The Globe
ROMULUS IS BACK
Rômulo was initially expected to return to the field in April. But the midfielder, a Flamengo revelation in the Brazilian Championship and recovering from surgery on his right knee, plans to participate in the preseason in January: "I'm in the sand training phase. I don't feel any pain anymore and now I just need to gain muscle mass."
Fernando Calazans
Of hopes
After climbing a few notches this year, Rio's football scene promises even more next year. At least two clubs, for now, promise even more. They're the clubs in the famous Fla-Flu duo. All of this, of course, is theoretical in terms of the signings and reinforcements made so far. A highly theoretical plan, I mean, because reinforcements and signings, in practice, are another story.
Botafogo and Vasco are still very quiet. It would be advisable for them to open their eyes.
Botafogo, with a team that dazzled in some matches this year, has been left like this. Now, they're losing four of their best players, and the names being considered to replace them are bittersweet. For example: the versatile Joilson has left for São Paulo, and the likely replacement, as of this Friday, is Paulo Sérgio of Palmeiras. What a trade, huh! If all trades are like this, Botafogo, which didn't achieve much with a good team, imagine with the lackluster squad they're building.
Vasco, by all indications, has truly lost Leandro Amaral, its best striker in many years. Will Edmundo really take his place?
Ah, well... What a spectacular thing, isn't it?
But let's focus on the ones that are making waves: Fluminense and Flamengo, both of whom are signing good players, even better than those who played there in 2007, and therefore have the potential to build more competitive teams. With some restrictions, it's true.
Flamengo has become something of a defensive midfielder collector. They already have 10—that's right, 10—with the arrival of Jônatas. Will there be another one?
It's a somewhat worrying collection, because if Flamengo likes to collect defensive midfielders in its squad, the competent Joel Santana likes to collect them in his team. Therein lies the danger.
Renato Maurício Prado wrote on Friday that Kleber Leite's dream midfield is: Jônatas, Kleberson, Ibson, and Renato Augusto. Good, isn't it? It's similar to what Joel Santana told me he was willing to field a few weeks ago: Cristian, Kleberson, Ibson, and the same Renato Augusto (Jônatas hadn't been signed yet). But with so many defensive midfielders at his disposal, Joel might be tempted to overuse them on the team.
And speaking of the team, when will the striker arrive to play alongside Souza? He's certainly more important to the current squad than Jônatas and the butcher Gavilán.
While Flamengo stockpiles defensive midfielders, Fluminense invests in forwards—good forwards, but all with issues: Dodô has a trial on the horizon; Leandro Amaral has a dispute with Vasco; Washington has health issues, which we hope will be resolved.
Well, if all three work out, that's a hell of an attack. Leandro Amaral and Dodô together? Hmm... Flamengo better watch out.
Sports Journal
The red-black carousel is coming!
With the signings of Jônatas and Kleberson, Fla's midfield will gain a new look
Thiago Bokel
Kleberson runs in Gávea: he is one of the untouchables in Fla's new midfield
Jaílton, Cristian, Ibson, and Toró. The midfielder coach Joel Santana used in the final stretch of the Brazilian Championship, which secured qualification for the Libertadores, will remain in the fans' memories, but it's unlikely to be present in the team's Carioca debut on January 20th against Boavista at the Maracanã. With the signings of Kleberson, Jônatas (from Paraguayan Gavilán), and Marcinho, the coach has a wealth of options to build his ideal team.
However, only the first two are expected to start the year. This is because another striker will be signed to partner Souza. However, as the board is having difficulty finding this player, Renato Augusto may also be used improvised in attack, thus opening up another spot in midfield. In this case, the Paraguayan defensive midfielder could be the one who excels.
Joel Santana has already shown that he enjoys working with a defensive midfield, as he did at the end of the Brazilian Championship. Therefore, Gavilán ends up having a better chance of starting than Marcinho. But if the board manages to sign the striker, Renato Augusto would be dropped back to form the midfield, which would then be closed by him, Jônatas, Kleberson, and Ibson, with the latter playing the false third defender role that the coach likes to use and already did with him in 2005.
