The Globe
Fla makes an assessment to decide on Léo Lima
Poor performances and rejection from fans could lead to the midfielder's departure from the red-black club.
Léo Lima is hanging by a thread at Flamengo. The coaching staff still sees some positive aspects in his short time at the club, but the fans' rejection is significant and could influence their decision. Coach Ney Franco and the board are evaluating the cost-benefit of keeping him because the midfielder's contract ends on June 30th, and his continued presence seems increasingly unlikely.
One of the complicating factors is Léo Lima's current top-tier salary. The management is already operating under the assumption that, if he wants to renew his contract, he'll certainly ask for a raise. And they don't seem inclined to burden the payroll with a player who's been harassed by the fans because he hasn't yet managed to please, despite the chances he's had.
"Actually, I was approached by his agent (Carlos Leite) to start working on this matter, but I'm so tied up that I've put it off until later," said vice president of football Kleber Leite. "He'll certainly want some improvements, and we need to evaluate the matter calmly."
But those who work with the player on a daily basis during training know that the issue isn't so simple. Beyond purely technical criteria, various political perspectives must be taken into consideration. One of the main ones is the good relationship between the club and the agent. There's another very important one.
"The coaching staff sees some qualities in him. But the fans hate him. If you decide that way, you're making a serious mistake because the club can't be run from the outside in," argues coordinator Isaías Tinoco.
Ney received some uninspiring news last night: Souza was suspended for two games by the STJD and is out of the match on the 4th, against Atlético-MG, at Mineirão.
Sports Journal
Léo Moura wants to prove that Fla is strong
Despite Flamengo's poor performance in the Brazilian Championship, currently in 17th place and in the relegation zone, the club's players don't believe the team lacks technical quality. For right-back Léo Moura, Flamengo has the level to challenge for top spot in the table.
"The squad is qualified. We'll have eight games outside of Rio and we'll prove that the team is strong," he stated.
The player expressed concern about Flamengo's absence from the championship. The team from Gávea will only return to action on July 4th, against Atlético-MG, in Belo Horizonte.
"This break is bad, because I always want to play, and it would be important to get Flamengo out of this situation quickly. The good side is that we can improve our physical and technical skills," Léo added.
Three players rested in Flamengo training
Due to severe abdominal pain, defender Irineu missed Flamengo's training session this Wednesday at CT Ninho do Urubu, being released to the hospital. Midfielders Paulinho and Toró, still recovering from injuries, completed physical training separately from the group. It's likely that the three players will return to training normally with the rest of the team this week. Coach Ney Franco intends to have the full squad ready for the match against Atlético-MG on July 4th.
Ney Franco puts his chips on Obina
Ney Franco can't wait for Obina to return to acting
Obina. For coach Ney Franco, this is the name of the Flamengo "savior of the nation." The Flamengo coach spoke enthusiastically about the recovery of the striker, who scored three goals in training last Tuesday.
"He's showing good development, and his recovery is going great. But we have to be careful not to rush into things," Ney said.
The manager says there is no date yet for the striker's return to games.
“Psychological preparation becomes very important,” he explained.
Out of action for almost four months due to surgery on his left knee, Obina could return to action in July, when Flamengo returns to the Brazilian Championship.
Kleber guarantees that Claiton will not leave Fla
Claiton says he wants to achieve the same success at Flamengo that he had at the clubs he played for.
Despite the tough times he's been going through at Flamengo, defensive midfielder Claiton still maintains his high morale with the club's board. Yesterday, rumors that the player, dissatisfied with his exclusion from the last game against Internacional, could be heading to Cruzeiro in a trade involving midfielder Léo Silva were denied by vice-president of football Kleber Leite.
"There is no chance of this exchange happening. We are counting on Claiton until the end of his contract," said Kleber.
And the player seems to be following the manager's mindset. Yesterday, after training, he stated that, having always maintained strong performances at the clubs he's played for, he will seek to achieve the same success at Flamengo.
"I came to Flamengo to do well. I don't plan on leaving. I'm going to fight to regain my position," said the player. However, the defensive midfielder isn't all optimism. He admitted he's not completely satisfied, as he'd like to be playing.
Even so, he guarantees that he will fulfill his contract until the end and that he will not allow himself to become complacent due to the fact that he has a long commitment to the club.
"I'm sad about the situation. I want to play, I want to be working and helping the team. I know I could relax because I have a contract until 2008, but no, I want to fight for my position. I've always sought my place wherever I've been and it won't be any different here," he said.
