confirmed his connection with Flamengo last year. Léo Moura provided an archive photo of himself standing next to Zico on the Maracanã pitch. He was one of the Flamengo mascots at the time and now intends to further his love for his childhood club.
"I'm not leaving Flamengo for another club in Brazil. I want to end my career here. If I have a choice, I'll stay at Flamengo. Flamengo is my home, I have the trust of the fans, the coaches who come through here, and everyone on the coaching staff," declared the Flamengo fullback.
This relationship between Léo Moura and Flamengo is likely to last a long time. The full-back makes no secret of the fact that he feels at home in Gávea:
"It's a childhood passion, and everything worked out really well here. I have four more years on my contract, which gives me security."
Joel Santana's trip to Granja Comary pleases him
Flamengo will prepare for the State Championship final in Teresópolis\ LANCEPRESS!\
The coaching staff approved the delegation's trip to Granja Comary in Teresópolis to prepare for the Campeonato Carioca finals. Coach Joel Santana took the opportunity to say that communication with the players is greater when the team takes refuge.
"You spend more time with the player and can share your experience through advice. It gives you more peace of mind to work with," said coach Joel Santana.
Flamengo will travel to Teresópolis on Monday, return to Rio on Wednesday to face Coronel Bolognesi, at Maracanã, for the Copa Libertadores and return the following day to the Serrana Region.
São Paulo is still waiting for the Bolinha Cup
Juvenal Juvêncio maintains contact with the president of the CBF, Ricardo Teixeira\ LANCEPRESS!\
São Paulo is still awaiting the Bolinhas Cup, as it is, according to the club itself, the first five-time Brazilian champion. President Juvenal Juvêncio has already heard from Ricardo Teixeira, president of the CBF, that the trophy will be placed in the São Paulo club's trophy room at Morumbi Stadium. However, São Paulo fans are unhappy with the delay, as the promise was made in the last quarter of 2007.
"He (Ricardo Teixeira) told me he's going to give us the cup, but he's always busy or traveling. Every time I see him, I ask, 'What about the cup, President?' He tells me we'll receive it later," Juvêncio commented.
For now, the trophy remains in Rio de Janeiro, in the vaults of Caixa Econômica Federal. The CBF announced that it would award it to São Paulo in the final rounds of the 2007 Brasileirão, after the fifth title was already secured. However, it changed its mind and dropped the matter.