The one player who ended up without a starting spot was Cristian, one of the team's standout players in the Brazilian Championship, but with all these new signings, he ended up relegated to the reserves. But since the season will be long, with Flamengo competing in three different competitions—the Carioca, the Libertadores, and the Brazilian Championship—it's quite likely that Cristian will be chosen as the team's 13th player, since the fans are the 12th player.
Another player who should be used with some frequency, despite not starting the year, is midfielder Toró. After remaining under the radar since joining the club in early 2006, he saw a sharp increase in performance in the second half of the year, even being called up to the Olympic squad.
Coach Joel Santana is celebrating all these choices, as he will have much more than just a starting midfielder. He knows that whoever comes in will be able to maintain the same level of play as whoever leaves.
Kleber Leite: 'Leandro Amaral is not interesting'
Vice President of Football Kleber Leite denied that Flamengo had any interest in striker Leandro Amaral, who is currently in litigation with Vasco. The director, in solidarity with his brother, will not get involved in this situation. "Leandro owes a lot to Vasco, who signed him when he was ostracized. Even with the tight market, and him being a great player, we're not interested; he's out of our plans because of Vasco," Kleber Leite stated.
Birthday — Goalkeeper Bruno turns 23 today. And as a gift, he received the news that MSI, the investment fund that holds the player's federation rights, accepted Flamengo's offer and will cede 75% of his rights for approximately €3 million. Bruno's new contract with the Rubro-Negro will be for five years.
Vasco wins postponed regatta and title decision is in the hands of the STJD
Vasco's eight-man squad lived up to its favoritism and defeated Flamengo in the Eight-Man - Debut event, this Saturday morning at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, in a dispute still valid for the fourth regatta of the State Championship.
However, the Vasco athletes, who celebrated when they received the gold medal, will not yet be able to take the cup, since the Dois Com - Estreante race, valid for the second regatta of the competition and won by the Colina team, is under judicial review at the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) due to the irregular participation of one of the Vasco athletes.
In the first instance, it was not proven that one of Vasco's rowers had an irregular registration, and the club won unanimously in court. However, Flamengo appealed, and a second trial of the Dois Com - Estreante competition, scheduled for January 18, 2008, by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD), will determine which club will win the trophy.
If Flamengo won the Eight With - Debutant event, it would be declared the 2007 State Rowing Champion, since Rubro-Negro had 250 points against Vasco's 249 in the classification table before this Saturday's event.
Marcos de Castro
Bath-in-Cuia
The simple ones (and the others)
Marcos de Castro castro@jsports.com.br
Joel Santana was asked what he thought of Flamengo's opponents in the first round of the Libertadores. The coach gave a discreet smile and said with no less discreet joy: "I think it was bad luck whoever got drawn into Flamengo's group."
Joel can do this because he's a simple guy. No one listening to him will be irritated by a possible lack of humility in his statement. After all, every speech depends on tone, and Joel's tone wasn't that of a smug man, but a playful one, which, however, didn't hide a healthy optimism, far from pretentious.
Pretentiousness has created a crust of antipathy among many Brazilian coaches. To the point that it's unpleasant, these days, to listen to interviews with people like Vanderlei Luxemburgo and Leão, for example. Each of them is a deeper well of vanity than the last. It's hard to say who wins this game—the game of lack of simplicity, which at this point is being played by many of our coaches. These two mentioned hide, when they speak, behind endless self-prosopopoeia, in the vulgar sense of the word, of course. Argentines say, in a good-natured self-criticism, that if someone in that country wants to commit suicide, they just have to throw themselves from the height of their pride. The fall will be so great that it will always be fatal. In the case of Vanderlei and Leão, I don't know if the word pride would be appropriate. As for vanity, it would fit perfectly. If vanity sank, they would always end up falling into a hole in the strip of land they occupy at the edge of the field...
Generally speaking, Brazilian coaches are insufferable. Besides the vain, there's no shortage of grumpy ones—and in this case, São Paulo is a typical example, perhaps due to the burden of carrying an anachronistic "y" in a word as Brazilian as murici. The man frowns in interviews, complains about reporters' questions, always wants to correct them—in short, he's one step away from neurasthenia. The viewer has to put up with it.
