The Globe
Flamengo should head to Granja Comary tomorrow, where they will prepare for the game against Atlético-PR on Sunday.
Remo
Brazil will have four boats in Beijing
Mother's persistence helps Thiago Almeida qualify for the Olympics
ROWER THIAGO Almeida, qualified for Beijing, receives a kiss from his mother, Maria da Penha
Claudio Nogueira
The Beijing Olympics are a reality for the six athletes who secured spots on four Brazilian boats at the 2008 Games yesterday. Anderson Nocetti, in the men's single sculls; Fabiana Beltrame, in the women's single sculls; Camila Carvalho and Luciana Granato, in the lightweight double sculls; and Thiago Gomes and Thiago Almeida, in the lightweight double sculls, lived up to expectations in the Latin American Pre-Olympic Regatta, which concluded yesterday in Rio.
In the lightweight men's single sculls, Flamengo's Thiago Gomes and Thiago Almeida finished second, securing one of three spots. They led until the final 150m, when they were overtaken by Cubans Eyder Vargas and Yunior Pérez. Thiago Almeida wouldn't be there if it weren't for the persistence of his mother, Maria da Penha Jalles, who kept him from abandoning the sport.
"My mother was the one who encouraged me. When I thought about returning to Espírito Santo, she wouldn't let me," said Thiago Almeida. "I arrived at Flamengo in 2003 and had a problem. I wanted to return, but my mother said I could only return after winning."
For the first time, three Brazilian women will go to the Games
Maria da Penha recalled:
- I made Thiago go into sports because he was hanging out with bad friends. Some of his former friends have already died.
For Thiago Gomes, the position rewarded his confidence:
- Someone only does something because they don't believe it's impossible. I'm going to enjoy my son, Pedro, to whom I dedicate this position.
For the first time since the pre-Olympic regattas were established, Brazil will have so many boats at the Games. In Berlin 1936, when this system didn't exist, Brazil sent five. It will also be the first time that Brazilian rowing will have two boats in the women's competition, with the single rowing of Fabiana Beltrame—the first Brazilian woman to compete in the Olympics in this sport, in 2004—and the double rowing of Camila and Luciana, the first lightweights to compete in the Games.
Crying, hugging her boyfriend, rower Gibran Vieira, and her little dog, Bel, Fabiana, from Vasco, couldn't hide her joy and emotion. She could have finished fifth, but she finished second, behind Chilean Soraya Jadue Arriaza.
"It was even more exciting being in Brazil, with my boyfriend (Gibran), and Vasco da Gama cheering me on... Bel is a lucky winner. Every time she comes, the results are good. It was better than I expected. I beat the Pan American champion (Cuban Maira Borroto)," said Fabiana, who received the medal from Cláudia Santos, world champion in adapted rowing (for people with disabilities), in September in Germany.
Still in the women's lightweight doubles, Luciana and Camila proved to be really in sync, despite Luciana being from Paulistano-SP and Camila from Vasco. They finished third, behind the Cubans and Mexicans, and secured their tickets to Beijing.
"Going to the Olympics is the pinnacle, something every athlete wants. The best of the best are there. It's a dream," Camila declared.
Wrapped in a Brazilian flag, Luciana seemed to be dreaming:
"I still can't wrap my head around the fact that I'm going to the Olympics. When we arrived, I thanked God. There were many struggles, and I thought about the work, the clubs, the coaches, and the people who cheered us on.
If Camila, Luciana, and Thiago Almeida are attending the Games for the first time, Anderson Nocetti could be their guide. By winning the single sculls final, he confirmed his spot in the previous day's semifinal. He's going to the Games for the third time, this time winning the Pre-Olympics.
- We will have more Brazilian boats, and I will train with the girls in the double sculls (times are similar to his) - said Nocetti, 13th in the 2000 and 2004 Games.
Fans are already planning a new fight
Policing for the next Flamengo vs Vasco game, on Wednesday, will be doubled.
Max Leone
To try to contain the fury of the fighting fans of Flamengo and Vasco, who have been exchanging insults and threats even online, the Special Stadium Policing Group (Gepe) of the Military Police will double its force at the next basketball game between the two teams, on Wednesday, at Maracanãzinho.
