The Globe
With only two attackers, Joel has a mechanic's day
Flamengo coach plans to slow down Souza and speed up Leonardo
Photo caption: SOUZA (RIGHT) says he will control his temper to make up for the absence of the suspended Obina
Márcio Tavares
Accelerate Leonardo's pace and slow Souza's momentum. Thus, as an experienced driver who thoroughly understands the components of the vehicle he's driving (which is currently far from a racing car), coach Joel Santana already has the formula to face the remaining two and a half months of the Brazilian Championship with only two center forwards. With Obina's suspension and Paulo Sérgio's fracture, Joel, not to mention the still very green rookie Kayke, is left with two solid options.
"I talked to the players about it. I asked for more maturity. Cards for arguments, taking the ball out of place—all of these are silly cards that hurt the team and the player. Flamengo is two points behind the Copa Sudamericana and two points from relegation. This is no time to relax. I have to step up Leonardo's game and hope Souza doesn't get suspended again," said Joel Santana, who has problems up front but has brought another defender from the youth squad: Wellington.
A regular at the Superior Court of Justice (STJD), Souza assures he's well aware of the weight that falls on the shoulders of Flamengo's key players. He swears he absorbed Joel's words, recognizing that his importance has now increased significantly.
"I already knew that because, in the various matches I played, I entered with that responsibility. I know what Flamengo represents. I'm calm and I hope to continue that way," says Souza.
Game against Atlético-MG is brought forward to Saturday
Joel doesn't like to discuss punishments handed down by the Superior Court of Sports Justice because he knows he risks being placed back in the dock and fears reprisals. He didn't defend Obina, but he didn't attack him either.
"The penalties are too long. A fine would be better. Nobody likes losing money. You can't deprive anyone of work, of bringing home a basic food basket. But Obina is winning and has to stay motivated."
Obina just won't be able to match Roger's pace, as he will have another week of physical training to try to return. If Maxi's starting lineup against Juventude on Sunday is confirmed, Roger may play against Atlético-MG (the game has been moved up from Sunday the 30th to Saturday at Maracanã). His presence will depend on his performance in the training sessions throughout the week.
As Roger complained of muscle pain the day before yesterday, which doctor José Luiz Runco considered normal, yesterday Runco outlined plans with the technical committee to find an ideal workload.
Kleber Leite, vice president of football, sent a request to the CBF to schedule a meeting between the clubs, the organization, and representatives of the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) to discuss the body's criteria for judging. He claims that the major clubs have been harmed by the STJD's prosecutor's office.
Sports Journal
In defense of the 'Black Angel'
Lawyer files appeal today with a stay of execution to try to reduce Obina's sentence
Nathan de Lima
A smiling Obina participates in the jester's circle with Colace in the background and midfielder Assumpção next to him. He is confident that his sentence will be reduced.
Anyone who saw Obina training yesterday at Gávea could never have imagined that he had been suspended for 120 days by the Superior Court of Sports Justice the day before. In a good mood and participating seriously in all the training sessions, the player demonstrated awareness of the affection that the management and his teammates have for him. The four-month suspension was either not affecting the striker, or he has great confidence in the club's legal department, which is filing an appeal today for a ruling by the STJD Plenary.
The club's lawyer, Michel Assef Filho, stated that the defense will maintain the same arguments as in the first trial and will try to disqualify the play from article 253 (aggression, which carries a penalty of 120 to 540 days) and include it in article 255 (committing an act of hostility, which carries a penalty of one to three games).
"We'll file the appeal tomorrow (today), and along with it, we'll submit the request for a stay of execution. I hope it'll be heard in the full court within two weeks at the most, and that everything goes smoothly. We'll continue to maintain that Obina's play wasn't the type of aggression covered by the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice. It was simply an act of hostility; he didn't intend to attack the player," said Assef.
Like the lawyer, everyone at Gávea came to the "Black Angel's" defense and considered the punishment excessive, at the very least. Coach Joel Santana reminded the player that his career is short and that four months is a long time for an athlete to be out of work.
