THE GLOBE
Flamengo does its homework
Rubro-negro defeats Nacional 2-0 and remains with a chance in the Libertadores
Photo caption: MARCINHO TAKES ADVANTAGE of goalkeeper Viera's rebound to score Flamengo's first goal. The striker, brought on at the last minute, also headed in the second goal.
It wasn't a spectacle, but it was worth it. Yesterday's 2-0 victory over Nacional at Maracanã not only put Flamengo atop Group 4 of the Libertadores, but also restored the team's lost composure after winning the Guanabara Cup. The fans understood and left celebrating.
"I can't describe what I felt. I'll remember this night forever," said Marcinho, the hero of the night at Maracanã.
Encouraged by the fans, Flamengo began by trying to pressure Nacional. Despite the pressure, they only created their first chance in the ninth minute, when Renato Augusto crossed from the left for Souza to head dangerously.
Without Léo Moura, who was suspended, Flamengo concentrated its attacks on the left flank, where Juan and Renato Augusto were in good agreement. However, a ball lifted into the Flamengo box in the 16th minute only prevented Nacional from taking the lead thanks to Bruno making a miraculous save on Romero's header.
Despite playing poorly, Flamengo opened the scoring in the 25th minute. A corner kick taken by Luizinho resulted in Fábio Luciano winning the aerial challenge, and the ball fell to Marcinho, who was free, to score.
Marcinho also scores the second
After the goal, Flamengo didn't threaten again until the 40th minute. Luizinho made a beautiful play and passed to Ibson, who fired a powerful shot inside the box. The ball hit the defense and sailed over the crossbar. In the 44th minute, another scare for the Flamengo fans. A cross deflected off the defense and nearly fooled Bruno, who saved it reflexively.
The game's landscape changed somewhat after halftime. Flamengo continued to hold the initiative, but struggled to penetrate the Uruguayan defense. Nacional, on the other hand, pushed their defense forward and began to keep possession of the ball for longer, occasionally threatening with through balls to the towering Richard Morales.
The game finally came to a 22nd minute. Luizinho crossed and Juan headed the ball against the post. Marcinho headed the rebound to make it 2-0.
With a solid lead, the team retreated and began to exploit counterattacks. They could have done more.
Flamengo: Bruno, Luizinho, Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelin and Juan; Cristian, Kleberson, Ibson and Renato Augusto; Marcinho (Maxi) and Souza (Obina). Nacional: Viera, Acosta, Victorino, Barone and Romero; Cardaccio, Oscar Morales, Arismendi and Bertolo (Liguera); Fornaroli (Vera) and Richard Morales. Referee: Carlos Amarilla (PAR). Yellow cards: Arismendi, Fornaroli. Revenue: R$1.081.079. Paying attendance: 47.096.
FLAMENGO
BRUNO: He came out of the goal well when needed. He made a difficult, reflex save. 6.
LUIZINHO: Without the brilliance of Leonardo Moura in his prime, he was effective, constantly present in attack. With a good cross, he set up the second goal. 7.
FÁBIO LUCIANO: Undeterred by the nerves of the game, he played confidently in defense and headed the ball to Marcinho to open the scoring at the Maracanã. 6,5.
RONALDO ANGELIM: He made a mistake in the match when he handed the ball to Fornaroli in the second half, but quickly corrected it. He didn't give Richard Morales any space. 6,5.
JUAN: As usual, he was one of the players who dictated the team's pace and led them forward. His header for the second goal hit the post perfectly. 7.
CRISTIAN: As a third defender, he performed impeccably, winning individual challenges and showing excellent coverage. He regained his place in the team. 7,5.
KLEBERSON: Far from brilliant, he played with restraint, performing collective work that was important for the team's dynamics. 6,5.
IBSON: Without omitting himself at any point, he ran a lot, but his game didn't go down. 5,5.
RENATO AUGUSTO: Moving on both flanks, always playing at speed, he created, finished and showed that, coming from behind, he is one of the team's main weapons. 7.
MARCINHO: Opportunistic and involved, he was in the right place at the right time. He scored two goals and almost a third. He's a great alternative for the red-and-black squad. 8. He came off to make way for MAXI BIANCUCCHI, who played little. No rating.
SOUZA: Technically poor, he spent most of the time misplaced among the Uruguayan defenders. 5. He gave way to OBINA, who continued to struggle with the ball and with Nacional's defense. 5.
JOEL SANTANA: The team started out in a rush, but after the goal they calmed down and dominated the game. 6,5.
NATIONAL
In a limited team, striker Richard Morales was the only one who deserved attention.
ARBITRATION
Paraguayan Carlos Amarilla had no problems leading the match.
Relieved with the victory, Joel praises the team's determination
Coach highlights Renato Augusto's performance and celebrates the team's return to the top of Group 4
Relieved by the victory that kept Flamengo in contention to advance to the next round of the Copa Libertadores, coach Joel Santana had nothing but praise for his players after the game. Not for their great performance, but for their determination throughout the 90 minutes.
"We were expecting a tough match, even tougher than the one in Montevideo, because they didn't need to win here, as they still have two home games. The funny thing is that we won with two aerial plays, which isn't our strong point. The important thing is that we won and returned to the lead," lamented Joel Santana.
The coach was full of praise for Renato Augusto, one of the team's standout players yesterday.
- He took care of himself when he was out, which made his return easier. He's a very important player.
The Prosecutor General of the Sports Justice Court (TJD), André Valentim, will only issue a final ruling on the incidents that occurred during the Rio Cup match between Flamengo and Botafogo on Monday. For now, the only certainty he has regarding the match, which Flamengo won 3-2, is that the tackle with which Obina hit Lúcio Flávio will result in the player being charged under Article 254 (violent play), which carries a suspension of two to six games. However, the Flamengo striker's punishment could be even greater.
- Obina could be suspended for more games because he is a repeat offender - explained the prosecutor.