But there are still people like Joel Santana, thankfully. He has a reputation for being a rogue, but it's a good kind of roguery. And people like Cuca, who sometimes seems a bit perplexed, but has never played for the team that puts itself a step above the rest of the world.
O Dia
Íbson: '2007 was the best year of my life'
The return to Flamengo, the wedding, the birth of his son and winning a place in the Libertadores were Íbson's gifts
Marluci Martins
Rio - The four-bedroom apartment in Icaraí still smells of paint. The sun is shining, and Íbson, wrapped in the Flamengo flag, poses for photos of the "Attack" by the pool, wearing a Santa hat and a hint of frustration: there are no swim trunks in the closet.
It's still early days for Íbson and Cínthia, and their baby Júnior, who will turn two months old next Sunday. They'll be moving from São Gonçalo to the Icaraí condominium in the coming days, before the New Year's celebrations.
But Íbson, 24, doesn't know how long he'll be able to enjoy that pool. His contract with Flamengo expires on June 30th, even before the Copa Libertadores final, and for now, the written word stands: on July 1st, he'll have to leave his pool behind to return to Porto.
Until his departure, Íbson will be playing Santa Claus and giving gifts to charities in Niterói. Along with goalkeeper Diego, he's organizing a game on the 26th, bringing together Flamengo stars, former players, and artists, at Clube Cinco de Julho (Av. do Contorno 4, Praça do Barreto, Niterói), starting at 17 p.m. Admission will be two kilos of food.
And the gift belongs to him. Íbson helped give Flamengo fans one: the coveted spot in the 2008 Copa Libertadores.
Are you already struggling with the possibility of leaving Flamengo in the middle of the year?\ I have a contract with Porto until 2011 and I will have to return when my commitment to Flamengo ends, on June 30th. We'll see what happens until then...\
You don't want to go back to Portugal, right?\ I'd even prefer to stay at Flamengo, but, in fact, what happens is that the coach (Jesualdo Ferreira) at Porto doesn't want me.\
What if he's been watching Flamengo's games? You can't please everyone. He has his own criteria. When I was there, sometimes I wouldn't even sit on the bench.
So, will it be good for Flamengo if he doesn't change his mind about you?\ Since there's a chance he'll stay, things might change and I won't be forced to return. I hope I can stay, since the Libertadores doesn't end until July.\
Was it good to come to Flamengo?\ There's no other club that gives players the same visibility as Flamengo. The whole world is watching. And I dream of playing for the national team. It's everyone's dream.\
Is the competition strong?\ I'll have to find a spot, competing with Mineiro, Josué, Fernando and Elano. It's not easy...\
And the competition at Flamengo? The club is full of defensive midfielders...\ It's going to be a mess, right (laughs)? It's going to be a good fight. Me, Kléberson, Jônatas, Toró, Cristian... You can make a team of defensive midfielders. At least I scored my goals... I started playing in August and scored six times. I hope to keep it up.\
Are you in the best phase of your career? I think so. I arrived without match fitness, when Flamengo was in 19th place, but with the support of my family and fans, as well as the confidence of the coach, I managed to get back on my feet. It's also the best year of my life. I returned to Flamengo, got married, had a son, and we're in the Copa Libertadores.
To what do you attribute Flamengo's success?\ The support of the fans, Joel Santana, and the unity of the players. There was no friction. I fought with Cristian many times (laughs), but the kid is good and the situation was resolved on the field.\
How far will Flamengo go in 2008?\ If the players who arrive embody the spirit of the group that was already together, we will go far.\
What does Flamengo mean to you? I arrived when I was 9 years old. I spent my childhood and adolescence there. I often say that this club is my second home. When I was a kid, I played right wing and really liked Bebeto. I have autographs of him, goalkeeper Gilmar, Valdeir, Marcelinho Carioca, and Júnior Baiano. They're still kept somewhere, because my mother doesn't throw anything away.
