THE GLOBE
Botafogo's problems don't fool Joel
Flamengo coach says he will face the team he chooses to play in the final
The Rio Cup final left its mark on Botafogo, who lost Triguinho, Alessandro, and Jorge Henrique for the first leg of the final against Flamengo. Flamengo coach Joel Santana preferred to downplay the problems his opponent will carry into the state title race.
"I'm not even going to talk about Botafogo's problems or their team's. Whatever they put on the field, Flamengo will face," said Joel, shortly after watching the Rio Cup final on television. "Botafogo has a quality team, but right now I'm worried about the Libertadores game."
The coach was referring to Wednesday's match at the Maracanã against Coronel Bolognesi. Joel said he saw a balanced game yesterday.
"It was an even match. It was clear that whoever scored would be champion. Fluminense had chances and paid a high price for not taking them. In a decisive game, you can't waste a penalty."
Doctors release Jônatas and Renato Augusto
This morning, the red-black delegation heads to Granja Comary, in Teresópolis, where they will prepare to face Bolognesi and, later, for the State final.
The coaching staff will decide whether to use Renato Augusto on Wednesday. The player, recovering from a right leg injury, took to the field but did not train with the group last Saturday. According to the club's doctors, the midfielder is currently undergoing physical preparation. The same is true of Jônatas, who recovered from a muscle injury suffered almost a month ago.
Finalists of the 2008 State Championship, Flamengo and Botafogo have been rivals for 95 years, since June 13, 1913, when the black and whites won 1-0. Throughout this period, the two teams have already decided the Campeonato Carioca on three occasions.
In the first, in 1962, a championship played on a points-based system with very different rules than today's, Botafogo thrashed Flamengo 3-0 and was crowned champion. In 1989, Botafogo broke its 21-year drought without a state title (since 1968), beating its opponent 1-0. Last year, the black and whites and red and blacks were the protagonists in the State Championship final. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, but Flamengo took the title on penalties: 4-2.
Botafogo was state champion 18 times and Flamengo, 29.
The two teams also decided the 1992 Brazilian Championship over two matches. Flamengo won 3-0 and 2-2.
According to the website http://www.flamengo.com.br/flapedia/Botafogo, the two teams have faced each other 330 times, with 118 victories for Flamengo, 107 for Botafogo and 105 draws.
MARCELINHO PLAYS
Ejected from the court in the first game of the South American Basketball League finals, forward/guard Marcelinho will play tomorrow for Flamengo in the third decisive match against Regatas Corrientes of Argentina at 19 p.m. at Maracanãzinho. The athlete was punished with a one-game suspension, already served, and a fine of US$500.
SPORTS JOURNAL
It's up to him
Fitness trainer guarantees that Renato Augusto has already recovered from the injury to his right knee.
Nathan De Lima
JS file
Renato Augusto could return to play on Wednesday if he no longer feels pain in his right knee.
Flamengo heads back to the mountains to prepare for the Campeonato Carioca finals and Wednesday's Libertadores match against Coronel Bolognesi. The trip to Teresópolis could have served as a lineup pick, but coach Joel Santana has already confirmed that the team will be at full strength—the same team that faced Cienciano in Cusco and Botafogo last Sunday. However, midfielder Renato Augusto's starting lineup is still in doubt, as he recovers from a right knee injury. Doctor Walter Martins confirmed yesterday that, although the midfielder has already been cleared for physical training, his selection will only be confirmed after tomorrow's training session.
"We've already sent Renato Augusto to physical preparation. Now it's up to Ronaldo Torres. From what I know, if he trains well tomorrow, he'll be able to play normally in Wednesday's game. He'll definitely play on Sunday," assured Walter Martins.
Joel Santana's physical trainer and right-hand man, Ronaldo Torres, warned that Renato Augusto's starting lineup only depends on the player himself, as he is no longer injured and is well prepared physically.
"He worked with the group today, but he still felt a lot of pain. We'll wait a bit to see if he feels any pain. Now it's up to him; he's no longer injured, just sore. He's physically prepared, because despite being injured, he's been working out in the gym," said Ronaldo Torres.
