THE GLOBE
Misunderstood hero
Despite the decisive goals, Souza still seeks recognition and says he has the face of Fla
Photo caption: SOUZA DRIVES the ball in Fla training: history of decisive goals for the club
Carlos Eduardo Mansur
2007 Guanabara Cup Final. With two goals, Souza secures the title for a Flamengo side beset by suspicions after losing the first game to Madureira. In winning the State Championship, the striker would go on to score a goal in each game of the finals against Botafogo. In the Flamengo team's run in the last Brazilian Championship, Souza was decisive in crucial victories against Grêmio, América-RN, and Santos. Even so, Souza only had to miss a goal to hear protests in the stands and chants for Obina.
The striker decided not to react, preferring to praise the fans. In the past, when he used the microphone to defend positions, Souza sometimes overdid it. Once, he tried to defend his then-teammate Roni and, unintentionally, criticized the team. Another time, he launched into a speech defending Obina and ended up attacking Diego Tardelli, with whom he now has a good relationship. For Souza, his image is still under construction.
"Little by little, the situation is changing. I'm gaining my place. Obina was respected at the club for everything he did, and deservedly so. What I've done is still not enough. But I've been playing well, scoring important goals, and little by little, I'm gaining recognition," says Souza, who emphasizes the importance of the red-and-black fans. "With them cheering us on, sometimes it's even hard to concentrate on the game. But they only help us."
The week of a decisive game doesn't change Souza's appearance. His playful demeanor on and off the field remains unchanged. Perhaps it's a premonition that something good is coming:
"I like decisive games; I can stand out. I've always preferred games that matter, with a full stadium. And I can decide."
For Flamengo, Souza played 48 times and scored 18 goals. For a striker, that average might not be high. But coach Joel Santana praises the striker's tactical work, which allows him to create space and provide assists.
"I consider myself like Aloísio from São Paulo. He doesn't score many goals, but he's important," Souza says, quickly expressing his certainty that he'll have a long life at Gávea. "Because of my fight, my courage, I'm certain that I represent Flamengo and I identify with the fans."
Tickets remaining only at Maracanã
Depending on yesterday's tactical training, Souza can be sure he'll have Marcinho by his side against Botafogo on Sunday in the Guanabara Cup final. Coach Joel Santana repeated the formation he trained the day before yesterday, with the midfield consisting of Jaílton, Cristian, Ibson, and Toró, who has practically recovered from a thigh injury. Although the training session made it clear that the team is practically set for the final, Joel guarantees he won't announce the lineup until minutes before the game.
- I still feel a little pain, but I've been through a lot of difficult times at Flamengo and, in the end, there's no room for fuss - says Toró, who remembers not being registered for last year's Libertadores and not being used in the 2007 state finals by coach Ney Franco.
Now, Joel Santana considers him a key player.
"Before, I would get discouraged by anything. I was trained to be a player without the obligation to score, and I realized that wouldn't work out that way. Ney Franco helped me change, and Joel has given me a lot of strength. I have to give my all to be able to make this decision," says Toró.
Yesterday, the club's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, promised that the players would receive their overdue salaries next week. The club has yet to pay 50% of December and January salaries. An agreement with the group set the bonus for each player at R$10 if they win the Guanabara Cup.
"We haven't even talked about salaries this week. Now's not the time. The team is only thinking about the Botafogo game," said defender Fábio Luciano, the team captain.
Yesterday, advance sales reached the milestone of 66.153 tickets sold for the final on its third day. Just over 2 tickets remain. Tickets will be sold today exclusively at Maracanã ticket office 8, from 11 a.m. to 17 p.m.
Renato Mauricio Prado
Audacity (or recklessness) at General Severiano, caution at Gávea. Extremely cautious, Joel Santana hints that he will leave his "star reinforcements" on the bench and field the old midfield, consisting of Jaílton, Cristian, Ibson, and Toró—the one who led Flamengo to the Copa Libertadores.
Of the new signings, only Marcinho is expected to start alongside Souza in attack - and that's because Renato Augusto is out.