In juniors, example of behavior
Flamengo beat Botafogo in a classic marked by discipline and even an apology for the complaint
Photo caption: WITH THE GAME OVER, a red-black and a black-and-white fan greet each other on the Gávea field: loyalty in the junior classic
Photo caption: STRIKER Pedro Beda lobs goalkeeper Bruno to score Flamengo's second goal, the undefeated leader of the second round of the Junior State Championship
Carlos Eduardo Mansur
In soccer, sometimes the example comes from below. That's what happened yesterday afternoon in Gávea. After the seniors staged a series of classics marked by provocations, rough tackles, and red cards, the Flamengo and Botafogo youth players did just the opposite. Discipline and some rare scenes in modern soccer marked the red-and-black team's 3-0 victory.
Who could have imagined seeing, in today's professional soccer, a player complain about the refereeing, be reprimanded by his coach, and then apologize to the opposing coach? That's what midfielder Wellington Júnior, the only player on the field who had participated in the tumultuous professional game last Sunday, did. When questioning a decision by referee Vagner Merlin de Almeida, he shouted, "It's just like the professional." Coach Luizinho Rangel then intervened and condemned the black and white player's actions. Wellington went to Flamengo coach Adílio and apologized.
The scene may have been a result of the concern surrounding the game. There were fears that the rivalry fostered by the professionals would contaminate the juniors' game. Luizinho Rangel and Adílio said they employed a similar strategy: they used the bad example set by the top to educate their young athletes.
"I talked a lot with the group, especially after last Sunday's game. I explained that it wasn't right to transfer what had happened at Maracanã to our game. These examples are good for educating young people," said Rangel, who had Wellington Júnior as one of his concerns. "He played in the professional derby on Sunday and trains with the first team, as do Jougle, Índio, and Rodrigo Fabiano. I was worried they would bring that tension. It wouldn't be fair to have such bad behavior. We're always well received at Gávea."
Adílio, who was surprised by Wellington's apology, also said he worked to contain his team.
"This is a different approach. We were rooting for Botafogo to recover in the youth divisions, and that's happening now. It's a different kind of relationship. I asked the players all last week for a calm game, and I think it worked," said Adílio. "Some of these players are friends off the field; they study at the same college. And I played at the same time as Luizinho Rangel. We respect each other."
The tension created by the professionals even forced referee Vágner Merlin de Almeida to devise a strategy for conducting the game. He believes that, perhaps due to the atmosphere of the last few days, the game started tensely.
"I issued three yellow cards early in the game to keep things under control. I thought there was some early fighting, but it was quickly controlled. But the players were always loyal. There was no violence, at most some normal arguments," said the referee, who handed out seven yellow cards in total and was forced to call few fouls.
Strictly speaking, the only provocation came from the stands. When two Botafogo players fell, requiring medical attention, Flamengo fans sang a version of the children's song: "Cry baby, Cuca's coming to get you." In the only tense moment, Botafogo's Rodrigo David was fouled hard, and the Botafogo bench rose to protest the refereeing. Moments later, the game was restarted.
The first half was evenly balanced, with few scoring chances. In the second, Flamengo began to assert itself. In the 14th minute, midfielder Aírton, who will be incorporated into the senior squad next week by coach Joel Santana, provided a great pass for Paulo Sérgio to open the scoring. Erick Flores then made a beautiful play and found Pedro Beda, who chipped the ball over goalkeeper Bruno to make it 2-0. The third goal came on a free kick by Paulo Sérgio, which deflected off the wall. Not even the increased scoreline could cause tensions to flare. There were not even chants of "olé" (the olé).
"Of course there's rivalry, the occasional tough play. But nobody loses their head," said Aírton, who's already starting to dream of a new life in the professional ranks. "My idol at Flamengo is Fábio Luciano. I'll tell him it would be an honor to play alongside him."
Aírton will be joined by left-back Leonardo, who will also be promoted. Both will leave Flamengo's youth team at the top of Group B of the Rio Cup, with four wins in four games and 12 points. Botafogo has four points.
SPORTS JOURNAL
Marcinho guarantees Mengão's victory
Flamengo got their revenge on Nacional and defeated the Uruguayans 2-0
Roberto Murad rloureiro@jsprts.com.br
Nina Lima
Marcinho scored both winning goals
Needing a win to stay alive in the competition, Flamengo played at Maracanã and relied on the support of their fans to defeat Nacional. Marcinho scored both goals and secured the Brazilian team's lead in Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores with seven points, just ahead of Nacional and Cienciano, who have six.
Failing to show much efficiency in midfield and struggling to create chances near the opponent's box, Flamengo limited itself to crosses. Even playing away from home, Nacional was not intimidated by the fans' enthusiasm.
The first dangerous play came nine minutes in. Renato Augusto made a good run, reaching the byline and crossing well for Souza, but the center forward couldn't get a good header.
Nacioal had Richard Morales as its main weapon and always tried to play aerial balls to the big man.
Fifteen minutes in, the red-black defense escaped well, Bruno made an excellent save after a corner from the Uruguayan team.
Flamengo's goal came at a good time and reassured fans who were apprehensive about another subpar performance. Marcinho scored the goal in a move that combined luck and opportunism; the forward received a header from Fabio Luciano and missed his shot, but he made no mistake from the rebound and took the lead.
From then on, Flamengo dominated the game and wasted a few chances. The best of them fell to Ibson. Luizinho played a one-two with Souza and saw the midfielder's arrival clearly. Ibson shot straight at the defender, the ball gained altitude and nearly went in, lobbing goalkeeper Viera.
The red-black defense had another scare with a crossed ball, but this time Bruno anticipated and intercepted.
In the second half, Nacional came onto the field with a more advanced defensive line, but Flamengo failed to take advantage of the space and remained stuck on the Uruguayan offside line.
It wasn't until the 21st minute that Rubro-Negro managed to extend their lead. Luzinho crossed, and Juan beat the defense and headed the ball against the post, while Marcinho scored his second goal.
Marcinho almost added another. The striker received a good ball at the edge of the box and shot wide. The referee flagged for offside late, in a play from a normal position.
Red and black kids put on a show
Flamengo's juniors beat Botafogo's and take the lead in Group A of the Rio Cup
Pedro Chiaverini
Photos by Jair Motta
The black and white midfielder Romário tries to disarm Paulo Sérgio, scorer of two Flamengo goals
On an inspired afternoon for Paulo Sérgio, Flamengo thrashed Botafogo 3-0 yesterday at Gávea Stadium in a fourth-round match of the Rio Juniors Cup. With this victory, the Gávea team reached 12 points, maintained a 100% record, and is the clear leader of Group A.