"I think that when someone makes a mistake, they should be punished, but I think these punishments are too long. Obina, for example, was out of action for four months due to injury and now he's getting another four. Eight months alone is a long time for a soccer player. No one is thinking about the athlete's life. Players have to work; no one has the right to deprive a man of his job," he said.
Meeting with clubs
The club's vice-president, Kleber Leite, intends to hold a meeting with Brazil's biggest clubs to try to resolve this issue.
"I don't want to demoralize anyone, but we have to find a solution that benefits everyone. What's happening isn't right. I believe that the clubs with the greatest visibility are suffering the greatest losses. Therefore, I'm proposing a broad meeting with the clubs so we can discuss what's happening," he said.
Joel confirms Souza and Maxi in attack
Coach Joel Santana's first training session with the ball after the draw in the derby against Vasco served as a starting point for the team that will face Juventude this Sunday in Caxias do Sul. With Souza back in the lineup after serving a suspension for his third yellow card, and Argentine Maxi Biancucci recovered from a left thigh injury, the coach confirmed his starting attack for the match.
Yesterday, at Gávea, Joel Santana led a tactical drill, prioritizing marking and ball release, followed by attacking plays. Maxi Biancucci participated as normal in training and worked on his muscles.
"He trained well today and didn't feel anything. We're working on him recovering. If he doesn't feel anything by Friday's training session (tomorrow), he'll play," Joel said.
The likely team that will face Juventude is: Bruno, Léo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Rômulo, Jaílton, Cristian and Toró; Maxi and Souza.
Roger is in pain and shouldn't play.
Roger places his hand on his thigh after feeling discomfort there. He's only played six games so far.
Midfielder Roger is practically out of the game in Caxias do Sul on Sunday. Yesterday, during training in Gávea, he felt a muscle strain in his right thigh.
"Roger had been complaining about a muscle problem and had to work with it. Today (yesterday), he was doing special work, but he ended up feeling discomfort," explained physical trainer Ronaldo Torres.
As a result, coach Joel Santana had to review his plans regarding the player, as his return on Sunday was considered certain.
"I haven't spoken to Runco or the fitness coach yet, but Roger felt pain in his thigh and will now have to do special training. I don't think he'll be fit enough to play," the coach emphasized.
Since joining the club, Roger has appeared in six games, starting five. He has yet to score a goal for the club. His last game was against Internacional at Beira-Rio on September 8th, when he was substituted at halftime.
Joel promotes player from juniors
Coach Joel Santana is banking on Flamengo's tradition of developing stars in the youth ranks and, after calling up Kayke, Thiago Salles and Rômulo to the main squad, defender Wellington is the newest player in the Rubro-negro's professional squad.
"I brought him up to the first team to see how he'd perform. This guy blew me away," said the coach.
At Gávea, Wellington is known for being excellent at low balls and tackling, but he is somewhat lacking in aerial play.
Maria Helena Braun
By Letter
Maracanã in Barra
Maria Helena Braun mbraun@jsports.com.br
They came from all over. They left by bus, arrived on foot, by car, hitchhiked, descended from the buildings, and walked in the same direction. It looked like, and indeed was, a pilgrimage. A crowd, tense and expectant. Some wore their Sunday uniforms: shirts, flags, headbands, trumpets, tambourines, tambourines, and drums. And off they went. Men, women, children, older people, all driven by a single purpose. The less attentive would say the crowd was heading to Maracanã. But how, if they were heading in the opposite direction? The parking attendants were scraping together their weekly survival. Beer was a must, and neither was the sausage by the meter. It was almost six in the afternoon, and Baixo Parque das Rosas, in Barra da Tijuca, was taking on the air of a Maracanã stadium.
The big screens in every bar and restaurant, without exception, were tuned to the Vasco vs. Flamengo game. The referee blew the whistle, the ball rolled, and between sips of beer, chicken wings, and grilled picanha steak, the passionate shouts of fans echoed, at least 30 kilometers from the Maracanã stadium. "Woohoo! Penalty! Thief!" I closed my eyes, and it was as if I were in the stands. "Waiter, get out of the way!" Poor them, during the game they can barely move among the fans, or rather, among the customers. They, too, are children of God, and they keep one eye on their tray and the other on the big screens.