It makes sense. Especially since, at any point during the game, the coach could call on his well-stocked bench, with Jônatas, Kleberson, Diego Tardelli, Obina, etc.
THE DAY
Toró says he will play the final no matter what
Janir Junior
Rio - As a boy playing indoor soccer for Marabu, a club in Rio's suburbs, Rafael earned the nickname "Toró" for scoring goals every match. Today, at 21, the player of humble origins, who faced hardships as a child, has transformed his life both on and off the field.
When he was still borrowing money to take the bus to training, he played as an attacking midfielder wearing the number 10 shirt in Fluminense's youth teams; now, at Flamengo, Toró arrives at Gávea in a Honda Civic, wears the number 21, plays further back and, as a result, the scoring has calmed down.
"My life has never been easy. I had a difficult childhood and also faced difficulties in football, including when I arrived at Flamengo. At Gávea, I went through some things and even got discouraged, but I never gave up, even in the face of bad situations. I matured," Toró opened his heart.
The pain in his right thigh that forced him out of the semifinal against Vasco da Gama won't be an obstacle for Sunday's final, he says. For Toró, the title would be the culmination of his comeback.
"There can be no fuss. I fought and sweated a lot to get where I am. This title means a lot to me," said the player.
From the hillside community of Encantado, where he shared a home with his parents and nine siblings, Toró moved to Água Santa and now enjoys a beautiful apartment in Recreio with his wife, Luana. He's changed his address and also his position on the field.
"At Fluminense, I was more likely to attack, score goals, and barely score. I changed my positioning, got more of a grip, and it's working," he says.
Off the field, Toró's role models are his parents; on the field, he points to two players who serve as inspiration.
"I've always looked up to Zé Roberto and also to Íbson, who, by my side, helps a lot," he emphasized.
Toró, who signed a five-year contract with Rubro-Negro, knows that the club can make an even bigger change in his life.
"This is a showcase. If a player does well at Flamengo, he can play for any team in the world and for the Brazilian national team," believes the player.
Faced with so many difficulties and overcoming, Toró learned his lesson and knows that victories can lead to the top: "Now, I want the title to put Flamengo where it always deserves to be."
Goalkeeper Bruno gives a scare in Flamengo's training session
Rio - Goalkeeper Bruno gave his teammates and the coaching staff a scare during training this Thursday at Gávea. He fell awkwardly and felt pain in his lower back. The red-and-black number 1 was promptly attended to by doctor Marcelo Soares and returned to shooting practice after just 15 minutes.
Joel says that at Fla only the president is untouchable
Rio - With several defensive midfielders on the roster, Joel Santana can afford to experiment with tactical variations with different players. Cristian, for example, lost his spot to Jônatas at the beginning of the season, but is expected to return to the team for the Taça Guanabara final. Toró, who is recovering from an injury, has replaced Kleberson in a few matches. Even Ibson, the Rubro-Negro's driving force, has already left the team to be rested against Fluminense. However, one player seems to have a guaranteed spot in the starting lineup: Jaílton.
Joel, however, avoided the topic of the steering wheel's supposed "untouchable" status and released another of his pearls of wisdom:
"Jaílton is a player with great tactical obedience. I like him and admire him. But we work as a group, and whoever is best plays. In football, there's only one untouchable: the president," said a good-natured Joel.
The red-black coach also spoke about the possible changes for Sunday's final:
"We're testing the team with Tardelli and Marcinho, and Cristian and Jônatas, but we already have a way of playing, so we're trying not to change too much."
Fans make a flag with Ronaldo's face
Janir Junior
Rio - Ronaldo will be at the Maracanã on Sunday for the Guanabara Cup final. At least for the tribute Flamengo fans will pay to the Phenomenon, with a large banner bearing the striker's face and the phrase 'eternal love.' Afterwards, the plan is to meet the player, who has been watching the Red-Blacks' matches in the State Championship, to give him the banner, with one agreement: he will have to bring it back if he ever signs with the Gávea club.