Will your son, who's almost two months old, have your support if he wants to become a player? I'd say he'd play another sport. Soccer brings a lot of suffering and injustice. The criticism is harsh. But, you know, maybe soccer is in his blood.
Could you live without it?\ No. I don't know how to do anything other than play soccer. I don't understand anything about computers and I barely go on the Internet... My wife is my savior. I don't do anything in the kitchen either.\
What gift do you want for Christmas?\ I already got it. My son was born healthy and Flamengo qualified for the Copa Libertadores.\
What Christmas present do Flamengo fans deserve? A year of many titles, goals, and joy. These fans deserve it all.
Unlike most of your class, who prefer to live in Barra da Tijuca, you like São Gonçalo and Niterói. Why? I was born in Santa Rosa and raised in São Gonçalo. Now, we're moving to an apartment in Icaraí because I can't live with my parents forever. I know there's a certain prejudice against São Gonçalo, but I've always proudly said I grew up there.
Fla: Reinforcement comes in the New Year
Jônatas spends Christmas with his family in Recife and then travels to Rio
Rio - Satisfied with the Christmas package, which brought midfielders Kléberson (ex-Besikitas) and Gavilán (ex-Grêmio), defender Rodrigo (ex-Dínamo de Kiev) and midfielder Marcinho (ex-Atlético-MG), vice president of football Kléber Leite hopes to close the year with the signing of a striker.
Yesterday, the club's directors denied that the club is willing to enter into a fight with Fluminense and Botafogo for top scorer Leandro Amaral, who was released from Vasco after a lawsuit. "That's not a possibility," he stated.
Joel Santana expressed satisfaction with the arrival of the new players, highlighted the need to sign a striker, and warned that everyone will have to prove themselves to secure their place in the Gávea team.
"We have nine good players to play in midfield, but they'll all have to fight for a spot. On my team, the best player always plays. There's no such thing as names," he warned.
Sports Gazette
Fla says no to Leandro Amaral and demands 'respect' from his rival
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Flamengo has no interest in Leandro Amaral's football. Contrary to what the Rio de Janeiro press has reported, the Gávea club has officially ruled out any intention of having the striker on its roster for 2008, the year in which it will primarily compete in the Copa Libertadores. Flamengo's own vice president of football, Kléber Leite, ruled Leandro out. And, curiously, he publicly condemned the player for the way he treated rival Vasco, in addition to showing solidarity with the club in the legal dispute over the player's rights.
"Leandro owes a lot to Vasco. The club signed Leandro when he was ostracized, and he deserves full consideration. He's a great player, but right now, he's not interested. He's out of the plans," Leite assessed.
According to the director, Leandro has already agreed to a team, likely Fluminense, which dreams of his performance in the Libertadores. Despite ruling out the former Vasco player, the Rubro-Negro club is still interested in signing a striker to partner with Souza. The name, however, remains confidential.
Jônatas leaves Espanyol without saying goodbye to former teammates
Barcelona (Spain) - Midfielder Jônatas didn't bother to say goodbye to his former Espanyol teammates after agreeing to return to Flamengo. The player didn't adapt to the Spanish team and had agreed to return to Flamengo. After sealing the deal on Friday, the athlete didn't show up at the Spanish team's training session this Saturday to say goodbye. Espanyol coach Ernesto Valverde downplayed the matter and even praised the player. "He must be resolving his issues before he can leave. When there's a transfer, it means everyone is in agreement. He arrived here with high expectations, but his adaptation hasn't been so good, despite him potentially being an excellent player," the coach stated.
Revealed by Flamengo itself, Jônatas signed an 18-month loan deal with the club. The Espanyol coach also reiterated that he considers the Brazilian a good athlete, despite having cleared his return to Gávea.
"He started here as a starter, but he had problems. We recognize that he's a good player and that he has things others don't, but he wasn't successful in adapting to the club and his teammates," he concluded.