Another lap
Like Renato Augusto, defensive midfielder Jônatas returns to training with the group tomorrow. He is recovering from a left thigh injury suffered in the Taça Rio match against Friburguense. Walter Martins warned that Renato Augusto and Jônatas may not be fit enough to play against Bolognesi, but assured that they will both be available for coach Joel Santana in Sunday's final.
"Jônatas has also recovered and will train with the entire group in Teresópolis on Monday. Like Renato, it will depend on training to see if he'll be fit to play against Bolognesi, but both will be able to play in Sunday's final," he added.
Fla is off, but with an eye on the Libertadores
While Botafogo and Fluminense played the Taça Rio final at the Maracanã, Flamengo's players were given a day off yesterday. Team captain Fábio Luciano took advantage of the break to spend time with his family and his three-year-old son, Gian Luca. Unconcerned about their opponent in the Campeonato Carioca finals, which will take place on Sundays, April 27th and May 4th, he said that right now his only thoughts are on Wednesday's match against Coronel Bolognesi, in the final round of the Copa Libertadores.
"We're only thinking about Bolognesi. It's going to be an important game, as it's at stake for first place in our group," said Fábio Luciano.
If Flamengo secures first place in Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores, it will have a great chance to face the strong América (MEX) team at an altitude of approximately 2.240 meters in Mexico City, where the Azteca Stadium, with a capacity of approximately 114, is located. However, Fábio Luciano doesn't seem worried about either the pressure from the fans or the altitude. He noted that Flamengo recently went to Cusco and defeated Cienciano 3-0.
"I know we have a good chance of facing América from Mexico, but that doesn't worry us much, as we had a difficult trip to Peru and won well," he said.
Flamengo currently leads Group 4 of the competition with 10 points, one more than Nacional from Uruguay, and if the first phase ended today, they would face LDU from Ecuador.
"One game changes the entire standings. We'll wait, but we know that those who want to be champions can't choose their opponents," added Fábio Luciano.
Joel: 'I'll only think about them on Thursday'
Joel Santana wants his team to focus on the Libertadores match on Wednesday
Nathan de Lima
Nina Lima
Joel thinks that yesterday's Taça Rio final was a balanced game and that missing the penalty could have been fatal for Fluminense.
Flamengo learned yesterday, after Botafogo's 1-0 victory over Fluminense at Maracanã, who will be their opponent in the finals of this year's Campeonato Carioca, which will take place on Sundays, May 27th and 4th. This isn't the first time this year that the two teams will have to compete for the title of best in Rio.
In the Guanabara Cup, the two teams faced off, and Flamengo prevailed, defeating their rivals 2-1 in a derby marked by controversy. In addition to this year's Guanabara Cup, last season the two teams played in the Campeonato Carioca final, which Flamengo also won. History seems to be repeating itself. Once again, Flamengo won the Guanabara Cup, and Botafogo the Rio Cup.
Coach Joel Santana knows that this time, the final will be as difficult as last year's, perhaps even more so, as Botafogo complained a lot about the refereeing in the Guanabara Cup final, which is why the red-and-blacks are struggling. However, as usual, the coach declined to comment on Botafogo or the rival's two absences for the first leg of the final: full-back Alessandro and forward Jorge Henrique, both sent off in the match against Fluminense.
"As always, I don't like to talk about the opponent. We'll have to fight and play well to deserve the victory. It doesn't matter what formation the opponent will field. Flamengo never thought about who their opponent would be in the final. We're thinking first about Coronel Bolognesi. Only starting Thursday will we start preparing for the final," said the coach, who considered the result of the Taça Rio final fair.
"It was an even match, and it was clear that whoever scored the first goal would win. Fluminense had good chances, didn't score, and even missed a penalty, which is almost always fatal in a final. Botafogo did their part and won deservedly," added Joel Santana.
THE DAY
Keeping an eye on the enemy
Joel Santana watched the game and considered Botafogo's victory fair.