"It's a tribute to the relationship of mutual love. The flag is another link in this symbolic connection. We'll put it in the game to show that Ronaldo is lucky. Then, we want to take it to him, so he would have to bring it when he came to Flamengo," said José Carlos Peruano, president of Urubu Guerreiro, who, along with Suzana and Castro, raised money to make the Phenomenon's flag.
Ronaldo's serious injury, surgery, and long recovery period are being monitored by Flamengo, which still dreams of signing the striker to end his career at the club and also serve as a global ambassador for the Red-Blacks. However, given the striker's condition, the formalization of the offer has been put on hold.
"The interest is the same. But, given the marketing proposals, we can't define what Ronaldo will be like as an athlete. Right now is a time for positive thinking and rooting for his recovery. The situation is complicated, and there's no reason to go ahead with this now," explained Plínio Serpa Pinto, a football collaborator at the Gávea club, who is participating in the negotiations to outline the plan for Ronaldo's arrival.
SPORTS GAZETTE
Flamengo president travels to try to prevent high altitude game\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - While Flamengo's squad prepares for the Guanabara Cup final, president Márcio Braga flew to Europe this Thursday to resolve behind-the-scenes issues and is only expected to return in early March. The main issue is a lawsuit he intends to submit to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with the aim of preventing games from being held at altitudes above 2750 meters in the Copa Libertadores. But the Flamengo director will also take advantage of the trip for political meetings with UEFA president Michel Platini, as well as Joseph Blatter and Jerome Valcke, president and secretary general of FIFA, respectively.
If the president is unsuccessful in his lawsuit, Flamengo will have to face the altitude of Cusco on April 9th, the scheduled date for their match against Cienciano in the first round of the Copa Libertadores. Last year, Flamengo had already suffered from the altitude in the same competition, when they had to face Real Potosí (BOL), at an altitude of over 3.000 meters above sea level.
Without defined starters, Fla trains for the final of the Guanabara Cup\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Continuing his preparations for the Guanabara Cup final, coach Joel Santana led a finishing training session this Thursday morning in Gávea. During the training session, the coach was without midfielder Toró, who is still complaining of muscle pain, and defensive midfielder Jaílton, who has hip pain. The two, who underwent pool training, will not be a problem for the match against Botafogo, according to the Flamengo doctors. "I went through a lot of difficulties at Flamengo until I gained the support of the fans and the coach. There's no fuss with me. Now that I'm close to being a champion, I'm not going to waste the opportunity to play. It's like I've been saying: if I have even a 1% chance, I'll be on the field," Toró said.
Goalkeeper Bruno, however, caused a stir among the coaching staff when he injured himself while attempting to make a save. After being treated by doctor Marcelo Soares, Bruno returned to action shortly afterward.
Flamengo is expected to make three changes compared to the team that defeated Vasco last weekend. Toró returns in place of Kléberson, while midfielder Cristian and forward Marcinho are expected to replace Jônatas and Diego Tardelli, respectively. Without confirming the changes, Joel Santana assures he already has the lineup in mind.
"The opponent has medical issues, and we're trying to choose the best lineup and will announce it on game day. But there's no mystery. We already have the team that will take the field for the derby. We're ready, and derby week, we have to stay calm. I haven't told the players who will play and who won't. But players know these things," said the coach.
The coach's certainty isn't the same as the Flamengo players'. Marcinho is still waiting to find out if he'll start in the GB Cup final. "Everyone dreams of playing in a final, and it's no different for me. Joel hasn't passed anything on to us yet, but I'll be very happy if he's chosen to start. I think I came on well against Vasco and did my job. The most important thing, however, is for Flamengo to win the title," Marcinho stated.
On defense, defender and captain Fábio Luciano said he's not worried that an elbow injury could keep him out of the Carioca final. The player was injured last Sunday after being kicked by Edmundo during a dispute for the ball. "I have no concerns about playing. If I'm training, it's because I have the doctors' approval and I know I'll be able to play normally against Botafogo," he emphasized.