GEPE commander Major Marcelo Pessoa assured yesterday that 190 officers, in addition to a detachment from the 6th Military Police Battalion (Tijuca), will oversee policing at the stadium. This is to prevent the factions from clashing, as they have been planning a new confrontation on the social networking site Orkut. Flamengo fans are reportedly seeking revenge for 44-year-old Germano Soares de Sousa, who was beaten by rivals last Friday at Praça Quinze. He remains hospitalized in serious condition at Souza Aguiar Hospital.
"The leaders of the organized groups broke an agreement, which was to travel to and from Caio Martins by bus, escorted. On Friday, the day of the fight, there were one hundred GEPE police officers, in addition to the 12th BPM (Niterói) police," said the major.
Exchanges of insults, promises of revenge, and threats of new confrontations between Flamengo and Vasco fans are recorded on Orkut. There are even messages from fans of teams from other states, such as Cruzeiro's Máfia Azul.
After Friday's brawl, at least 56 people were detained but released after giving statements. Chief Antenor Júnior of the Cybercrime Division (DRCI) said he will analyze the messages left online.
The Gepe commander said that in the game between Flamengo and Atlético-PR, next Sunday, at Maracanã, Torcida Jovem will enter the stadium clean:
- Nothing will pass, not even a flag. This crowd always causes problems.
Yesterday, a friend of Germano, who did not want to be identified, was at Souza Aguiar to visit him and said that drinking was one of the problems in the red-black fan's life.
"The drink changed Germano's state. Like any drunk, he became brave," he said.
From Extra
Sports Journal
'Adriano is just a summer dream'
Rumors linking striker Adriano to Flamengo were categorically denied yesterday afternoon by the player's agent, Gilmar Rinaldi. The former goalkeeper said such speculation is nothing more than a pipe dream.
Having been overlooked by Inter Milan, who didn't register him for the Champions League, the player came to Brazil to boost his self-esteem. The striker will recover in a clinic in São Paulo, but his agent warned that he wouldn't leave Inter to play for any Brazilian club.
"The chance for Adriano to play for Flamengo, São Paulo, or any other Brazilian team, is nothing more than a summer dream," said Gilmar Rinaldi.
Adriano has a contract with Inter Milan until June 2010. The player was raised in Gávea and played for Flamengo's professional team in 2000 and 2001, participating in 45 games and scoring 14 goals.
Joel Santana praises opposing coach
Despite Fla playing in front of its fans at Maracanã in the match against Atlético-PR, next Sunday, coach Joel Santana made a point of emphasizing that he does not expect to find it easy on the field.
"They're a strong team. They beat us there and have been doing reasonably well. They can't qualify for the Copa Libertadores anymore, but they're working their way into the Copa Sudamericana. Plus, they have a coach who understands the characteristics of some of our players. It's a match with the feel of a decisive game, and every game like that is dangerous," analyzed the Flamengo manager.
Regarding coach Ney Franco's reunion with Flamengo, Joel doesn't believe there's any sense of revenge on the part of the coach, who was fired by the Rio de Janeiro club in July:
"It's going to be normal. He's a competent coach, he was at Gávea for over a year, he did a good job here and he has many friends at the club," he concluded.
SAUDADE - Former Jornal dos Sports reporter Altair Baffa, better known as Baffinha, passed away in the early hours of Friday morning. The journalist was also a press officer for Flamengo.
In Rio, Mengão is in charge!
Based on the history of Flamengo's clashes with Atlético-PR in Rio, Flamengo fans have every reason to be confident in next Sunday's match, the penultimate round of the Brazilian Championship. This is because, playing in the state, the Gávea club has never been defeated by Fucacão in a Brazilian Championship match.
In the country's most important club competition, the two teams have faced each other ten times in the Marvelous City. The Rio de Janeiro team has won eight times, with the other two ending in a draw.
In the last clash between the teams in Rio de Janeiro, it took place at Maracanã and the advantage went to Flamengo, at the time coached by Ney Franco, current manager of Atlético-PR.
