The Globe
The dream is now reality
Best of Rio, Fla beats Grêmio and is three points away from the Libertadores zone
Being the best in Rio has now become secondary. With a rousing performance and a 2-0 victory over Grêmio yesterday at Maracanã, in front of a new Brazilian Championship attendance record—63.189 paying spectators and nearly 74 in attendance—Flamengo reached 49 points and entered the fight for a spot in the Copa Libertadores. The red-and-black team moved into sixth place, surpassing Fluminense (48), and is two points behind fifth-place Grêmio and three behind Santos. It is fourth, still in the group of those who qualified for the South American competition, with 52.
- It's a pleasure to play here at Maracanã - said Leonardo Moura, the star of the game with Ibson.
Coach Joel Santana, however, remains cautious when talking about the Libertadores.
"I said we needed 50 points (to completely avoid relegation), and we have 49. I'm not going to visualize a horizon that's still a little distant. But we're getting closer, and our opponents are already looking back a bit," said Joel Santana. "We'll face América-RN, Corinthians, and then Cruzeiro, our direct rival. After these three games, we'll see how things are going."
The atmosphere leading up to the match was tense. Grêmio fans who had arrived by bus from Rio Grande do Sul complained about the violence of the Military Police. Inside the stadium, there was a disturbance among the red-and-black fans. When the ball kicked off, hundreds of people were still jostling at the ticket office, fighting for tickets.
With more possession, Flamengo tried to come out faster, but lacked the final pass. Even so, buoyed by the crowd, they exuded confidence and, the first time they truly threatened Saja's goal, scored. In the 25th minute, after a good pass from Toró, Cristian crossed to Souza, who turned and slotted home: 1-0.
"I know I was playing well, but I'm happy and relieved to have scored. Let's think less about relegation and aim higher," said Souza, who hadn't scored since September 12.
Team misses chance to score a rout
With the goal, Grêmio surged forward, but didn't pose much of a threat. Late in the first half, a one-two between Ibson and Maxi resulted in Anderson Pico clearing the ball but nearly scoring an own goal.
The second half started more evenly, with Grêmio held at the mercy of Bruno, who prevented the equalizer with a superb save from Jonas's header in the tenth minute. Five minutes later, Ibson started a move down the left. Maxi slid past William and passed to Ibson. With a sideways flick, he displaced Saja, who still got a touch on the ball but couldn't prevent the second goal.
Flamengo then took control of the match, even though, in the 28th minute, Bruno saved a point-blank shot from Tcheco. Passing the ball around with extreme ease, the team looked like they would extend their lead. In the 30th minute, just before making way for Obina, Souza headed the ball against the crossbar. In the 33rd minute, Obina sent a cross-shot, forcing Saja to stretch. In the 36th minute, facing the goal, Renato Augusto bumped the goalkeeper. In the end, it was a cheap shot.
Flamengo: Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Egidio; Jailton, Cristian (Leo Medeiros), Ibson and Toro; Maxi (Renato Augusto) and Souza (Obina). Grêmio: Saja, Patrício, Leo, William and Anderson Pico; Nunes (Sandro Goiano), Marcelo Labarthe, Diego Souza (Danilo Rios) and Tcheco; Jonas (Marcel) and Tuta. Referee: Salvio Fagundes Filho. Yellow cards: Fabio Luciano, Souza, Cristian, Marcelo Labarthe and Sandro Goiano. Attendance: 63.189 paying spectators (73.871 present). Revenue: R$617.873,00.
FLAMENGO
BRUNO: Made two great saves, from a header by Jonas and a shot by Tcheco. 7.
LEONARDO MOURA: Stuck in the marking at the beginning, he had a sensational performance in the second half, when he ignored the left side of the Gaucho defense. 8.
FÁBIO LUCIANO: He played hard, winning most of the matches. 7.
RONALDO ANGELIM: Discreet, he knew how to contain Grêmio's attacks and covered Egídio well. 6,5.
EGÍDIO: Despite his youth, he performed like a veteran. In the second half, he was one of the team's best options. 7,5.
JAÍLTON: Provided coverage for the full-backs and protected the defense well. Shy when moving the ball out. 6.
CRISTIAN: He scored, linked the midfield and attack, and appeared well on the right to cross for the first goal. 7. LÉO MEDEIROS came on and maintained the level in the final minutes. 6.
IBSON: Helped with the marking, sped up the ball, and created some great plays, in addition to scoring the winning goal. 8,5.
TORÓ: He made life easier for the supporters, stealing the ball and delivering it cleanly. 7.
MAXI: With constant movement, he created spaces in Grêmio's defense. He made a great play in the second goal. 7. RENATO AUGUSTO came in and almost scored his, but, free, shot straight at Saja. 6.
SOUZA: Opportunistic, he scored a beautiful goal and hit the crossbar with a header. Now, he seems to be in form. 7,5. OBINA replaced him and, with good movement, created danger on two plays. 6.
JOEL SANTANA: In excellent physical condition, the team displayed high levels of play and tactical consistency. 7.
GUILD
Tcheco, who tried to organize the team, was the best. Goalkeeper Saja made two great saves.
ARBITRATION
São Paulo's Sálvio Espínola reversed fouls but did not influence the result.
Club uses game to campaign for Maracanã
Even if involuntarily, the 74 red-black fans present at Maracanã reinforced the campaign that became one of the main focuses of Flamengo's board: the fight for Maracanã.
Yesterday, the club placed four banners on the pitch reading "Maracanã belongs to Flamengo." According to club president Márcio Braga, this was a reaction to the recent rapprochement between Eduardo Paes, president of Suderj, and the CBF.
"The secretary of state who will lead the bidding process can't say he supports the CBF. There can't be any rigged cards," Márcio said. "I've already spoken with him and I'm going to tell the CBF that, if we win the bid, they can consider the Maracanã as the national team's home ground. We offered the stadium."
Márcio said there are studies by a company hired by the State Government showing that 70% of Maracanã's revenues linked to football matches involve Flamengo.
FLA FACES MACAÉ
Leading the men's state basketball championship after four matches, Flamengo returns to the court today to face Macaé at 19 p.m. at the Hélio Maurício gymnasium in Gávea. The match is part of the fifth round of the competition.
Fernando Calazans
Real Fla
Flamengo's celebration at Maracanã was complete—on the field and in the stands. Complete and deserved, more than deserved. On the field, with a conscious and convincing 2-0 victory over Grêmio. In the stands, with chants, flags unfurled, a festival of joy, and another championship attendance record broken—Flamengo's, a record previously broken in the Fla-Flu derby.
In yesterday's round, there was something interesting about attendance: for about two hours, São Paulo 1-0 Cruzeiro held the record. But soon after, Flamengo vs. Grêmio took over the top spot, thanks to the red-and-black fans who filled the Maracanã stadium. That's right: Flamengo is always Flamengo when the team performs on the field.