Leandro Amaral scores a goal. Baixo Parque das Rosas explodes with a unique sound, Vasco fans embrace, toast, order another round of draft beer, and become enthusiastic. The red-and-blacks fall silent, gulping down their bitter beer, but 35 minutes later, it's their turn to shout a goal. It's the Vasco fans' turn to angrily chew their codfish balls. In the second half, silence. Tension mounts. In the last minute, a spiritualist play by Alan Kardec prevents Vasco's victory. The game ends, and the fans—or rather, the customers—pay their bill. They leave in order, peacefully, as stadiums should. In Baixo Parque das Rosas, democracy reigns; red-and-blacks and Vasco fans cheer side by side, without provocation or fighting. Everyone, with rare exceptions, leaves.
Suddenly the bars are empty. Next Sunday there will be more. Tricolor and Botafogo fans will surely repeat the scenes that have become part of their Sunday tradition. For many locals, Maracanã Stadium is in Barra da Tijuca.
O Dia
Elbow pain at Flamengo
From the players to the vice president of football, everyone suffers from Obina's suspension
Rio - Obina's elbow on Internacional defender Índio stung Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite. It stung coach Joel Santana. It stung the club's players. Yesterday, at Gávea, there was no other topic of conversation.
There was even a meeting in which Joel asked his players to avoid receiving cards. "We talked a lot about this topic. I demanded more maturity. We have to avoid arguments and disrespect for the rules, as this is detrimental to the player and the team. We have to avoid cards," said Joel Santana.
The speech, however, wasn't meant to reprimand Obina. Quite the opposite. Everyone at Flamengo considered the 120-day suspension too harsh for the striker.
"When someone makes a mistake, they should be punished. But a very long punishment should be converted into a fine, because no one likes to lose money," Joel complained. "Let's create a different kind of situation than taking someone's job away. We can't prohibit a player from taking home the food basket," the coach added, forgetting that Obina will continue to earn his salary while suspended.
The legal department is taking action today to try to reduce the striker's sentence. Flamengo will attempt to have the penalty downgraded from Article 253 (assault) to Article 255 (act of hostility), with a lesser punishment and a suspension of one to three games.
Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, was no stranger to the discussion. "The clubs with the best performance suffer the most. The punishment isn't the same for everyone," said the director, who invited Botafogo president Bebeto de Freitas to the debate at CBF headquarters. Leite has also spoken with Grêmio's board and hopes to bring together representatives from other prominent clubs in the country.
Defender and team captain Fábio Luciano sided with Obina: "A player should only get a four-month suspension for repeat offenses. That's not the case with Obina. In Europe, cards aren't so easily handed out. The strictness here is more severe," the defender said.
Maxi returns to the team, replacing Obina
If Obina was the sad topic of the day, Flamengo also had a reason to smile, albeit slightly: Argentine Maxi Biancucchi, sidelined due to a muscle injury, has recovered and, at least in principle, is scheduled for Sunday afternoon's game against Juventude, in Caxias do Sul.
In the absence of the other idol, the Argentine, the fans' new favorite, will play alongside Souza. Coach Joel Santana didn't even make a secret of it this time. "If he doesn't feel anything during training this Friday, he'll be in the game," the red-and-black coach stated.
Thus, the Gávea team is already defined for the match against Juventude, with Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Rômulo, Cristian, Jaílton and Toró; Maxi Biancucchi and Souza.
Despite Obina's absence, Joel Santana's biggest concern is the defense: "We can't concede such ridiculous goals. Enough is enough."
Midfielder Roger trained alone and is expected to return in the next round. Renato Augusto, Íbson, and Paulo Sérgio, who are injured, have no set date for their return to the team.
Flamengo will appeal Obina's punishment
Rio - Flamengo's board, through its legal department, confirmed that it will attempt to reduce the 120-day sentence imposed by the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) on striker Obina. The player was tried last Tuesday for elbowing Internacional defender Índio in the club's 3-0 loss at Beira-Rio Stadium.
The next step will be taken by lawyer Michel Assef Filho, who will file an appeal to obtain a stay of proceedings in favor of the Flamengo player. If successful, the next trial will be held within two weeks at the most.
