THE GLOBE
The future in 90 minutes
Fla puts stability, squad value and money on the line against Nacional
Photo caption: JUAN PUT THE BALL BACK INTO PLAY IN THE PLAYERS' MATCH, YESTERDAY, IN Gávea: AFTER JUST 16 MINUTES OF PLAY, JOEL SANTANA ALLOWED THE PLAYERS TO PLAY
Carlos Eduardo Mansur
In 90 minutes, Flamengo will be putting much more than just three points on the line against Nacional of Uruguay. Today, at 21:45 p.m., at the Maracanã, a slip-up could be fatal and diminish Flamengo's chances of qualifying for the second round of the Libertadores, a competition that focuses much of Flamengo's planning for the 2008 season. At Gávea, where only a surpassing last year's campaign was considered, the consequences of a poor result could be felt for a long time.
To show its strength at Maracanã, Flamengo will have important support. As of yesterday, nearly 30 tickets had been sold. The expectation is that 45 Flamengo fans will be at Maracanã. With a win, the team will return, at least provisionally, to the top of Group 4.
A defeat, however, would seriously undermine the club's asset valuation plan. The club's policy in 2008 was to invest nearly R$14 million in purchasing player rights and signing long-term contracts to profit from the players' appreciation.
"We currently estimate that our squad has assets worth close to 50 million. But this will only materialize with good results in international competitions," said vice president of football Kleber Leite. "It wouldn't be the end of the world. We have a project for the entire year. But it carries enormous weight in every sense, and I hope the players are aware of this."
"The Libertadores is the main thing. That's what we're betting on," said coach Joel Santana.
Marcinho should be a starter today
Another concern at Gávea is the instability that an early exit from the Libertadores would bring. In 2007, the loss to Defensor had repercussions that lasted almost the entire first round of the Brazilian Championship.
- With all this investment, we need to win - warned president Márcio Braga.
- With the team we've put together, it's tough to leave prematurely - assessed Kleber Leite.
There's also the financial aspect. For participating in the first stage, Flamengo has already received US$330. Reaching the round of 180 guarantees an additional US$220. Those who reach the quarterfinals receive an additional US$310, and the semifinalist receives an additional US$2. The champion receives an additional US$600 million, compared to US$2,7 for the runner-up. In total, the route from the round of 4 to the title yields US$2 million, plus US$XNUMX million for participating in the FIFA World Cup. The club also expects to raise an additional R$XNUMX million in ticket sales by attending the Copa Libertadores finals.
"You have to pay the bill at the end of the month. But, as a business, the Libertadores is far from paradise. It only gets reasonable in the finals," said Kleber Leite.
Yesterday, a 16-minute training session led Joel Santana to practically decide to start Marcinho. The day before, he had tested Diego Tardelli in his place. Joel maintained his doubts, but showed that the team that trained yesterday should play.
"Marcinho helps with the fighting, and we need workers," said Joel, explaining the short duration of the training session, followed by the players' traditional kickabout. "I told the group I would hold a 25- to 30-minute training session, and they just asked that I let them play their game afterward. The training session went well, it put me at ease, and I decided to interrupt it and let the players play the kickabout."
Today, psychologist Paulo Ribeiro will work with the cast.
"They'll have to control their anxiety, avoid arguing with the referee, swallow their own nerves, and help each other on the field. And all of this under intense pressure. The responsibility for winning lies entirely with Flamengo," said the psychologist.
Flamengo: Bruno, Luizinho, Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Cristian, Ibson, Kleberson and Marcinho; Renato Augusto and Souza. Nacional: Vieira, Romero, Acosta, Victorino and Barone; Oscar Morales, Cardacio, Bertolo and Arismendi; Fornaroli and Richard Morales. Referee: Carlos Amarilla (Paraguay).\ TRANSMISSION: Rede Globo and Rádios Globo and CBN\
Summary can help Jônatas
The red-black board will show that the referee made a mistake
Flamengo's board already knows how to proceed to acquit Jônatas, who was sent off against Botafogo. The defense will rely on referee Marcelo de Souza Pinto's own report. He claims he sent off Jônatas because, after receiving a yellow card, the player continued to complain. However, footage of the match shows that the referee issued a yellow card and immediately took the red card out of his pocket and showed it to Jônatas, who had not received another yellow card during the match, a fact confirmed by the report itself. Therefore, issuing the yellow and red cards sequentially is not justified.
Yesterday, Flamengo's vice president of football, Kleber Leite, said that, when he drew the court prosecutor's attention to the actions of the Flamengo players, Carlos Augusto Montenegro, director of Botafogo, made a mistake, when he stated that Flamengo's board had acknowledged that there had been violence on the part of its athletes.
"No one here said there was violence. Yes, there was, just bad temper. My impression is that Montenegro has ushered in a new kind of crying, the crying of victory," Kleber quipped.
On the other side, Montenegro fired back immediately. He reiterated his accusations and didn't spare Toró:
"For Botafogo, I'm always crying and laughing. And I think it's wrong to only complain when you lose. Some Flamengo players were extremely violent. Toró said that football is for men. I think so too. But men don't kick anyone in the head, much less attack ball boys. That's cowardly, criminal stuff."
SPORTS JOURNAL
Uruguayans hide their game and say they are not afraid of Maracanã
Photo by Wallace Teixeira
The Uruguayans, with Morales at the front, trained at night at Maracanã
The shenanigans began before the ball even rolled. In Rio since Monday, Nacional de Montevideo has adopted a mysterious tactic to avoid giving Flamengo any clues. On the day they arrived in the city, a training session was scheduled for 20 PM at Laranjeiras. However, the group only arrived at Fluminense's headquarters at 22:30 PM. Even so, coach Gerardo Pelusso didn't try any rehearsed plays.
Yesterday, the Uruguayans spent the entire day at their hotel in Barra da Tijuca and didn't come down to meet with the press. Only reserve player Lorero spoke to reporters.
Early in the evening, the group went to Maracanã to check out the pitch, but again arrived late, this time by 30 minutes. They did a recreational training session, followed by a quick tactical activity.
Despite the mystery, what is known about the team is that their best player, Martin Ligüera, will likely be benched, as Pelusso believes he doesn't fit into the 4-4-2 formation they'll be using tonight. This leaves Uruguay's main threat to the team, the towering striker Richard Morales, who recently stated he's not afraid of playing in a packed Maracanã stadium.
Mengo plays the year in 90 minutes
The club's fate in 2008 depends on the result of today's match against Nacional
Diego Marrul, Nathan de Lima and Thiago Bokel
Photo by Úrsula Nery
Marcinho could start the game, in which a victory would be enough to maintain the Libertadores dream.
A year in 90 minutes. As much as it may seem like an exaggeration, this is the deadline Flamengo has to decide its fate in 2008. That's because, if it doesn't defeat Nacional Montevideo today at 21:50 p.m. at the Maracanã, it will be difficult to keep alive its chances of remaining in the Copa Libertadores, this year's most important competition.