And yesterday, they delivered in spades. Not because of any extraordinary quality of football, because that doesn't exist in any team in Brazil today, not even São Paulo, which will be champions in a few rounds.
But the team's well-structured structure, very well-structured by coach Joel Santana, and, above all, the players' behavior, exemplifies competitive spirit and fighting spirit. Motivation and will, as Joel said.
Flamengo beat Grêmio in the one thing Grêmio has going for it: its competitive spirit. After all, aside from that virtue, Grêmio has nothing else. It's football that they don't have.
In football, Flamengo was also better, with a splendid performance by Ibson, which Paulo César Vasconcellos perfectly defined, on TV, as a "maestro's performance".
And, I would add, very well supported by his midfield partner Cristian, who made the play that led to Souza's first goal. The Ibson-Cristian duo is currently Flamengo's strong point, but this midfield still lacks a creator, a playmaker, which Toró certainly isn't, although Toró could have other uses.
The game was a slow first half and a lively second, one of the best I've seen in this championship, which is short on good matches. The second half was packed with good attacking plays, with both goalkeepers, Bruno and Saja, preventing a bigger score. As a reward, Ibson scored Flamengo's second goal, following a great play by Maxi.
A real Fla.
The referee Sálvio Spínola was really bad, as he was silent on the most violent incidents, and thus disobeyed the orders of his superior, the president of the arbitration committee, Sérgio Corrêa, who, apparently, doesn't care about this.
Sports Journal
Ibson leads Flamengo to victory on a record-breaking day
Pedro Ivo Almeida pialmeida@jsports.com.br
On a typically Rio day, a sunny, hot Sunday, and a practically packed Maracanã stadium, Flamengo won yet another Brazilian Championship victory. It was the third consecutive victory for Joel Santana's team, 2-0 over Grêmio, with goals from Souza and Ibson. The team also benefited from another fine performance by one of its key players: the Flamengo fans, who once again proved to be the 12th man, putting on a show in the stands, cheering the team on from start to finish.
Both teams started slowly, taking few risks, trying to study their opponents. It wasn't until the 15th minute that Diego Souza shot at Bruno's goal, which he saved without any major problems.
From then on, the Rio de Janeiro team began to control the game, and in the 23rd minute, Argentine Maxi made a beautiful play on the left side of the attack, but the Rio Grande do Sul team's defense cut it out.
But Brazil's most-fancied team continued to press, and the goal soon arrived. In the 25th minute, Cristian arrived from the right, crossed into the box, the defense got tangled up, and the ball fell to the ever-opportunistic Souza, who fired a powerful shot into the left corner and into the net, leaving Saja with no chance.
The Gávea team pressed, soon after Maxi led a good counterattack on the right, crossed to Léo Moura, but the full-back was unable to get the ball in place to finish, and the defense cleared it in time.
Only in the 37th minute of the first half did the Southern team threaten again. After a good cross from the right, striker Jonas controlled the ball inside the box, but Flamengo's defense, which had a very solid performance, cleared it and prevented the worst. Shortly after, Tcheco took a dangerous free kick, but the ball went over Bruno's goal.
Still late in the first half, Flamengo almost scored their second goal. After a run by Maxi, full-back Anderson Pico cut in and almost scored an own goal.
Grêmio seemed poised to return in the second half. Ten minutes into the match, the ball was lifted into the box and Nunes finished well, but Bruno made an excellent save, sending the ball out for a corner. But that was all; just as at the beginning of the match, the red-and-black team took control again, threatening Saja's goal. A goal was only a matter of time.
And that's what happened, in the 15th minute, after an excellent play on the left, Ibson exchanged passes with Maxi, received the ball inside the area and finished very well, scoring the team's second and driving the fans crazy, who from then on began to shout: "Libertadores, any day now, we're there" referring to the possibility, albeit small, of the team qualifying for the main South American competition.
And the Rio de Janeiro team wanted more. In the 30th minute, after a corner kick, Souza headed the ball, hitting the crossbar. It was the striker's last chance, and the next minute he gave way to Obina, the fans' favorite, who came out wearing the number 100 jersey, celebrating his 100th appearance for the Gávea club.
And the black angel was hungry for a goal, as soon as he entered he received a ball in depth on the right of the attack and shot across goal for a good save by Saja.
The Tricolor Gaúcho was unable to attack, only defending itself, and at 36, another dangerous play, after a confusing play, the ball fell to Renato Augusto, who one-on-one shot at the Grêmio goalkeeper.
The home team kept pushing, but that was it. Flamengo now has 49 points and sits in 6th place. Grêmio remains in 5th place with 51 points. Both teams play next Sunday in the 33rd round. The Rio de Janeiro team faces América-RN in Natal at 16 p.m., while the Rio Grande do Sul team hosts Náutico at the same time in Porto Alegre.
Both teams are still eyeing the Libertadores spot, Santos, in 4th place, and who would have qualified today, has 52 points, 3 ahead of Flamengo, and 1 ahead of Grêmio.
All the hearts of Maraca
Flamengo fans show their passion for the club and break attendance records again
Bernardo Peirão
Flamengo's fan base is so large it's frightening. They fill the Maracanã whenever their favorite club needs their support in the stands.
"What kind of crowd is this?!" This Flamengo chant clearly conveys the strength of the 73.871 fans present at Maracanã. Once again breaking the Brazilian Championship attendance record, the Nação Rubro-Negra showed why they are so special and different from the rest.
In every match, the fans surpass themselves. Yesterday's match also broke the record for paying attendance. Previously, the record was held by the Fla-Flu match (61.042), compared to 63.189 in attendance yesterday at Maracanã.
With a display of chants, gestures, and colors, the sea of people who came to the stadium to support the team created an energy that even the technically weakest players grew larger on the field, and the bravest opponents were frightened like any human fleeing from a giant. The gigantic Maracanã was the greatest weapon in Joel Santana's team's quest for another victory.
Feeling the heartbeat of Maracanã is like feeling the heartbeat of thousands of Flamengo fans who push and pump the team on the field to achieve victories. The numbers prove the love of Flamengo fans. According to the CBF's official website, nine of the ten largest attendances in this Brazilian Championship, the top eight of which are for Flamengo games at Maracanã.
Before the match, few open ticket booths and limited space for fans to enter the stadium turned the Maracanã stadium entrance into a veritable refugee camp. Even so, not even the confusion and shoving at the entrance dampened the spirits of those entering the stadium, singing the Flamengo anthem, pushed along by a speaker and an entertainer cheering along with the fans. It's not all party time. However, not everything was party time inside the Maracanã. Dissatisfied with referee Sálvio Spínola's performance, fans in the white seats threw fireworks and glasses at the referee as he headed to the locker room at halftime. Spínola is expected to report the incident in the match report, and Flamengo will face trial before the Superior Court of Justice (STJD).