"We will certainly appeal. The defense continues to believe that the act should not result in a 120-day sentence. It is excessive. The defense believes he should be punished, but under a different article," he commented.
Sports Gazette
Roger feels pain in his thigh and is unlikely to face Juventude\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Cleared by the medical department to rejoin the Flamengo squad that will face Juventude next Sunday in Caxias do Sul, midfielder Roger, who was away from the team to regain fitness, felt discomfort in his thigh again and is expected to remain out of the group that travels to Rio Grande do Sul.\ Meanwhile, Argentine Maxi Biancucchi participated normally in Wednesday's training sessions and is scheduled to form alongside Souza to form the Flamengo attack in the Serra Gaúcha. In the tactical training session led by coach Joel Santana, the starting lineup was formed by: Bruno; Leo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Rômulo, Cristian, Jaílton and Toró; Maxi and Souza.\
Before the match, however, Joel will once again lead a tactical training session this Thursday and a training session on Friday.
Obina - Striker Obina trained remotely this Wednesday, one day after receiving a 120-day suspension imposed by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) for elbowing an Internacional player during a match at Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre. The club's lawyer, Michel Assef Filho, will file an appeal this Thursday in an attempt to reduce the sentence.
Juan denies problems renewing with Flamengo\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Left-back Juan denied any setbacks in the negotiations to renew his contract with Flamengo. Since the agreement was not signed, reports surfaced that he could leave at the end of this year. The full-back, however, confirmed that he will extend his contract with the Rubro-Negro until the last day of 2010. He assured that the new agreement has not yet been signed only due to lack of time. "I haven't signed the new contract yet because it was signed at the end of last week, and then our training camp for the derby against Vasco began. But everything is set, and I will remain at Flamengo."
"I feel very comfortable at this club. I have the support of the fans and the backing of all the directors. There's no reason for me to leave Gávea," said the full-back, who has been one of the team's standout performers in this year's Brazilian Championship, including scoring numerous goals.
Without Obina, Maxi and Souza form an attack in Fla against Juventude\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Without Obina, suspended for 120 days by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) for an elbow on Internacional defender Índio, Flamengo's attack in the match against Juventude, this Sunday, in Caxias do Sul, at the Alfredo Jaconi stadium, is expected to be formed by Maxi and Souza, a duo considered a starter by Joel.\ In addition to these two, the coach is counting on Kayke and Leonardo for the sector. This is because Renato Augusto, who is often used in the attack, suffered a strain in his right thigh and will be out for at least 15 days, and Paulo Sérgio, who fractured his left collarbone in the 1-1 draw with Vasco, will be out for at least six weeks.\
The lineup for the match will likely be determined only at the training session scheduled for this Thursday, the final one before the clash against the Gauchos. With 33 points, Flamengo needs a win to further distance itself from the Brasileirão relegation zone. In the first round, at Maracanã, Flamengo defeated Juventude 4-0.
Ibson is unlikely to return against Juventude
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Despite being almost 100% recovered from an ankle injury suffered in the loss to Internacional three rounds ago, midfielder Ibson is unlikely to play for Flamengo in this Sunday's match against Juventude at the Alfredo Jaconi stadium, in the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship. According to the Rio de Janeiro team's fitness coach, Ronaldo Torres, the player's return is only expected for the match against Atlético-MG on the 30th at the Maracanã. "I'll wait for Ibson, but I don't think he'll be able to play. The most likely scenario is for the match against Atlético-MG next weekend," he explained.
Despite being without Ibson again, coach Joel Santana has gained three reinforcements for the match in Caxias do Sul. Midfielder Roger will be included in the squad and will return after two weeks away to regain his best fitness.
In addition to him, midfielder Maxi, recovered from a left thigh injury, and striker Souza, who served a suspension in the classic against Vasco, last Sunday, also reinforce Flamengo, which occupies 13th place in the Brasileirão, with 33 points, just two above the relegation zone.
PeléNet
Fla must continue without Roger and Ibson, but Maxi returns
From the Editorial Team\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Contrary to expectations, midfielder Roger is unlikely to return to Flamengo's squad for the Brazilian Championship match against Juventude next Sunday in Caxias do Sul. On Wednesday, the player complained of muscle pain and did not train with the starting lineup. Defensive midfielder Ibson is also out. Meanwhile, the Flamengo team can already count on the return of Argentine forward Maxi Biancucchi.
