The Globe
Fla must attack today with Maxi and Souza
Obina is on the bench against Juventude, and Joel makes it clear that the Argentine is on the rise at the club
Photo caption: MAXI ADVANCES with the ball in Fla's training session, watched by Souza: the two should play together tonight
Márcio Tavares
TERESÓPOLIS. At the end of training, under the unmistakable mist that descends on Teresópolis in the late afternoons, coach Joel Santana calls Obina over, pats the Bahian on the shoulder, and warns: "You're the one going... to the bench." Apparently, the doubts about Maxi's partner in the Flamengo attack for today's match against Juventude, at 20:30 PM, at Maracanã, had been dispelled. Souza is the most likely to play. Officially, however, the lineup will be announced tonight. By maintaining the uncertainty between Obina and Souza, Joel defined a situation that currently seems clear: Flamengo is Maxi and ten others.
The training session that could have helped Joel choose the Argentine's teammate was of little use. In 18th place with 18 points, Flamengo has the sixth-worst attack in the Brazilian league, conceding 22 goals, ahead of Juventude (21). However, the coach was concerned about the defense, which had conceded 30 goals. Interrupting the training session after every play, Joel tried to get things in order through conversation. But he wasn't always understood.
"Hey, that's wrong!" he complained, being challenged by someone on the field. "Isn't that what I asked for? Then tell me what I said."
Léo Lima, overweight, does special training
Roger tried to help Joel by guiding the attack, and his intervention was well received. But nothing led the coach to take a concrete stance. Joel says the position has undergone significant changes, and to make matters worse, one of the candidates for the position, Souza, the top scorer in the 2006 Brazilian Championship (17 goals), has only scored one goal in the competition, and the other, Obina, is still trying to shed the pounds gained after left knee surgery.
"Today, Maxi is guaranteed. Tomorrow, maybe," said Joel. "He's theoretically the striker in the best physical condition."
Obina's excess weight isn't unique to him. Since yesterday, Léo Lima has only returned to training once he's back in optimal physical shape. He stayed at Granja Comary for special training, as did Renato Augusto, who is recovering from an injury.
Despite the difficult task, Joel knows that, with a little divine help and a little effort from the players, the team has everything it needs to escape the relegation zone:
"Do you want to stay home? Me too. I hope the players are smart enough to understand my position. I want to get out of this situation soon. I want to stop talking about escaping relegation."
Undeterred by the praise, Maxi Biancucci reiterated that he doesn't feel like a starter. And he was intrigued by the news that his 10-year-old brother, Bruno, would be joining the club's youth ranks:
- I don't know, I haven't talked to my father.
Since Maxi's family will soon be moving to Rio, the board's plan is to monitor Bruno and keep him committed to Flamengo if he truly has a future. A future that could be closely tied to the outcome of games like today's.
Flamengo: Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Cristian, Romulo, Ibson and Roger; Maxi and Souza (Obina). Youth: Michel Alves, Baron, Wescley, Regis and Ze Rodolpho; Marcão, Marabá, Marcelo Costa and Fabio Baiano; Michel and Tadeu. Referee: Paulo Cesar Oliveira (SP).
BROADCAST: Premiere and Rádios Globo and CBN
Sports Journal
Race to give and win at Fla
For today's game, Argentine Maxi promises to give his full strength so that the team can win.
Nathan Lima and Thiago Bokel
Wallace Teixeira/JS
The Argentine race will be at the service of Fla, today, with Maxi Biancucchi
Fans heading to Maracanã tonight can be sure of one thing: there will be no shortage of spirit. Argentine Maxi Biancucchi, the club's new favorite, is confirmed in attack and should display the usual enthusiasm that won him over to the fans. Very pleased with the reception from the stands, the striker hopes to impress once again.
"I'm not a regular starter, but I'm working really hard to live up to the coach's trust in me. The Flamengo fans have already shown themselves to be wonderful and really help us win matches. The demands of playing for a team of this magnitude are high, so I hope to have another good game and score again," said the foreigner.
The experience of scoring his first goal in Brazil's most captivating derby, the Fla-Flu match, won't be leaving Maxi's mind any time soon. Despite coming in underdog, the striker managed to prove his worth, but he also doesn't want fans to demand he score, which isn't his main characteristic.
"Right after the Fla-Flu match, they wanted to compare me to Romário, but I'm different from him. I've always scored goals, but not that many. My job is to put my teammates in a position to score, but of course, if an opportunity arises, I won't want to let it pass," explained Maxi.
Family at Fla\ The sudden success with the red-and-black jersey left the directors so euphoric that Maxi's brother, Bruno, just 10 years old, was hired for a trial period. For those who don't know the boy, the foreigner made a point of introducing him.\
"Bruno plays a lot of football, even making a comparison, in terms of skills, he's closer to Messi than to me," joked the striker, who curiously is training at the enemy's home, after all, Granja Comary is the home of the Brazilian National Team.
Souza practically confirmed in the red-black attack
Wallace Teixeira/JS
With more than 20 days to go, Souza is expected to start today. That's why he was all smiles yesterday.