Janir Junior
Rio - Joel Santana's Sunday program included watching the Taça Rio final between Botafogo and Fluminense. The Flamengo coach considered the victory fair, but avoided any comment on the absences his opponent will have for the first leg of the State Championship final on Sunday. Jorge Henrique and Alessandro will serve suspensions. Castillo and Triguinho are injured.
"As always, I won't comment on the opponent. What I know is that Flamengo will have to fight hard and play well to deserve the win, regardless of the lineup Botafogo sends on Sunday," said Joel, who also analyzed yesterday's match.
"It was an even match, and it was clear that whoever scored the first goal would win. Fluminense had good chances, didn't score, and even missed a penalty, which is fatal in a final. Botafogo did their part and won deservedly," he said.
Today, Flamengo heads to Teresópolis, where they will train for Wednesday's match against Coronel Bolognesi. Renato Augusto, with muscle pain, is still doubtful. "At no point did Flamengo think about who their opponent would be in the final. We're focusing on Coronel Bolognesi first. Starting Thursday, we'll talk about the State Championship final," he added.
After the Libertadores match, the team returns to Teresópolis to prepare for the final. "The trip will be good, as it will give us more peace of mind to work. We'll put the things we consider wrong in their proper place. The psychological aspect is the most important when playing such important matches," emphasized Joel Santana.
PELENET
Check out Flamengo's training week
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
The week started off with a break for Flamengo's players. The training session scheduled for Sunday at Gávea was canceled, meaning the final stretch of preparations for the decisive matches in the Copa Libertadores and State Championship begins this Monday morning.
On this day, the delegation will report to Gávea and travel to Granja Comary in Teresópolis. The red-and-blacks' "homework" was to watch the Taça Rio final, which qualified Botafogo for the final after a 1-0 victory over Fluminense.
After lunch at the Brazilian national team's training center, coach Joel Santana is expected to lead a training session. On Tuesday morning, the players will have their final training session before training for the match against Coronel Bolognese, which will be played on Wednesday night at the Maracanã stadium.
With qualification for the Libertadores confirmed, the delegation returns to Granja Comary the following morning, their thoughts focused on the state championship final. Joel Santana will be briefing the team on training in the afternoon. On Friday and Saturday, the training will take place in the morning.
The delegation then returns to Rio de Janeiro and heads straight to the training ground in Barra da Tijuca, in the city's west zone. Flamengo faces Glorioso at 16 p.m. at the Maracanã stadium.
Fla is off, but with an eye on the Libertadores
While Botafogo and Fluminense played the Taça Rio final at the Maracanã, Flamengo's players were given a day off yesterday. Team captain Fábio Luciano took advantage of the break to spend time with his family and his three-year-old son, Gian Luca. Unconcerned about their opponent in the Campeonato Carioca finals, which will take place on Sundays, April 27th and May 4th, he said that right now his only thoughts are on Wednesday's match against Coronel Bolognesi, in the final round of the Copa Libertadores.
"We're only thinking about Bolognesi. It's going to be an important game, as it's at stake for first place in our group," said Fábio Luciano.
If Flamengo secures first place in Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores, it will have a great chance to face the strong América (MEX) team at an altitude of approximately 2.240 meters in Mexico City, where the Azteca Stadium, with a capacity of approximately 114, is located. However, Fábio Luciano doesn't seem worried about either the pressure from the fans or the altitude. He noted that Flamengo recently went to Cusco and defeated Cienciano 3-0.
"I know we have a good chance of facing América from Mexico, but that doesn't worry us much, as we had a difficult trip to Peru and won well," he said.
Flamengo currently leads Group 4 of the competition with 10 points, one more than Nacional from Uruguay, and if the first phase ended today, they would face LDU from Ecuador.
"One game changes the entire standings. We'll wait, but we know that those who want to be champions can't choose their opponents," added Fábio Luciano.
Kléberson is unfazed by the boos from Flamengo fans
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Hired to be Flamengo's midfield organizer, Kléberson has yet to perform well. As a result, he has been subjected to boos from the fans, as was the case during the 3-0 loss to Botafogo last Sunday in the semifinals of the Taça Rio, the second round of the State Championship.