Reinforcements — Coach Ney Franco admitted that Flamengo is already moving to bring in reinforcements and has already shared the most needed positions in the squad with Vice President of Football Kleber Leite. Furthermore, the Bruno saga should be resolved in the coming days, as foreign investors are expected to soon respond to Flamengo's renewal proposal.
Fla's passing errors are worrying
During Flamengo's absence from the field, one of the main areas coach Ney Franco intends to work on is passing. According to him, the team has been experiencing a very high error rate in this area, and as a result, has been conceding valuable counterattacks to its opponents.
"We've been making a lot of poor passes in recent games, and because of these mistakes, we've conceded a lot of goals. Botafogo's second goal in the derby came from a poor pass, as did Figueirense's last two and Sport's first," revealed the coach, who, to address the problem, has been using two-touch training this week to force his players to improve their skills.
Another aspect Ney Franco considers crucial is that the players give their all to get the club out of its current predicament in the Brazilian Championship. To this end, he intends to work on his players' physical and emotional well-being. He also stated that the lineup for the match against Atlético-MG in early July will only be defined once everyone is fit to play.
"I want them to show the same effort they showed in the match against Internacional. We didn't win the match, but we had an excellent performance. Now we need to recover the players who are in the medical department so we can set up our plan," he concluded.
Fla takes on Clube Central for the Youth Basketball Championship
Coach Paulo Chupeta's team is undefeated in the championship
Flamengo is preparing to face Clube Central, this Wednesday (20/06), at 20 pm, away from home, in the State Children's and Youth Basketball Championship. The red-black team is undefeated in the competition, with five wins.
The game promises to be a close one, as the home team has four wins and only one loss. Led by Paulo Sampaio, known as Chupeta, the team from Gávea is coming off a victory over Fluminense (86-82).
O Dia
Souza is suspended for two games by the STJD
Rio - In a ruling held Wednesday night, the Superior Court of Sports Justice handed down a two-game ban to Flamengo striker Souza for his alleged assault during the match against Figueirense. He has already served one game and will have to miss the July 4th match against Atlético-MG.
Sports Gazette
Renato Augusto denies disrespecting Lyon
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Earlier this week, some media outlets reported an alleged statement by midfielder Renato Augusto to a French newspaper in which he allegedly stated that he wasn't interested in a transfer to Lyon, as the team wasn't capable of competing for major European titles. This Wednesday, through his press office, the Flamengo midfielder denied any disrespect toward the six-time French champion. "Besides being a professional player, I've always followed European football, I watch the games, and I'm not crazy enough to say that a six-time French champion club is small. Lyon has won many titles in recent years and is reaching the decisive stages of the Champions League. I would never disrespect a club that showed interest in signing me, especially a club of this magnitude," he countered.
"What I said, and I'll say it again, is that it's not that simple to leave Flamengo right now. I have a current contract, with a very high release clause that's not in my control. I'm happy at Flamengo, and I think it's unlikely the board will release me. My time is at Flamengo," Renato continued.
With a recently renewed contract and a popular fan following, Renato Augusto has a release clause set at €30 million. Vice President of Football Kléber Leite has already stated that he does not intend to part with the player for a lower amount.
STJD punishes Souza with a two-game suspension
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Striker Souza will be out for another round of Flamengo matches. On Wednesday, the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) handed the player a two-match suspension for the assault on an opponent that resulted in his red card in the match against Figueirense on June 10 in Florianópolis. Having already missed the match against Internacional and the matches against Vasco and Juventude having been postponed, Souza will only be back on the field on July 7 against São Paulo at Morumbi Stadium – before that, on the 4th, the Rubro Negro faces Atlético-MG at Mineirão Stadium.
The sentence could have been at least 120 days, but Flamengo's lawyers managed to disqualify the accusation under article 253 (aggression) and the player was tried under article 255 (act of hostility).
PeléNet
Flamengo striker Souza suspended for two games
Flamengo will only return to Brazilian Championship action on July 4th against Atlético-MG at Mineirão Stadium, having already postponed two matches. However, they already know they will be without striker Souza, who was suspended for two games this Wednesday by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD).
The player was tried for his expulsion in Flamengo's 4-0 defeat to Figueirense in Florianópolis on June 10. After losing the ball on the sidelines, Souza attacked an opposing player.
The striker's sentence could have been at least 120 days. However, Flamengo's lawyers managed to overturn Article 253, which would have suspended Souza for that period, and changed it to Article 255, resulting in him being sentenced to only two matches away from the team.
Having already missed the next match, against Internacional last Saturday, the center forward only needs to play one more match. Therefore, he won't return to the field until July 7th, against São Paulo, at Morumbi Stadium.