Considered the biggest question mark on coach Joel Santana's mind last Tuesday for the match against Juventude, striker Souza is practically confirmed in the starting lineup. Despite still trying to keep things under wraps, the coach made no secret of his preference for the player for tonight's match. Souza participated in the entire tactical training session among the 11 players who will start and is expected to lead the red-and-black attack.
"I'm still not sure who will play. Tomorrow (today) I'll talk to both players and see who is in better physical and technical shape. Obina is in the process of reconditioning and slowly recovering. Souza hasn't played in 20 days and that's also a factor," analyzed the Flamengo manager.
Coincidentally, in his last match as a starter, before the STJD's punishment, Souza had Obina, his current rival, as his attacking partner. The duel marked a true "dogfight."
In the arms of the Red-Black Nation
Players hope the fans will turn the Maracanã into a cauldron to boil Juventude
Nathan Lima and Thiago Bokel
Jair Motta/JS
Once again, the red-black fans will be crucial for Flamengo to achieve its fifth victory in the Brazilian Championship.
Once again forced to win at home, Flamengo appeals to its main player, who is always present in the most difficult moments: the fans.
Fundamental to pushing the team both in victories and in despair, the fans will once again have the mission of encouraging the Rubro-Negro in today's match, at 20:30 pm, at Maracanã, against Juventude, an opponent that is usually the thorn in Fla's side in the Brazilian Championships.
With the Caxias do Sul team also fighting relegation, today's game is worth more than just three points. Therefore, goalkeeper Bruno urged the fans to turn out in large numbers and support the team from start to finish.
"Our fans are crucial when we play at home. They support us in the most difficult moments and put a lot of pressure on our opponents. That's why it's very difficult for any team to beat Flamengo on their home turf," praised the Flamengo's number 1.
Besides Bruno, coach Joel Santana will have virtually his full squad available for this difficult match. The only absence is midfielder Renato Augusto, who is still recovering from a left leg injury. The coach will count on the return of full-backs Leonardo Moura and Juan, and midfielder Roger, who are returning from suspension.
Mystery in the attack\ Another practically confirmed presence is striker Souza, who has already served the five-match ban imposed by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) and is cleared to play. In yesterday's training session at Granja Comary, Joel Santana used the player full-time in the starting lineup, leaving Obina on the bench. Therefore, he should start.\
With the return of four players considered crucial to the coach's strategy and the support of the fans, Flamengo has the obligation to impose itself against a direct rival and secure a victory that will serve as a catalyst for its push to escape the relegation zone. The board expects at least 20 people to be present at the Maracanã stadium.
Joel Santana: 'I'm carrying the weight of 40 million fans'
Coach Joel Santana hasn't had a good run in his new stint with Flamengo, which currently sits in 18th place in the Brazilian Championship. This Thursday, Flamengo faces Juventude, a team in a similar position in the table, in 19th place with 17 points.
However, the coach doesn't see any reason to draw any significant comparisons between the two. He argued that the pressure for results on the Rio de Janeiro team is infinitely greater than that of the Rio Grande do Sul team, as Flamengo has a fan base of over 40 million fans across Brazil.
"The weight of leading Flamengo is one thing, and that of leading Juventude is another. I have the responsibility of 40 million fans behind me," said Joel Santana in an interview with Rádio Globo.
Cuban Amiel is happy with the red and black shirt
Bianca Reis
Cuban Amie has a reputation for being a fighter on the court, which could help him in his time at Flamengo, who will compete in the National and State Championships.
One of Flamengo's biggest prospects for this year's State Basketball Championship is Cuban Amiel, who previously played in Brazil for Saldanha da Gama in Espírito Santo. The athlete, who is already training with the rest of the squad, expressed his satisfaction with the club and said he will do everything he can to ensure Flamengo emerges victorious from the competition.
"I'm very happy to be here with Flamengo. We have a very good team for this year's competitions. Everyone here wants to reach first place and, with that, become Brazilian champions. We've been working hard since then, and I'm willing to help them in whatever way we can to win this title," he stated.
Good Level\ Furthermore, the player highly praised the level of Brazilian basketball and his teammates.\
"I played here in Brazil last year and saw the level of some teams. I think Brazilian basketball is very good. And I can say that now, with our team, the competition will be much better. We have very experienced players who have already played for the national team, as well as very good young players," said Amiel.
In addition to the Cuban player, Flamengo will also have young athletes with a lot of experience, such as Duda, brother of Marcelinho Machado, one of the great names of the Brazilian basketball team, at the Rio 2007 Pan American Games, when the green and yellow team was crowned three-time Pan American champion.
Eduardo Magalhães Machado, 24, has already racked up some major titles under his belt. Besides winning the South American championship with the Brazilian senior national team last year in Venezuela, he also won the Paraná state championship in 2002 while playing for Londrina and was runner-up in the Rio de Janeiro state championship with Flamengo that same year.