On November 4th of last year, the Flamengo and Flamengo teams from Rio de Janeiro and Paraná faced off in the 33rd round of the Brazilian Championship. Despite already having secured their spot in the Copa Libertadores by winning the Copa do Brasil, Flamengo was cheered on by more than 23 fans, dominated the Furacão from start to finish, and eventually won with a beautiful goal from defensive midfielder Léo Medeiros.
The result left Flamengo in ninth place in the standings, level on 46 points with the Paraná team, which was in eighth place due to a four-goal advantage. From the current squad, in addition to Léo Medeiros, Bruno, Ronaldo Angelim, Leo Moura, Renato Augusto, Juan, and Obina were on the field in the match.
Spies of Gávea
Jaílton, Léo Medeiros and Luizinho reveal Ney Franco's tactical secrets to Joel Santana
Nathan de Lima and Tiago da Costa
Wearing the number 26 shirt, midfielder Jaílton gives coach Joel tips on the tactical scheme used by Ney Franco in charge of Atlético-PR
If they beat Atlético-PR on Sunday and Cruzeiro lose to Sport in Recife, Flamengo will already be guaranteed a spot in next year's Copa Libertadores. And to help the team stop the Furacão, coach Joel Santana is counting on three players who know the opposing coach very well. Midfielders Jaílton and Léo Medeiros, and right-back Luizinho, were all coached by Ney Franco even before arriving at Gávea.
Léo Moura's immediate replacement, Luizinho worked with Ney Franco for two years, which according to the player, who spoke to JORNAL DOS SPORTS, is enough to get to know the rival coach's tactical preferences well.
"Actually, I know two or three of his tactical schemes and how he plays. I can help Joel if he needs it. Not just me, but Jaílton and Léo Medeiros too," Luzinho said.
Fla-Ipatinga team
Midfielder Jaílton, who earned a starting spot in the team after young Rômulo's injury, worked with Ney for a full year and, like Luizinho, also showed willingness to help coach Joel Santana unravel the mysteries of Ney Franco. However, for the player, the Gávea coach already knows everything about his rival.
"Joel has been following Flamengo even before taking over the team and so he already knows how Ney Franco plays, but if needed, of course I'll do that job and help without any problem," said Jaílton.
Ney Franco, an old acquaintance\ If at Flamengo there are three players who have known Ney Franco's work for more than a year, on Atlético's side the biggest asset is the coach himself, who has led almost all of the players on the current Fla team since last year's Copa do Brasil final, when the team beat Vasco.\
For Jaílton, the opposing coach's knowledge of the group could hinder Flamengo's plans a little.
“We work with him and he knows our team well, so he could end up getting in our way, but our team is strong and we can beat them,” said the confident Jaílton.
For full-back Luzinho, the fact that the coach knows a large part of the group well won't have much influence, as Flamengo is in a great phase in the competition and with the help of the 12th player, the fans, the Rio team is practically invincible.
"I think we're doing very well, Joel has a great tactical scheme and even though Ney knows our group, we won't have any problems," added Luizinho.
Flamengo will present the Formula World car at Maracanã
Flamengo fans will get to see the car that will represent the club in the Formula Superliga, a new motorsports category featuring major international football club brands, next Sunday, November 25th. The event will take place before Flamengo's match against Atlético Paranaense.
Flamengo has not yet selected the team's driver. The name will be announced after a testing session in Europe. Popó Bueno and Gualter Salles are the favorites because they are both Flamengo fans.
The chassis of the Formula Superleague cars are manufactured by Elan Supersports Technologies, and the 4,2-liter V2 engines capable of generating 750 hp are produced by Menard Competition Technologies. The cars will be identical to ensure a balanced competition.
The competition will begin in August 2008 and conclude in November. In the first season, the clubs will compete on six circuits, with two races per country. The races will be hosted by England, Spain, Germany, France, Belgium, and Italy.
Flamengo will train in Teresópolis for the game against Atlético PR
Flamengo confirmed this Sunday that it will train in Teresópolis next week in preparation for the match against Atlético Paranaense. The delegation will travel on Tuesday and remain in the mountain city until Friday. They will stay at the Hotel Alpina and train at Granja Comary.