Kléberson is not bothered by the fans' boos and assures that it will end soon.
However, none of this can distract the supporter. He calmly assures that he's not shaken and says he's already accustomed to the pressure.
"It doesn't bother me. It doesn't scare me. I'm experienced and I have to know how to deal with it. This pressure is normal, but I'll soon improve and regain my confidence," he said.
"I need time. Little by little, I'm adapting more and becoming more comfortable on the field," he added.
Kléberson was signed in October 2007, but was only able to debut in February of this year, as he was serving a penalty imposed by FIFA for having unilaterally broken his contract with Besiktas-TUR.
GLOBOESPORTE
Marcelinho released to defend Fla
One-match suspension already served is confirmed and the winger will be able to face Regatas
Marcelinho will be back at Fla
Winger Marcelinho Machado is confirmed for this Tuesday's match between Flamengo and Regatas Corrientes at Maracanãzinho, scheduled for 19 pm, the third of the decisive series of the South American League, in which the Argentine team leads 2-0.
The red-and-black captain received a one-game suspension confirmed by a letter from Consulbasket, the tournament organizer, along with a $500 fine. Marcelinho was sent off in the opening game and has already served his suspension, ensuring the experienced player's presence in the Brazilian team's rematch.
With the return to training of center Wagner, who was away due to contracting dengue fever, the red-black team is complete for the match at Maracanãzinho.
More rested after the exhausting trip, Flamengo will train this Monday in two shifts at the match site. In the morning from 10:12 AM to 18:20 PM, and in the evening from XNUMX:XNUMX PM to XNUMX:XNUMX PM, when they head straight to the training camp.
The club's board expects around 10 fans to cheer on Flamengo against the Argentine team. Tickets cost 10 reais, with half-price tickets also available for those wearing Flamengo's jersey.
Irony: Regattas at Mengo Hotel
Regatas arrives in Rio this Sunday at 22:35 pm, and, incredibly, will be staying at the Mengo Palace Hotel, in the Catete neighborhood.
If Flamengo defeats their rival on Tuesday, the next match will be played on Wednesday at 17 pm, also at Maracanãzinho.
THROW
Joel Santana assesses the Rio Cup decision
Match pointed to Botafogo as Fla's opponent in the State final
Joel considered Botafogo's victory fair
LANCEPRESS!
Coach Joel Santana made a brief analysis of the Rio Cup final between Botafogo and Fluminense, which highlighted the Alvinegro as Flamengo's opponent in the final of the Campeonato Carioca.
For the red-and-black manager, close games like this are decided by the details. One of them was Washington's missed penalty. And that's exactly what happened.
"It was an even match, and it was clear that whoever scored the first goal would win. Fluminense had good chances, didn't score, and even missed a penalty, which is almost always fatal in a final. Botafogo did their part and won deservedly," the coach declared.
Fluminense sees state dominance threatened
Tricolores have won the Carioca 30 times; the red-blacks 29, and are in the final
Flamengo will play the State Championship against Botafogo and can reach Fluminense in terms of the number of state titles
LANCEPRESS!
With the 1-0 defeat to Botafogo this Sunday in the Rio Cup final, Fluminense fans will have to root for their opponent in the Rio Cup final to avoid seeing their hegemony in state championships threatened.
Outside of this year's final, the 30 Rio titles won by the Laranjeiras club could be equaled by rival Flamengo, who will play the championship final against Alvinegro.
The first Rio de Janeiro champion, in 1906, Fluminense, like Botafogo (1932, 1933, 1934 and 1935), had already won four championships (1906, 1907 - alongside Botafogo -, 1908 and 1909) and had been increasing its trophy cabinet in the period before Maracanã - it won the cup 15 times.
Interestingly, Flamengo's football was born from a split within the Tricolor. Over the past 58 years, when the state championship began being played on the Biggest Stadium in the World, Flamengo won 19 titles, compared to Fluminense's 15.
Halving the observation time, the Gávea club's progress becomes more pronounced: 11 red-black victories (two in 1979) compared to seven tricolor (with a ten-year drought - between 1985 and 1995).