The importance of a positive result extends far beyond the pitch. Flamengo spent over R$14 million on signings alone to strengthen its squad. An early elimination could cause irreparable financial damage. Furthermore, heads are certain to roll if they fail. With this tense atmosphere, the players still have an obligation to show that the psychological instability seen in some matches is a thing of the past.
These aren't the only challenges Flamengo will face today. The players are tasked with proving on the field that Joel's Family remains stronger and more united than ever, and that it's still possible to recapture last year's victorious football, which so captivated the fans, even if it wasn't quite a spectacle.
Ticket sales are not encouraging
As has become routine, whenever Flamengo needs a win, they turn to their greatest ally: the fans. But for this decisive match against Nacional, sales are not encouraging. As of yesterday, 29.899 tickets had been sold, out of 68.080 available. The crowd is expected to be approximately 50 today, a modest number for a crowd capable of filling the Maracanã stadium on its own.
For this reason, goalkeeper Bruno, one of the team's biggest idols, made a point of inviting fans to attend the game.
"When we play at Maracanã it's different. We're at home, the pitch is bigger and, most importantly, we have the support of our fans. I'm sure they'll make the difference," predicted the goalkeeper, who also showed Flamengo's shortcuts for victory tonight: "We need to be calm because Nacional will come here to play dirty. Their strength is aerial play, and they have a big striker (Richard Morales), who is very good. But we'll play as if it were the last match of our lives," he promised.
Marcinho prepared — A surprise for coach Joel Santana at yesterday's training session, midfielder Marcinho didn't deviate from his usual rhetoric when describing his expectations of starting in today's match: "I don't know if I'll play yet, but I'm ready, I've trained a lot. If Joel picks me, I'll try to deliver," said Marcinho, who is competing for the starting spot with Diego Tardelli. (TB)
Juniors play postponed classic
After another thrilling match last Sunday in the senior division, Flamengo and Botafogo face off again, this time in the Campeonato Carioca de Juniores (Rio de Janeiro Junior Championship). The match, valid for the fourth round, has been rescheduled for today at 15 p.m. in Gávea.
Botafogo could have four important reinforcements who were training with the senior squad: right-back Índio, defender Rodrigo Fabiano, defensive midfielder Wellington Júnior, and midfielder Rodrigo Dantas. However, Wellington Júnior, with heel pain, and forward Victor Castro, who was stepped on in training, are doubtful. Flamengo's hope lies with two players who are currently enjoying excellent form: midfielder Erick Flores and forward Pedro Beda.
Flamengo - Marcelo, Davidson, Anderson, Rafael and Leo; Airton, D. Moura, Erick Flores and Guilherme; Paulo Sérgio and Pedro Beda.\ Coach: Adílio.\
Botafogo - Bruno, Índio, R. Fabiano, Alex and Gabriel; Romário (Wellington Jr.), Édson, Jougle and R. Dantas; Junior and Diego (Victor Castro).\ Coach: Luizinho Rangel.\
Poor cousin of the Champions League
Kleber Leite laments the Libertadores prize: “The first phase is a joke”
Nathan de Lima and Thiago Bokel
Ursula Nery/JS
Joel talks to the players before the training session that defined the team that will face Nacional
The Copa Libertadores is the dream of any Brazilian team. But financially, the premier club competition in the Americas is far from satisfying its leaders. According to Vice President of Football Kleber Leite, what teams receive to play in the first phase of the competition is "a complete joke," since all travel expenses come from the club's own coffers.
While in Europe, the Champions League pays clubs approximately R$3 million per point earned in the first phase, here in the Americas, CONMEBOL allocates only US$10 per home game to all teams. Since each team plays three home games in the first phase, and adding the US$300 in TV fees, each club receives only US$330 for six matches, which averages US$55 per game.
"I know it's a different reality, but in Europe you pay €1 million per point earned. Barcelona scored 16 points in the first phase and received €16 million. Here, what we receive per game is laughable," he said.
Right after yesterday's training session, Kleber Leite responded to accusations made by former Botafogo president and collaborator, Carlos Augusto Montenegro, who accused the prosecutor of the Sports Justice Court (TJD), André Luiz Valentim, of being less strict with Flamengo players than he was with Botafogo players, during the Guanabara Cup final.
Kleber Leite responded to Montenegro's criticism with good humor, saying that no, contrary to what Montenegro reported, at no time did Flamengo's board say that its players were violent.
"Carlos Augusto Montenegro made a statement that doesn't reflect reality. He said that our Board of Directors agreed with the accusation that our players had been violent. We never said that. When we apologized to our fans, it was for the players' temper, not for the violence. Montenegro inaugurated a new kind of crying, the crying of victory," the director quipped.
Joel comes to the team's defense
Flamengo has been involved in many disputes this year, resulting in numerous expulsions, something that is already bothering the club's board. Coach Joel Santana defended his players and the team's fighting spirit.
"The fans understand our proposal, and we understand them. All they want is to go to the stadium and see a team with grit and attitude. In the game against Botafogo, we had nine men on the field and still went after the opponent. This has to be celebrated, because it doesn't happen every day," said the manager.
The coach made a point of remembering that the defeats are having greater proportions than they really should have, after all there were only three, two of them with the reserve team.
"We won the Guanabara Cup, but here, victories have become commonplace and defeats have become nightmares. The game that really made the difference is the one against Bolognesi, when we played better and couldn't win. Against Nacional, it was normal, we really didn't play a great game and we deserved to lose," he concluded.
Kleber Leite: 'Montenegro is inventing a new type of crying'
File/JS
Flamengo director Kléber Leite was not at all pleased with the statements made by Carlos Augusto Montenegro, Botafogo's football contributor. Montenegro said in a recent interview that Flamengo's board acknowledged the violence committed by its players in last Sunday's derby. Kléber Leite made a point of responding to the Botafogo fan, claiming he hadn't said anything of the sort, merely asking the players to calm down.
"Obina's tackle was a violent act, yes, but there was no aggression. In Jônatas' case, there wasn't even contact; if that had happened, he would have at least had a bump on his head. There was no recognition of aggression here. Montenegro is inventing a new kind of crying, the crying of a winner; that never existed," Kléber told Rádio Globo.
Instability
In a game, fights, controversies, and vanity will need to be forgotten. If they win, few will remember the loss to Botafogo with a mixed team on Sunday, or above all, the emotional instability seen in Montevideo, when they had two players sent off and were thrashed 3-0. At this point, another necessity arises: to give the Uruguayans back the negative result.
For all these reasons, Flamengo should be a much more than warrior team tonight. The Football Department's balance sheet is not yet in the red, thanks to winning the Guanabara Cup, which proved the team's ability to compete. However, the most important thing right now is not to lose the trust of its greatest ally, the fans, who, together with the team, make Flamengo virtually unbeatable at Maracanã.