The red-black directors chose to take the squad out of Rio de Janeiro due to the climate of euphoria that characterizes the red-black fans at the moment.
Joel Santana fears his opponent's moment
Coach Joel Santana expressed concern about Flamengo's next game, against Atlético-PR, on the 25th at Maracanã. The coach emphasized that the Paraná team will enter the field relaxed, without pressure, as it is currently practically not competing in the Brazilian Championship. The Hurricane is no longer at risk of relegation and has no chance of qualifying for the Copa Libertadores. Furthermore, its spot in the Copa Sudamericana is practically assured.
Joel fears that this freedom from the opponent could make things difficult for Fla.
"Only Flamengo has something to lose in this game, as Atlético-PR is unlikely to lose their place in the South American. And they have a team that performs well away from home," he said.
Family of fan who was beaten expected the worst
The Flamengo fan who was beaten last Friday night remains hospitalized at Souza Aguiar Hospital. Germano Soares da Silva, 44, suffered head trauma and is in serious condition.
The fan's family, who was part of the organized red-black fan group and already had a history of fights and arguments, revealed that they already feared the worst.
"We expected this to happen sooner or later. We warned and advised, but it was no use," said the victim's father, who shares his son's name.
According to his father, the victim had been a member of the organized fan club for almost 30 years. "He was a Flamengo fanatic and joined at 15. He was a great kid, but after he started hanging out with that bunch of bums, it was all about fighting. He was even stabbed in the head at the Maracanã stadium," said Germano Soares in an interview with the G1 website.
Rowing with the tide
Three more boats qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. One of them is brand new.
Mariana Land
Wallace Teixeira
Luciana Granato and Camila Carvalho secured the unprecedented women's spot, with a non-individual boat
Brazil secured four more spots for next year's Beijing Olympics. This time, it was rowing that put on a show. In the Pre-Olympic finals held yesterday at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, the Brazilians qualified in all four events.
In addition to Anderson Nocetti, who had already secured a spot in the single sculls on Saturday, Fabiana Beltrame (single sculls), Camila Carvalho and Luciana Granato (lightweight double sculls), Thiago Gomes and Thiago Almeida (also lightweight double sculls) secured their place at the 2008 Games. Nocetti won the gold medal, the first time that a Brazilian has finished first in the Pre-Olympics.
Needing only fifth place, Fabiana Beltrame secured an excellent second place, trailing only Chile's Soraya Jude. Cuba's Maira Borroto, the Pan American champion, finished third.
"I'm very excited because I'm home and have everyone's support. I intend to continue making history and achieve a good finish in next year's Games. We'll work hard to achieve this goal," said Fabiana, the first rower to represent the country in an Olympic Games.
Unprecedented\ Camilla Carvalho and Luciana Granato also made rowing history yesterday. The two were the first Brazilians to qualify a non-single women's boat for the Games. The duo finished third in the final, behind only the Cubans and Mexicans.\
Finishing the day on a high note, in a tight battle with the Cubans, Thiago Gomes and Thiago Almeida finished second overall, also securing their place in the Games. The two, who have been training together for only two months, were thrilled with their qualification.
"This second place is like a gold medal. After so many hardships we've faced, it's wonderful to earn this spot. His (Thiago Almeida's) determination made me believe that this Olympics was possible," said Thiago Gomes, referring to his teammate, who was previously the team's reserve.
Fla is champion in master volleyball
Women's team in the 45+ category wins easily and takes the title at Aryzão
Rafael Oliveira
It's not just in soccer that the interaction between Flamengo and its fans yields positive results. Yesterday, on the Volleyball Development Center court in Saquarema, Flamengo fans cheered on the women's 45+ team with chants and shouts. The result: another title for the Gávea team, which became champions for the second time, defeating Iate Clube from Brasília 2-0. This was the second title for the Flamengo team, having previously lifted the trophy in 2004.
"Flamengo is a pure breed. We only achieved this victory because we have a lot of love for the jersey," said center back Regina Vilella.