Souza hasn't scored a single goal in this Brazilian Championship. His team sits in 17th place, in the relegation zone, with just six points. Flamengo has only won once in the competition, when they went to Serra Dourada and defeated Goiás 3-1.
BalloonSport
Márcio Braga secures the Brasileirão title
The President is committed to strengthening the team and says the team will improve.
Flamengo's president is pure optimism
Flamengo president Márcio Braga is known for his controversial statements. And this Thursday morning, once again, the Flamengo boss didn't hold back on delivering his catchphrases. And this time, besides being controversial, he was somewhat contradictory.
"I think Flamengo will be Brazilian champions. We lost some players, but we're going to strengthen the team. Anyway, it's not my place to discuss football. You (journalists) should ask Kléber Leite," says the president.
In 17th place, with just six points from six games, the Rubro-Negro team is in the relegation zone. But Márcio Braga shows no concern about the team's position in the Brazilian Championship table.
"Everything is going very well here at Flamengo. The team won the Rio de Janeiro championship, but we started the Brasileirão poorly because we have injured players called up to the U-20 national team. But soon the team will improve and everything will return to normal," he says, with great optimism.
Pedigree of 'Flamengo's Crack at Home
Bebeto's sons, Júnior Baiano and Djalminha, take their first steps at the red-black training center
Eduardo Peixoto
Matheus, son of Bebeto: left midfielder
When their parents began their careers, Ninho do Urubu was just a patch of scrubland in the remote Vargem Grande neighborhood. Time passed, their famous parents retired or are nearing the end of their careers, and the scrubland has become a promising training center that even houses Flamengo's professional players. And there, the trio of Matheus, Patrick, and Diego begin their arduous journey to, perhaps, replicate the success achieved by Bebeto, Júnior Baiano, and Djalminha at Flamengo.
Son of former striker Bebeto, Matheus is the most "famous" of the three. When he was born in 1994, his father rocked him to sleep during the World Cup match against the Netherlands. As an aspiring player, he played for the Brazilian U-13 national team. But he's still economical with his words.
Patrick, son of Baiano: defender in the vein
"I'm trying hard, things are moving forward. My dad always tries to guide me," says Matheus, 12, left midfielder for Rubro-Negro.
Patrick is also 12 years old. But he doesn't look it. Compared to his teammates in the Pre-Mirim category, he seems like a giant. Although he never stops smiling, defender Júnior Baiano's eldest son hasn't gotten used to interviews either.
"Yeah, I'm a little shy," he says. But his idolatry for his famous father is clear.
"Now I'm rooting for Brasiliense because they're there. Of course I'm inspired by my dad! In fact, I even think I look like him," Patrick declares.
Djalminha's son: shy goalscorer
Finally, Diego and his afro appear. In Flamengo's last two games in the Junior State Championship, he scored four goals. But Djalminha's son hasn't yet
Diego, son of Djalminha: the goalscorer
He's become accustomed to harassment. At first, he declined to give an interview, claiming he was "in a hurry." Then, persuaded by his friend Patrick, he agreed to take a photo. But, overcome with embarrassment, he complained when he saw the results:
"I'm so ugly. Look how horrible. Take another one, please," he says. Request made, request granted. Satisfied, Diego?
- It's still ugly, but it's better. Put that second one on the air - he declares.
Shy, yes. But with the pedigree of the traditional (and still prevalent) phrase "Flamengo makes great football at home." Whether they succeed or not, only time will tell. Oh, and it's also worth remembering that Adriano's cousin, Pedro Paulo, is also there. But as soon as he heard about the GLOBOESPORTE.COM reporter's presence, the 12-year-old ran off. Yet another sign that a shy generation is coming. Hopefully, a talented one.
For Vasco's boss, Fla intervened in the STJD
Paulo Reis says that Rubro-negro campaigned, in a clean way, for the postponement of the classic
Raphael Andriolo
The saga surrounding the Brazilian Championship classic between Vasco and Flamengo seems to have no end. First, the date of the match was changed from June 24th to October 16th; then, Flamengo filed a writ of mandamus to hold the match on Sunday; finally, the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) denied the club's request. Even so, Vasco has not given up on moving the match forward. All of this happened, according to Vasco's legal vice president, Paulo Reis, thanks to the archrival's intervention.
The director believes that Flamengo's board intervened, in a clean sweep, to support the STJD's decisions, which were against Vasco. This is because the Flamengo team was reportedly short-staffed and unmotivated for the derby.
- I have no doubt that there was a white intervention by someone at Flamengo - says Paulo Reis.
With the postponement, Vasco will only take to the field on June 30th, against Cruzeiro, at Mineirão.