Joy and confidence among the red-blacks
Obina wore a commemorative shirt for his hundredth game for Fla
Once again, the twelfth player showed up and was decisive. Cheered on by around 63 fans, Flamengo showed grit and determination to defeat Grêmio. Right-back Léo Moura made no secret of the importance of having a sea of red and black crowd filling the Maracanã stadium, saying that the dream of the Copa Libertadores is now more alive than ever.
"The fans, who have packed Maracanã every game, deserve congratulations. Their support is a huge help. We got a win over Grêmio, and now we're right up there with them. We have to prepare, because if we beat América in Natal, we could enter the Libertadores Cup," said the full-back.
Scorer of the second goal for the red-black team, point guard Ibson recalled that when coach Joel Santana arrived at Gávea, the club was in the relegation zone and is now the best in Rio in the Brazilian Championship.
"I'm happy to have helped Flamengo with this goal. This victory means a lot, because when Joel (Santana) took over, we were second to last, and now we're the best in Rio. The players deserve congratulations," he said.
Obina, who yesterday completed 100 games wearing the Flamengo shirt, spoke of his emotion:
"Reaching one hundred matches is a very important milestone, especially since I faced a lot of criticism during that period. I'm very happy with this victory."
Joel doesn't want euphoria in Gávea
Coach avoids an atmosphere of exaggerated optimism and does not talk about a place in the Libertadores
Nathan de Lima and Sérgio Mello
After scoring, Ibson kisses his ring and is congratulated by Toró
The euphoric atmosphere surrounding Flamengo's positive momentum was dismissed by coach Joel Santana. He said it's still too early to think about a Copa Libertadores spot. He pulled out another of his signature catchphrases to explain the secret to getting the team out of the relegation zone and into contention for a spot in South America's premier competition.
"We're trading vanity for nobility, because in football, we have to be noble. Flamengo can't be thinking about the Libertadores, because we'll only think about that when we surpass 50 points. Now, we'll face América-RN there, a desperate Corinthians, and Cruzeiro on their home field," said Joel Santana, adding:
"This recovery is thanks to the players and our fans, who have shown up in large numbers to support us. The athletes believed what I said, and because of that, we're achieving even better things in the championship."
As defender Fábio Luciano left Maracanã Stadium, his name was chanted by Flamengo fans. The player thanked them for their support and recalled that when he first arrived at the club, things were very different.
"I'm happy to hear them chant my name. It's a sign that I've been pleasing them, but they've also proven that they're the best in the stands. Congratulations on this demonstration of love for the team. When I arrived here three months ago, the team was in a difficult situation, but little by little they found their feet, and now we're enjoying a good moment in the competition," said Fábio Luciano.
The defender acknowledged that the match against the Gaucho club was complicated:
"Even with some difficulties in getting past Grêmio, we managed to achieve a great victory that keeps us in the fight for the Libertadores."
Character
Ibson
Flamengo's number 7 is flying high. Besides enjoying a fantastic personal phase—his wife, Cynthia, is eight months pregnant with Ibson Júnior—Ibson has also been excelling on the field. Since his return to Flamengo, the midfield has improved significantly, along with the entire team. The player effectively tackles and sets up the attack, and is the team's driving force in the Brazilian Championship. In yesterday's match, he once again dominated the field and led the red-and-black team to a 2-0 victory. Stealing balls, distributing the play, leading the team to attack, and displaying great energy, Ibson was everywhere on the pitch, being unanimously voted the match's best player. An example of this was Flamengo's second goal, when Ibson started and finished the play. The player provided a beautiful pass to Maxi and ran into the box to finish. The Argentinean dribbled past the defender and found the playmaker unmarked in the box, who simply had to tap it into the back of the net. Many believe the player has earned a chance with the Brazilian national team. After all, Ibson is no match for Josué, Mineiro, Gilberto Silva, Fernando, and co. The Flamengo maestro admitted he hopes to be included in Dunga's next call-up.
Red-Black Party in Lagoa
Flamengo wins the second Regatta and remains in the fight for the State Rowing title
Rafael Oliveira
The red-and-black Four Skiff celebrated in Lagoa and helped the club win the Second Regatta title
After Vasco's stellar performance at the opening of the State Rowing Championships, yesterday it was the red-and-blacks' turn to shine and take home the trophy in the second regatta. The athletes from the Gávea club won six of the day's 11 races, outperforming their archrivals 84-77.
Despite yesterday's success, Cruzmaltino remains comfortable in the overall standings. Their lead over the red-and-blacks, which previously stood at 16 points, has shrunk to just one. However, there are still two races remaining (the third will be on the 10th), and the title race promises to be intensely exciting.
The victory was celebrated by the red-blacks, who made a point of dedicating the trophy to Guilherme Buck, the coach who led the club's rowing team during its most successful period.
“All this effort was in honor of Buck, who, if he were alive, would have turned 80 yesterday (Saturday),” said coach Marcelo Amorim, who still believes in his recovery.
"Vasco has a very good team. They have great Brazilian and international champions. But our guys are willing to work hard to surpass them. From today's good performance, we can already see that it's possible," he stated.
Among yesterday's victories, one of the most celebrated was in the senior four-sculls, where the red-and-black boat defeated the Vasco da Gama in a contest packed with big names on both sides. One of them was Thiago Gomes, who will represent Brazil in the Pre-Olympics in November.
"We only started training together on Saturday afternoon, when the national team released me. This victory was achieved with courage and dedication."
But Vasco fans also had reason to celebrate. They had champions in four events, including the last two (the most anticipated). The Vasco da Gama team won both the women's single sculls, with Camila Carvalho, and the eight-sculls with a coxswain. In the latter, the boat Eurico Miranda maintained its famous unbeaten streak and added another triumph to its successful record. Proudly, the president presented the medals to the athletes.
“There’s no way around it. This boat won’t lose,” said Eurico.
Mengão takes on Macaé
The match is valid for the fifth round of the State Basketball Championship
With four wins under their belt, Flamengo returns to the court today to face Macaé at 19 p.m. at the Hélio Maurício Gymnasium in Gávea, in the Adult State Basketball Championship. This will be their final test before facing Vasco.
For winger Marcelinho Machado, this will be another difficult game after an inconsistent performance in the victory against Campos last Friday, facing a team that arrives with high morale after defeating Campos and Municipal.
"Macaé has strengthened its position and gained a lot of quality and experience with the partnership with Saldanha da Gama. We can't afford any silly mistakes, because Macaé has a strong frontcourt and comes out with speed with Gianechinni and Caçamba. We didn't play well against Campos, despite the win, and I think we can show more in this match. We're playing at home and we need the win," said the experienced player.