The player who is guaranteed a spot in midfield is defensive midfielder Jaílton, who has earned praise from the red-and-black coach. But Joel Santana refuses to consider the player untouchable on his team.
"He's established himself in his position and has great tactical obedience. He's a player we greatly admire. But the only untouchable at the club is the president. Here, we always work with the team in mind," Joel emphasized.
Mysterious, Joel keeps Marcinho and Cristian among the starters\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Just as he did the day before, coach Joel Santana once again signaled changes to Flamengo for the Guanabara Cup final. In his training session on Thursday afternoon, the coach once again named midfielder Cristian and forward Marcinho among the starters. As a result, Jônatas and Diego Tardelli are expected to start the match against Botafogo on the bench. The final training session takes place this Friday, but the coach has already confirmed that he will only release the lineup in the Maracanã locker room.
Flamengo already knows who will referee Sunday's game. Marcelo de Lima Henrique was drawn this Thursday, and his assistants will be Dibert Pedrosa Moisés and Ediney Guerreiro Mascarenhas.
PELENET
Joel Santana once again selects Cristian and Marcinho
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Coach Joel Santana said he will only announce Flamengo's starting lineup on Sunday, moments before the Guanabara Cup final against Botafogo at Maracanã. However, the coach has already been hinting at the starting lineup.
This Thursday afternoon, in Gávea, he repeated the formation in a tactical attack-versus-defense drill. Cristian played as a second midfielder, and Marcinho was in attack alongside Souza. Jônatas and Diego Tardelli were once again among the reserves.
Midfielder Toró, who is recovering from an injury to his right thigh, should also not be a problem for the match and trained normally, as well as midfielder Jaílton, who had discomfort in the same leg.
Therefore, Flamengo is expected to have full strength in the clash against Alvinegro. The lineup should be as follows: Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim, and Juan; Jaílton, Cristian, Toró, and Ibson; Marcinho and Souza.
Bruno scares Flamengo during training
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Goalkeeper Bruno gave his teammates and the coaching staff a scare during Flamengo's finishing practice session this Thursday morning in Gávea. Three days before the Guanabara Cup final against Botafogo, he fell and hit his back, requiring medical attention from Marcelo Soares. The goalkeeper was down for five minutes, then out of action for another ten minutes, but returned and participated in the final phase as normal.
Two of coach Joel Santana's starters didn't participate in training, but are expected to be on the field against Alvinegro on Sunday. Midfielders Jaílton and Toró only did specific pool work. The former suffered a muscle problem on Wednesday, while the latter is recovering from a right thigh injury suffered last week in the Rubro-Negro's Copa Libertadores debut against Coronel Bolognesi in Peru.
Toró has no doubt that he will be on the field in the final.
"I went through a lot of difficulties at Flamengo until I gained the support of the fans and the coach. There's no fuss with me. Now that I'm close to being a champion, I won't waste the chance to play. It's like I've been saying: if I have a one percent chance, I'll be on the field," he said.
Defender Fábio Luciano has fully recovered from the injury to his right elbow, suffered in the semi-final against Vasco, and trained normally.
"I have no fear of playing. If I'm training, it's because I have the doctors' approval and I know I'll be able to play normally against Botafogo," said the team captain.
The players will be doing another activity this afternoon, in Gávea, starting at 15:30 pm.
Marcelo de Lima Henrique referees Flamengo vs Botafogo
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
The refereeing team for the Guanabara Cup final between Flamengo and Botafogo, scheduled for Sunday at 16 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Maracanã stadium, was drawn this Thursday afternoon at the Rio de Janeiro Football Federation (FERJ) headquarters. Marcelo de Lima Henrique will be the referee, assisted by Dibert Pedrosa Moises and Ediney Guerreiro Mascarenhas.
The referee has worked on three matches in the State Championship so far: Vasco 5 to 1 Cabofriense, in São Januário, on February 10; Madureira 6 to 3 Americano, on Rua Conselheiro Galvão, on February 2; and Vasco 3 to 0 Mesquita, in São Januário, on January 26.