For him, the group Flamengo assembled for the State Championship is very well prepared and has everything it needs to win the competition. "We still don't know exactly which teams will participate in the championship. But with the group Flamengo has today, I think we're going in to win," said Duda.
Regarding Cuban Amiel, the point guard praised his new teammate not only as a player but as a person. "In the short time he's been here, I've already noticed he's a very well-prepared player, not only physically but also technically. And as a person, he's very well-liked, so much so that he's already fitting in well with the rest of the group," concluded Duda.
Maria Helena Braun
By Letter
Big club
Maria Helena Braun mbraun@jsports.com.br
And today is another day of desperate matches. It can't even be called a classic, because that term is used for teams with the status of a great team. That's not the case. The weight is unique and exclusive to the tradition of a once-powerful Flamengo. Well, returning to today's game at Maracanã, the crisis is serious.
Juventude, which once silenced 100 fans in that same Maracanã stadium by defeating Botafogo in the Copa do Brasil, enters the field with a meager record in this Brazilian Championship: in 19 games, they've only earned 17 points and won only four. Flamengo has a single point lead, and with 17 games played, two fewer than their opponent. Flamengo is 18th; Juventude, 19th. These numbers paint a picture of a situation that goes beyond the limits of concern.
We're past the halfway point of the Championship, and now it's the countdown. And yet another year, Flamengo fans have only one motivation: to fight their archrival, relegation. Their biggest rivals are no longer Vasco, Botafogo, Fluminense, Corinthians, or Cruzeiro. Now (and for some time now), the team faces relegation as their biggest obstacle to overcome. The question is whether it's Obina or Souza. Wow, what a dilemma! Let's be honest. In the current situation, neither of them is capable of being the nation's savior. Not them, not Max, not Roger. In my humble opinion, what Flamengo needs now is to convince itself that it's great. This small-club, second-tier outfit doesn't fit. But to break free from this and boost its self-esteem, more than simple victories are needed. The club has been living this routine for several Brazilian championships: it suffers, suffers all year in poverty, saves itself at the very end, and thinks everything is fine. It's not; it's not enough. It's necessary to feel great again, from the humblest employee to the club's greatest star, including the directors. The decline syndrome can cease to be a specter, as long as everyone thinks big, with the mindset of a top club with invaluable assets. It has, no less, the largest fan base in the country. How can a club of this stature be in such dire straits? How is it possible to have so much debt if the Flamengo brand exists? There's still time. We need to think big again. Today, we have Flamengo and Juventude. And one thing is certain: It's a day of suffering for the people of Rio Grande do Sul and Rio Grande do Sul.
O Dia
Fla is Maxi and 10 more
Joel has no doubt: the Argentine is the man for the position. Souza and Obina are fighting for the other spot.
Marluci Martins
TERESÓPOLIS - Flamengo will have Maxi Biancucchi and 10 others. The Argentine, who won over the fans in the Fla-Flu, the team's last game at Maracanã, is coach Joel Santana's main goal-scoring hope today against Juventude, starting at 20:30 p.m. So much so that the coach hasn't even decided who will be his attacking partner.
"The attacking duo hasn't been chosen, and currently, Maxi is the only forward whose spot has been decided. I don't know about the future. Maxi is the one in the best physical and technical condition," said Joel, who will only decide between Souza and Obina today.
Joel doesn't even consider dropping Maxi from the team. He doesn't rule out even starting Souza and Obina together one day, as long as the Argentine stays. That would be a very attacking lineup. "Maybe the three of them could play together. Who knows?"
A sign that Souza is ahead of the curve in the battle with Obina was his participation in the starting lineup in yesterday's training session at Granja Comary. But, if he preferred to hold back the team's lineup a bit longer, Joel at least hinted at what Juventude will have in store at Maracanã: a lot of marking.
"We're developing a tactical marking approach," said the coach, who stopped training yesterday several times to correct mistakes and listen to the players' opinions, led by the talkative Roger, with whom he discussed the best positioning for defense and midfield.
For Joel, this isn't the time to invent new things. Ideally, the team should adopt a marking system, no matter how simple it may seem. "We trained on a marking system that was as simple as possible. When we tried to change it, everything went wrong," he observed.
In a similarly difficult situation in the Brasileirão as Flamengo, Juventude brings a new coach to Maracanã: Beto Almeida, who took over from Cláudio Duarte. But Joel only likes to talk about his team and knows that the responsibility will fall entirely on his players.
"Every match we have from now on will be high-stakes. Whenever they come to Rio, Juventude is a high-risk opponent. They come here looking to score points, but avoiding taking risks," Joel predicted.
Gunner's dream
In four months of the Apertura Tournament, Maxi Biancucchi scored eight goals for Sportivo Luqueño, who went on to win the Paraguayan competition. Having scored one for Flamengo in the victory over Fluminense, the Argentine striker is already dreaming of more. He doesn't rule out the possibility of scoring more than the eight he netted this year in Paraguay, in the Apertura competition. "I've always scored a lot of goals, but I've never counted them. I just know I haven't scored 1.000 yet," he said, recalling the feat of one of his idols, Romário.