Flamengo: Bruno, Luizinho, Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Cristian, Ibson, Kleberson and Renato Augusto; Marcinho (Diego Tardelli) and Souza Coach: Joel Santana
National: Viera, Acosta, Victorino, Barone and Romero; Cardacio, O. Morales, Arismendi and Bertolo; Richard Morales and Fornaroli\ Coach: Gerardo Pelusso\
THE DAY
Marcinho could take Diego Tardelli's place
Rio - In Tuesday's training session at Gávea, coach Joel Santana used about 15 minutes to test a possible alternative for Wednesday's match against Nacional, at Maracanã, valid for the Copa Libertadores.
In the starting lineup, the coach tested attacking midfielder Marcinho in Diego Tardelli's place, trying to add more pace to the attack. The experiment worked. Despite the 0-0 draw in the quick training session, the starters pressed the entire time and even hit the post twice, with shots from Marcinho himself and Kleberson. Renato Augusto trained with the starters the entire time and was confirmed by Joel for the match against the Uruguayans.
"Renato will play. The only doubt is between Marcinho and Diego Tardelli," revealed the coach.
After the quick training session, the players returned to play a kickabout. Obina and Juan were their teams' goalkeepers.
Flamengo is in third place in Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores, with four points from three matches. Their opponent leads the group with six points (the same score as Cienciano), but has the advantage on goal difference.
Fla will have a black and white ball boy in the match against Nacional
Raphael Roque
Rio - In Uruguay, Flamengo suffered with ball boy Nicolas Domínguez, who led to Toró's red card. Today, when they face Nacional at Maracanã at 21:45 p.m., the Red-Blacks, desperate for a win, will have support from the sidelines to speed up the ball replacements. But you can bet it won't be all-out. One of the ball boys, José Carlos Góes Jr., is... a black-and-white fan!
He was working on last Sunday's derby when the Flamengo fans prohibited him from quickly returning the ball to the corner. The goal was to avoid surprises from Lúcio Flávio's quick kick, a deadly weapon for Botafogo. Now, José Carlos finds it strange that Flamengo is in such a hurry.
"On Sunday, they asked us to put the ball in very slowly. So, there's no reason to rush tomorrow (today)," the 15-year-old said mischievously.
If it doesn't slow down the game, one tactic to slow it down is to leave the ball on the ground, on the sidelines, instead of handing it to the players. José Carlos promises to do his job, but calmly, without despair. He usually asks his idols for their shirts, but this time he declines. Unless it's a Uruguayan one, of course.
"When the team is losing, they complain a lot and get nervous. But I don't get upset," said the boy, who will be working as a ball boy for the fifth time.
With nearly 30 tickets sold as of yesterday, a large crowd is expected at Maracanã. A victory is crucial for Flamengo, who sits third in Group 4 with four points. Nacional and Cienciano share the lead with six.
Run more
William Henrique Gomes, 17, is excited about the prospect of helping his team. "I'll have to run more, right? The ball can't stop outside the field," said the young man, who despite his passion doesn't absolve his teammate's tormentor.
"Toró couldn't have done that in Uruguay. I was upset. If it were up to me, he'd see it coming," he challenged.
Despite Suderj's preference for ball boys who are fans of the teams involved in the games, they are prohibited from cheering on goals. They are also prohibited from entering the field at the end of matches to celebrate victories or titles. The penalty for those who fail to comply is exclusion from the squad. Today, one of the two will have to work hard to contain their joy. Whether a fan or a hair dryer, a broad smile will be the maximum permitted.
Crying with joy
Bruno gets emotional after receiving a flag from the fans and makes vows of eternal love
Rodrigo Lima
Rio - The red-and-black wall melted like butter yesterday. Goalkeeper Bruno burst into tears, but it was out of joy. The player received a tribute from the Urubu Guerreiro fans, who had a flag made with the face of the red-and-black number 1. "Now he's on the same level as the great idols, like Zico, Nunes, Dida, among others," said José Carlos Peruano, leader of the fans.
Bruno was overcome with emotion and cried like a child as he recalled his difficult childhood and his dream of becoming a national idol. "I arrived here two years ago and never imagined this would happen," said the goalkeeper, pledging his love for Flamengo. "It's because of these things that I always say I want to play here for another ten years."
But emotion gave way to seriousness. Bruno knows that all this passion could turn to frustration if the team doesn't secure a victory over Nacional today. Therefore, the goalkeeper, an example of sobriety on the field, urged his teammates to remain calm. "We have to do what we know how. We have the team to overcome this opponent, even though it's like a final."
However, in recent decisions, the team has performed very well. "We just need to repeat the formula," said the player, who will recommend a light doping regimen to the squad. "We'll have passion fruit juice for lunch," he joked.
Coach Joel Santana is aware of the decisive nature of today's match. So much so that the coach broke with his training routine and, at the request of the team, which had lost 3-0 to the juniors on Monday, held a training session yesterday, lasting just 16 minutes, the day before the match.
Joel tested a highly attacking formation, with Marcinho in midfield. While keeping the role a secret, the coach hinted that he would move Renato Augusto forward alongside Souza, blocking Diego Tardelli.
Midfielder Léo Medeiros will leave Gávea. At Ney Franco's request, Atlético-PR will sign him on loan until the end of the year.
Joel warns that Flamengo will play for the fans
Rio - The expression "playing for the fans" has never been so meaningful. For Flamengo coach Joel Santana, Flamengo's path to victory will be guided by the Flamengo characteristic that most appeals to the nation: grit. The coach, demonstrating the close bond between the team and his twelfth player, stated that "the fans understand the team's purpose, and the team understands theirs."
"We want the fans who have been supporting us for six months. They understand our proposal, and we understand theirs. What do we want? A fierce, confident fan base that goes to Maracanã knowing we'll give them what they want: grit, desire, determination, dedication, otherwise it's no fun. Our game plan is this: to give this to the fans, that's what we expect from the players," Joel explained in an interview with Rádio Globo.
When asked what the influences of recent failures against Nacional, to whom Flamengo lost 3-0 in the first leg in Uruguay, and against Botafogo, because they were defeated 3-2, last Sunday, would be, the red-black coach downplayed the results:
"I think we're building many more victories than defeats; we won the Guanabra Cup, for example. The problem is that here, at the moment, victories are normal and defeats are nightmares," said the coach, who, after the loss to Botafogo, was irritated by complaints from Botafogo fans about aggression from the red-and-blacks, stating that "we are always the little devils and they (the black-and-whites) are the little angels."
For the man with the clipboard, what really made a negative difference in the red-black season was the draw with the weak Coronel Bolognesi, in Peru, in the 1st round of the Copa Libertadores.