Harsh warning against red-black boredom
The board says it has identified the problems and demands victory. Leo Lima is under threat. Eduardo Peixoto
Leo Lima is unlikely to continue at Flamengo after his contract ends.
Flamengo has plenty of training sessions ahead of it until its next Brazilian Championship match. To avoid the boredom that often accompanies long stretches without matches, the board decided to give the squad a shake-up.
In a private conversation with the group, Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, warned the players that he had detected some problems and, if there was no immediate response in the match against Atlético-MG, he would take drastic measures. In other words, heads would roll. Leo Lima's contract, which expires on the 30th, is unlikely to be renewed.
This Wednesday, the technical committee had to work hard to avoid a summer camp atmosphere.
Cheating against training
After completing a one-hour technical session, a player asked coach Geraldo Fabian, "Can I take a shower?" And the immediate response, stopwatch in hand, was, "No, there's still the race."
At the end, another athlete, already showered, also told supervisor Isaías Tinoco that he would "run tomorrow." In fact, on Thursday morning, the coaching staff scheduled a light physical training session in Gávea.
Without many options, coach Ney Franco remembers that in 2006 Flamengo went through a similar situation, during the break for the World Cup.
"We're taking the know-how from this. This first week, we'll focus on physical and technical work, and the next week, on the tactical side. We'll also be able to work on the tactical side," the coach declares.
On the 29th, the red-black delegation travels to Belo Horizonte, where they will prepare for the game against Atlético-MG.
Abdominal pain prevents Irineu from training
Defender goes to hospital for examination, but it shouldn't be a problem for the game against Atlético-MG
Flamengo defender Irineu did not participate in activities this Wednesday, at Ninho do Urubu, in Vargem Grande.
The player, who was experiencing abdominal pain, did not attend training, having gone to a clinic in Barra da Tijuca for tests. He should not be a problem for the next game.
Flamengo only returns to the pitch for the Brazilian Championship on July 4th, against Atlético-MG, at Mineirão, in the ninth round.
Another game suspension for Souza
The striker will be unavailable for the red-black team against Atlético-MG, on July 3rd
Souza will miss Flamengo's attack again in the next game
Flamengo striker Souza was suspended by the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) for two games due to the attack on Figueirense defender Felipe Santana in the match on June 10, in the fifth round of the Brazilian Championship.
The Flamengo lawyer presented the video, but the player was still punished. He was included in Article 253, but was convicted under Article 255: committing an act of hostility against an opponent or teammate, which carries a suspension of one to three games.
Since he didn't play in the match against Internacional last Saturday at Maracanã, the athlete has only one game remaining. Since the derby against Vasco was postponed until October, Flamengo's next match will be on July 3rd against Atlético-MG at Mineirão Stadium.
Throw
President says Fla is in a state of insolvency
Márcio Braga says the club's debt is R$230 million
Bernardo Gleizer
While Flamengo is struggling on the field, things aren't looking good off the field either. President Márcio Braga said in a press conference this Thursday that the club is financially ailing.
"Flamengo has a debt of R$230 million. That's the president's role: to reduce this debt. There's a lawsuit pending in court, in which Flamengo is in a state of insolvency. We need to resolve this issue," the president said.
A state of insolvency is the condition in which a club is unable to pay its debts. According to research, Flamengo is the Brazilian club that owes the most to public entities.
Bruno's stay at Fla becomes complicated
MSI wants to negotiate a goalkeeper for European football
Goalkeeper Bruno's contract with Flamengo ends on the 30th of this month, and the situation remains uncertain. The expectation is that the outcome will be reached by the end of the week, or next week at the latest. However, the goalkeeper's future is likely far from Gávea.
MSI, which owns Bruno's economic rights, wants to take him to Europe. According to agent Eduardo Uram, Flamengo's offer isn't likely to be enough to keep the player.
– It is unlikely that there will be an agreement with Flamengo – he admitted.
Until the situation is resolved, Bruno waits in silence. The goalkeeper will only speak when he knows what his future holds after the 30th.
Federal Senate changes the text of Timemania
Clubs will be able to pay off their debts in up to 240 installments
During deliberations on Timemania, senators decided Wednesday afternoon to maintain the extension of the installment payment period from 180 to 240 months and allowed clubs to continue to fight for debts in court, as long as they acknowledge them when signing the lottery membership contract. If they ultimately prevail, the Treasury will recalculate the debts.
As the text has been modified, the Provisional Measure will have to be voted on again by the Chamber of Deputies, before being submitted for presidential approval.
Estimates from Caixa Econômica Federal, the Timemania manager, are that betting will only begin at the beginning of 2008, as the bank will need six months to formalize contracts with interested clubs.