Striker should only arrive at Flamengo after Christmas\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Flamengo's recent days have been marked by the announcements and presentations of numerous reinforcements, particularly for the defensive sector and midfield. But behind the scenes, the Rubro-Negro is still negotiating the signing of a striker. According to vice president of football, Kléber Leite, however, the new signing isn't expected to be finalized before Christmas. "We're working on it, but it would be too hasty to say we'll announce it before Christmas. We have to be calm because it's not a simple situation to resolve," commented Kléber.
Despite the package of reinforcements that Flamengo has presented in recent days, coach Joel Santana guarantees that the players who played in the last Brazilian Championship continue to be popular at Gávea.
"I've always said I'd prioritize those players who were here and helped us come from behind and secure a spot in the Libertadores. We're looking to strengthen those positions that are most lacking, and now all we need is another striker," said the coach, who evaded the question of who that striker would be. "You'll have to ask Kléber about that. He's at our headquarters working on it," Joel added.
Joel Santana also expressed disdain when asked about his concerns about Flamengo's opponents in the first round of the Copa Libertadores. "They're the ones who should be worried about being in Flamengo's group," he said.
PeléNet
Flamengo is not interested in Leandro Amaral
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo denied any interest in signing striker Leandro Amaral, who is currently in litigation with Vasco. The veto arose from a speech by Flamengo's vice president of football, Kleber Leite.
Vasco's standout player in the Brazilian Championship, Leandro Amaral, is fighting the club in court.
According to the director, Leandro Amaral needs to show greater gratitude towards the São Januário club.
"They (Vasco) signed Leandro when he was out of the national scene and that needs to be taken into consideration. He's a great player, but at the moment, he's not of interest to Flamengo," he said.
Even with Leandro Amaral out of the plans, Rubro-Negro is still looking to sign a striker to be Souza's teammate in the 2008 season. The name of the preferred player, however, is being kept secret.
BalloonSport
Fla denies interest in Leandro Amaral
Kléber Leite says he is a great player, but at the moment he is not in the plans
The fight for Leandro Amaral continues between Vasco, Fluminense and Botafogo
Flamengo is publicly out of the running for Leandro Amaral. Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, expressed solidarity with Vasco in the legal dispute with the striker.
"Leandro owes a lot to Vasco. The club signed Leandro when he was ostracized, and he deserves full consideration. He's a great player, but right now, he's not interested. He's out of the plans," he declares.
The club's board is aware that the player has a verbal agreement with a club. And this wouldn't be Fluminense. Leandro Amaral is currently enjoying a vacation in Italy.
Adriano and Deco at 'All-Star Game'
São Paulo striker and Barcelona midfielder will be at Zico's festive match at Maracanã
Gustavo Rotstein
Adriano will be with Zico at Maraca
The already prestigious "Game of Stars" has gained more illustrious guests. Adriano and Deco confirmed this Saturday that they will participate in the charity match organized by Zico, on December 27th, at Maracanã. It will be the first time that the Emperor and the Portuguese-Brazilian will be at the celebration of the greatest idol in Flamengo's history.
Recently signed by São Paulo, the club with which he signed a six-month loan deal, Adriano responded positively to the invitation extended by Júnior Coimbra, Zico's son, who is responsible for organizing the event. Alongside the striker will be other international stars, such as Japan's Nakata and the Dutchman Seedorf.
Another debutant at the event, Deco will be another international idol on the field. In 2006, the Barcelona midfielder confirmed his attendance, but bad weather in São Paulo, where he was on vacation, prevented him from reaching the match venue by helicopter.
"Adriano and Deco's presence only reinforces the prestige and value the players place on the "All-Star Game." Even with only a few days off, they insist on participating in a charity event. This makes us very proud," says Júnior Coimbra.
According to the "All-Star Game" organizers, more than 20 tickets have already been sold. The proceeds will go to charity.
Júnior does not rule out returning to coaching
Former Flamengo player reveals he has received invitations, but for now he remains on TV
Gustavo Rotstein
TV commentator Júnior still thinks about returning to be a football coach
Júnior's New Year's Eve celebrations echoed a tradition. The former player gathered friends for a festive soccer game on Copacabana Beach this Saturday. Friends from both the fields and the sand were on the field. The eternal Flamengo idol doesn't rule out participating in other activities in 2008.