"What made the difference was the game against Bolognesi, which we could have won and then we would have practically qualified. Of the three competitions we're going to compete in this year, the Libertadores is the main one. We don't want to leave now, we want to continue on this path a little longer," he declared, in a worried tone.
Pre-departure group therapy
The team will watch a video to learn how to control their nerves and avoid falling into the Uruguayan trap.
Marluci Martins
Rio - It won't be on a couch—the backless couch used by analysts—but on regular chairs. Nor will it be in an office, but rather in the training camp. There, in a 15-minute conversation with psychologist Paulo Ribeiro, the Flamengo players will undergo a kind of group therapy.
A 7-minute video titled "Choice" will illustrate the talk that precedes coach Joel Santana's pre-match talk. Paulo Ribeiro, the club's psychologist for 19 years, hopes to get the players' minds in shape for the match against Nacional.
“The Flamengo player will always have his nerves on edge, but I'm sure the team's behavior will already be positive, even though I detected a very strong anxiety,” he said, worried about the team's poor performance in recent games, and especially in the defeat (3-2) to Botafogo.
The hunt for the ghosts haunting the red-and-blacks began Monday night. After dinner, the players had a 40-minute meeting with the psychologist, coach Joel Santana, and vice-president of football Kléber Leite.
"We haven't found an explanation for what's happening. The behavior off the field doesn't reflect what happens on the field. I won't say everyone has a connection, but the atmosphere is friendly," the psychologist stated. "Even though we haven't fully figured out what's happening, each of us has committed to reflecting."
Souza in treatment
The work developed by the psychologist has been directed at the group, but one player in particular has been receiving individualized treatment: striker Souza.
"I instructed him to breathe and count to five before having an explosive reaction. He calls me 'my psychologist' and is already admitting that he has been able to control himself, but he expects to receive praise for it, which has not been happening," he highlighted.
Kléber Leite: 'Montenegro is starting the crying in victory'
A black and white collaborator responds to the irony of Flamengo's vice-president
Rio - Flamengo vice-president Kléber Leite was angered by the statements made by Botafogo's football collaborator Carlos Augusto Montenegro, who demanded punishment for the red-blacks who allegedly attacked the black-and-white players and argued that Flamengo's own board recognized the attacks.
"Obina's behavior was wrong; it was an unnecessary, violent tackle. In Jônatas' case, if it had been an attack, the opponent would have at least had a chicken on his head. What wasn't confirmed. What we recognize is that there was an outburst. That's all. Montenegro is entering a new stage of crying. Crying in victory," he vented.
Botafogo's football collaborator, Carlos Augusto Montenegro, responded to Kléber's statements, who mocked him by saying that the black and white team was starting the crying game after the victory.
The black and white fan admitted that he will always cry for Botafogo, whether in defeat or victory. And that he will always complain when he feels he's been wronged or attacked, regardless of the match's outcome.
Finally, Montenegro said he agrees with Toró, a Flamengo player, when he says that football is for men, but he took a dig at the Flamengo midfielder by declaring that anyone who kicks an opponent in the head is a coward.
SPORTS GAZETTE
Flamengo decides survival against Nacional\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Struggling with disciplinary issues within its team, which has seen numerous players sent off this season, Flamengo is preparing for a major decision this Wednesday. Third in its Copa Libertadores group, the Rubro-Negro team faces Nacional-URU at 21:50 pm (Brasília time) at the Maracanã stadium. Flamengo desperately needs a win to maintain its chances of qualifying, having four points and two behind Nacional and Cienciano-PER. In the days leading up to Wednesday's game, coach Joel Santana and Flamengo's board tried to talk to the group, emphasizing the need to maintain balance if it wants to achieve its goals this season.
"I don't know if it's life today, the stress, but a player loses a game and it feels like the world has ended. Sports aren't like that. Of course, we all always strive for victory, but we can't lose our heads in adverse situations," the coach stated.
Despite Joel Santana's apparent composure, the red-and-black squad knows that the atmosphere at Gávea could change if they slip up against the Uruguayans. The Libertadores is considered the club's top priority for 2008. "Everyone is very anxious for this game against Nacional to arrive. We want to prove that what happened in Uruguay (the 3-0 defeat) was a fatality," said midfielder Ibson.
To try to calm the squad, psychologist Paulo Ribeiro spoke with the Flamengo squad on Monday night at the club's training camp. "It was a very important meeting. We tried to look for possible causes for what's happening. And to our surprise, we didn't find any, because the picture we're portraying isn't a true reflection of the Flamengo squad, where friendship is very strong. What's been happening doesn't reflect the reality at Flamengo. But we need to change our tone a bit so that these situations don't happen again," said Ribeiro.
Having been sent off in the match against Nacional in Montevideo, right-back Leonardo Moura and midfielder Toró are suspended. Therefore, Joel Santana is expected to field Luizinho on the wing and Renato Augusto as the main organizer in the Flamengo midfield.
Nacional, on the other hand, assures that they have no fears about facing a packed Maracanã stadium this Wednesday. The Uruguayan team's main player, striker Richard Morales, says the Celeste team is prepared to return from Rio de Janeiro with a strong result. "Nacional is an experienced team, accustomed to playing away from home, and they know how to handle pressure and control a game," Morales stated.
At Flamengo, Joel tests Marcinho among the starters\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - The poor performance of the starters in Monday's training session led Joel Santana to conduct an experiment with Flamengo, during the quick training session he led on Tuesday afternoon at Gávea. Attacking midfielder Marcinho trained in Diego Tardelli's place, but the coach did not confirm whether the change will be repeated in this Wednesday's game against Nacional-URU in the Copa Libertadores. What is certain is that right-back Luizinho and midfielder Renato Augusto will replace the suspended Leonardo Moura and Toró. Just like the day before, both were back in the starting lineup on Tuesday.
With four points in their group, Flamengo needs to win to avoid further complicating their chances of qualifying.
President of Cienciano says Flamengo fears Cusco
Cusco (Peru) - Juvenal Silva, president of Cienciano, said on Tuesday that Flamengo is afraid of playing in Cusco, a city located at an altitude of 3300 meters and which will host the duel between the two teams on April 9th, for Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores da América.\ "Of course they are afraid," said the president, adding that Flamengo president, Márcio Braga, is "wrong" in arguing that his team will not play in Cusco because it is one of the high altitude cities banned by FIFA.\
"Argentines and Uruguayans have already played in Cusco, and no one died. On the contrary, they returned to their countries stronger and full of energy because they had the luxury of visiting Machu Picchu," Juvenal Silva added.
Another player who also stirred up controversy during the match was striker Gustavo Vassalo, who asserted that none of the players had any problems in Cusco due to the altitude. "If they think they're the best, let them show it on game day," the player teased.