Anyone expecting a thrilling game like the one last Sunday for the seniors was disappointed, at least with the start. Both teams fought hard, but posed little threat to goalkeepers Bruno and Marcelo. Furthermore, both teams' defenses were well-positioned. The standout performer in the first half was Erick Flores, who showed excellent skill in setting up plays, but Paulo Sérgio, who would later become the match's standout performer, stubbornly failed to make any mistakes.
The second half began with better technique and with Flamengo pressing. The first goal came from a player coach Joel Santana intends to promote to the professional ranks. Midfielder Airton made a beautiful play down the right, crossed into the box, Paulo Sérgio controlled it, and chipped it over goalkeeper Renan. Botafogo felt the blow and shortly after conceded a second goal, scored by Pedro Beda, also with a lob. After this goal, Botafogo woke up and began to press their opponents, but to no avail. On one such play, Rodrigo Dantas took a dangerous corner kick, and after a scuffle in the box, Flamengo full-back Davidson cleared off the line what would have been the first goal for the black and whites.
Late in the match, Paulo Sérgio took a free kick from distance, which deflected off Botafogo's defense and landed in the back of goalkeeper Bruno's net. With this victory in the youth team, Flamengo made up for the loss suffered in the senior team and maintained its strong performance in matches against its rival.
Flamengo - 3: Marcelo, Davidson (Rodrigo Mazzei), Anderson, Rafael and Leo; Airton (Antônio), Diego Moura, Erick Flores and Guilherme (W. Peca); Paulo Sérgio and Pedro Beda\ Coach: Adílio\
Botafogo - 0: Bruno, Índio (German), Alex, Rodrigo Fabiano and Édson; Romário, Wellington Junior, Jougle (Gabriel) and Rodrigo Dantas; Victor Castro (Felipe Silva) and Junior\ Coach: Luizinho Rangel\
'Pinpricks' that mark the classic
A star player in yesterday's match with two goals, striker Paulo Sérgio left the field with the scars of the derby etched on his body. The player was limping due to a blow to his left foot and still showing some scratches. Even so, he couldn't hide his happiness at the victory and having scored two goals.
"It's a very important victory since we had a poor campaign in the GB Cup. This rivalry is normal and very enjoyable. Even in the youth league, the games are tough. I missed a few chances early on, but in the second half I was lucky twice," said Paulo Sérgio, who with his two goals moved up to second in the Carioca top scorers list, with 11 goals in eight games.
He also told a curious fact that has been happening in the classics between Flamengo and Botafogo for the juniors.
"Whenever we score the first goal against Botafogo, they feel it and we dominate the game. We're used to it," said the striker, who received his third yellow card and is out for Saturday's match against Cabofriense, in Gávea, at 15 pm.
Leila and Sandra travel to compete in the World Circuit
Public Relations
Sandra Pires (L) and Leila are confident about their debut on the Circuit
The duo of Leila and Sandra Pires travels this afternoon to Adelaide, Australia, for the first stage of the World Tour. The duo, who are competing with Flamengo, aim to perform well in the competition with an eye on a spot at the Beijing Olympics. Their debut will be against Brazilians Maria Clara and Carolina.
“We did special preparation thinking about Maria Clara and Carolina in our last training sessions,” commented Sandra Pires, who won gold at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
Australia brings back fond memories for the player. She has won three medals in world circuit events held there. She won gold in 1997 and silver in 1995, both alongside Jackeline. In 2000, she took bronze with Adriana Samuel.
With Leila, Sandra Pires hopes to maintain her good results and overcome the lack of chemistry by gaining knowledge of her rivals.
"We watched videos of our opponents, because it's always good to know who you're going to face. We still have to improve as a team, and we need to talk more, because we're a new team," said the player.
balance
In the men's competition, Alison and Bernardo also make their world circuit debut in Adelaide. The duo travels on Friday, buoyed by their strong performance at the Campo Grande stage of the national circuit, where they finished fourth.
The two are ready for their debut in pro-qualifying as they have sought to adapt to the differences between the world and national circuits.
The Adelaide stage of the World Cup will take place between the 25th and 30th, on Glenelg beach.
Brazil has the world champion pairs: Ricardo and Emanuel (men) and Juliana and Larissa (women).
THE DAY
Fla beat Nacional 2-0 at Maracanã
Nilo Junior
Rio - Flamengo didn't even need to play much. To beat a defensive Nacional 2-0 this Wednesday at Maracanã, the team simply had to keep its head. If the score wasn't "payback" for the 3-0 defeat in Uruguay, it was at least enough to keep the team with a good chance of qualifying for the second round. The result left Flamengo top of Group 4 with 7 points. Flamengo, however, has a game in hand over Cienciano, which faces Coronel Bolognesi on the 25th. Once again, coach Joel Santana showed his star power. The two players who started but are usually on the bench were the main contributors to the victory. Luizinho provided both crosses for Marcinho's goals.
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The game started off fiercely contested, especially in midfield. Flamengo's first good play didn't come until the 9th minute, when Renato Augusto crossed for Souza. Despite playing deeper, Nacional tried to be dangerous on the counterattack. In the 15th minute, the Uruguayans created a dangerous opportunity. Bruno cut out a cross aimed at Romero, but the ball bounced back into the goalkeeper's hands.
The red-and-black goal came in the 25th minute. Luizinho took a corner kick from the right, Fábio Luciano beat the Uruguayan defender with his head, and the ball fell to Marcinho. Viera saved the first attempt, but the striker scored on the second.
The goal buoyed Flamengo, who dominated the game but were unable to convert the pressure into scoring chances. The chance to extend their lead came in the 40th minute. Luizinho played a one-two with Souza and passed it back to Ibson, who fired a shot under pressure. The ball rose and skimmed the crossbar. The Uruguayan team gave them a scare in the 43rd minute. Morales crossed, and the ball deflected, almost fooling Bruno, but the goalkeeper saved.