In fact, the tradition of the red-and-black jersey was crucial to the outcome of the match. In the second set, Flamengo was five points down and, with grit and the support of their tireless fans, fought back, scoring nine points in a row.
In the end, the players from the Brasilia team themselves admitted how difficult it is to beat a rival with so many fans.
"Unfortunately, it didn't work out. The fans were a key factor. Everyone was rooting for them. Ultimately, Flamengo's jersey ends up being so important precisely because of that. They always play with the fans' support," said opposite Ana Amélia.
And the jersey was precisely one of the assets the red-and-black players exploited to win the match. According to libero Dóris, the choice of the model (black with red details) was intentional.
"We could have played in white jerseys with red and black stripes, but we opted for black and red because it commands more respect. When we step onto the court in it, our opponents tremble and turn yellow," he teased.
Nocetti secures spot in his 3rd Olympics
At 33, Anderson Nocetti will be competing in his third consecutive Olympics in the Single Sculls. The rower secured a spot in the 2008 Beijing Games by winning the A semifinal of the Latin American Zone Pre-Olympic Regatta yesterday morning at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (all six finalists in the Men's Single Sculls have qualified for Beijing). In Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, the Santa Catarina native finished 13th in the same boat.
“The goal now is to reach the B final in Beijing and compete for seventh to 12th place,” said Nocetti, who celebrates 20 years of rowing in 2008.
“I will only be able to truly understand my level in relation to my other opponents next year, after participating in the World Cup stages.”
Irresistible Flamengo
Rubro-Negro defeats Campos 106-74 and remains in the lead
Rafael Oliveira
Nina Lima/JS Archive 19/10/2007
Flamengo winger Marcelinho Machado was once again the team's best player
Campos, RJ — After being defeated by just one point in the turbulent classic against Vasco, Flamengo rehabilitated itself in the State Basketball Championship by beating Campos yesterday, 106 to 74. Wing Marcelinho was the top scorer of the match with 22 points.
"Our group is strong, and we know our potential. We talked a lot so that the Vasco game wouldn't set us back. Today, we started a little off, but I called a timeout and talked to them. After that, we improved, the lead naturally widened, and we won by a good 30-point margin," said Rubro-Negro coach Paulo Chupeta.
The Gávea team's next game in the State Basketball Championship will be against Vasco, again this Wednesday. The match is part of the first leg, as the game that was supposed to be played in October was moved to this month. Flamengo is concerned about the officiating, which caused considerable controversy in last Friday's derby against Vasco da Gama in Caio Martins.
There is concern because referee Rafael Serour, a character in the chaos in the classic, will be officiating this match.
"We at Flamengo are very concerned about Wednesday's referee. I find it completely unacceptable that he should be working this game, especially since he argued with me in front of everyone. It would be more prudent if he didn't work this match," said Arnalgo Szpiro, Flamengo's basketball director.
Today, Vasco faces Campos, in Caio Martins, at 19 pm. And Fluminense goes to Região dos Lagos to face Macaé, at the same time.
Sports Gazette
Flamengo dreams of Adriano\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Flamengo's board is dreaming of signing striker Adriano, who came through the club's youth ranks and is currently linked to Inter Milan. The athlete is in Brazil for medical treatment and has reportedly confided in friends that he would like to return to the Red-Blacks. The club's vice-president of football, Kléber Leite, welcomed the possibility. "Who wouldn't want Adriano in attack in 2008? He's a player with a knack for scoring goals and is at the level of the Brazilian national team. Flamengo's doors are open to him, but for now we've only given him the club so he can undergo treatment. There's nothing more to it than that," he stated.
Inter Milan has ruled out loaning the player, who is also in São Paulo's plans. The player's agent, Gilmar Rinaldi, also said that Adriano's only goal at this time is to join the Italian club and that there is no possibility of him returning to Brazilian football at this time.
Flamengo's board won't openly admit it, but it's already working behind the scenes to sign two or three key players for next season because of the Copa Libertadores. Qualification for the continent's premier club tournament is a given for Flamengo's executives.
Last week, the club unsuccessfully attempted to sign striker Washington, formerly of Atlético Paranaense and Ponte Preta, who is currently playing in Japan. However, the player has practically signed a deal with Fluminense, which already has a spot in the Copa Libertadores secured by winning the Copa do Brasil.