PELENET
Flamengo starters downplay defeat to reserves in training session
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo's week of preparation for Wednesday's match against Nacional-URU at the Maracanã in Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores da América got off to a rocky start. On Monday, at Gávea Stadium, the starting lineup was defeated by the reserves (including some juniors) 3-0. Despite the defeat, the players tried to downplay the situation.
Midfielder Kléberson sees no problem in the starting team's defeat to the reserves
"The collective is very different from a match. Some players don't go all out in the tackles, even to avoid any teammates getting injured," said midfielder Kléberson.
Fábio Luciano also echoed the midfielder's sentiments. However, looking at it from a different perspective, the defender was pleased with the team's defeat.
"It's good that it happened now, because we can correct our mistakes. Our goal is to go into the match against Nacional ready to win and leave Maracanã with the three points," he highlighted.
Regardless of the matchday result, Flamengo is already set for the match. Midfielder Renato Augusto trained with the starters and is confirmed. Right-back Leonardo Moura and midfielder Toró, suspended, will not play.
Goalkeeper Bruno, who participated in the classic against Botafogo (a 3-2 defeat for the red-and-black team) this Sunday at Maracanã, for the Taça Rio, the second round of the State Championship, did not participate in the training session and was working separately. He was replaced by Marcelo Lomba.
Therefore, fully defined, Flamengo faces the Uruguayans in this way: Bruno, Luizinho, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Cristian, Kléberson, Ibson and Renato Augusto; Diego Tardelli and Souza.
With four points, Flamengo is in third place in Group 4. Nacional and Cienciano-PER are in the lead with six, but the Uruguayans have the advantage on goal difference (3-1). Coronel Bolognesi-PER is in last place with just one.
Flamengo relies on the strength of its fans to win the National Championship
Pedro Ponzoni\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo's players and coach, Joel Santana, will have an important ally to help them maintain their chances of qualifying for the round of 29.899 of the Copa Libertadores da América: their fans. As of Tuesday afternoon, 21 tickets had been sold for the crucial match against Nacional-URU, scheduled for Wednesday at 50:4 p.m. at the Maracanã Stadium. The match is part of the fourth round of Group XNUMX of the South American competition.
Coach Joel Santana trusts in the strength of the red-black fans in this Wednesday's match
"The difference between this match and the one against Uruguay (a 3-0 defeat) is that we will be playing at home. We will be playing in our beloved homeland and we will have the support of our fans," said Joel Santana, adding.
"We'll be fierce. Flamengo will show a lot of grit and commitment from the first minute to the last. We'll play the way the fans like, you can be sure of that," he added.
Goalkeeper Bruno echoed the Flamengo manager's words. However, the number 1 went further, warning that Flamengo will face Nacional with the spirit of the final stretch of the 2007 Brazilian Championship.
"We know this game is crucial for Flamengo. We need to go in with the same enthusiasm we had in the last few games last year. We need to show who's boss at Maracanã," he said.
In the 2007 Brazilian Championship, Flamengo made a strong start, finishing third. This strong finish secured the Red-Black team a spot in this year's Copa Libertadores.
Kleber Leite: "Botafogo inaugurated the victory cry"
Pedro Ponzoni\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Last Sunday, Botafogo defeated Flamengo 3-2 in a fourth-round match of the Taça Rio, the second round of the State Championship. However, the derby is still a hot topic, and the atmosphere remains heated, especially behind the scenes.
It all started on Monday, when Flamengo board member Carlos Augusto Montenegro said that Flamengo's board acknowledged that its players had abused violence during the derby. Therefore, Jônatas, Toró, and Obina should be punished by the Sports Justice Court (TJD-RJ).
Irritated by Montenegro's statements, Flamengo's vice president of football, Kleber Leite, gathered journalists for a "press conference" in Gávea on Tuesday.
"He didn't answer truthfully when he said that. Flamengo's board never acknowledged that their players were aggressive. We did say that there was an outburst. Botafogo started the victory crying," he joked.
Kleber Leite referred to the complaints from Botafogo players and coach Cuca, after the black and white team's defeat to Flamengo in the final of the Guanabara Cup, the first round of the State Championship.
In last Sunday's derby, midfielder Jônatas and forward Obina were sent off. Furthermore, Toró was caught on TV cameras kicking Botafogo goalkeeper Castillo in the head after Flamengo's second goal.
Asked if he would take any administrative measures regarding the players sent off in the classic, Kleber Leite stated that the matter was an internal matter.
"We had a productive meeting at the training camp. A lot was discussed. The Flamengo players will not repeat the bad behavior of recent games. I won't comment on any kind of punishment here, as I want to protect them," he concluded.
In a 16-minute collective, Joel changes Flamengo for Wednesday
Pedro Ponzoni\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Joel Santana led a training session lasting just 16 minutes on Tuesday afternoon at Gávea. Compared to the work done on Monday (the starters lost 3-0), the red-and-black coach took off striker Diego Tardelli and tested midfielder Marcinho.
Marcinho is part of the starting lineup and should be a starter this Wednesday
With this change, midfielder Renato Augusto moved from his original position to attack, alongside Souza. Otherwise, the team remained largely unchanged. Right-back Leonardo Moura and midfielder Toró, who were sent off in the match in Montevideo, are the only players missing.
"Marcinho is fast and good at marking. I have a doubt and I may also play Diego Tardelli. But I still have time to decide. We are workers and all the players are up to the task," warned Joel Santana.
In this way, Flamengo must face Nacional-URU, this Wednesday, at Maracanã, for Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores da América with the following formation: Bruno, Luizinho, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Cristian, Kléberson, Ibson and Marcinho; Renato Augusto and Souza.
With four points, Rubro-Negro is in third place in the group, behind Uruguay and Cienciano-PER, who both have six. Coronel Bolognesi is last with just one.
For Flamengo's psychologist, the team needs to have attitude and balance
Pedro Ponzoni\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo's lack of control in matches is the main topic of conversation at Gávea. In the Libertadores match against Nacional-URU in Montevideo, midfielder Toró and right-back Leonardo Moura were sent off. Last Sunday, against Botafogo in the State Championship, midfielder Jônatas and forward Obina received red cards.
This Wednesday, Flamengo needs to beat Nacional at the Maracanã in Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores da América. With four points, Flamengo is in third place, behind the Uruguayans and Cienciano-PER, who both have six. Coronel Bolognesi is last with just one.
Toró was sent off in the game in Montevideo and will be out of Flamengo's squad this Wednesday.
"The portrait of Flamengo on the field is not what we see here in Gávea every day. We need to make a commitment to our behavior. It's important to have attitude and balance," emphasized psychologist Paulo Ribeiro, who added.
"Everything at Flamengo takes on a greater dimension, including anxiety. It's a factor that could be hindering the team. We need to address this problem harmoniously," he added.
Despite the difficulties, the Flamengo psychologist believes in the team's recovery. Paulo Ribeiro cited the 2007 Brazilian Championship as an example.