Currently a TV commentator, Júnior confesses that he hasn't completely ruled out the idea of returning to coaching. Having previously managed teams like Flamengo and Corinthians, he's considering a return in the future.
"I'm not going to close doors, especially because I received some invitations throughout the year. But I decided to decline because of my commitment as a commentator," he reveals.
Júnior praises Kléberson and criticizes Gavilán
Flamengo idol excited about world champion, but suspicious of Paraguayan midfielder
Gustavo Rotstein
Júnior played a festive game with friends on Copacabana Beach this Saturday
Although he established himself as a left-back, Júnior shone as a defensive midfielder in the final stages of his career, winning a Brazilian title with Flamengo (in 1992) and returning to the Brazilian national team. That's why the Flamengo idol speaks with authority about two new faces at Gávea: Kléberson and Gavilán.
Of Flamengo's 2008 signings, Kléberson is the one Júnior is most excited about. For the former player, the midfielder could bring a lot of joy to the Flamengo.
"I hope Kleberson repeats his performances from the 2002 World Cup at Flamengo. I have high expectations for this player. I'm sure he'll bring quality to the team," he says.
But regarding Gavilán, the Paraguayan signed to bring some experience to the squad for the Copa Libertadores, Júnior isn't particularly enthusiastic. He says he can't pin all his hopes on the Paraguayan midfielder.
"He's played in many Libertadores, but how many have he won? The important thing is that the group has winning players, accustomed to winning titles. Gavilán is a good player, but they're planting something he's not."
Júnior celebrates the 'alchemy' of Flamengo fans
The red-and-black idol says that the display of affection reminded him of his playing days.
Gustavo Rotstein
Júnior highlights the fans' support for Flamengo in the 2007 Brasileirão
Seeing a packed Maracanã stadium during Flamengo's run to the Copa Libertadores gave Júnior a nostalgic feeling. With each home victory, fueled by his fans, the former player recalled the days when the great Flamengo team he played for in the 80s also drew huge crowds to the stadiums.
"I really reminisced about that time watching Flamengo games. It's that alchemy, that cohesion with the fans, again, something that hadn't happened since those days. That's really good," he celebrates.
According to Júnior, this "reinforcement" will be fundamental for Flamengo in the 2008 Libertadores.
"Winning at home is crucial, and the fans will play a crucial role. This is crucial for the Libertadores," he analyzes.
Idols highlight the quality of midfielders
For Júnior and Andrade, Ibson, Kleberson and Jônatas cannot be considered defenders
Gustavo Rotstein
If Flamengo idols' word is true, fans can forget about the fact that the 2008 team featured many defensive midfielders. According to Júnior and Andrade, players like Ibson, Kleberson, and Jônatas cannot be considered defensive midfielders.
Host of a festive game on Copacabana Beach this Saturday, Júnior even gets excited when there's talk of Flamengo having too many defensive midfielders.
"Wait, wait! Ibson, Jônatas, and Kleberson are midfielders. They can often play in front of the defense, but they have the quality to distribute the play and serve the attackers," emphasizes Júnior, who in his second stint at Flamengo, in the 90s, played as a defensive midfielder.
Andrade, who was responsible for disarming the great Flamengo team in the 80s, uses the era of another Flamengo team to explain the positioning of the supposed midfielders of the current team.
"Ibson and Kleberson have every potential to be liaison men, as Adílio was in our time. As for Jônatas, it depends. If he's inspired, he could also fill that role," he observes.
Shirt number 12 yields R$80 to the CT
Each model sold generates R$6 for the club. The goal is within expectations.
Obina wears the number 12 shirt of the fans
Launched on November 15th, Flamengo's anniversary, the "Nação Rubro-Negra" jersey raised approximately R$80 for the construction of the Ninho do Urubu Training Center. The data was updated earlier this week and therefore does not include the peak sales days before Christmas.
For every model sold at R$39,90, the club donates R$6 to the training center. In other words, just over 13 units of the number 12 jersey were sold.