"I always dream of goals. And I dream of scoring lots of goals at the Maracanã. God willing, I'll score some tomorrow (today)."
Fully adapted to Flamengo and Brazilian football, Maxi Biancucchi lacks the swagger of his idol Romário. He even feels embarrassed to comment on the place he's gained in the starting lineup in such a short time.
For the Argentine, the system adopted by coach Joel Santana at Flamengo works in his favor. "I'm not an irreplaceable starter. What works in my favor is that the team uses a box-to-box player and one who plays from deep," Maxi emphasized.
He says he has no preference between Souza and Obina. "They're both great players. The important thing is that Flamengo wins," he stated.
Maxi, Messi's cousin and one of Barcelona's star players, knows little about his 10-year-old brother Bruno's move to Flamengo. At the training camp, he didn't have time to discuss the matter with his father over the phone.
But he hopes his brother prefers the Red-Blacks to Barça. "He wanted to play for Barcelona, and Messi promised to take him. But, without a doubt, it would be better if he came to Flamengo," he said, laughing.
Upset by the criticism, Obina remains silent
Rio - After having his weight publicly questioned, Obina decided to remain silent and not speak to the press after training on Wednesday at Granja Comary in Teresópolis. The striker was removed from the main group to train separately to regain fitness.
Upset, the striker opted to stay and practice finishing after the sessions led by coach Joel Santana, who later appeared to explain what was happening with his player.
"Obina is trying hard. His body fat percentage is acceptable, very close to the ideal point," he highlighted.
Sports Gazette
Roger preaches calm for Flamengo to rise
Teresópolis (RJ) - In an attempt to improve in the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo trained in Teresópolis, at Granja Comary, this week, aiming for the match against Juventude, this Thursday, at 20:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã Stadium, in a rescheduled match of the eighth round of the national competition. Despite the cold in the mountain city of Rio de Janeiro, the team guarantees that the training sessions were good. For midfielder Roger, the team needs to be calmer. "There's no point in rushing ourselves. I, for example, overdid it against Fluminense and ended up leaving the team in a bad situation, with two men on the field. We'll focus on each match. If we win our first two home games, I think we'll already be out of the relegation zone. Then, with more confidence, we'll have the peace of mind to improve even further in the standings," said the former Corinthians player.
Roger also lamented the fact that he might be out of action after being brought before the Superior Court of Sports Justice. He will be tried for simulating an elbow in the match against Fluminense, after being sent off. "In the heat of the game, with our heads heated up because we realize we're hurting the team, we end up acting inappropriately. I tried to take a player with me to lessen our losses, but I didn't hurt anyone," the midfielder explained.
Joel Santana gains reinforcements for the defensive sector\ Gazeta Press\
Teresópolis (RJ) - Newly hired to improve Flamengo's defense before the start of the second half of the Brazilian Championship, defender Fabio Luciano replaced his criticisms of the team after the Palmeiras game with softer words on Tuesday. Furthermore, the team will welcome back two key players. "We have to learn to live with mistakes, but the defense has made few mistakes, and we're improving in training. I think the problems we're facing in games are normal in football," declared the Flamengo defender.
To improve the seventh-worst defense in the Brasileirão, Flamengo coach Joel Santana is counting on the return of full-backs Leonardo Moura and Juan, who missed the Palmeiras match due to suspension. As a result, Luisinho and Egídio are back on the bench.
In attacking midfield, midfielder Léo Lima leaves the starting lineup. He makes way for the return of playmaker Roger, who was sent off in a childish manner in the delayed derby against Fluminense.
Off the field, Flamengo continues to monitor the legal battle between striker Nilmar and Corinthians. Flamengo officials admit to investing in the player if he can permanently free himself from his contract with the São Paulo club.
Game against Juventude is labeled a decision in Gávea\ Gazeta Press\
Teresópolis (RJ) - Although Flamengo has five games ahead of it at the Maracanã, everyone at the Rubro-Negro seems convinced that this Thursday's match against Juventude, a postponed match from the eighth round of the Brazilian Championship, is the most important of them all. Besides boosting the Rio de Janeiro team's morale, the match will mark a clash against an opponent also fighting to escape the relegation zone. "Juventude is a team that is also at the bottom of the table and badly needs a good result. We have to respect our opponent, but know that we have 100% responsibility to win this match. We'll be playing at the Maracanã and we need to play intelligently to make the most of home advantage," said coach Joel Santana.
To fine-tune his team, Joel Santana has been keeping the Flamengo squad at Granja Comary in Teresópolis since last Monday. The return to Rio de Janeiro is scheduled for late Wednesday afternoon, the day before the match against the Gauchos. In the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro, Flamengo is looking to escape the pressure of daily life in Gávea.
One of the most experienced members of the group and team captain, defender Fábio Luciano echoes Joel Santana's sentiments. "Maracanã is our home, and we have to take advantage of playing there to react in this Brazilian Championship," he commented.