Dibert Pedrosa refereed three matches: the same Vasco 5-1 in Cabofriense, plus Fluminense's 5-1 victory over Volta Redonda, on January 29, and Flamengo's 2-0 victory over Boavista, on the 20th, both at Maracanã.
Ediney was on the field on two occasions: in Botafogo's 6-2 victory over Mesquita, at Engenhão, on January 30; and in Vasco's 1-0 victory over Americano, at São Januário, on January 23.
GLOBOESPORTE
Title worth R$10 to holders
Meeting between board and captain Fábio Luciano sets the value in case of victory on Sunday
Eduardo Peixoto
Flamengo's potential Guanabara Cup title is highly valued. In a meeting last Wednesday night, the board agreed with captain Fábio Luciano on the amount each of the starting players will receive if they beat Botafogo: R$10.
There's a staggered payout for reserves and coaching staff members. By current standards—and given that it's a final round—the payout is steep. In 2007, the Red-Blacks gave players R$14 for winning the Campeonato Carioca.
The club's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, confirmed the meeting and the agreement regarding the prize money. However, he maintained his stance and declined to disclose the amount.
"This (rewards) was resolved on Wednesday. We had another idea, with pre-established goals and making the players our partners. But for now, we've maintained the method we've been using," explains the director.
Renato Silva accepts bet with Leo Moura
Defender claims to have friends at Flamengo and proposes paying for some basic food baskets
Fred Huber and Gustavo Rotstein
Renato Silva is a friend of Leo Moura, from Fla
A friend from his Flamengo days, Leonardo Moura proposed to Renato Silva a dinner before the Guanabara Cup final, which takes place next Sunday. Even though he didn't want to stir up controversy, the Botafogo defender agreed, and even added a suggestion.
"We can bet on dinner, but if he wants food baskets, that's fine. To me, that's not provocation. The important thing is not to motivate your opponent," he says.
Renato Silva, who had a successful stint with Flamengo, insists he won't take the field with a sense of revenge. He also denied that the effusive celebration after the victory over Fluminense last Saturday was in response to having his contract terminated after failing a drug test in early 2007.
"I have a good relationship with Flamengo. I made friends there and respect all the professionals. I also have no problem with Fluminense. It was a relief to qualify," he explained.
Club normalizes salaries next week
This promise comes from Kléber Leite, vice president of football. However, the focus is on Botafogo.
Eduardo Peixoto
Kléber Leite guarantees that the group is focused on Sunday's game
Flamengo owes—and doesn't deny—a month and a half's salary to its players. The issue resurfaced on the eve of the Guanabara Cup final against Botafogo. Captain Fábio Luciano was quick to clarify that there is no dissatisfaction within the group.
Late Thursday afternoon, the club's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, assured that the problem would be resolved soon. Title or no title.
"Next week, everything will be completely resolved. Flamengo is going through a process of purification, and we're rebuilding. This takes time," explains the director.
The Romário matter has been temporarily shelved. Until Sunday, no one at Gávea is authorized to discuss anything other than the Guanabara Cup final.
"Not even if Jesus Christ came down to Earth, with all due respect, would we talk about anything else. The only word here is Botafogo," declares Kléber Leite.
Joel keeps Cristian and Marcinho on the team
Players remain among the starters in training for the decision against Botafogo
Eduardo Peixoto
Souza smiling at Flamengo training
Coach Joel Santana promises to keep the secrets secret until Sunday, the day of the Guanabara Cup final against Botafogo. But in training, the coach remains consistent. This Thursday, he fielded the same team as Wednesday during tactical training at Gávea.
Thus, Jônatas remained among the reserves, and Cristian, apparently, regained his place in midfield. Up front, Marcinho had another chance alongside Souza.
Having largely recovered from his thigh pain, Toró is confirmed. Flamengo will start with: Bruno; Leo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim, and Juan; Jaílton, Cristian, Ibson, and Toró; Marcinho and Souza.
The final will take place next Sunday at 16 p.m. at the Maracanã Stadium. GLOBOESPORTE.COM will be covering the match live from 15:45 p.m. TV Globo will also broadcast the game.