Flamengo is coming off victories over Volta Redonda, Fluminense, Municipal and Campos, and closes its participation in the first round by facing Vasco next Sunday, and Iguaçu, on the 30th. Center Alírio asks for attention:
"Liga Macaense is a great team, we have to pay extra attention to Daniel Caçamba, as he leads the playmaking," said Alírio, who is 2m08 and 29 years old and came from Brasília.
Flamengo: Duda, Marcelinho, Fernando Mineiro (Amiel), Coloneze and Alírio. Coach: Paulo Chupeta
Macaé: Daniel Caçamba, Ricardo, Daniel Soares, Edwanderson and Leandro. Coach: Enio Vecchi
O Dia
Mengão is reaching the Libertadores
Fla beats Grêmio 2-0, is now sixth and is getting closer to the South American competition
Raphael Roque
Rio - The more than 73 Flamengo fans at Maracanã last night chanted: "Oh my! We'll be there any day now for the Libertadores." Indeed, with the 2-0 victory over Grêmio, the Red-Blacks moved up to sixth place in the Brazilian Championship and are just three points away from qualifying for the premier South American tournament. It's still a dream, but it's getting closer and closer to becoming a reality.
The round was favorable, with direct competitors in the fight for the spot losing. Cruzeiro has 53 points, in third place, and Santos has 52, in fourth place. Flamengo reached 49 and will still face the Minas Gerais team and the Vila Belmiro team.
The game started very tight in midfield, and the first chance only came in the 15th minute, with a shot from Diego Souza. Even without Juan, who was suspended, Flamengo again relied heavily on the wings, especially on the right with Cristian and Leonardo Moura.
Flamengo opened the scoring on the right wing in the 25th minute. Cristian received a superb pass and crossed to Souza. The Grêmio defense got in a muddle, and the striker unleashed a beautiful left-footed shot, turning the ball around: 1-0.
The packed Maracanã fans began to chant even louder, but the team retreated. Grêmio began to surround the red-and-black area, though without threatening.
Flamengo came back stronger in the second half and scored the winning goal in the 15th minute. Íbson, the best player on the field, set up Maxi, who made a great play and returned the ball to the defender who finished into the net.
In the 28th minute, Bruno saved a point-blank shot from Tcheco. Nervous, the Gaucho team lost its way on the field, and Flamengo had a few chances to extend the lead, especially after the introduction of Renato Augusto, responsible for leading the counterattacks.
Souza's header hit the crossbar in the 30th minute, then gave way to Obina, who nearly scored the third goal in the 33rd. Shortly after, Renato Augusto controlled the ball alone in the box and unleashed a powerful shot. Goalkeeper Saja parried.
But the fans had nothing but reason to celebrate, and it was up to the team to keep the ball rolling until the end of the game. If the Libertadores is still a possibility, the fans left the Maracanã stadium with a certainty: in the Brasileirão standings, Flamengo is the best team in Rio.
A heel that doesn't go to your head
Flamengo jumped to sixth place in the Brasileirão. But not so high as to make Joel Santana's euphoria go to his head about the team being so close to the Copa Libertadores qualification zone. Joel still doesn't want to talk about it.
"I said we have to reach 50 points first. I didn't say 49," the coach emphasized. "We're not here to make promises," he said evasively. Joel did, however, say he'll agree to a Libertadores appearance if Flamengo wins its next three games, against América-RN, Corinthians, and Cruzeiro.
"These nine points will be crucial to our ambitions," Joel said. The Flamengo coach, however, is not one to celebrate victory prematurely. He isn't overly optimistic, not even regarding the next game, on Sunday, against América-RN.
"Winning is our obligation, but it's going to be a tough game," he emphasized. Ibson, one of yesterday's standouts, credited Joel with helping the red-and-blacks turnaround in the championship, shared the credit with the players and fans. He also vented: "I didn't start the year off well. I was even a little disgruntled with football."
ON FAIR WITH THE GOAL
Having not scored since September 12th, Souza, who made peace with his goal yesterday, also gave credit to Joel: "He's been giving me his full support. He always tells me I'm moving well and creating space for those coming from behind. After Joel arrived, we got into a good groove. Now, the dream is becoming a reality. We're close to Grêmio and Santos."
Souza assured that he had also made peace with Tcheco, a player he attacked in the first round: "No grudges. I even talked to him."
Sports Gazette
Flamengo beats Grêmio and sees the Libertadores closer
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Cheered on by their fans, who packed the Maracanã stadium, Flamengo secured their third consecutive victory in the Brazilian Championship. With goals from Souza and Ibson, the team defeated Grêmio and moved closer to the Copa Libertadores qualification zone. The result left the Red-Black team with 49 points in the standings, two behind the Tricolor. In the next round, the Rio de Janeiro team visits América de Natal, while the Rio Grande do Sul team, currently in fifth place, faces a highly-informed Náutico.
The first half was tight, with both teams fighting for possession in midfield. Even so, the visitors were more dangerous and threatened in the seventh minute, when Anderson Pico played a one-two with Diego Souza and fired a long-range shot just wide of the opposing goalkeeper's post. Seven minutes later, Diego Souza took a shot from the edge of the box, forcing Bruno into a good save.
In their first dangerous move, the hosts turned the score around. Cristian arrived on the right and crossed into the middle of the box, where Patrício and Léo clashed, leaving Souza free to turn and open the scoring in the 25th minute.
The home side pushed forward in the 34th minute, and in the XNUMXth minute, they had the opportunity to extend their lead with a free kick. Egídio struck hard, but Saja, alert to the situation, calmly grabbed it.
In the second half, the Gauchos returned to the attack and, in the first minute, almost equalized. Danilo Rios, who had come on at halftime to replace Diego Souza, burst into the box from the left and sent a cross-shot, but the opposing goalkeeper was well placed to make the save. Bruno was again in the tenth minute, parrying a header from Jonas, who had received a cross from Tcheco.
However, the home side struck again when they were in a tight situation. This time, Ibson passed the ball to Maxi, who shook off a defender and, inside the box, passed it back to the midfielder, who placed his foot on the ball to extend his team's lead in the 15th minute.
Despite this, Grêmio remained undeterred and had another opportunity in the 26th minute, when Sandro Goiano crossed to Tcheco, who fired a powerful first-time shot, but it was again stopped by the Flamengo goalkeeper. Four minutes later, Leonardo Moura took a corner from the right and Souza headed the ball against the crossbar.
To the delight of the fans, Obina came on for Souza, making his 33th appearance for the club. In the 36rd minute, he was released on the right, burst into the box, and fired a cross-shot, but Saja got down well and made the save in two attempts. The Red-Blacks had another chance in the XNUMXth minute, when Renato Augusto received a pass from Obina and, inside the box, unleashed a powerful shot at the opposing goalkeeper, who made a save with a start.