Sidelined by coach Joel Santana (after the defeat to Inter) to recover his physical form, as he faced a strong sequence of games for Flamengo after three months "on the sidelines" at Corinthians by choice of coach Paulo César Carpegiani, Roger was prepared to return against Juventude.
However, this afternoon, while working with the club's physiotherapists, the player touched his right thigh. According to fitness coach Ronaldo Torres, Roger played with the problem, and perhaps that's why he felt it.
Ibson is still not fully recovered from a severe right ankle sprain. He has also been out of the team since the match against Inter, in which he suffered the injury.
While Roger and Ibson are out for Flamengo for the fourth game in a row, Maxi Biancucchi is now available to coach Joel Santana after missing seven matches.
This Wednesday, he participated normally in tactical training with the starting team, showing that he has fully recovered from a strain in his left thigh, suffered during the match against Goiás.
Joel Santana will lead another tactical training session this Thursday and a training session on Friday to determine the team's lineup. The team that trained on Wednesday and is expected to take the field on Sunday was named Bruno; Leonardo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim, and Juan; Rômulo, Cristian, Jaílton, and Toró; Maxi and Souza.
Fla's technical committee celebrates first free week
Vinicius Barreto Souto\ In Rio de Janeiro\
For the first time since arriving at Flamengo, coach Joel Santana and fitness coach Ronaldo Torres have seven uninterrupted days to work with the team. Therefore, the current Flamengo coaching staff is celebrating this unprecedented week off.
After a grueling draw with Vasco da Gama last Sunday in the Brazilian Championship, the players were given Monday off to recover. However, on Tuesday, they "made up for lost time" with a full day of physical training—on Leblon beach in the morning and at the Gávea pool in the afternoon.
"We worked on muscle explosion and endurance. For the first time, we were able to do this type of training. We were playing every midweek and weekend, and that made it impossible to do more intense physical training," commented Ronaldo Torres, who is optimistic about the team's physical performance against Juventude on Sunday in Caxias do Sul.
"A week without a game in between will make a big difference. On Wednesday, for example, the athletes' bodies will be prepared for high levels of fatigue. Since that won't happen, their energy reserves will increase," he continued.
Coach Joel Santana also celebrated the free week, as he expects a team with more "stamina" on the field after the match against Juventude. "It's the first time Ronaldo Torres has had a full day to work on his fitness. We've played 13 matches in 48 days. We play every four days, not counting travel and training camps," he noted.
But it wasn't just the coach and fitness trainer who celebrated the free week. The athletes also highlighted the importance of the break from the "marathon" of games.
"We needed this break. There was accumulated fatigue from the sequence of games. No matter how good a player is physically, there's no way he won't get tired. This week will be good for us to recover," said left-back Juan.
BalloonSport
Junior defender promoted by Joel
Wellington, 17, trains with the professionals at the request of the red-black coach
Marcio Iannacca
Joel Santana talks to Rômulo and Thiago Sales, two promising Flamengo players
Defender Wellington has been promoted and is already training with the seniors. He was integrated into the first team at the request of coach Joel Santana, who praised the 17-year-old. The club's coach praised the athlete.
"I brought him up to the first team to see how he'd perform. This guy blew me away," says the red-and-black coach.
However, in the corridors of Gávea, Wellington has a reputation for being an excellent defender in tackling and clearing the ball. However, aerial balls are his weakness.
Last month, Joel Santana called up Rômulo, Thiago Salles and Kayke from the youth team to the professional team.
Obina shows tranquility in Gávea
Unlike the day before, Anjo Negro jokes with friends and fans during training
Marcio Iannacca
Obina cries after learning of his 120-day suspension from the Superior Court of Justice (STJD). Unlike the day before, when he cried after being suspended for 120 days by the Superior Court of Sports Justice, striker Obina appeared calm during training this Monday in Gávea. The Black Angel was suspended by the STJD for elbowing Internacional defender Índio.