Fla faces Minas trying to continue 100%
After two away wins, the red-black team returns to play at home
Marcelinho will try to lead the team to another victory in the Brazilian Championship
Flamengo, the undefeated leader of the Brazilian Men's Basketball Championship, faces Minas Gerais this Friday at 20 p.m. at the Gávea gymnasium. The match marks the red-and-black team's reunion with its fans, as the team's last two matches were played outside of Rio de Janeiro. Despite its strong form, the Rio de Janeiro team knows it won't be easy against the traditional Minas Gerais team.
"There are no secrets between Flamengo and Minas Gerais, because the two teams know each other well and have faced each other a few times this season. They're getting good results, showing they're a quality team. But we're also on a good run, playing well, and achieving important victories. Minas Gerais has players who can decide things, like Soró, Johnson, Mãozão, and Sucatzky, and we can't give them freedom. It will be another difficult game, but we've had a good week of training and we'll fight for another victory," says winger Marcelinho.
This season, Minas Gerais and Flamengo have faced each other three times (twice in the Rio State Championship, when Minas played as Fluminense, and once in the Basketball League of the Americas). On all three occasions, the Rio de Janeiro team won.
Londrina faces Uberlândia
In the day's other championship match, Uberlãndia travels to Londrina to face the home team. The game kicks off at 20 p.m.
Joel: 'Only the president is untouchable'
Coach says he will only release Flamengo's lineup minutes before Sunday's final
Marcio Iannacca
Joel Santana at Flamengo training
Coach Joel Santana spoke briefly with the press this Thursday after the morning training session at Gávea. The red-and-black coach reiterated that he will only announce the team's lineup on Sunday, moments before the kickoff of the final against Botafogo at Maracanã. Always in a good mood, the Gávea team's manager dropped one of his gems.
"We'll choose the best formation. The opponent has medical issues, and we'll wait until minutes before the game. There's no mystery; we already have the team in mind. The player usually knows when he's going to play. Look, in football, only the club president is untouchable," says Joel Santana.
For Sunday's game, Joel already has his team in mind, but he wants to keep the lineup a secret. In interviews, he tries to mislead, even listing his squad options. Cristian, Toró, and Marcinho have a good chance of starting. This leaves Jônatas, Kléberson, and Diego Tardelli as options for the second half.
"We work based on the group we have. We started the season with Renato Augusto, but he got injured. Marcinho played a few games at the beginning and also did well. We'll see what's best for Flamengo," the coach warns.
Finishing training moves Gávea
Leo Medeiros was the best in the activity led by Joel Santana this Thursday
Marcio Iannacca
Léo Medeiros was the standout performer in the red-black team's finishing training session
Coach Joel Santana led a finishing practice session this Thursday in Gávea. The Flamengo coach worked on the fundamentals for about an hour. Leo Medeiros performed best. Defender Fábio Luciano, having recovered from a blow to his right elbow, trained normally.
For midfielder Toró, who did an activity in the pool, this type of activity can help when making a decision.
"Of course it can help. From an outside perspective, the title could go to Flamengo or Botafogo," says the midfielder, who is practically recovered and shouldn't be a problem for the decisive match.
In addition to Toró, midfielder Jaílton, who felt pain in his hip during training on Wednesday, also did an activity in the pool at the club's headquarters.
THROW
Flamengo's point guard highlights the group's experience
According to Fred, the team's strength is off the court
Point guard attributes good form to conversations during training and before games (Credit: Disclosure)
LANCEPRESS!\ Having had an impeccable campaign in the National Men's Basketball Championship, leader Flamengo hosts Minas Gerais this Friday night at Gávea, looking to extend its nine-game unbeaten streak. One of the team's standout performers this season, 27-year-old point guard Fred, who has been with the Red-Blacks since 2006, emphasizes that the team's strength lies off the court.\
"The team is very experienced, and that's making a difference in the matches. We talk a lot among ourselves before games and training sessions, and of course, with Paulo (coach). We're learning how to handle different situations on and off the court, and that gives us a lot of peace of mind, but we can't get carried away. There's no party atmosphere here. We have a very tough game on Friday. Minas is a very experienced team with excellent players. We'll go in focused and play a good game in front of our fans," said Fred, who will play a match for the Red-Blacks again in Rio de Janeiro, as the club's last two matches were played outside the state.