The start of the second half felt like the end of the first: Flamengo pressing but failing to create any significant chances. In the 21st minute, Luizinho, a worthy replacement for the suspended Leo Moura, made a good move and crossed for the diminutive Juan, who headed the ball against the post. On the rebound, Marcinho displayed the same opportunism as he had on the first goal and scored the second.
After the second goal, Flamengo continued to dominate the game, but failed to create any scoring chances. Nacional, for their part, didn't give up, and while they didn't play well, they showed their old Uruguayan spirit until the end. But that wasn't enough to defeat Flamengo, who left the Maracanã with their fans in high spirits.
Marcinho wants to give Joel a hard time
Rio - Supporter Marcinho, Flamengo's top scorer in the Libertadores with three goals, approved of his performance. And he was even more pleased to know that he raised "a good doubt" in coach Joel Santana's mind.
"We played well and managed to stay calm, even when we made mistakes. I played well and I hope to be a real headache for Joel when he picks the team," said the scorer of yesterday's victory.
Supporter Íbson also praised the team's performance. He said the players played intelligently.
"We did the right thing. The fans cheered us on, and we went for it. We only wanted to win, and there was no point playing scared," said Íbson.
In the 'altitude war', Cienciano president Juvenal Silva guaranteed yesterday that Flamengo will be fined US$100 if they do not travel to Cuzco for the match on April 9th.
The Peruvian leader said that, according to article 18 of the Libertadores regulations, the absence of a club in a match will result in a fine and the loss of points.
Leo Medeiros leaves Flamengo and signs with Atlético-PR
Nilo Junior
Rio - Midfielder Leo Medeiros is no longer a Flamengo player. He finalized his transfer to Atlético-PR this Wednesday. The player's loan runs until the end of the year, with Furacão having priority to acquire him. He travels to report to his new club on Monday.
Léo Medeiros was sidelined at Flamengo and had been underutilized by coach Joel Santana. At Flamengo, he will return to work with Ney Franco, who brought him to prominence.
SPORTS GAZETTE
Flamengo wins with goals from Marcinho and leads\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Just as he had done in the victory against Cienciano, striker Marcinho was once again decisive for Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores. He scored both goals in the 2-0 victory over Nacional on Wednesday night at the Maracanã. The result, in addition to putting Flamengo at the top of Group 4 with seven points, also serves to restore peace to the Gávea team, which had been experiencing turbulent times following its loss to Botafogo last weekend.
Nacional shares second place in the group with Cienciano, both with six points, but the Peruvians have played one game less.
Flamengo returns to the Copa Libertadores on April 9th, when they face Cienciano in Peru. Nacional-URU faces Coronel Bolognesi in Uruguay six days earlier.
The opening minutes showed Flamengo eager to pressure Nacional, who were holding their own defensively and launching counterattacks at speed. In one of these, in the 12th minute, Bertolo took a chance from outside the box, but the ball flew just wide of Bruno's post.
With the need to win, some Flamengo fans overreacted on the field. Less than five minutes into the match, striker Souza had already received a yellow card for a foul on an opponent.
Flamengo's defense also looked a bit lost early in the match. In the 16th minute, the Flamengo defenders stood idly by as Romero headed the ball, but Bruno saved well. With Leonardo Moura suspended, Flamengo almost always attacked down the left, where Juan was a constant presence in support.
The red-black goal, however, came from a corner kick, where after Fábio Luciano won a high challenge, Marcinho got the rebound and had to shoot twice to put Flamengo ahead in the 25th minute.
The advantage benefited the home team, who began to dominate the match. The second goal could have come in the 29th minute, but Souza failed to capitalize on the opponent's poor clearance and ended up fumbling the ball. Ibson, meanwhile, was unlucky in the 40th minute, when his shot deflected off the Uruguayan defense and hit the crossbar before going out.
Flamengo returned for the second half determined to give Nacional no space. Under Joel Santana's orders, the Rubro-Negro marked the Uruguayans from the moment they had the ball, trying to make life difficult for their opponents. On the bench, the Flamengo coach screamed, begging his team not to retreat.
While trying to encourage their team, the red-and-black fans were showing signs of impatience with the Rio club's repeated wasted counterattacks. In the 17th minute, Renato Augusto crossed to Souza, who, despite being free in the box, headed over Viera's goal.
If Souza wasn't on target, Marcinho stepped up again to calm the situation. After Juan's header hit the crossbar in the 21st minute, the ball fell to the attacking midfielder, who slotted it home.
Without losing their heads, as had happened in some of their last games, it was easier for Flamengo to manage the result and leave the field with the
Marcinho is looking for a starting spot at Flamengo
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - After training most of the week with the reserve team, forward Marcinho earned a starting spot in the final training session before the Copa Libertadores clash with Nacional-URU, and he didn't disappoint. He scored both goals in Flamengo's 2-0 victory and now hopes to continue fighting for a starting spot. "I want to be a starter, but I respect Joel's wishes. I'll go into any match I play with the same determination, whether it's from the start or during the game. Whenever I get the chance, I'll try to put Joel's mind at ease so he remembers me," the player said after the victory.
Marcinho has yet to establish himself as a regular starter in the red-and-black attack and is constantly rotating with Obina and Diego Tardelli in the spot alongside Souza. Therefore, he remains determined to secure his place in the team.
"I try to do well, whether I start or come on later," explained the athlete, who doesn't want to limit his strong performances to matches in the continental competition. "I've been performing well in the Libertadores, and that gives Joel the confidence to pick me in the State Championship," he added.
Coach Joel Santana couldn't help but comment on the striker's two goals, as he was able to break through Nacional's defense, which was very strong in the air. "We achieved the hardest part, which was getting in on top, and Marcinho was very fortunate in that moment," said the coach.
Marcinho praises the work of the club's psychologist
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - A standout scorer in Flamengo's 2-0 victory over Nacional-URU on Wednesday, striker Marcinho credited the work of the club's psychologist, Paulo Ribeiro, as one of the key factors in the victory. According to the striker, the guidance given throughout the week paid off. "The psychologist, Paulo Ribeiro, did a great job during the week. He calmed us down and told us the importance of not losing our heads, not having a player sent off, and gave us two choices: opt for the grit, strength, and will that Flamengo has, or have to listen to the criticism we've been receiving all week," Marcinho explained.