Joel and Souza will be tried again by the STJD
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Coach Joel Santana and forward Souza will be tried again by the STJD (Superior Court of Sports Justice), Flamengo lawyer Michel Assef Filho said Tuesday in an interview with Rádio Brasil. "Once again, we will have to defend Joel at the STJD. The prosecutor filed an appeal, but that was already planned. Faced with a unanimous acquittal, the prosecutor felt compelled to appeal," the lawyer said. "There is also an appeal, seeking an increase in the sentence," he added, referring to Souza's case.
The striker was suspended for five games for assaulting midfielder Tcheco after being sent off in the match between Flamengo and Grêmio in the 13th round of the Brazilian Championship. Even so, the decision was celebrated by the player and the Flamengo officials, who feared an even longer sentence.
Joel Santana was tried for inciting violence against his players during the 3-0 loss to Santos in the 17th round at Vila Belmiro. On that occasion, the coach ordered his players to "beat up" their opponents if they messed up. He was acquitted by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD).
Assef is confident about the new trial, the date of which has not yet been set. "We will present our arguments and hope that the full court will uphold the Disciplinary Committee's decision. If the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) considers the evidence presented and our arguments, I am once again confident of an acquittal."
PeléNet
Fla and Juventude try to accelerate their 'escape' from the relegation zone
With poor performances in the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo and Juventude face off this Thursday at 20:30 p.m. at the Maracanã stadium in a postponed match from the eighth round, with a common goal. In this match, both teams are seeking a victory to try to accelerate their escape from the relegation zone.
With 18 points from 17 games - three fewer than most of their opponents - Flamengo (18th) will be in the bottom four even if they win, as Atlético-PR, the first team outside the danger zone, has 23. The same goes for Juventude (19th), who have 17 points from 19 games - one fewer than most of the other teams.
However, the winner of this Thursday's duel could be just one more positive result away from the goal of leaving the relegation zone, if Atlético-PR loses to Inter, in Porto Alegre, next Saturday, and its following match, against Santos, at Vila Belmiro, next Thursday.
"We'll take it game by game. If we win our first two home matches, I think we'll be out of the relegation zone," commented midfielder Roger, noting that, after the match against Juventude, Flamengo will play four more games in a row at Maracanã. "Then, with more confidence, we'll have the peace of mind to improve our standings," he recalled.
Youth debuts coach in fasting
Juventude, which is making its debut under coach Beto Almeida, is also thinking about leaving the risk group in the medium term. "We're currently among the contenders for the last four spots, but we'll escape this relegation situation," he commented.
However, to achieve this goal, Juventude will have to overcome a poor run of form, having not won in five matches. This string of negative results led to the ouster of coach Cláudio Duarte, who resigned after the 3-0 loss to Sport in Recife.
In the following match, against Corinthians in São Paulo, Juventude was managed by interim coach Valteir Gomes. And this Thursday, Beto Almeida, 52, who previously managed Esportivo de Bento Gonçalves in Série C, debuts as the Caxias do Sul team's fourth coach this season.
"What Juventude is missing is personality, even due to the constant changes of players and coaches. But we'll soon have my style of play," commented the new manager.
Flamengo coach predicts 'boring' game against Juventude
Under pressure from their long stay in the Brazilian Championship relegation zone, Flamengo needs to beat Juventude this Thursday at Maracanã to move closer to leaving the bottom four. Their opponent, who is trailing Flamengo but isn't under the same pressure, is also fighting relegation.
Therefore, coach Joel Santana predicts a "boring" match against Juventude. He believes the Caxias do Sul team will close down to exploit Flamengo's counterattacks and desperation.
"We have to go out on the field, at home and in front of our fans, with the responsibility of winning. It's a boring game to play," commented Joel, drawing a parallel between his situation and that of coach Beto Almeida, who makes his debut as Juventude manager against Flamengo.
"There are weights and weights. I have the responsibility of managing a team of 40 million fans in the relegation zone. Maybe he'll have fewer problems there," he continued.
Joel Santana also once again called for more voluptuousness from Flamengo. For the coach, the team needs to keep the fans behind it, and to do so, it must demonstrate commitment and attitude on the field.
"We have to present ourselves with dignity in front of our fans. If we do that, it will already be a huge gain," analyzed the Flamengo manager.
Souza trains with the starters and should return to Fla
Striker Souza is expected to return to the Flamengo squad after four games away from the team—during which time he served the remainder of his five-match suspension following his red card against Grêmio—next Thursday against Juventude at Maracanã in the Brazilian Championship. On Wednesday, in Teresópolis, he trained with the starting lineup throughout the entire training session led by coach Joel Santana.
However, the coach preferred to keep it a secret. According to Joel, who will only announce the team minutes before kickoff, striker Obina, who only started the first half of Tuesday's training session (Souza replaced him in the final half), could also be in the starting lineup.
However, Obina is likely to be a substitute on the bench for the second half. He hasn't started in three matches. After the 2-0 loss to Atlético-PR, the striker was sidelined to regain fitness. Since the derby against Fluminense, he has been a regular starter in the second half.