The Tricolor Gaúcho still tried to reduce the deficit in the 43rd minute, when Tuta challenged the opposing defense. However, Bruno came out well from his goal and kept the ball, helping his team leave Maracanã with three more points.
The night's top scorers praise Joel and see the Libertadores closer
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - After the 2-0 victory over Grêmio, Ibson and Souza praised Flamengo coach Joel Santana. They believe the coach was instrumental in the Rio de Janeiro club's recovery in the Brazilian Championship. When Joel took over, the Gávea team was in the relegation zone and the worst-placed team in the competition. Since then, the team has climbed to sixth place with 49 points, three points above the relegation zone. "Joel means a lot. We were in a difficult situation when he took over, and now we're there," Ibson declared.
For the midfielder, the manager knew how to work with everyone equally. "Joel is a great professional. No one can criticize him. He gives everyone opportunities. He's a key player in Flamengo's squad," he stated.
Souza emphasized that the confidence instilled by the coach helped him score Sunday's goal. "I hadn't been scoring, and Joel told me I was doing well and helping my teammates," he explained. "I'm happy to have scored the goal and helped my teammates win."
The center forward also expressed optimism about securing a spot in next year's Copa Libertadores. "The dream has come true. It's difficult, but not impossible," he summarized.
For Joel, the fans are responsible for Flamengo's reaction
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - After the 2-0 victory over Grêmio, Flamengo coach Joel Santana praised the behavior of the fans and players since he took over. According to the coach, the team's improved performance is due to the fans' confidence in the red-and-black squad. "Two things made Flamengo react this way: the players' behavior and the fans' belief in the team," declared the manager, who also highlighted the players' development. "We're growing. It's not just one player or another. Toró, Ibson, Cristian—they're all improving," he stated.
With 49 points in the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo sits in sixth place, two points below the Copa Libertadores qualifying zone. Despite this, Joel preferred to be cautious when commenting on his team's chances of qualifying for the competition. "The fans want a place in the Libertadores, the players want it, and Joel wants it too, but I'm not going to promise anything," he explained.
According to the coach, the Red-Black team needs to first break into the top four. "First, we have to get there. We'll maintain the same seriousness and attitude we have now to try to achieve that status," he analyzed. "We came from behind and have direct rivals. Let's see where we get."
Until the end of the Brasileirão, the Rio team will face América de Natal, Corinthians, Cruzeiro, Santos, Atlético Paranaense and Náutico.
PeléNet
With record attendance, Flamengo beats Grêmio and is already aiming for the top four
From UOL Esporte\ In São Paulo\
What seemed impossible at the start of the Brazilian Championship is starting to become a reality. On the day that Maracanã hosted the largest paying crowd of the competition (63.189 fans), Flamengo got the better of Grêmio, winning the duel 2-0 this Sunday, and furthering its dream of achieving one of the spots in the 2008 Copa Libertadores. As if that weren't enough, it is closing in on the team from the South, which ends the 32nd round outside the qualifying zone for the continental tournament.
Although still far behind, Flamengo has won three straight games (previously, they beat Vasco and Paraná) and are now in sixth place, with 49 points, just three behind fourth-place Santos, who lost to Figueirense in Florianópolis. Between the two teams is Grêmio, which sits at 51 points.
What could make the red-black squad more optimistic are their games until the end of the Brazilian Championship. Next Sunday (28), they will face the already relegated América-RN, in Natal. Then, five more games, three at Maracanã, including against Santos, who should be a direct rival for that spot. Grêmio will try to return to the G4 against the threatened Náutico, at home, also on Sunday.
Just like in the last few games at Maracanã, Flamengo relied on the strength of its fans, who never stopped singing for a minute. This time, they broke Nacional's record and brought an additional 70 fans into the stadium (63.189 paying fans).
On Thursday, more than 40 fans watched the victory over Vasco. Until then, the Rio de Janeiro team had also had the largest crowd in the Brazilian Championship, the 2-0 loss to Fluminense earlier this month (61.042 fans).
Tonight's match also marked striker Obina's 100th appearance for Flamengo. The striker, who came on in the second half wearing the number 100 jersey, has already scored 32 goals during his time with the club.
This Sunday's match received a provocative tone throughout the week, when Grêmio coach Mano Menezes stated that, unlike his team, Flamengo had benefited from the CBF. According to the coach, the Rio de Janeiro team refused to play away from Maracanã during the Pan American Games, and the organization granted their permission.
As a result, the match started evenly. Scoring opportunities were rare. What we saw was a tight contest, with each team's defense almost always having the upper hand over their attackers. In one of the few lapses, Flamengo opened the scoring.
In the 25th minute, after Cristian's cross, the Grêmio defense floundered. The ball fell to striker Souza, who shot with his left foot. Goalkeeper Saja was helpless. From then on, Joel Santana's team began to dominate the game.
In the second half, Flamengo's midfield was efficient. Grêmio, on the other hand, showed haste and defensive fragility. This led to their second goal in the 15th minute. Argentine Max Biancucchi easily broke through on the left and passed to Ibson, who simply had to shoot.
Joel credits the good moment to the harmony between the fans and the cast
From UOL Esporte\ In São Paulo\
When he took over Flamengo, at the beginning of August, coach Joel Santana found a team with just nine points in 12 games and among the worst in the Brazilian Championship.
Since then, the team, despite some obstacles, has reacted, won six of its last nine games and is now aiming for a place in the Libertadores.
For the coach, the explanation for this evolution is due to a few factors, starting with the synergy between the squad and the fans.
"It's a pleasure to watch a Flamengo match these days. We have a strong-willed squad with no vanity whatsoever. Add to that the fans are passionate about their club," the coach admits.
As an example, today Flamengo fans once again filled the Maracanã and broke the record for paying attendance in the Brazilian Championship (63.189 paying spectators).
On Thursday, more than 40 fans watched the victory over Vasco. Until then, the Rio de Janeiro team had also had the largest crowd in the competition, which was in their 2-0 loss to Fluminense earlier this month (61.042 fans).
For Joel Santana, this combination is also a reflection of the end of a certain distrust that many players have towards his work.
The coach even recalled his early days in the competition. In the first two matches, the Rio de Janeiro team suffered two defeats (Santos and Atlético-PR).
"A change in leadership is difficult. That happened here too. It's natural that some players find my way of working strange. But little by little, we managed to develop a method, and they accepted it. This excellent performance in the final stretch of the Brazilian Championship is one of the results," he commented.