Mourning: Flamengo is mourning the death, early Saturday morning, of journalist Altair Baffa, known as Baffinha, the club's former press officer. The journalist's body was laid to rest at Caju Cemetery that afternoon. His body was cremated this Sunday, also in Caju. Suffering from serious health problems, he had been hospitalized at Getúlio Vargas Hospital for about a week.
PeléNet
Fla and Flu meet another opponent for the 2008 State Championship
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Following Cardoso Moreira, it was Macaé Esporte Clube's turn, also from Group I of the Second Division, to secure a spot in Rio de Janeiro's elite football league. Their promotion was confirmed after a 1-1 draw with Floresta this Saturday in Cambuci.
The two newest members of the Rio de Janeiro First Division will be in Group A of the 2008 State Championship, alongside Flamengo, Fluminense, América, Volta Redonda, and Boavista. In addition to Cardoso Moreira and Macaé, the best fifth-place team from the third phase of the "Segundona" will also be in this group.
Next Tuesday, Cardoso Moreira and Macaé, the latter led by Tita, former idol of Flamengo and Vasco, will decide the first place in group I. The Cardoso team, leaders, have 13 points, against ten for the team from Região dos Lagos.
In Group J of the Second Division, the battle is fierce. Mesquita leads with eight points, followed by Olaria and Duque de Caxias with seven. Resende, with six, completes the group. The top two teams will be placed in Group B of the State Championship in 2008, consisting of Vasco, Botafogo, Americano, Friburguense, Cabofriense, and Madureira.
BalloonSport
Stock Car Experiences Fla-Flu Day in Rio
Rubro-negros dominate the podium and Tricolor is crowned two-time champion of the category this Sunday
rafael lopez
David Muffato, a red-and-black fan, in Stock Car, reached the podium on Sunday
In addition to the traditional on-track battles, the Stock Car event featured a friendly showdown between Flamengo and Fluminense fans. Flamengo fans Duda Pamplona and David Muffato made it to the podium, and Fluminense fan Cacá Bueno won his second title. He received support from organized Fluminense fan groups in Jacarepaguá and placed a club flag on the table during the post-race press conference.
"I thank the Tricolor fans for the celebration. I heard they rented vans to transport fans, and this is a demonstration of the strength of Stock Car. The Fluzão flag is a symbol that the passion for soccer is also spreading to Stock Car, as fans hung banners and flags in the stands. This year was perfect. Fluzão won the Copa do Brasil, and I won the two-time champion."
Pamplona and Muffato, respectively winner and third place in Jacarepaguá, celebrated together their success in the race and the good form of the team, which has a good chance of qualifying for the 2008 Libertadores.
"Did you hear the noise they made when I showed them the Mengão jersey before the start? The Tricolor (Cacá) was champion, but only Flamengo had two drivers on the podium," celebrated Muffato, who competes in every race wearing a Flamengo jersey under his overalls.
Duda also joked:
- It's Flamengo's rise on the field and on the asphalt. This victory here was a good sign for Mengão's move to the Libertadores.
Fla defeats Campos and advances to the semifinals
Team recovers from defeat to Vasco and achieves ninth victory in the competition
Flamengo defeated Campos 106-74 (58-44) on Sunday morning, recovering from their loss to Vasco last Friday and securing a spot in the semifinals of the Rio de Janeiro Men's Basketball Championship. Flamengo, the sole leader of the state championship, has 19 points (nine wins and one loss).
One of the standout players for the Gávea team, Marcelinho scored 22 points and helped the team overcome the home team. Now, the Brazilian national team and Flamengo winger is only thinking about next Wednesday's derby at Maracanãzinho, once again against Vasco (a first-round match).
"We played a good match, and the most important thing was the win. We have an important game against Vasco on Wednesday, and our focus now is solely on this derby. We'll have three days to prepare for this game, to breathe this match. The derby is starting for us now, and we'll work hard and fight for this victory," says Marcelinho, the red-and-black captain.