The controversial titles:
1907 - Both Fluminense and Botafogo claimed the Metropolitan Football League (LMF) title. The division was officially formalized in 1993.
1912 - Paysandu won the LMF championship. Botafogo's title that year came in a league founded by Botafogo itself, the Rio de Janeiro Football Association (AFRJ), which had broken away from the LMF and lasted only one year.
1924 - Flamengo and Fluminense left the Metropolitan Land Sports League (LMDT) and founded the Metropolitan Athletic Sports Association (AMEA) in 1924. Other clubs were admitted to the AMEA, under conditions based on racial and social discrimination. Vasco remained in the LMDT alongside other smaller clubs.
1933 to 1936 - In 1933, several clubs, including the major ones, with the exception of Botafogo, broke away from the Brazilian Sports Confederation (CBD) and adopted professionalism, creating the Rio de Janeiro Football League (LCF). The CBD continued to officially recognize the AMEA, in which Botafogo remained.
1937 - With the adoption of professionalism throughout the national territory in 1937, the merger of the LCF and the Metropolitan Sports Federation (FMD) took place, creating the Rio de Janeiro Football League, which in 1941 was renamed the Metropolitan Football Federation.
1979 - The merger of the states of Guanabara and Rio de Janeiro, which took place in 1974, was finalized in the football arena in 1979, with the creation of the Rio de Janeiro State Football Federation (clubs from the interior had already been participating in the championship since 1975). To celebrate the event, the new entity held the so-called Special Championship, in addition to the regular championship.
Source: Mauro Prais.
Fla x Bolognesi will be refereed by Bolivian officials
The match will be valid for the sixth round of Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores
LANCEPRESS!
CONMEBOL has released the refereeing lineup for the final round of the Copa Libertadores group stage. Bolivian referee Ivan Gamboa will be the referee for the match between Flamengo and Coronel Bolognesi next Wednesday. He will be assisted by his compatriots César Nistahuz and Humberto Paz.
Flamengo leads Group 4 with ten points and has already secured early qualification for the round of XNUMX. To have the advantage of playing the second match at home in the next phase, the Rubro-Negro needs a victory to secure the top spot in the group.
Fla seeks a comeback against Regatas-ARG
Rubro-Negro loses 2-0 in the final of the South American Basketball League
LANCEPRESS!
While awaiting the trial of Marcelinho - sent off in the first game of the series -, Flamengo is training hard to face Regatas Corrientes-ARG in Rio, starting on Tuesday, in the South American Basketball League, and turn the series around, which is 2-0 for the Hermanos.
The lamentations over the defeats are behind us, but coach Paulo Chupeta knows that the situation is now more complicated.
"Everything we practiced didn't work on the court. Now, we have to try to turn this game around in Rio," he said.
Joel Santana approves Flamengo's trip to Teresópolis
Team travels this Monday in preparation for a decisive week
LANCEPRESS!\ Flamengo travels to Teresópolis on Monday morning, where it will begin its week of preparation for Wednesday's Libertadores game against Coronel Bolognesi and the Carioca Championship final.\
The team will train at Granja Comary, home of the Brazilian national team, and will return to Rio on Tuesday for Wednesday's match. Coach Joel Santana spoke of the importance of Flamengo's isolation at this crucial moment.
"It gives us more peace of mind to work. We can communicate better with the players, put things we consider wrong in their proper place. The psychological aspect is the most important when playing such important matches," analyzed the red-and-black manager.
Adílio shares his recipe for success among juniors
Former player has achieved everything as a coach at Fla's youth academy
LANCEPRESS!\ Flamengo's junior coach for almost four years, former player Adílio has enjoyed an impressive run of success in the division. Besides being a three-time state champion—he'll be looking for his fourth against Fluminense in this year's final—he's also won the Copa Cultura and two OPG championships. A respectable record for a rookie coach.\
The recipe for success lies in serious preparation, says Adílio:
"Things are moving along very well, as everyone is focused on their objectives. The board members have also been providing crucial support to ensure our work is carried out optimally."