For Flamengo fans, now it's time to think about the Libertadores
From UOL Esporte\ In São Paulo\
Anyone who thinks Flamengo's players took the field this Sunday focused on securing a spot in the Copa Libertadores is mistaken. For the Rio de Janeiro team's key players, the goal was to completely erase the fear of relegation. With the first goal practically achieved after the 2-0 victory over Grêmio, it's now possible to dream of a spot in next year's continental tournament.
With the conclusion of the 32nd round, Flamengo moved up to sixth place with 49 points, just three behind Santos, who sits in fourth and was defeated 1-0 by Figueirense this Sunday in Florianópolis. For those threatened by relegation, the Rio de Janeiro team opened up an 11-point lead over Corinthians, who sit in 17th and first place in the relegation zone.
"Our first goal was to end the specter of relegation. I believe we are further away from that now. Now our fight is different. We are going to fight for a place in the Libertadores," said defender Fábio Luciano.
One factor that leaves the red-black squad optimistic is their games until the end of the Brazilian Championship. Next Sunday (28), they will face the already relegated América-RN, in Natal. Then, five more games, three at Maracanã, including against Santos. They will also face Cruzeiro, another direct rival for this spot and who has not won in five matches.
"We've already moved away from the bottom four and are in the qualifying zone for the Copa Sudamericana. There are six games left and now we know we can reach the Copa Libertadores. We know it's difficult, but not impossible," said midfielder Ibson, who scored one of the goals in the victory over Grêmio.
For defender Ronaldo Angelim, the Libertadores could have been closer if the team hadn't had such a shaky start to the competition. "We were among the worst for a long time. Now the situation is different, especially because we're in a good moment."
In the last nine games, Flamengo won six times, drew twice and lost only once.
BalloonSport
With Maraca packed, Fla wins and dreams big
Rubro-Negro beats Grêmio with record attendance and is now sixth in the table
Eduardo Peixoto
With every game, Flamengo proves, as its fans sing, that it's a team of grit, love, and passion. This Sunday, in front of a Maracanã packed with 73 red-and-black fans (63.189 paying, a Brasileirão record), the team defeated Grêmio 2-0 and confirmed that, yes, it is possible to reach the Copa Libertadores.
Whether it was due to the strength of the stands or the arrival of reinforcements in August, the fact is that Fla went from the shameful second-to-last position to sixth, with 49 points.
If it was once a source of ridicule in Rio, now the fans rightly call themselves "Rio's best." With Santos' loss to Figueirense, the gap to the top four has dropped to three points. The goals in Sunday's triumph were scored by Souza and Ibson (watch the video below).
In turn, Grêmio stops at 51 points, is in fifth place and gains a new competitor in the fight for a place in the Libertadores.
NEXT GAMES\ 28/10 Améria-RN x Flamengo, in Natal\ 28/10 Grêmio x Náutico, in Porto Alegre\
Fla 'waits' for fans to score
Maracanã wasn't yet fully packed when the game began. Fans fought for tickets at the box office, and Flamengo started at a slow pace on the field, perhaps waiting for all the spectators to arrive.
Meanwhile, Grêmio threatened with weak shots from outside the box. In the 25th minute, with the stadium almost completely full, Leonardo Moura found Cristian on the right wing. The surprise player crossed, Willian and Leo tangled, and Souza turned to score.
After the goal, Rubro-Negro retreated and was pressured by Grêmio until the end of the first half. However, the Gauchos barely had any shots on goal. Their best chance was a free kick by Tcheco in the 38th minute, which sailed over Bruno's goal.
Ibson decides again
Flamengo fans shouted 'olé' to celebrate the victory and another attendance record
Early in the second half, Danilo, who replaced Diego Souza, fired a low shot, and Bruno dove to save. While Flamengo was preoccupied with Sálvio Spínola's poor performance, the visitors came close to equalizing.
In the 10th minute, Tcheco lifted the ball into the box, Jonas headed it, and Bruno stretched to palm it away. The next minute, the same Jonatas took advantage of a counterattack, dribbling past Angelim, and shooting wide.
Just when equality seemed imminent, Ibson, Flamengo's best player on the pitch, broke the deadlock. In the 15th minute, he played a beautiful one-two with Maxi on the left wing and received the ball inside the box. The shot went into the left corner, but Saja managed to get a touch on the ball.
With the Maracanã in full swing, the Red-Blacks controlled Grêmio. But in the 29th minute, Tcheco only missed the deficit thanks to Bruno's exceptional save. The scare woke the hosts, and in the 30th minute, Souza headed the ball against the crossbar.
Soon after, the striker gave way to Obina. The number 100—a tribute to his 33th appearance for Flamengo—nearly scored in the 36rd minute, but Saja saved. The Argentine goalkeeper saved Grêmio again in the XNUMXth minute, with a point-blank shot from Renato Augusto.
The fans celebrated the Brazilian Championship's record attendance, and on the field, Flamengo suffocated the Tricolor Gaúcho in the final minutes. To top it all off, the red-and-blacks gave "olé."
Ibson becomes a top scorer by chance
Flamengo midfielder reaches five in the Brazilian league and celebrates an enlightened moment
Eduardo Peixoto
In the last two games, Ibson was not only Flamengo's best player on the pitch. He scored goals against both Grêmio and São Paulo. His strong performances earned him a top-scoring spot in the Brazilian Championship, with five, alongside Juan and Leonardo Moura.
However, unlike the full-backs, the midfielder only made his league debut in August. His scoring frequency leaves him surprised.
"My job is to pass the ball and leave the attackers facing the goal. But I'm being enlightened and managing to score goals," says Ibson.
In 93 games for Flamengo, the player scored 16 goals.
'The dream came true,' says Souza
Flamengo striker recalls that two months ago all anyone talked about was relegation
Eduardo Peixoto
Flamengo is experiencing a new reality in the Brazilian Championship. From being threatened with relegation to the Second Division, the team is now a contender for a spot in the Copa Libertadores. If the fans already knew this, the players also confirm the change in objective.
"Two months ago we were fighting relegation, and now the Libertadores, which was a dream, has become a reality. We'll do our best to achieve it," says striker Souza, who scored the first goal in the 2-0 victory over Grêmio (watch the video below).
With six games remaining in the competition, the Red-Blacks sit in sixth place with 49 points. They're three points behind fourth-place Santos. Prudent coach Joel Santana avoids the issue:
- It's not possible. I said I wanted to get 50 points, not 49. Of course we're getting closer, but that horizon (Libertadores) is still far away.
Joel highlights unity with the fans
Coach says mutual trust is responsible for improving team performance
Eduardo Peixoto
Since August, Flamengo's Maracanã has almost guaranteed a packed stadium. This Sunday, against Grêmio, more than 73 fans cheered the team to a 2-0 victory in the Brazilian Championship. Coach Joel Santana points to the chemistry between the team and the fans as a key factor in the team's surge in the competition.