"It's within our target. Sales have been growing in recent weeks. It's undoubtedly a great Christmas present for all Flamengo fans," says Flamengo's marketing director, Ricardo Heinrichsen.
The "Nação Rubro-Negra" (Red-Black Nation) was created after the Flamengo board immortalized the number 12 on their uniform, in honor of Flamengo fans. A contest was held, and the model designed by Curitiba native Roberto Janz won.
Throw
Flamengo's reinforcements have already competed in the Libertadores
Only Jônatas has never participated in the biggest South American competition
Cassius Leitao RIO DE JANEIRO\ Fred Gomes RIO DE JANEIRO\ Guilherme de Paula RIO DE JANEIRO\
Coincidence or not, Flamengo's 2008 signings have an interesting trend. Of the five confirmed signings, four have already competed in the Libertadores, providing valuable experience given the challenges this competition poses for Brazilian clubs.
Kleberson, Marcinho, Rodrigo, and Gavilán all have stories to tell from this tournament. Midfielder Jônatas is the exception.
Contrary to the evidence, the vice-president of football, Kléber Leite, guaranteed that the similarities between the new red-black acquisitions are a mere work of chance.
"It was a happy coincidence. When Gavilán was signed, his experience and experience in the Libertadores were important. In his case, yes. In the others, no," he assured.
One of the greatest idols in Flamengo's history, former star Júnior gave his opinion on the club's reinforcements for next season and made some reservations, especially regarding Paraguayan Gavilán.
"Some players have a certain etiquette and don't play as much. Gavilán, for example, I don't think he's a bad player. However, he was signed because he played in the Libertadores several times. But how many have he won? (None). They're planting more than they need," Capacete said.
Check out the participation of the red-black reinforcements in the Libertadores:
Kleberson: He played in the 2000 and 2002 editions for Atlético Paranense.
Marcinho: He was a reserve for Cruzeiro in the 2004 Libertadores.
Rodrigo: He reached the semi-finals in 2004, with São Paulo
Gavilán: He played four times and reached the final this year, for Grêmio.
Andrade: 'Only Gavilán is a defensive midfielder'
The star believes there is confusion regarding the definition of the position
Fred Gomes RIO
The many questions surrounding the formation of a "team of defensive midfielders"—there are 11—at Flamengo are unfounded for Joel Santana's assistant coach, Andrade. According to the former Flamengo midfielder, only Gavilán has this role.
"Gavilán is the real defensive midfielder. Rômulo is another, but it's unclear when he'll return. Jaílton was a makeshift player, as he's a second man. Kléberson and Ibson don't play as defensive midfielders," he explains.
The former Flamengo player even believes that Ibson can act as a link player, that is, as the fourth man in the red-black midfield.
"Ibson played as a link man in the 1-0 victory over Santos and did very well. Jônatas, on the other hand, relies on inspiration. Few players know how to play with their back to the defense, and Ibson has the quality to do so," he concludes.
Nejar: Flamengo could be punished
Manager explains what could happen to Rubro-Negro if they refuse to play at altitude
LANCEPRESS!
Hildo Nejar, technical director of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), explained the punishment Flamengo could face if it doesn't play at altitude. He believes the infraction should be reprimanded, as the Rubro-Negro is not complying with the rules implemented by South America's governing body.
Nejar highlighted the episode in which the rule was implemented:
radio l! - In this year's South American Under-17 Championship, when Brazil made an extra substitution, the team lost the match by three goals. That's the punishment if Flamengo doesn't play at altitude," he says. (Click and listen)
Flamengo refuses to play at an altitude above 2.700 meters. It all started after the 2007 Libertadores Cup match, when, at 4.200 meters above sea level, they faced Real Potosí. Many players fell ill before, during, and after the match.
Nejar believes Fla will play in Cuzco
For Conmebol director, the importance of the Libertadores weighs on the decision
LANCEPRESS!
The technical director of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), Hildo Nejar, does not believe that Flamengo will not play against Ciensiano, in Cuzco, 3.800 meters above sea level, because it is a Copa Libertadores match.