Flamengo's record this season is favorable, having won all three of its three matches against its rival. Two in the Rio State Championship, when Minas represented Fluminense, and one in the Basketball League of the Americas.
Joel maintains changes in Flamengo's team
Coach trains with Cristian, Toró and Marcinho among the starters
Cristian is ahead of Jônatas for a starting spot (Credit: Cléber Mendes)
LANCEPRESS!
Coach Joel Santana led a tactical training session lasting approximately one hour in Gávea on Thursday afternoon and maintained the changes he had made to the Flamengo team on Wednesday.
Midfielder Cristian continued in the starting lineup in place of Jônatas; Toró, who did not play in the semifinal against Vasco due to injury, in place of Kleberson; and Marcinho forming an attacking duo with Souza, in Diego Tardelli's position.
The movement, carried out on half of the pitch, consisted, firstly, of the starting team positioned in attack and, then, being attacked by the reserves.
Flamengo and Botafogo face each other next Sunday, at 16 pm, at Maracanã, in a single match that will decide the champion of the Taça Guanabara.
Toró: 'There's no fuss with me. I'll fight to play'
Supporter says that if he has a 1% chance of playing, he will be on the field
No-nonsense downpour (Credit: Gilvan de Souza)
Fred Gomes RIO DE JANEIRO
Motivated, Toró guarantees he will be on the field for this Sunday's Taça Guanabara final against Botafogo. He has been showing great enthusiasm in training to recover from pain in the back of his right thigh and says his lineup depends solely on coach Joel Santana.
"I fought, I sweated, and I'm going to fight to play. There's no fuss. I have a good chance of playing. It just depends on Joel. Even with pain, I'm ready for war," the player admitted.
Alongside Jaílton, Toró did some special training in the club's pool this Thursday morning and will participate in ball practice this afternoon at Gávea. He admits, however, that he's not yet 100%, but reiterates his desire to be on the field for the decisive match.
- I still feel pain, but if I have a 1% chance of playing, I'm in - he assured.
Kléber Leite: Salaries up to date after GB Cup
Vice President of Football says club is going through a 'purification' phase
LANCEPRESS!
Flamengo owes one month's salary to its players and two months' salary to its employees. The club's vice president of football, however, stated that the debt will be settled after the Guanabara Cup final.
- I guarantee that next week all salaries will be paid, everything will be resolved - the director informed this Thursday.
According to Kléber Leite, the club is undergoing a financial restructuring process, and as a result, issues such as delayed salary payments still occur.
"Flamengo is in the process of cleansing itself, and it's not easy. We have 30 million in debt from previous administrations, and we're looking to raise new money through various initiatives," said the vice president of football.
AWARDS
Kléber Leite also said that the prizes for winning the Guanabara Cup next Sunday against Botafogo and qualifying for the Libertadores group stage have already been decided.
'Not even Jesus Christ would be a topic on Fla'
Kléber Leite avoids talking about Romário and remains focused on the GB Cup final
LANCEPRESS!
Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, preferred not to comment on Romário's possible return to the club. According to him, no matter, natural or supernatural, will overshadow the final of the Taça Guanabara, the first round of the Campeonato Carioca, next Sunday at Maracanã.
"This week, if Jesus Christ descends here in Gávea, with all due respect, that won't be a topic of conversation. This week, all anyone will talk about is Botafogo," said the club's director.
According to information published on the blog of journalist Gilmar Ferreira, from the newspaper "Extra", this Wednesday, the player would have accepted Flamengo's proposal.
However, Vasco's interim president, Eurico Miranda, continues to affirm that Romário will play his farewell game in the Vasco shirt - he has a contract with the São Januário club until March 30th.