Against the Gauchos, the red-and-blacks broke another attendance record: 63.179 paying spectators. The coach says it's a "pleasure" to see the team take the field.
"It makes you want to watch Flamengo play because of the passion the team and the fans show on the field. When there's trust on both sides, players and fans are more motivated."
When Joel Santana arrived in July, Flamengo was in second-to-last place with 12 points. Now, the team is breathing easy with 49. However, the coach feels it's premature to self-criticize his work.
"It's still too early to talk about my work. I owe the team's improvement to two factors: the fans' belief in the team and the group's focus. We spent two months concentrating at home and living in the training camp."
Flamengo fans break the record. Again
Match with Grêmio is watched by 63.189 paying fans at Maracanã
Flamengo fans are among the ten biggest attendances eight times\ Fans from São Paulo and Atlético-MG tried hard, but couldn't surpass Flamengo's. Once again, the red-and-blacks broke the attendance record from the 2007 Brazilian Championship: this Sunday, 63.189 people paid for tickets to the game against Grêmio at Maracanã (in total, there were 73.871 people in the stadium).\
Flamengo also holds the other two best records in the competition. The previous record was held by Fla-Flu, with 61.042 paying spectators, on October 7th.
This Sunday, São Paulo defeated Cruzeiro 1-0 in front of 60.378 paying spectators. This attendance is now the third-largest in the Brasileirão.
At Mineirão, Atlético-MG managed to sell 48.704 tickets for the match against Vasco, won 1-0 by Galo.
Flamengo fans throw fireworks and glasses at the referee
Sálvio Spínola's performance sparks anger at halftime. Rio de Janeiro team could be punished.
Eduardo Peixoto
The foul reversal caused Flamengo fans to lose their tempers with referee Sálvio Spínola during the first half of the match against Grêmio this Sunday at Maracanã. As the São Paulo referee headed to the locker room, fans threw fireworks and cups onto the field. Sálvio's assistant collected the objects.
According to the Gepe commander, Major Marcelo Pessoa, the fans who set off the fireworks were the ones arrested and were in the stadium's white stands.
Sálvio Spínola must report the incident in the report and Flamengo will go to trial at the STJD.
Fans warn: 'Maracanã belongs to Flamengo'
Before the game against Grêmio, the red-black fans display a banner on the Maracanã pitch.
Eduardo Peixoto
Flamengo and the CBF have begun an informal battle for the Maracanã stadium. And this Sunday, with the support of the board, the fans demonstrated that they consider themselves the stadium's rightful owners.
Before the match against Grêmio began, four banners reading "Maracanã belongs to Flamengo" were displayed on the pitch. Present at the stadium—a rare occurrence—president Márcio Braga agreed with the statement:
- Flamengo's home is the Maracanã. They (CBF) wanted to implode it here and now they've changed their minds, right?
The stadium's bidding notice has not yet been released. Flamengo has announced that it does not intend to pay rent to the CBF and has threatened to join Botafogo in managing the Engenhão stadium.
Flamengo fans mock Vasco
A packed Maracanã sings that a place in the Libertadores will be for Rubro-Negro
Flamengo fans broke attendance record: 63.189 paying fans at the match against Grêmio. Vasco spent much of the Brazilian Championship dreaming of the Copa Libertadores. However, in a spectacular run, Flamengo is now six points ahead of its rival and is now a serious contender for a spot in the South American competition.
Faced with this new situation, the red-and-black fans were unforgiving. During the 2-0 victory over Grêmio, Vasco's irony was palpable.
"Cry Vasco fans, the dream is over, I'm the one going to the Libertadores" was the match's hit. The song is set to the same rhythm as the song that was a hit among Vasco fans in this Brazilian Championship, with the line "I'm going to root for Vasco to be champion, São Januário my cauldron."
"We can dream, yes. The results put us in a good position, and the fans have the right to imagine a place in the Libertadores," says defender Fábio Luciano.
Flamengo is in sixth place in the table, with 49 points and is three behind Santos, in fourth place.
Fábio Luciano played 'vetoed'
Flamengo defender reveals he felt pain in his right leg during Saturday's training session
Eduardo Peixoto
Fábio Luciano felt pain in his right thigh during Saturday's training session
When Joel Santana says the players are showing a desire to wear the Flamengo jersey, he's not joking. In this Sunday's match against Grêmio, captain Fábio Luciano played with sacrifice.
During Saturday's training session, he felt pain in his right thigh and was advised against playing by the club's doctors.
- During the kickoff, I felt pain in my right thigh, and the doctors decided to rule me out of the game. But right now, it's worth the sacrifice.
Fábio Luciano made his Flamengo debut against Náutico in August. Since then, the team has embarked on a run that has lifted them out of the relegation zone and put them in a position to compete for a spot in the Copa Libertadores.
"The arrival of an experienced player like Fábio Luciano was important. Because playing for Flamengo is difficult, and not everyone adapts quickly. But he arrived very well, calmly, and instilled confidence in the younger players," analyzes midfielder Ibson.
Fábio Luciano's contract ends at the end of this year and the board is moving to renew it.
Libertadores: can the dream become reality?
GLOBOESPORTE.COM shows each team's chances in the next six games
Cahê Mota
While São Paulo, at the top of the table, could secure the title in the next round, the fight for the Copa Libertadores is increasingly exciting. With Cruzeiro, Santos, and Grêmio losing in the 32nd round of the Brasileirão (watch the video below with all the goals from the round), the battle for a spot in the top four is wide open. According to mathematician Tristão Garcia of the website Info Bola, eleven teams can dream of competing in the biggest club competition in the Americas, even if some will have to rely heavily on numbers.
"From Atlético-PR down, the chances are only mathematical, but they're unlikely to materialize. We need to win every game and still hope for three of the five strongest contenders to lose. However, while there's a chance, there has to be hope," declares Tristão.
With six rounds remaining in the competition, 18 points are up for grabs and the difference between second-placed Palmeiras and Atlético-MG, in thirteenth place, is 11. Twelfth-placed Vasco has no chance, according to the mathematician, due to the complicated series of games they have ahead.
"The teams' current form, their opponents, and the venues are all taken into account in the calculations. A win in the last round carries much more weight than one a month ago, for example. Therefore, a team may have a better chance than one higher up in the table," explains Tristão Garcia.
Mathematician Marcelo Arruda, from the website Chance de Gol, reinforces the words of his fellow professional.
- Direct clashes and those against opponents who are struggling in the competition are relevant at this time. This is the case with Flamengo, who faces Santos and Cruzeiro and faces América-RN in the next round.
What about you, fan? Whose spots are you betting on? Click and vote! The situation is still favorable for Palmeiras, Cruzeiro, Santos, and Grêmio fans, mainly due to the number of wins (the first tiebreaker) each club has. However, anything can happen. Based on the upcoming rounds' matchups, GLOBOESPORTE.COM is taking stock of what needs to happen for each fan base to celebrate qualifying on December 2nd.