During training at Gávea, the striker joked with some family members who were at the club and fans, who supported the player. Obina did not grant an interview on Wednesday. Coach Joel Santana stated that the player should stay motivated, even though he will be out until 2008.
"The club is paying. He needs to be motivated. He needs to maintain his physique because he's a professional player. I've known Obina for over five years and I don't remember him ever having such an attitude. Obina retaliated against an attack. I'm not saying he's right, but we'll see if he gets his sentence reduced," says Joel.
Juan finally signs with Fla
The defender's attorney appears in Gávea and agrees to keep the athlete until 2010
Marcio Iannacca
Juan during a break in Flamengo's training session in Gávea
Left-back Juan has finally signed a new contract extension with Flamengo. The player's contract, which expired in December 2008, now runs until 2010. The player's agent, Eduardo Uram, was in Gávea this Wednesday to meet with the club's directors.
Juan's new contract was ready last week. In recent days, the player was regularly called in for talks with vice president of football Kléber Leite, who consistently expressed confidence in the renewal.
- He signs now - assured the leader.
Fla proposes discussion on trials
Kléber Leite submits request to the CBF to discuss sentences handed down by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD)
Marcio Iannacca
The punishment of striker Obina, who received a 120-day suspension from the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) for assaulting Internacional defender Índio, sparked a heated debate in Gávea. Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, submitted a request to the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) requesting a meeting between the clubs and the organization to reach a common ground regarding the rulings of the Superior Court of Sports Justice.
According to the director, matches involving clubs with greater appeal, such as Flamengo, Corinthians, São Paulo, and Vasco, are broadcast more carefully and with a larger number of television cameras. This allows the STJD prosecutor's office to monitor these matches more closely.
"Let's try to organize things. Either we do something fair for everyone or we do nothing. Obina committed an assault that wasn't reported in the report and received a 120-game ban. In the same game, two other assaults were seen by everyone, and those players weren't prosecuted," says Kléber Leite.
The Flamengo director says he has already contacted the boards of Grêmio and Botafogo and has received support for his idea of promoting a debate on the STJD rulings. Kléber Leite cited an example that occurred with the Rio Grande do Sul-based Tricolor.
"The Czech was suspended for three games by one of the committees and acquitted in the full committee. He missed three matches and hurt his team," the director states, before adding:
"There's no bad faith, but the decisions need to be reviewed. In some matches, 12 or 13 cameras are used. In others, only three or four," he adds.
Maxi trains with the first team
Argentine is selected alongside Souza and guarantees presence in Sunday's match
Marcio Iannacca
Maxi Biancucchi participates normally in training and will face Juventude\ Forward Maxi Biancucchi trained normally this Wednesday, in Gávea. Recovered from a left thigh strain, the Argentine participated in a finishing drill and, later, formed an attacking duo with Souza in the tactical formation led by coach Joel Santana.\
With Maxi back, Joel has already named his starting lineup for Sunday's game against Juventude at the Alfredo Jaconi stadium in Caxias do Sul. Flamengo's lineup will be as follows: Bruno, Leo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim, and Juan; Rômulo, Cristian, Jaílton, and Toró; Maxi and Souza.
On Thursday, the red-and-black coach will lead a new tactical training session. On Friday, Joel will hold a training session to finalize the team's preparation.
Fla begins dispute for the third state championship
Rubro-Negro debuts against Recreio/Volta Redonda, away from home, on the 28th
Flamengo's basketball team begins its State Championship campaign on Friday, the 28th of this month. The team is seeking its third consecutive title in the competition and will face Recreio/Volta Redonda on the road in its opening match.
The 2007 State Basketball Championship will feature the participation of the following teams: Flamengo, Fluminense, Vasco da Gama, Iguaçu BC, Automóvel CF, Liga Macaense and Recreio/Volta Redonda.
Throw
Biancucchi's chances of returning to play are good.
Striker has recovered from a strained left thigh\ LANCEPRESS!\
Having recovered from a left thigh strain, Maxi Biancucchi is not confirmed for Flamengo's squad that will face Juventude on Sunday. Although the striker trained with the starting lineup on Wednesday, coach Joel Santana prefers to wait for Friday's training session to determine his squad. However, the striker's chances of playing are good.