Throw
Adriano 'leaves in the air' a possible return to Flamengo
However, his agent, Gilmar Rinaldi, rejects any negotiations with Brazilian clubs.
Adriano wants to be Emperor again (Credit: Júlio César Guimarães)
LANCEPRESS!\ Completely focused on the pursuit of a place in the 2008 Copa Libertadores, Flamengo's focus may have been diverted last Saturday. Inter Milan striker Adriano arrived in Rio de Janeiro and hinted at the possibility of returning to Gávea, where he was born. The player was released by the Italian club to regain fitness and undergo treatment for alcoholism and depression.\
Still at Tom Jobim Airport, Adriano was approached by a Flamengo fan who asked him to return to the club. He replied, "We're looking into that...", according to information from Agência Estado.
Adriano's recovery will be at Reffis (São Paulo Sports Physiotherapeutic and Physiological Rehabilitation), and the club also discussed the possibility of signing the Emperor. He is expected to travel to São Paulo this Monday.
According to Agência Estado, Adriano's arrival in Brazil has nothing to do with his physical or psychological condition. He and his agent, Gilmar Rinaldi, will consider offers from Brazilian clubs, which is why the striker came to Rio de Janeiro.
Gilmar Rinaldi, however, made a point of saying that the idea of coming to Brazil was his and that Inter Milan is confident in Adriano's recovery. Therefore, at this point, there's no possibility of him leaving the Italian club:
– Zero chance. The possibility of him playing for São Paulo or returning to Flamengo was never considered. He has to be in Milan on January 1st.
The businessman also stated that he is waiting for São Paulo to schedule Adriano to begin activities at the club.
– He is in Rio with his family and I am waiting for the schedule to be defined to begin his recovery – concluded Gilmar.
In 46 matches for Flamengo's professional team, between February 2000 and July 2001, the Emperor scored 12 goals wearing the red-black shirt.
Joel fears Atlético-PR's lack of commitment
According to the Fla coach, Paraná natives are snipers
Joel believes that Hurricane already has a defined future (Credit: Ricardo Cassiano)
LANCEPRESS!
Joel Santana expressed concern about Flamengo's match against Furacão at Maracanã this coming Sunday. According to the coach, only the Rio de Janeiro team has something to lose in the clash, as the Paraná team's situation in the Brazilian Championship is well defined.
"Only Flamengo has something to lose in this game, as Atlético-PR is unlikely to lose its spot in the South American. And they have a team that performs well away from home," he stated.
While Flamengo is in third place, fighting for a spot in the 2008 Libertadores, Furacão is in tenth place, very close to qualifying for the Copa Sudamericana.
Léo Medeiros: 'I'm 110% motivated'
Midfielder has a good chance of returning to the main team against Furacão
With Toró suspended, Léo Medeiros' chances of returning to Flamengo's starting lineup for the match against Atlético Paranaense have increased significantly. Given this possibility, the player appears motivated and ready for the match, which will take place next Sunday at Maracanã.
- I'm 110% ready and motivated to get on the field if the coach decides to have me on the team - joked the midfielder.
Mengão's potential qualification for the Copa Libertadores in the next round further excites Léo Medeiros. To secure a spot in the South American competition, Flamengo needs to beat Furacão and hope Sport beats Cruzeiro at Ilha do Retiro.
"Sunday is the game that could crown our great run in the Brasileirão with a spot in the Libertadores. There's no way I'm not ready for the game. Joel knows he can count on me," the midfielder stated.
Flamengo must go to train at Granja Comary
Before the classic against Fluminense in this Brazilian Championship, the team trained there\ LANCEPRESS!\
In order to escape the euphoria experienced on the eve of the decisive match against Atlético-PR, on the 25th, at Maracanã, Flamengo may swap Gávea for the Brazilian National Team's official training center, Granja Comary.
The biggest indications that the trip to Teresópolis, next Tuesday, will actually take place is because the red-black board usually releases its training schedule at the weekend, a fact that did not happen until this Sunday afternoon.
It is worth remembering that before the classic against Fluminense, in the first round of this same Brasileirão, Flamengo trained at Granja and won the game 1-0.