The striker stated that the strong performance served to restore the team's luster from last year, which critics had claimed had faded. According to Marcinho, the victory was a positive response to the fans, in a match he described as "the most important of the year."
"We didn't play a technically stellar game, but we overcame it," said Marcinho, adding: "Flamengo played intelligently. They played the way the Libertadores Cup demands."
After criticism, Joel celebrates Flamengo's victory
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Coach Joel Santana celebrated Flamengo's victory over the criticism heaped on the squad following their 2-0 win at Nacional-URU. The team had been facing heavy criticism for the red cards in the first leg in Uruguay and the altercation with Botafogo players in Sunday's derby. "The hardest part was the pressure of having to win, after what happened in Uruguay, with the team feeling nervous. We expected an even tougher match, since they didn't have to win because they have two more home games," said Joel, adding: "It was a key match. We had to win, and that's a good result."
The coach also praised the team's tactical approach, which managed to play an attacking style without making mistakes and, most importantly, neutralize Nacional's aerial play. Joel also praised the performances of Luisinho and Kléberson.
"Flamengo was patient and knew how to wait for their chance. Today we maintained the team's characteristics. Ibson played very freely, Luís was very good, and Kléberson had an excellent tactical performance. We could have won 3-0 with a little more care," said the Flamengo coach.
Joel Santana concluded by talking about the confidence the squad has gained from their strong performance and the victory over their opponent, which allowed Flamengo to regain the lead in Group 4. "Today we didn't have any defensive errors, the kind that worry the fans. This gives the players confidence," he concluded.
PELENET
Flamengo defeats Nacional-URU and remains firm in the Libertadores
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo remains in contention for a spot in the round of 2 of the Copa Libertadores da América. On Wednesday night at the Maracanã Stadium, the Red-Blacks defeated Nacional-URU 0-XNUMX. Both goals were scored by supporter Marcinho.
With the victory, Flamengo reached seven points and currently leads Group 4 after four matches. Nacional remains on six points, tied with Cienciano-PER. Coronel Bolognesi-PER, with one, is last. The Peruvians face each other on Tuesday, the 25th, in Tacna.
In the next round, Flamengo heads up the hill and travels to Cusco to face Cienciano on April 9th. On the 3rd of the same month, Nacional hosts Coronel Bolognesi in Montevideo.
However, before the Libertadores, Flamengo has a State Championship match to play. This Saturday, Flamengo faces Cabofriense at 16 p.m. at Maracanã Stadium in the fifth round of the Taça Rio.
Encouraged by the fans, Flamengo started out on top against Nacional. However, the team's nervousness got the better of them, and they began to misplace passes. The Uruguayans, in turn, leveled the playing field and could have even opened the scoring.
But Flamengo calmed down. As a result, in the 25th minute, Marcinho scored the red-and-black goal. From then on, with the team dominant on the field, they could have increased the score.
"We need to come back with the same energy as in the first half. It's important to score another goal right away. That will give our team the confidence to get the three points," Marcinho emphasized.
Unlike the first half, Nacional started better. However, this Uruguayan "pressure" lasted only five minutes. Flamengo soon regained control of the match.
It wasn't long before Marcinho scored his second goal, also for Flamengo, in the 20th minute. With this score, Nacional surrendered the points. Meanwhile, the Rubro-Negro, relaxed, still tried for a third, but settled for the positive result and simply waited for the referee's final whistle.
Joel Santana says he got Flamengo's lineup right
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo fans breathed a sigh of relief after the team's 2-0 victory over Nacional-URU this Wednesday at Maracanã in the Copa Libertadores. Coach Joel Santana, who had some doubts, said he made the right choice in selecting Marcinho, scorer of both goals. The midfielder was competing for the starting spot with striker Diego Tardelli.
Marcinho joined the team and performed well.
"We made the right choice. I didn't like one of the training sessions, but the day before the game I did another one to see the team's performance, which was good. We'll wait for the next round to try to qualify," he said.
According to Joel Santana, the positive result was crucial in easing the tension that hung over Gávea. "The upset in Uruguay stirred things up and made the group nervous and tense, making this game deviate from its normal standards. The 2-0 score was a good result," he emphasized.
Despite the pre-match tension, those who watched the match could see that the refereeing didn't do the job expected. "There are things in football that can't be explained. Many were demanding emotional pressure from the team, but the game wasn't too tense and served to calm the players and fans," analyzed the coach, who approved the players' determination.
"Flamengo played with a lot of spirit. And when the team has this kind of attitude, it gives morale, especially to those who are coming on, like Renato Augusto and Luizinho," he concluded.
After the goals, Marcinho hopes to establish himself as Flamengo's starter
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
The hero of the match with two goals (Flamengo's 2-0 victory over Nacional-URU), Marcinho has firmly entered the running for a starting spot. The striker has now scored three goals in the Copa Libertadores and leads the team in scoring in the competition.
Marcinho (right) celebrates with Souza one of his two goals in the match at Maracanã
"I have to respect coach Joel Santana's opinion. But whenever I have the opportunity, I'll put a flea in his ear," declared the Flamengo supporter.
The player praised the fans' performance. "We knew we were in for a tough time and would need the support of the red-and-black nation. And they didn't let us down. It was an unforgettable night," he said.
In the second goal, the striker highlighted the role of his teammate Juan. "He's short, but he managed to head the ball right through the big Nacional players. I was lucky to get the rebound and score," he recalled.
Marcinho also said that the victory completely erased the bad image left in Montevideo, when the team was defeated 3-0. "We went in thinking about playing a good game. We played with freedom and tranquility. We completely forgot about the match in Uruguay," he said.
Marcinho also highlighted the work of psychologist Paulo Ribeiro. "It was important because we didn't have any players sent off. During the week, we spoke with Paulo, who did a great job. He reassured us, asking us not to lose our heads and to bring out the best in the team," he concluded.