The rest of the team that will face Juventude has already been named. The team will take the field with Bruno; Leonardo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim, and Juan; Rômulo, Cristian, Ibson, and Roger; Maxi and Souza (Obina).
BalloonSport
Souza is chosen, and Obina is upset
Not even talking to coach Joel Santana leaves Anjo Negro more resigned
Eduardo Peixoto
Souza and Maxi form Flamengo's new attacking duo
Coach Joel Santana decided to play Souza in a battle with Obina for a spot in Flamengo's attack for Thursday's match against Juventude at 20:30 pm at Marcanã in the Brazilian Championship. The big man, who returns after serving a five-game suspension for his red-and-black sending-off against Grêmio, will play alongside the new favorite of the Flamengo fans, Argentine Maxi Biancucchi.
The decision left his oldest idol, Obina, who hasn't been speaking to the press, visibly upset. Not even the fact that Joel tried to speak to him and Souza separately after Wednesday afternoon's training session at Granja Comary in Teresópolis seems to have made Obina comfortable.
For the coach, there is no reason for resentment:
- They know they are being treated fairly. I only want the best for Flamengo.
Messi wants to disrupt Mengão
Maxi Biancucchi says his cousin is trying to convince ten-year-old Bruno to join Barça
Eduardo Peixoto
Bruno, Maxi's brother and Messi's cousin
Flamengo is nearly finalizing Bruno Biancucchi's transfer to Rio de Janeiro. Maxi's brother will come with his parents and will train with the club's youth academy. But there's a serious competitor: Messi.
The Barcelona star promised to take his relative to Spain soon. Maxi knows about the competition, but he's already given his younger brother some advice:
- The best thing is to come to Flamengo, of course!
Despite the expectation for the arrival of another member of Messi's family in Gávea, Flamengo's number 10 is trying to avoid the fuss.
- He's just a kid. He can't be pressured. But he's very good with the ball. He's more like Messi.
Anxiety and pressure on the agenda
The team will have to deal with dangerous feelings in this Thursday's game against Juventude
Eduardo Peixoto
Joel has been demanding too much from his players
A relegation zone, apprehensive fans, and a defensive opponent. The combination of these factors could turn the Maracanã into a powder keg this Thursday against Juventude. Joel Santana is aware of the risk and is working hard on the Flamengo players' mental health.
In conversations, he demands total dedication from the team. He fears, for example, complacency after a goal, with lateral touches and delays in reclaiming the ball.
"We'll have a tough time ahead of us. We'll have to deal with anxiety, pressure, and irritation. And do you think our opponents will come at us? Of course not. They'll stay back," declares Joel Santana.
But the coach makes it clear that playing at Maracanã is positive.
"It's always good to play at home. If we keep up this winning streak in Rio, we'll win big. We have confidence in the team and the fans."
Joel is excited about the 'reinforcements'
Among those considered starters, the coach only does not yet count on Renato Augusto
Eduardo Peixoto
Roger trains in the cold and fog
For the first time since arriving at Flamengo, coach Joel Santana didn't discuss any absences. Quite the opposite. He celebrated having plenty of options for Thursday's game against Juventude at Maracanã.
The only "downside" is Renato Augusto. The midfielder has recovered from a left thigh strain, but the coach preferred to keep him for the match against Goiás on Sunday. All the other starters are available.
"We have a practically complete team. The only thing missing is Renado Augusto. He's the best we've had since I arrived. It's a shame we don't have much time to adjust the team," says Joel.
Fla, accelerated, takes on Juventude
Two teams are in the relegation zone and desperately need a win at Maracanã.
Joel demands total dedication from the team
According to coach Joel Santana, it's time for Flamengo's car to rev up in the Brazilian Championship. But to kick off the race, there's the first twisty corner: Juventude. This Thursday, two teams in the relegation zone face off at 20:30 PM at Maracanã. GLOBOESPORTE.COM will broadcast the match live starting at 20:15 PM. Premiére and SporTV (except for Rio) will also be covering the match.
Talk of a "game of the desperate" or a "six-point duel" is commonplace. But it's a fact that the opponents' position in the standings requires a quick reaction. Both have been in the danger zone for 15 rounds. Currently, Flamengo is 18th (18 points in 17 games), and Juventus is one place behind (18 points in 19 games).
Despite the uncomfortable situation, the Rubro-Negro team has two good assets. First, against the Caxias do Sul team, it begins a five-game series in Rio de Janeiro. Second, compared to almost all the Brasileirão participants, the team has played three fewer games.
"But that doesn't mean anything. Points at stake don't mean points earned. Our team has to go in focused, with determination. It's time to step up," says coach Joel Santana.
In the last two home games, Flamengo's fans have been the difference. Both in the 2-1 victory against Náutico and in the hard-fought 1-0 win over Fluminense, Maracanã drew strong crowds. The board expects 20 people in the stands this Thursday.
On the field, the Rio de Janeiro team will have the return of four starters who served suspensions in the last round: Leo Moura, Juan, Roger, and Souza. The latter was confirmed as a starter only this Wednesday, beating Obina. He hopes to find his goal after escaping a four-game suspension for an assault on Grêmio's Tcheco.