For Nejar, Rubro-Negro's vice-president of football, Kléber Leite, is concerned due to the match the club played against Potosí, in Bolivia, 4.200 meters above sea level, when the players fell ill, in the first phase of this year's Libertadores.
radio l! - He (Kléber Leite) won't miss the Copa Libertadores. All the clubs fought until the end of the Brazilian Championship to secure a spot in the Libertadores, and the moment they get it, they create these problems - believe me. (Click and listen)
Gilmar Popoca steals the show in a nude game on the beach
Former player scored two goals in the 4-2 victory of the Mengo Masters
Fred Gomes RIO
The traditional kickabout organized by idol Júnior between Flamengo Masters and Juventus Masters on Copacabana Beach ended in a 4-2 victory for Flamengo. Gilmar Popoca, seen as a promising Flamengo player in the mid-80s, scored twice. Jaime and Cláudio Adão scored the other goals for Flamengo.
Flamengo's Masters featured Delacir, Júnior, Popoca, Jaime, Adão, Renato, Wallace, Pita, and Henirque. Andrade, a star on the field, expressed his "discomfort" with beach soccer.
"It's terrible. I'm playing stubborn. I'm just here to take part in a friend's joke," jokes the Mengo idol.
Júnior sees quality in Flamengo's midfielders
Former Flamengo star likes some midfield players
Fred Gomes
A good connoisseur of the subject when it comes to playing as a defensive midfielder - he was Brazilian champion in 1992 this way - former Flamengo star Júnior considers the list of players that Rubro-Negro has for this position in the current squad to be of a good level.
For Capacete, as he is also known, coach Joel Santana has great options to build a good midfield for next season.
"Ibson, Kleberson, and Jônatas are great players and know how to play more offensively. Incidentally, they've all played in front of the defense, but they're not necessarily defensive midfielders," he stated.
Red-Blacks united in solidarity
Ibson and Diego will play a charity match on the 26th
LANCEPRESS!
Flamengo midfielder Ibson and goalkeeper Diego have decided to join forces for solidarity. The players will play a charity match to benefit charities. The match will be held on the 26th at 17 pm at the Cinco de Julho stadium in Niterói.
"Our goal is to help charities, and more than 30 have already signed up to receive food. We hope the public will show up to support us. We had a wonderful year with Flamengo, and we want to give back by helping improve the situation for some families," Ibson said.
So far, the red-and-blacks have collected nearly 25 tons of food from businesses and supermarkets. Players like Léo Moura, Souza, Henrique (Bordeaux-FRA), Toró, Luiz Alberto (Fluminense), and past players like Roberto Dinamite, Nélio, Vivinho, Djalminha, as well as artists like singer Gustavo Lins and the group Sorriso Maroto, have already confirmed their attendance.
Kleberson will stay at Fla for another five years
Vice President of Football Kléber Leite guarantees the midfielder's permanence at the club
LANCEPRESS!
Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, revealed that Rubro-Negro resolved the financial dispute with Besiktas (TUR) to have Kleberson.
"This problem has already been resolved. He will stay at Flamengo for another five years," the director stated.
In addition to Kleberson, Flamengo has 10 other defensive midfielders: Jaílton, Léo Medeiros, Ibson, Hugo Colace, Cristian, Vinicius Colombiano, Jônatas, Gavilán, Rômulo, and Toró, who plays as a makeshift midfielder.
Steering wheels are the solution for Joel Santana
Coach has already won three titles with a three-man defensive midfielder scheme
LANCEPRESS!
Flamengo currently has 11 defensive midfielders on its roster. But what could have been a problem ends up becoming a solution for coach Joel Santana.
Proof of this is that the commander won three state championships in the 90s with a formation similar to Flamengo's current one.
In '95, Joel coached Flu, and the Tricolor won the Carioca Championship with three defensive midfielders. In '96, he repeated the feat at Fla and took the trophy. Finally, in '97, he went to Botafogo and won the Carioca Championship with four defensive midfielders: Marcelinho Paulista, Pingo, Djair, and Aílton. The coach spoke about that year.
"You can't say anything bad about a team that won everything in the first round. It was a winning system, similar to ours now," Joel assured.