"We went through huge problems last year, when we came out of a difficult situation in the Brazilian league and secured a spot in the Copa Libertadores da América. We won't face any obstacles now," he emphasized.
Regarding punishing the expelled players, as already determined by Flamengo's vice president of football, Kleber Leite, Paulo Ribeiro preferred not to go into the merits of the issue, despite agreeing with the director.
"Some rules need to be followed at the club, as in our entire society. However, I'm not the best person to speak on the matter. In any case, I don't rule out the possibility of a player being fined," he concluded.
Cienciano president says Fla is afraid to play in Cuzco
In Lima (Peru)
Cienciano club president Juvenal Silva said on Tuesday that Flamengo "is afraid to play in Cuzco," the venue for the April 9 match between the two teams in Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores.
"Of course they are afraid," Silva said in statements to the Peruvian sports press, calling the position of Flamengo president Márcio Braga "wrong," who said that his team will not play at the altitude of Cuzco because the Peruvian city, at 3.300 meters above sea level, is one of the cities banned by FIFA.
"This gentleman is completely wrong. FIFA does not prohibit games from being played at high altitudes," the Peruvian leader argued.
"Argentines and Uruguayans have already played in Cuzco and no one died. On the contrary, they returned to their countries stronger and full of energy because they allowed themselves the luxury of visiting Machu Picchu," he added.
Cienciano striker Gustavo Vassallo stated, in turn, that no player has ever had any problems in Cuzco, and recalled that many teams have achieved good results in the Peruvian city.
"If they think they're the best, they should show it on game day," said the player.
Cienciano has six points and leads Group 4 alongside Uruguay's Nacional. Flamengo is in third place with four points. Coronel Bolognesi, also from Peru, sits at the bottom of the group with just one point.
GLOBOESPORTE
For survival, Fla faces Nacional
The red-and-black club needs a victory to escape an uncomfortable situation in the Libertadores
Eduardo Peixoto
Joel Santana talks to the players at Flamengo training
Is Flamengo out of control and impatient, or vibrant and deadly? The team's multifaceted performances this season intrigue fans. From winning the Guanabara Cup with late goals to becoming emotionally unbalanced in just a matter of days. This Wednesday, against Nacional, there's no room for error. Starting at 21:45 p.m. at the Maracanã stadium, the red-and-black club will test its survival in the Copa Libertadores and its entire season plan.
GLOBOESPORTE.COM will be covering the match in real time starting at 20:30 p.m. TV Globo will also broadcast live.
In three rounds, the team has earned four points and sits third in Group 4, behind Cienciano and Nacional, who have six. Worse still, the team hasn't yet gotten into the Libertadores spirit. The players know they're underperforming. But they promise a different story this Wednesday.
"Playing at Maracanã is different. We have our fans. We need to take advantage of this situation, which will decide whether we qualify or not. We'll go into it as if it's the last game of our lives. With willpower, determination, and the support of the fans, we'll get where we want to be," says goalkeeper Bruno.
The days leading up to the match against Nacional weren't exactly peaceful at Gávea. The 3-2 loss to Botafogo—it's worth noting that Flamengo played with a mixed team—was even taken in stride. But the recurrence of expulsions prompted management to warn the players that further instances of indiscipline will not be tolerated.
"Flamengo takes a little hit and it becomes a torment. But we have to win this game," says coach Joel Santana, who rules out a suicidal tactic:
"If we go all out in the first 20 minutes, that's fine. But what about the other 70? The important thing is that we have to win, regardless of the score."
Nacional is not afraid of the pressure at Maraca
In Montevideo, Nacional easily won 3-0 and arrives in Rio looking for a draw. Scorer of two goals in the first leg, the giant 1,96m tall Richard Morales warned that the team won't feel the pressure of a packed Maracanã stadium—the crowd is expected to be around 55.
"Nacional is an experienced team, accustomed to playing away from home, and they know how to handle pressure and control a game. Flamengo has a good team, but they seemed nervous to me," says "El Chengue."
With Leo Moura and Toró suspended, coach Joel Santana replaced them with Luizinho and Renato Augusto. The only question is who will start first: Marcinho or Diego Tardelli. The fact is that the coach wants Flamengo to return to the style of play that took them to the Copa Libertadores.
"We need to go back to basics, with Cristian replacing Jaílton and Kleberson replacing Cristian. That's why I put Renato Augusto further up the field and Marcinho filling Toró's role," Joel declares.
Nacional held a training session at Maracanã on Tuesday night. Coach Gerardo Pelusso is expected to maintain the core of the team that lost to Miramar last weekend in the Uruguayan Championship.
One of the team's standouts, midfielder Ligüera is still recovering from thigh pain and will be on the bench. Richard Morales is confirmed.
"Of course, a win is the best result. But a draw also leaves us in a good position," says Pelusso.
Joel gets Fla ready in 16 minutes
Players ask for it, and the coach cuts the session short. He tests Marcinho in Tardelli's place.
Eduardo Peixoto
On the eve of the match against Nacional, Flamengo held a quick 16-minute training session. But for those who were surprised by the short duration, coach Joel Santana explained.
The initial idea was to hold a half-hour training session, but the players made an appeal:
"They have a habit of kicking games and asked me to reduce the teamwork. Since the performance was good, I accepted," says the coach.
Regarding the team that lost to the reserves on Monday, Joel made one change: he replaced Diego Tardelli with Marcinho. Renato Augusto remained in the starting lineup.
"Renato is confirmed. The only doubt is between Tardelli and Marcinho," he says.
The coach lined up the substitutes in a defensive position, with two lines of four, to simulate the likely stance of the Uruguayan team.
Unlike the previous day, when they lost 3-0, the main team dominated the action from the beginning and suffocated the reserves throughout the 16 minutes of play. Marcinho and Kleberson both hit Diego's post twice, but the goals were not scored. Flamengo trained with: Bruno; Luizinho, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim, and Juan; Cristian, Kleberson, Ibson, and Renato Augusto; Marcinho and Souza.
After the quick test, Juan and Obina put on the gloves and were the goalkeepers for their teams in the traditional - and acclaimed - red-black recreational tournament.
The decisive match against Nacional takes place at 21:45 p.m. (Brasília time) this Wednesday at the Maracanã Stadium. GLOBOESPORTE.COM will be covering it in real time, and TV Globo will also be broadcasting it.
Leo Medeiros is of interest to Atlético-PR
Flamengo midfielder receives offer and could leave Gávea by this Thursday
Eduardo Peixoto
Léo Medeiros at Flamengo training
Atlético-PR approached Flamengo this week about signing midfielder Leo Medeiros on loan until the end of the year. The player was a special request from coach Ney Franco, with whom he worked both at Gávea and Ipatinga.
According to information from the Paraná club, the negotiations could be finalized by next Thursday. Leo is currently underutilized by Joel Santana at Flamengo, which would facilitate the transfer.