"Maxi's tendency is to play. We'll still do some different work with him," the coach stated.
If Maxi plays, Joel Santana will have the chance to repeat the attacking duo he considers ideal, with the Argentine playing alongside Souza, who also returns to the team after suspension.
Youth defender participates in training at Fla
Joel Santana puts Welinton to train with professionals\ LANCEPRESS!\
Coach Joel Santana has pulled another player from Flamengo's youth academy to train with the seniors. After defender Thiago Sales and forward Kayke, it was now defender Welinton's turn to get a chance.
"He's a good defender. I see quality in him, and he impressed me during training. I enjoy doing this kind of work," he said.
The coach recalled that, having been at the club for a long time, the youth players know Flamengo well.
Joel does not agree with the 120-day punishment
Coach considers it too high and asks for another solution to be found\ LANCEPRESS!\
Unable to count on Obina for the next four months, coach Joel Santana asked for some punishments to be reviewed. The coach complained mainly about the length of time the striker will be sidelined due to his suspension for elbowing Internacional's Índio.
"I'm not defending Obina. He retaliated against an attack and should indeed be punished. But the punishment is being too harsh. You can't deprive someone of work. We need to find another way," Joel stated.
Flamengo's attack: third loss in three days
Joel has fewer options for the red-black offensive sector\ LANCEPRESS!\
Flamengo's forwards must be hoping this week ends soon. On Sunday, Renato Augusto, who is often used up front, suffered a strained right thigh and will be out for at least 15 days. Also in the draw with Vasco, Paulo Sérgio fractured his left collarbone and will be out for at least six weeks.
This Tuesday, it was Obina's turn to receive a 120-day suspension and be unavailable for the rest of the Brazilian Championship. With the three absences, Joel Santana currently has four professional forwards on the roster: Souza, Maxi, Kayke, and Leonardo. It's worth noting that Joel's starting attack is Maxi and Souza.
Kléber Leite complains about STJD criteria
Flamengo director also proposes debate on the subject
Kléber Leite spoke with other clubs about STJD (Credit: Julio Cesar Guimarães)
Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, complained about Obina's suspension, but mainly because only the striker was charged with the attack on Internacional's Índio. The director recalled that in the same match, Adriano tackled Ibson, forcing the midfielder out of the game.
Furthermore, Kléber proposed a broad debate on the criteria adopted by the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD).
"This needs to be discussed. I've spoken with teammates from other clubs. No one is in favor of aggression or indiscipline. But what's happening is wrong. In the same game, there were two assaults (Índio on Obina and Adriano on Ibson), yet the prosecutor only charged Obina," said Kléber, who spoke with Grêmio and Botafogo about the matter.
Regarding Obina's trial, the leader again complained about the criteria used by the STJD:
"The process wasn't handled correctly. We need to find a solution. Aggression isn't limited to elbows or arms. It can also be done with feet," he said, referring to Adriano's attack on Ibson.
Fla basketball begins the fight for the third state championship
Rubro-Negro debuts in the competition against Volta Redonda\ LANCEPRESS!\
Flamengo's basketball team begins its State Championship campaign on Friday, the 28th of this month. The team is seeking its third consecutive title in the competition and will face Recreio/Volta Redonda on the road in its opening match.
The 2007 State Basketball Championship will feature the participation of the following teams: Flamengo, Fluminense, Vasco da Gama, Iguaçu BC, Automóvel CF, Liga Macaense and Recreio/Volta Redonda.
Check out the list of Flamengo/Petrobras games in the State Basketball Championship:
28/9 – Recreio/Volta Redonda x Flamengo/Petrobras, at 19 pm, in Volta Redonda.
03/10 – Flamengo/Petrobras x Iguaçu BC, at 19 pm, in Gávea.
14/10 – Flamengo/Petrobras x Automóvel CF, at 11 am, location to be defined.
21/10 - Fluminense x Flamengo/Petrobras, at 11 am, location to be defined.
24/10 – Flamengo/Petrobras x Macaense League, at 19pm, in Gávea.
28/10 – Vasco da Gama x Flamengo/Petrobras, at 11 am, location to be defined