"I really want to get back soon. I lost my head, but that happens," says the player, who has only scored one goal in the competition so far.
The Gauchos are coming off a home draw against Corinthians. A 2-2 draw that felt like a victory, which boosted the team's confidence. Ju had fallen behind twice before tying the score with a goal from Fábio Baiano.
"We looked for the win in the second half, we did very well, but unfortunately we didn't manage it. The important thing is that the joy of playing is back," says defender Wescley, who scored the team's first goal in the last match.
Besides the team's motivation, Alviverde has other reasons to believe in a good result against Flamengo: the match will be marked by the debut of its new coach. Beto Almeida arrives at the club to help Ju out of trouble, and he showed personality in his first steps.
"What Juventude lacks, and I've noticed this since the Gauchão, is personality, especially given the player and coaching changes. We'll soon have my style of play."
For the first match under his command, at Maracanã, Beto has already organized the team. Right-back Jucemar, with a muscle injury, will be replaced by Barão. In midfield, defensive midfielder Júlio César served a suspension against Corinthians but will remain out of the team. The defensive midfield will be formed by Marcão, Marabá, Marcelo Costa, and Fábio Baiano.
The history of the two teams' meetings is another positive for the Gauchos: in 19 Brazilian Championship matches, Ju has won eight and drawn five. In the most recent meeting, in August 2006, the Caxias team won 1-0 at Alfredo Jaconi Stadium.
Throw
Fla wants to keep the momentum going against Juventude
Rubro-Negro has won two consecutive matches at the Biggest in the World and hopes to count on the fans once again.
After the arrival of Joel Santana, there were only victories at Maracanã (Credit: Júlio César Guimarães)
Divino Fonseca and Rafael Ximenes
After losing 2-1 to Palmeiras, at Parque Antarctica, last Sunday, and having its comeback in the Brazilian Championship interrupted, Flamengo will try to get back to winning ways against Juventude, this Thursday, at 20:30 pm, at Maracanã, in a postponed game from the eighth round.
Both teams are in a delicate position in the standings. Flamengo is in 18th place with 18 points from 17 matches, while the Gauchos are second to last with 17 points from 19 matches.
If recent performances at the World's Biggest Stadium are anything to go by, a 2-1 victory over Náutico and a 1-0 victory in the derby against Fluminense, the Rubro-Negro have everything they need to achieve their third consecutive victory at the stadium in this Brasileirão, a feat they only achieved earlier this year. Juventude, meanwhile, have only won one away match in this Brasileirão and lost eight.
Seeking another victory, the team remains in full training at Granja Comary in Teresópolis. Coach Joel Santana has only one question for the match. Natalino still doesn't know who will partner Argentine Maxi Biancucchi in the red-and-black attack. Souza, who served his five-game suspension, and Obina, who is not yet in peak physical condition but came on in the second half against Palmeiras, are competing for the position.
The good news is the return of full-backs Léo Moura and Juan, as well as midfielder Roger, all suspended. However, the coach will be without midfielder Renato Augusto, who continues to strain his right thigh. Joel hopes the fans will turn out once again to cheer on the team. The stadium's last two games have averaged 43 attendance.
"The important thing for us is to understand how we need to present ourselves. Above all, we have to show our fans our desire to win. We did that in the last two games at Maracanã, and we have to repeat it now. Grit is the least we need to show on the field," the red-and-black coach emphasized.
Beto Almeida, former coach of Esportivo, will make his debut with Juventude. He is the fourth person to hold the position in this Brazilian Championship. According to Beto, the team suffers from a lack of personality, a problem reportedly caused by the constant changes in coaching and player base.
- But that will end when I manage to impose my style - said Beto, very confident.
To face Flamengo, the team will be without right-back Jucemar, who has a right thigh injury. Barão will come in. In midfield, defensive midfielder Júlio César served a suspension against Corinthians but will be on the bench. The midfield will be formed by Marcão, Marabá, Marcelo Costa, and Fábio Baiano. Another player on the bench is Uruguayan defensive midfielder Vanzini, who has finally been cleared to play.
Fla can match last year's winning record
Rubro-Negro can achieve third consecutive victory at Maracanã
Joel Santana won both matches he played at Maracanã with Flamengo (Credit: Paulo Sérgio)
Rafael Ximenes
Flamengo has been improving its performance at Maracanã this Brazilian Championship. In its last two matches, the Rubro-Negro defeated Náutico 2-1 and Fluminense 1-0. If it beats Juventude this Thursday at 20:30 p.m., the team could achieve three consecutive victories at Maracanã for the first time in the competition.
In 2006, Rubro-Negro achieved four consecutive victories at home: 2-0 against Botafogo (Rafael Marques (own goal), Renato Silva), 1-0 against Cruzeiro (Renato), 4-1 against Fluminense (Renato (2), Obina (2) and 3-0 against Corinthians (Léo Medeiros, Renato, Juan). Afterwards, Fla ended up defeated 3-1 by Vasco.