Leo Medeiros has been at Gávea since 2006 and has a contract until the end of 2010. He is considered the best free kick taker in the red-and-black squad.
Kléber: 'Bota inaugurates victory cry'
Flamengo director mocks statements made by Carlos Augusto Montenegro, from Alvinegro
Eduardo Peixoto
Flamengo took a brief break from the Nacional debate to return to mocking Botafogo. The club's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, spoke to the press on Tuesday afternoon to respond to statements made by Botafogo director Carlos Augusto Montenegro. Speaking to GLOBOESPORTE.COM, Montenegro called for punishment for the Flamengo players who allegedly assaulted Botafogo fans, citing an alleged confession from Flamengo's board.
- My friend Carlos Augusto Montenegro started the victory cry - declares Kléber Leite.
After last Sunday's classic, the vice president of football at the club apologized for the imbalance of some players and warned that the incidents would not happen again.
"The board didn't agree that there was violence. We acknowledged the bad temper, which is quite different. Obina made a bad appearance and was sent off. As for Jônatas, if he had attacked someone, the Botafogo player would have had at least a bump on his head."
The verbal war between Flamengo and Botafogo began after the Guanabara Cup final, when the entire squad, coaching staff, and management of the club erupted in tears in the interview room. They claimed Flamengo's title only came about because of the refereeing.
Zico: 'Fla won't fall into the same trap'
The red-and-black idol advises the team not to accept the Uruguayans' provocations
Rodrigo Breves
Zico gives tips for Rubro-Negro not to give in to Nacional
Even though he's focused on the Champions League quarterfinals, Zico is focused on Flamengo and rooting for a victory against Nacional this Wednesday in the Copa Libertadores. The Flamengo's greatest idol witnessed the out-of-control moments in the Montevideo match and considered Toró's sending-off for pushing ball boy Nicolas Dominguez a determining factor in the defeat, but he believes the team is ready for the match at Maracanã.
"Flamengo should focus on just playing football. I think, after what they went through in Uruguay, they won't fall into the same trap. But they have to be very careful, because their opponents are watching," the Fenerbahçe coach told GLOBOESPORTE.COM.
The revenge-seeking mood for the 3-0 loss to the Uruguayans won't help them achieve a different result at home, according to Galinho. He also doesn't blame the psychological aspect of the upset, believing it was a game-changing situation.
"Perhaps Toró's inexperience may have affected the entire team, as something like this rarely happens in football. At CFZ, I once saw one of our players sent off for cursing at the opposing coach, and then there was a general loss of control," he recalls.
Zico recommends that the team remain calm this Wednesday to create a different story in the second match against Nacional.
"Those who haven't played in competitions like the Libertadores are really affected, no matter how much the management warns them. It's important to always remember that provocation is unacceptable, both on and off the field," he advises.
Fla tries to justify emotional instability
Captain Fábio Luciano already considers it a victory to finish the match with 11 men on the field.
Arguments among themselves, clashes with opponents, and even ball boys. The 2008 Flamengo team's problems vary, but match after match they reveal a lack of emotional control. While questions remain about the cause of so much anger, the board seeks solutions. They will punish the next undisciplined players.
But until they took such action, the directors were left to fend off the hotheads. Ibson and Souza fought among themselves. The latter has also been involved in fights with Botafogo players.
On the red-and-black couch, Toró's personality in recent games has been surprising. During Fluminense's youth academy, the player faced two serious assault charges. Now, after a "quiet" start, he's been embroiled in two controversies in the space of 15 days.
First, he pushed a 13-year-old ball boy during a match against Nacional. Last Sunday, he lightly kicked Castillo in the head, who was down (watch the video above). To make matters worse, he compounded the incident with a controversial statement to justify himself.
"Soccer is for men. I didn't kick Castillo in the head. If you don't want contact, you have to play tennis," he declares, trying to deny the images.
Cristian agrees that Flamengo's reputation for being "tough" is bothersome. But when it comes to arguments between the players themselves, he shares Toró's opinion.
"Our team isn't made up of women. There's always a need for discussion to improve. Soccer players don't say please on the field," Cristian warns.
In this Wednesday's match against Nacional, Flamengo has an opportunity to begin reversing its 56-card statistic this year—50 yellows and 6 reds. Jônatas, for example, has already received five warnings, in addition to one sending off. This is despite starting most matches on the bench.
- I'll keep an eye on myself - he assures.
Goal: Finish the game with 11 players
The situation is so worrying that even Flamengo captain Fábio Luciano considers it a victory to finish next Wednesday's game against Nacional with a player less.
"It's a good opportunity to finish the match with 11 players on the field and show our fans that we're in control. Of course, some red cards are normal, part of the game. But others can't happen anymore," says the player, who in Montevideo kicked Fornaroli in the face and escaped a red card because the referee didn't see the play.
Just as he did in recent pre-match talks, coach Joel Santana warned during the Flamengo match that the Uruguayan team will come to provoke them in this Wednesday's game. And he expects better behavior from the players.
The coach specifically cited Obina's case. The striker was punished in 2007 for punching Internacional's Índio. Quiet off the field, the Bahia native, according to Joel, has a case of "big guy syndrome" and hasn't been able to handle the provocations. After being sent off for a violent tackle and being caught on camera punching Castillo, the striker appeared at Gávea visibly embarrassed.
Flamengo's psychologist, Paulo Ribeiro, was absent from the club on Monday. But he warned last week that this excessive concern with rival catimba could also be a hindrance.
"Sometimes the team gets so defensive about the catimba that it ends up hurting itself. It was like that in Montevideo. Nacional played a normal game, and the first time something went wrong, with the ball boy, Toró exploded," he opines.
THROW
Fans make a flag in honor of Bruno
Goalkeeper is thrilled with fans' recognition
Rodrigo Benchimol RIO DE JANEIRO
Flamengo fans have flags honoring the great idols of the 80s generation. But starting with Wednesday's game, goalkeeper Bruno's face will also be plastered across the stands. On Tuesday, he was brought to tears upon seeing his own.
"I'm speechless. I never imagined this. I'm almost emotional. If I'm already getting goosebumps now, imagine what it'll be like during the game. Only the Flamengo fans. That's why I want to stay here for another 10 years," said Bruno, who was flattered to learn that only stars like Zico, Júnior, Leandro, etc. were honored in this way.
'I get emotional. If I already have goosebumps now, imagine what it'll be like in the game'
Therefore, the goalkeeper wants to make history at Flamengo, but he knows he still needs to do more to be compared to this generation.
"These are players who made history and won titles. I'm going after that too. Things happened quickly, and in two years here, I've already managed to connect with the fans," he said.
'Now hold on to me, because after this I'm going to try even harder'
On the new flag, a gift from the Urubu Guerreiro faction, Bruno's name appears accompanied by a special adjective: wall. Something Bruno views with both reservation and pride.