Palmeiras\ Besides São Paulo, they were the only other member of the top four to win this round. The victory over Paraná left Caio Júnior's team in an excellent position. They need ten points to secure their place in the Libertadores and have a relatively straightforward series of matches ahead. Despite facing the threatened Vasco da Gama in the São Januário cauldron, they host the nearly relegated Juventude, Fluminense, who are no longer in contention for the season, and Atlético-MG in the final round, when, by all indications, Galo will simply be playing catch-up.\
Performance in the Brasileirão: 56%\ Chances of qualifying: 81%\ Next games: Vasco (f), Juventude (c), Sport (f), Fluminense (c), Internacional (f) and Atlético-MG (c).\
Cruzeiro\ In freefall in the Brasileirão, Raposa is in serious danger of seeing its Libertadores dreams suffer the same fate as its title dream. With three losses and two draws in the last five rounds, the Minas Gerais team faces a tough stretch. They host Furacão and Flamengo, who are still dreaming of a top-four finish, at Mineirão, and travel to face fellow contenders Botafogo and Internacional. If they perform well in these matches, they have a good chance of securing easy wins against the comfortable Sport and relegated América-RN. They need to earn 4 points.\
Performance in the Brasileirão: 55%\ Chances of qualifying: 76%\ Next games: Atlético-PR (c), Botafogo (f), Flamengo (c), Internacional (f), Sport (f) and América-RN (c).\
Santos\ Despite the unexpected loss to Figueirense at Scarpelli Stadium, Vanderlei Luxemburgo is on track to finish another Brasileirão season among the leaders. Santos hosts ineligible teams Goiás and Atlético-MG at Vila do Conde and has a tough match against Náutico at Aflitos Stadium in the upcoming rounds. If they win, they'll be in a good position to secure their spot against a likely relegated Paraná and a Fluminense side already thinking about 2008. On the other hand, if they slip up, they'll face a life-or-death match against Flamengo at Maracanã Stadium on November 11th. They need four wins.\
Performance in the Brasileirão: 54%\ Chances of qualifying: 67%\ Next games: Goiás (c), Náutico (f), Atlético-MG (c), Flamengo (f), Paraná (f) and Fluminense (c).\
Grêmio\ The loss to Flamengo at Maracanã puts Náutico back as a decisive opponent for Grêmio. The 2005 Battle of the Aflitos will be replayed as the Battle of the Olímpico in the next round. A win is crucial to boost Grêmio's morale, as they next face Atlético-PR away from home, where they haven't had a good record. The Gauchos also have a negative match against São Paulo at Morumbi Stadium and a desperate Corinthians team in the final round. With four wins and a draw, the Immortal will be in the Libertadores.\
Performance in the Brazilian Championship: 53%\ Chances of qualifying: 43%\ Next games: Náutico (c), Atlético-PR (f), Figueirense (c), São Paulo (f), América-RN (f) and Corinthians (c).\
Flamengo\ The red-and-black fans are excited, the team is on the rise in the Brasileirão, but the team from Gávea's position regarding a spot in the Libertadores is still complicated. Despite having the possibility of closing the gap on Santos and Cruzeiro in head-to-head matches, Flamengo must win five of its six games to qualify. The Flamengo fans can take comfort in their record in the last six rounds, precisely five wins and one loss. Facing relegated América-RN in Natal in the next round is a positive step toward achieving their goal.\
Performance in the Brasileirão: 51%\ Chances of qualifying: 24%\ Next games: América-RN (f), Corinthians (c), Cruzeiro (f), Santos (c), Atlético-PR (c) and Náutico (f).\
Atlético-PR, Botafogo, and Figueirense\ Relieved to escape relegation, the teams from Paraná, Rio de Janeiro, and Santa Catarina are clinging to their mathematical chances to stay motivated for the remainder of the Brasileirão. With victories in the 32nd round, the trio needs a combination of results to secure a spot in the Libertadores. Celebrating their return to winning ways at Arena da Baixada after Ney Franco's arrival, the Furacão is counting on victories over Cruzeiro, Grêmio, and Flamengo to close in on the top four. The downside is that only the game against Grêmio is in Curitiba.\
For Botafogo, the schedule is complex. While the team from General Severiano can be thrilled by the fact that they face the relegated Juventude, Paraná, and América-RN, there are also some tough matches along the way, such as São Paulo, away from home, Cruzeiro, and the tormentor Figueirense. However, since some things only happen to Botafogo, the fans can believe in themselves. The situation is truly difficult for Figueira, as in five of their remaining six games they face teams with some Brasileirão aspirations.
Trio's performance in the Brasileirão: 47%\ Chances of qualifying: 2%\ Upcoming games:\
\ Figueirense - Corinthians (f), Fluminense (c), Grêmio (f), Vasco (c), Nautico (c) and Botafogo (f).\
International, Nautico and Atlético-MG
With great faith and goodwill, Inter, Timbu, and Galo need just a few points to secure their spot in Série A, and many to reach the Copa Libertadores—18, to be precise, that is, six wins in their next six games. And their path is far from straightforward; all three still face at least two of the competition's top six teams. Only a lot of four-leaf clovers and a rabbit's foot can do it.
Performance in the Brasileirão: 45%\ Chances of qualifying: 1%\ Next opponents:\
Arsenal - Arsenal (a), Arsenal (b), Arsenal (c ...
Souza breaks 39-day fast
The red-black striker says he is relieved that a long period without scoring has ended.
Eduardo Peixoto
Saja's accurate shot into the left corner in the 25th minute of the first half broke Souza's long drought (watch the goal in the video below). The Flamengo striker hadn't scored since September 12, in the match against Cruzeiro. "It was a relief. Joel talked to me during the week and said I was fine, but it was important to get the goal," Souza declared.
The top scorer in the 2006 Brazilian Championship with 17 goals, he only scored four times this season. However, the striker has played a crucial role in Flamengo's comeback in the Brazilian Championship. Coach Joel Santana consistently praises Souza's pivotal role.
With his goal against Grêmio, the center forward reached his 13th goal tally this year. He thus equaled midfielder Renato, who left the club in July to play for Al-Nasr in the United Arab Emirates.
Drugs and weapons on buses with Grêmio fans
Military Police sent some fans to give statements in Rio
An undisclosed amount of marijuana, knives, and a firearm were found on the two buses carrying Grêmio fans who had to return from Rio de Janeiro to Porto Alegre. Some Grêmio fans were taken by the Rio de Janeiro Military Police to give statements. This information is from ClicRBS.
The buses had to return to Rio Grande do Sul because some fans did not have tickets and because there had been a clash between the Grêmio and Flamengo fans.