This year, Flamengo has only managed a three-game winning streak at Maracanã, and that was early in the year. Flamengo thrashed Madureira 4-1 in the Guanabara Cup final, then beat Nova Iguaçu 2-1 and Paraná 1-0 in the Copa Libertadores group stage. Coincidentally, the team was defeated 3-0 by Vasco, just like in 2006.
The hope of a comeback in this Brazilian Championship depends precisely on a strong performance at Maracanã and the support of the fans. Of the next eight games, seven will be at the World's Biggest Stadium: Juventude, Goiás, Botafogo, Sport, and Figueirense. After that, the team faces Internacional at Beira-Rio and returns to Maracanã to face Cruzeiro and Vasco.
If coach Joel Santana's luck dictates, last year's streak will be broken in this Brazilian Championship. In the coach's two games at Maracanã, he has only won: against Náutico and Fluminense. Under Ney Franco, the team had not won at the stadium: a 4-2 loss to Palmeiras and 2-2 draws with Botafogo and Internacional.
Roger afraid of being punished
Flamengo supporter defends himself against accusations of simulation
Roger is accused of simulating an elbow (Credit: Paulo Sérgio)
The sending off in the derby against Fluminense did not go unpunished for supporter Roger. The attorney general of the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD), Paulo Schmitt, confirmed that the player will be charged under article 258 of the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice (CBJD), as reported by LANCE! in last Saturday's edition.
According to the code, the punishment could be up to ten games, as Roger pretended to have been elbowed, which represents an attitude contrary to sporting ethics.
The player downplayed the fact that he threw himself to the ground and said it was a moment of despair, as Rubro-Negro would be down two men due to the fact that left-back Juan was sent off in the match.
– At that moment, I put my hand to my face, because I knew I would be expelled and that it would end up harming my team - he said.
However, upon learning of the possible punishment that Article 258 allows, Roger apologized for what had happened.
– All I can do is apologize, but at no point did I attack anyone – he assessed.
This will be the player's second appearance before the Superior Court of Justice (STJD), having participated in the trial of coach Joel Santana. On that occasion, Roger testified in favor of the coach, who was unanimously acquitted.
Maxi waits for packed Maraca
Flamengo striker and new fan favorite, Argentine Maxi, expects to see plenty of fans cheering for Thursday's match against Juventude at Maracanã. He believes the unity between the players and the Flamengo fans will help the club escape the relegation zone. Maxi also highlighted the motivation that victories bring to the team.
radio l! - We have the fans behind us and that motivates us. We have to use this weapon against our opponents. I hope the fans will once again encourage us with all their strength to win the match - he says
Joel predicts difficulty against Ju
Flamengo coach Joel Santana commented on his expectations for the match against Juventude this Thursday at Maracanã. According to the coach, the team from the South's experienced players qualify him to compete on equal terms with the Red-Blacks. Joel also highlighted Juventude's record when they come to the city.
radio l! - Juventude always brings difficulties when they come to Rio de Janeiro. They have to get the three points, playing defensively and exploiting counterattacks. We have to avoid that - he says.
Joel: "I've known them both for a long time
Coach will only reveal the attack moments before the match
Even after training with Souza during Wednesday's training session with the starters, coach Joel Santana is still keeping Maxi Biancucchi's partner in the red-and-black attack a secret for Thursday's match at 20:30 pm at Maracanã. As he has done since arriving in Teresópolis, the coach assured that he will only reveal who will play moments before the match.
"I've known both players for a long time. I've been talking to Obina daily, and we're working on his physical, technical, and psychological well-being. Souza hasn't played in 20 days. All of this needs to be taken into consideration," he explains.
Flamengo's goalkeeper coach receives inquiry
Ney Franco invited Roberto Barbosa to work at Atlético-PR
Flamengo's goalkeeping coach, Roberto Barbosa, said in an interview with Rádio Brasil on Wednesday that former Flamengo manager Ney Franco asked him to join him on the coaching staff of another Flamengo club: Atlético Paranaense. However, the goalkeeping coach ruled out any interest in leaving the Gávea club.
"There hasn't been an offer now, but when Ney Franco left, he made it clear that wherever he went, he'd like to count on me. However, my reality is Flamengo, where I've always dreamed of working," said Roberto Barbosa, giving his opinion on goalkeeper Bruno's decline in performance:
"Bruno went through a rough patch in his career after contract issues, and that had a negative impact. But he's aware that his life is Flamengo, and he'll return to being the great goalkeeper he always was," he added.
Fog punishes Flamengo in Teresópolis
Tuesday's training had to be interrupted due to bad weather at Granja
Granja Comary could even bring Flamengo luck, as it was there that the club's training camp under Joel Santana in 2005, when it managed to avoid relegation. But Teresópolis's bad weather also poses a bit of a problem.
Tuesday's training session was interrupted by heavy fog in the region. This Wednesday, the same problem is affecting the red-and-black team, not to mention the low temperatures in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro state.