"The fans see me like this, but there's a human being there who always wants to overcome his mistakes. But now hold on to me, because after this I'll try even harder," said the goalkeeper, joking:
- The design was even more beautiful on the flag than in person.
Nacional coach questions the strength of the red-black fans
Gerardo Pelasso says his team will not suffer pressure from the stands
Daniel Leal RIO DE JANEIRO
After inspecting the Maracanã pitch on Tuesday night, coach Gerardo Pelasso demonstrated that Nacional (URU) will not be intimidated by the Flamengo fans, their opponent on Wednesday in Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores.
According to him, the pressure from the fans will not leave the stands.
"There won't be any pressure because the fans aren't playing. You know who's playing here? Our team. Because we're the ones who won 3-0 in Uruguay," he asked.
A calm Pelasso assures that his team won't be affected by the nervousness. The coach hopes that Flamengo's emotional outbursts will remain with him, just as they did in Montevideo.
"A match like the one in Uruguay would be fantastic. Our team is very calm and just goes out there to play," he said, teasing the red-and-blacks, who need a win.
Fla plays all its chips against Nacional, at Maraca
Any result other than a victory will complicate the club's chances in the Libertadores
Mengão or Nacional: who will win? (Credit: Adriano Dyonisio)
LANCEPRESS!
Third-placed in Group 4 of the Libertadores, Flamengo faces Nacional this Wednesday with a must-win squad. The match, which will be played at 21:50 PM (Brasília time) at the Maracanã, promises to be a fierce attack-defense clash. Joel Santana has been testing the offensive line. The Uruguayans, meanwhile, traveled with just three forwards, two of whom are starters (Richard Morales and Fornaroli).
Joel Santana's team has four points, two less than Nacional and Cienciano, who share the lead in the group.
Besides the constant focus on attacking the opponent, the watchword at Gávea is calm. In the Montevideo game, won 3-0 by Nacional, Leonardo Moura and Toró were sent off. Acts of indiscipline were again committed by Toró himself and Jônatas, both against Botafogo on Sunday.
Flamengo is practically decided, leaving only Diego Tardelli's lineup as a doubt, which could give way to Marcinho.
For Nacional, Richard Morales, the 1,96'XNUMX" tall man, arrived in Rio de Janeiro looking calm and confident of a good result. Morales, however, reinforced the indications that we should see a very defensive Nacional in Wednesday's game.
- Nacional can't stay behind, but they also have to know how to hold off Flamengo - he explained.
Nacional is a customer of Flamengo in Rio
Uruguayan club won once in five matches at Maracanã\ LANCEPRESS!\
Based on Flamengo's record against Nacional at Maracanã, Flamengo fans can be filled with hope for this Wednesday's match. Of the five meetings between the clubs at the World's Largest Stadium, Flamengo has won four.
The first clash between the clubs at Maracanã took place on June 9, 1955, when, in a friendly, Flamengo won 3-2. In the same year, another red-black victory by the same score.
Flamengo and Nacional only faced each other again at Maracanã in 1988, the year of Uruguay's only victory in Rio de Janeiro (2-0, in the Super Cup that year).
In 1991, in the only clash between the clubs at Maracanã for the Libertadores, the red-blacks won 4-0, with goals from Gaúcho (two), Marcelinho Carioca and Alcindo.
In 1995, the year of the last clash between the clubs in the Biggest in the World, Flamengo won 1-0.
Psychologist tries to calm the mood in Gávea
Paulo Ribeiro tries to control the nervousness shown by the players
LANCEPRESS! The players' recent displays of nervousness have prompted psychologist Paulo Ribeiro to step in. For this Wednesday's game, he will prepare a special talk. The topic will be the path each player is taking.
"We choose our paths. Whether we'll be nice, honest, or good. I'm going to make a video that will show the outcome of each person's choice," he said.
Contrary to the players' behavior, Paulo Ribeiro stated that this nervous atmosphere on the field does not reflect the players' daily lives at Gávea:
– We are not at peace, but we have an obligation to overcome and control our anxiety.
Nélio visits Gávea to satisfy his longing
Player was Brazilian champion in 1992 playing for Flamengo
Nélio was present at Flamengo's training session this Tuesday (Credit: Julio Cesar Guimarães)
LANCEPRESS!
Flamengo supporter Nélio, who shone with his Flamengo jersey in the 90s, visited Gávea this Tuesday. Besides seeing old friends, Nélio reminisced about his playing days and said he only visited the club's headquarters to reminisce about the days he played for his beloved club.
"I still have some friends here and I decided to see them again. On the team, I have Ibson and Rodrigo Arroz as friends. We're always chatting, and I stopped by to give them a hug too," said Nélio.
Still active, despite being without a club, Nélio reminisced about his time with Flamengo. It was for the Gávea club that Nélio scored goals in matches against Nacional, from Uruguay, who, coincidentally, will be the red-and-black's opponent this Wednesday.
"There were a lot of goals. I had some great moments that I'll miss," the player said.
Against Nacional, Nélio, playing for Flamengo, scored in two matches valid for the same Copa Libertadores. The two matches in which Nélio made his mark took place in 1991 and 1993, and both were played in Montevideo.
Zico is following Fla from Türkiye
The biggest idol of the red-black team thinks the team still needs to gel
Even from afar, Zico supports his favorite team. (Credit: Reuters)
LANCEPRESS!
The greatest idol in Flamengo's history, Zico, has been following the red-black team's performance in the Copa Libertadores from afar.
"The Libertadores games aren't broadcast live here (Turkey), but I always follow the highlights. Flamengo lost in a major way. I think this should serve as a lesson, so that in Rio, the same thing that happened in Montevideo doesn't happen and Flamengo gets the three points," the coach of Turkey's Fenerbahçe told Rádio Manchete.
Galinho also analyzed Flamengo's squad:
"On paper, we have experienced, quality players. Furthermore, the team already had a foundation from last year. But a team needs time to develop the best chemistry," said Zico.
Joel Santana has only one doubt at Fla
Marcinho and Tardelli fight for a spot; the first one came out ahead\ LANCEPRESS!\
Coach Joel Santana led a training session this Tuesday in Gávea, ahead of next Wednesday's Libertadores match against Nacional at Maracanã. And the man with the clipboard has only one question mark when it comes to deciding which team to choose: Marcinho or Tardelli. Marcinho started in the training session.
"Marcinho is quick, fast, and helps with marking. We need players who play that way. Flamengo got to where it is because it has a blue-collar team, and we don't want to lose that," Joel told Rádio Manchete.
50 fans are expected to be at Maracanã on Wednesday. As of Tuesday morning, 18 tickets had already been sold.
"We want a fierce and confident crowd. We'll give them drive and desire. That's what we hope to show against Nacional," concluded Natalino.