GLOBOESPORTE
Marcinho guarantees Flamengo's victory
Striker scores two goals against Nacional-URU, and Rubro-negro takes the lead in Group 4
Thiago Lavinas
Marcinho's starting lineup was only decided moments before the match. And coach Joel Santana made the right choice in choosing the striker to partner Souza. The team's talisman in the Copa Libertadores scored both goals in Flamengo's victory over Nacional, from Uruguay, this Wednesday at Maracanã. Marcinho had already secured the victory over Cienciano in stoppage time in the second round of the competition.
With the 2-0 victory, Flamengo took the lead in Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores with seven points. Cienciano-PER, with a game in hand, and Nacional-URU, both have six points. With little chance of qualifying, Coronel Bolognesi sits in last place with one point.
Flamengo's next match in the Copa Libertadores will be on April 9th against Cienciano in Cuzco, Peru. The city is 3.400 meters above sea level. Before that, on April 3rd, Nacional-URU faces Coronel Bolognesi-PER in Montevideo, Uruguay.
Marcinho gives Flamengo the advantage
The game started tensely, with Flamengo misplacing numerous passes. But the team kept its composure despite Souza's yellow card after just three minutes for a needless tackle on the touchline. The first serious attack by Flamengo only came in the ninth minute, when Renato Augusto made a good run down the left and crossed for Souza to head wide. Nacional's marking was tight, and the Uruguayan team was quick on the counterattack. On one such attack, Bertolo received a pass at the edge of the box and shot. The ball sailed into the left corner, scaring goalkeeper Bruno.
Flamengo's Souza tries to get away from Nacional-URU's marking
The second scare came in the 15th minute. A corner for Nacional. After the kick, Romero rose unmarked and headed the ball into the right corner. Bruno managed to touch the ball, which hit the post and Fornaroli's legs. But the striker couldn't control it.
Despite not dominating the match, Flamengo managed to score the first goal in the 25th minute. Marcinho appeared well on the right flank and attempted a cross. The ball hit Acosta and went out for a corner. The kick resulted in confusion in the box. Souza headed the ball, and the ball fell to Marcinho. The striker tangled with goalkeeper Viera but managed to tap the ball low into the net and open the scoring: Flamengo 1-0!
The fans, who had been timid, began to sing with enthusiasm at the Maracanã stadium. The goal also calmed the team, which began to pass the ball around more and create good plays. While at the beginning of the match, the Rubro-Negro team felt the absence of Leo Moura, who was serving a suspension following his red card in the last match against Nacional, Luizinho gradually began to create good plays. After a one-two with Souza, the right-back passed the ball to Ibson, who was entering the box. The shot was powerful, deflected off the defense, and flew over goalkeeper Viera. The ball grazed the crossbar and went out for a corner. Shortly after, Kleberson unleashed a powerful shot, but it went wide and harmlessly wide. At the end of the first half, Nacional threatened again. Morales crossed into the box, the ball went past everyone, and Bruno saved with a start.
Marcinho's opportunism in the second goal
Marcinho celebrates Flamengo's goal against Nacional in the Libertadores
The teams returned for the second half unchanged. And the match didn't change either, with few chances for either side. Renato Augusto took a shot from the edge of the box, but the ball rose and sailed over the crossbar. Shortly after, Souza headed the ball clear from the penalty spot, but it went wide. Nacional threatened with a one-two between Morales and Fornaroli. But defender Fábio Luciano managed to clear the ball before it could be shot away inside the box.
In the 20th minute, just as the match was starting to get dangerous, Flamengo's second goal came. Luizinho crossed into the box. Juan headed the ball, and it hit the left post. The rebound fell to Marcinho, who made no mistake. He headed it into the right corner, leaving goalkeeper Viera with no chance. Flamengo 2-0!
The goal discouraged Nacional, who stopped pressing. In the 34th minute, Souza left the field with muscle pain. Obina came on, but produced little. The Flamengo team began to control the match, showing little desire to overturn the 3-0 deficit from the first leg in Uruguay. And in the end, Flamengo fans celebrated the victory with the song "enough crying."
Marcinho, the hero: 'We haven't lost our shine'
Supporter scores third goal in Libertadores and says team showed grit
Eduardo Peixoto
Flamengo has scored four goals in this Copa Libertadores. All of them at the Maracanã stadium, three of which were scored by Marcinho. A hero against Cienciano, scoring the winning goal in the 43th minute, the player repeated the feat this Wednesday. He scored twice in the 2-0 victory over Nacional (watch the match's goals in the video below).
In the post-match interview, he adopted a defiant tone. He recalled the criticism Flamengo had faced during the week and how hard the players had worked to return to the strong form they had played at the end of 2007.
"We recaptured that spirit from last year. And today we proved we haven't lost that spark. We're a hard-working team that always strives for victory. We knew how to neutralize Nacional's best attacking ability, which was aerial play," says Flamengo's top scorer.
Until Tuesday's brief 16-minute training session, Marcinho was supposed to be Diego Tardelli's backup. But he quickly convinced Joel Santana that he deserved the spot. In the locker room, coach Joel Santana commented on the wise choice.
"We even made the right choices. Those who follow the training sessions saw that I tested this option in the last training session. And Marcinho was very happy," the coach declared.
Joel expected a more difficult game
Coach says Flamengo had the patience to beat Nacional
Nacional warned that they wouldn't be intimidated by the pressure from Flamengo's fans. But, in coach Joel Santana's opinion, the Uruguayan team wasn't as dangerous an opponent as he expected.
In the analysis of the red-black coach, the match was under control for the entire 90 minutes, and the Rio de Janeiro team was able to withstand the strong pressure they had been under throughout the week.
"We were perhaps even expecting a more difficult match. The hardest part of this game was the pressure we were under. It left the group nervous and tense," says Joel.
Flamengo scored a goal in each half—both times through Marcinho—and returned to the top of Group 8 in the Copa Libertadores with seven points. During the week, the coach warned about Nacional's strength in the air. Interestingly, both Flamengo goals came from this type of play.
"Flamengo had the necessary patience. Incredibly, we managed to penetrate their defense with two balls over the top," says the Flamengo coach.
Nacional coach throws a tantrum and goes silent
Gerardo Pelusso claims lack of chair and does not make statements after defeat at Maracanã
Eduardo Peixoto
Anyone who wanted to know the opinion of Nacional's players and coach after the 2-0 loss to Flamengo at Maracanã was met with silence. After the game, coach Gerardo Pelusso refused to speak for a curious reason: the lack of chairs in the press room. The Uruguayan team's coach looked at the reporters and warned:
- When you have at least one chair to sit on, call me back.
The stadium management provided the requested chair. But Pelusso or any other Nacional player still didn't show up to give a statement.
Interestingly, in Uruguay, Flamengo's interviews took place in the locker room corridor of the Parque Central stadium. Coach Joel Santana, Bruno Moura, and Leo Moura all spoke to reporters standing up.
Marcinho, the hero: 'We haven't lost our shine'
Supporter scores third goal in Libertadores and says team showed grit
Eduardo Peixoto
Flamengo has scored four goals in this Copa Libertadores. All of them at the Maracanã stadium, three of which were scored by Marcinho. A hero against Cienciano, scoring the winning goal in the 43th minute, the player repeated the feat this Wednesday. He scored twice in the 2-0 victory over Nacional (watch the match's goals in the video below).
In the post-match interview, he adopted a defiant tone. He recalled the criticism Flamengo had faced during the week and how hard the players had worked to return to the strong form they had played at the end of 2007.
"We recaptured that spirit from last year. And today we proved we haven't lost that spark. We're a hard-working team that always strives for victory. We knew how to neutralize Nacional's best attacking ability, which was aerial play," says Flamengo's top scorer.
Until Tuesday's brief 16-minute training session, Marcinho was supposed to be Diego Tardelli's backup. But he quickly convinced Joel Santana that he deserved the spot. In the locker room, coach Joel Santana commented on the wise choice.
"We even made the right choices. Those who follow the training sessions saw that I tested this option in the last training session. And Marcinho was very happy," the coach declared.
Fla starts off nervous, but then controls himself.
After kicking a fallen rival, Ibson even exchanges brotherly hugs with his opponent.
Eduardo Peixoto
More than just a yellow card, Souza's violent tackle in the third minute immediately raised questions about the Flamengo players' emotional instability. Fourteen minutes later, Renato Augusto and Ibson kicked Fornaroli while his opponent was down.
But these actions turned out to be false alarms. In Wednesday's 2-0 victory against Nacional, the players accomplished the mission imposed on them by captain Fábio Luciano on Monday: to win and finish the match with 11 players on the field.
After the violent plays before the halfway point of the first half, the foul play was replaced by determination. But on the ball. In the second half, when he cleared a sliding ball, Cristian celebrated intensely and earned euphoric applause from the crowd.
Even when they received harsher challenges from the Uruguayans, the red-and-blacks didn't react. At one point, Ibson, after being fouled, even gave a loving hug to the same Fornaroli who had shot in the first half.
"Our team was always calm. We had our slip-ups, we did. But we were overwhelmed. Everyone has their problems. We tried to show the way and what's best for us. It's good that the team has regained its emotional balance. It's good to give our fans peace of mind," says coach Joel Santana.
Marcinho, who scored the winning goals, also highlighted that the team had no players sent off.
"We responded to those who said Flamengo was losing its head and its spark. We knew how to play the way the Libertadores demands. No players were sent off, and that was the most important thing," says Marcinho, who scored Flamengo's goals that night.
Juniors: Fla thrashes Botafogo
Paulo Sérgio, twice, and Pedro Beda scored the goals, and Rubro-Negro remains 100%
Pedro Beda (left) left his mark
Far from the controversy of recent professional clashes, the Flamengo and Botafogo youth teams faced off this Wednesday in the State Championship. Unlike last Sunday, the Flamengo and Botafogo youth teams prevailed, winning 3-0, with goals from favorite Paulo Sérgio (2) and Pedro Beda, the club's top scorer in the last São Paulo Cup. With the result, Flamengo maintains its 100% record in the Rio Cup and leads Group A with 12 points. Botafogo is third in Group B with just four points.
Rivalry restricted to professionals
Fla and Botafogo's juniors replay last Sunday's classic, but without provocations
João Gabriel Rodrigues
Flamengo and Botafogo juniors put their rivalry aside in Gávea
The fierce rivalry between Flamengo and Botafogo seems to have been confined to professional football. This Wednesday, the teams faced off again, this time in the State Junior Championship, in Gávea. In a game where few fouls generated major complaints from the players, Flamengo retaliated, winning 3-0, with goals from Paulo Sérgio (two) and Pedro Beda.
The only provocations related to last Sunday's derby came from the fans, who insisted on picking on Botafogo. On the field, however, it was a fast-paced match, with chances for both sides. The red-and-blacks only scored in the final half.
The star of the match with two goals, striker Paulo Sérgio, who has already played for the professionals, guarantees that the rivalry exists, but that, in the juniors, it does not have the dimension reached in the confrontation between the professionals.
"We know the impact the rivalry between Flamengo and Botafogo has had on the professional team, but that doesn't exist here. There's rivalry, yes, but the fight is healthy and enjoyable. Football, like everywhere else, is tough, but it's well-played," he says.
Botafogo goalkeeper Bruno was one of the biggest targets of the fans' taunts, perhaps fueled by the antipathy that goalkeeper Castillo had garnered among the red-and-black fans. Bruno, however, claims he's accustomed to the situation, which has also been the case in other derbies.
"The rivalry is normal between big clubs. It's not special for the Flamengo-Botafogo match. We know the atmosphere that developed between the two teams' professionals, but it was limited to that. We didn't let it influence us," he says.
THROW
Marcinho gets his revenge for Fla against Nacional
After losing in Uruguay, Mengão shows who's boss at Maraca
Marcinho saved Flamengo again (Credit: EFE)
LANCEPRESS!
Mengão, the world's largest fan base, holds the record for most Brazilian Championship titles. If Flamengo's characteristics make it a giant, this Wednesday the Flamengo fans were decisive in Joel Santana's team's 2-0 victory over Nacional. The explanation is: Marcinho scored both goals in the game, and Luizinho, who replaced Leonardo Moura, was the main playmaker.
With the victory, Rubro-Negro now has seven points and, provisionally, took the lead in Group 4 of the Libertadores.
Early in the game, Flamengo showed signs of nervousness still plaguing the team. This was evident three minutes in, when Souza received a yellow card for a violent challenge on Victorino.
Rubro-Negro started with territorial dominance, but Nacional created the first dangerous moves. In the 12th minute, Bértolo, after a one-two with Richard Morales, shot wide of Bruno's left goal. Four minutes later, the Rubro-Negro number 1 made a stunning save on Romero's header and was fortunate in the aftermath of the play.
Flamengo only returned to the game in the 25th minute, precisely when they opened the scoring. Luizinho, one of the key players in the first half, took a corner kick that was headed by Ronaldo Angelim. The Flamengo number 4 headed the ball toward the center of the box, and the other defender, Fabio Luciano, deflected it. The ball fell to Marcinho, who, after some hesitation from goalkeeper Viera, opened the scoring.
In the second half, Joel Santana's team showed a willingness to decide the match, once again dominating the field. The first real danger, however, didn't come until the 18th minute, when Souza, unmarked, headed Luizinho's cross wide.
Luizinho, the red-and-black's main figure in the first half, was decisive again in the 20th minute of the second half. The right-back delivered a beautiful cross to Juan, who headed the ball against the post. Marcinho, also with a header, doubled the score: Flamengo 2-0.
Joel Santana is full of praise for his team
Coach was pleased with Fla's performance against Nacional
LANCEPRESS!\ Flamengo coach Joel Santana was pleased with his team's performance in the 2-0 victory over Nacional this Wednesday at Maracanã in the Copa Libertadores. He was full of praise for several players, especially right-back Luizinho.\
"He's a very fast, dedicated player, and if he's careful with his final ball, he'll always perform well. Kléberson was excellent tactically, and Ibson, who was more relaxed, also performed well," said the coach.
Another player who performed well was Renato Augusto. After being out of the team for nearly 50 days due to a facial injury, he also received praise from boss Joel.
"A player who had problems with two facial fractures, but never stopped. He's not a player prone to gaining weight. He lacked match rhythm, and he needed to lose his fear. Against Botafogo, when he substituted him, the fans threatened to boo, but they decided against it. They needed to keep him for today's game," added Joel Santana.
Nacional-URU refuses to speak to the press
Uruguayan coach complains about Maracanã facilities
LANCEPRESS!\ After suffering a 2-0 defeat at the Maracanã to Flamengo, this Wednesday, an unusual fact occurred in the press conference with the coach of Nacional-URU, Gerardo Peluso.\
Visibly irritated, the coach lashed out at Maracanã and the press.
"We can't talk like this. When you're ready and have a chair to sit in, call me back," the coach declared, then slammed the door.
Apart from the coach, no Nacional player spoke to the press.
Marcinho: 'It was the most important match of the year'
Flamengo's attacking midfielder shone in the victory over Nacional
LANCEPRESS!\ Attacking midfielder Marcinho, who scored both goals for Flamengo in their 2-0 victory over Nacional this Wednesday in the Copa Libertadores, knew this match would be crucial for the team for the rest of the year. His post-match statement clearly demonstrated that.\
"It was the most important game of the year so far. If we lost, there would have been a lot of pressure, and the fans would have complained. We responded and played like the Libertadores demands," said Marcinho.
In addition to relieving pressure on the team, Marcinho highlighted the return of the warrior spirit that drove Flamengo in last year's Brazilian Championship.
"This victory was the greatest proof that we haven't lost our fighting spirit. We put on a performance where we neutralized their aerial play. I've been doing well in the Libertadores games. This has given Joel the confidence to start me in the State Championship games."
Marcinho shares the merits of his first goal
Player says Fábio Luciano was the main person responsible for the goal
LANCEPRESS!\ Scorer of both goals in Flamengo's victory over Nacional, Marcinho showed humility, considering Fabio Luciano the main person responsible for his first goal in the game.\
"I just finished the play. Ninety percent of the goal was scored by Fábio Luciano, who won the aerial battle with the Uruguayan defender," the striker emphasized.
Marcinho, who once again said that he has no vanity regarding a place in the starting lineup, praised the show put on by the Nação Rubro-Negra in this Wednesday's game.
"Only those who are in there know what a person feels when they hear their name shouted. It's an unforgettable night. I'll remember it for a long time," Marcinho beamed.
Joel Santana avoids talking about Cienciano
The technician preferred not to elaborate on the altitude of Cuzco.
LANCEPRESS!\ After the victory over Nacional and the consequent resumption of the lead in Group 4 of the Libertadores, Joel Santana did not want to make many comments about the altitude in Cuzco, the likely location of the match against Cienciano, the red-black's next opponent - on the 9th, the clubs face each other in Peru. Detail: the Red-Black is still struggling to get the game out of the altitude.\
"I'll leave that question to Runco and the physiologists. I saw their game against Nacional, at altitude, and everything was normal," he simply said, referring to a possible preseason in Cuzco, so the club can acclimate to the local conditions.
Regarding the dangers of the Peruvian team, Joel highlighted two players:
- They have a team that prints speed, they have a short guy (Chiroque) on the left who has quality and a very fast Japanese guy (Sawa).
Joel believes that, without any whims, Flamengo would beat Nacional
The coach, however, said that the 2-0 victory was a good result.
LANCEPRESS!
Joel Santana's expression after Flamengo's 2-0 victory over Nacional revealed one feeling: relief. However, his calmness didn't stop the Flamengo coach from expressing some reservations about his team's performance on Wednesday.
"We could have won 3-0, but on a whim, we only won by two, but it was good enough. Today (Wednesday), we didn't make any defensive mistakes, and when the team doesn't make mistakes, it boosts morale. It was a game for players like Luizinho, Renato Augusto, and Marcinho to get into rhythm," he celebrated.
Joel pointed out the need to win as something that made Thursday's game even more difficult.
"The hardest part of that game was the pressure of having to win, especially after what happened in Uruguay. The group was tense, and we expected perhaps a tougher game. They marked our midfield and used two lines of four. The important thing was that we returned to the top of Group 4," he concluded.