The Globe
Joel doesn't even have time to celebrate the rout: Roger's pain worries Fla
Threatened with not being able to field the midfielder, the coach repeats the mystery game
Photo caption: JUAN and Roger (back to back) chat in the pool, during a relaxing workout
Waking up with the taste of victory wasn't, for coach Joel Santana, a sign that the rest of Friday would be a day of complete peace for everyone at Flamengo. At the afternoon presentation in Gávea, despite the joy of the 4-0 rout of Juventude, there was a hint of concern in Joel's speech because Roger is at risk of being ruled out for tomorrow's game against Goiás at Maracanã.
"On a counterattack, I felt a little pain in my thigh. The doctor said I was smart to ask to come off. It's not really an injury, but it needs to be evaluated carefully," said Roger.
For doctor José Luiz Runco, the situation wasn't very clear. That's why he postponed the decision until today.
"It's not typical post-game muscle soreness. Let's wait a few more hours to get a more concrete idea," said Runco, known for his objective approach to these types of cases.
Fans make peace and promise to behave
Faced with uncertainty, Joel once again embraced the mystery he so enjoys. Still without Renato Augusto, he said he could field Toró or Léo Medeiros or drop Maxi back and put Obina alongside Souza. Maxi, however, prefers to play up front.
"I've always played up front. I've never been used as a midfielder," said the Argentine.
As Joel himself states that things were starting to fall into place, it is likely that he would prefer the more conventional change, opting for just one alteration, which would affect the team less.
"Let's use common sense, the same methodology. I don't want to rush into things, or talk about changes, or these squares you're inventing. You saw: it ended up like this," he said, referring to the Brazilian team's formation at the 2006 World Cup.
The Raça and Jovem fan groups, which caused scenes of vandalism the day before yesterday, smoked the peace pipe yesterday. The disturbance at Maracanã was a result of a fight between their own members in São Paulo, during the match against Palmeiras. It was decided that Jovem will compensate Raça for the flag burned at Parque Antártica and will remain on the opposite side of the stadium until everything returns to normal to avoid confrontation.
Sports Journal
Refreshing relief in Fla
After the rout at Juventude, the mood improves and the board intends to extend Juan's contract.
LEO SCHABBACH AND NATHAN DE LIMA
Left-back Juan is enjoying his great form at Gávea. He's taking the opportunity to relax by the pool.
Having enjoyed excellent form at Flamengo since the start of the season, full-back Juan, who scored a stunning goal in the game against Juventude last Thursday, couldn't be happier.
In addition to the club recovering in the Brazilian Championship and Juan going through the best phase of his career, the board should reward his work by purchasing another 25% of his economic rights (the club already holds 50%) and extending his contract for another two years, from 2008 to 2010.
This operation has been underway for two months, but should be concluded soon, probably within the next week.
However, despite the negotiation involving his federation rights, Juan was more excited about the good performance he has been showing in recent games, giving due credit to the preseason carried out at the beginning of the year.
"I'm going through the best moment of my career, and I believe one of the main factors is my physical condition. Having completed the entire preseason, I've laid the foundation for the year. Before, I'd finish games very tired and sometimes not fully recovered from the fatigue. Now things are different, and because of that, I'm able to perform much better," said the fullback.
However, despite the good momentary situation with the rout, Juan asked his teammates to remain calm, highlighting that Flamengo is still in the relegation zone.
"If you look at the atmosphere here today, it seems like everything is fine, but we're still in the relegation zone. We have to learn to deal with this, so we don't get complacent after winning or get discouraged when we lose," said Juan, who took the opportunity to talk about the importance of the 4-0 victory for the players.
"We needed this. This result gave confidence to the whole group."
The war between Flamengo fans worries everyone.
The Torcida Jovem do Flamengo and Raça Rubro-Negra factions have never had a good relationship. However, in the club's recent games, conflicts have escalated and begun to cause problems inside the stadiums.
In the 4-0 thrashing of Juventude, they clashed again, and this time, it seems that measures will be taken to ensure security at next Sunday's game against Goiás, both by the authorities and by the fans themselves.\ The person who assured that there will be police measures was Major Marcelo Pessoa, commander of the Special Stadium Policing Group (Gepe).\
According to him, from now on, those who participate in violent acts will be punished more severely.
"We've made it clear that we won't be taking it easy now. It won't just be a warning and a basic food basket," said the major, before reassuring fans who want to go to the stadium.
"People can go to the game on Sunday with peace of mind. We spoke with the presidents of the organized groups and they have been warned that they cannot create any more problems. Either they get it right or we get it right."
Flamengo's executives and factions have already made a decision. To help the team maintain its strong form in the Brazilian Championship, the Torcida Jovem do Flamengo (Young Flamengo Fans) agreed to watch the game in a different location than the stadium.
"I spoke with the directors of both fan clubs. Everything has been resolved. Jovem has acknowledged their mistake and will even pay for the damages in São Paulo. They've decided to move to the other side of the Maracanã, even breaking tradition," said Marcos Braz, the club's football manager.
Flamengo receives an unusual visit from little Riquelme
Angelim's son steals the show at the red-black training session
Nathan de Lima and Jorge Lourenço
Riquelme, just one year and seven months old, with his father, Ronaldo Angelim
The rout over Juventude changed the atmosphere at Gávea. Even though Flamengo still sits in the uncomfortable relegation zone, it has regained the confidence it lost throughout the Brazilian Championship and, with two games in hand, has everything it needs to escape the relegation zone from Série B.
What stood out about Friday's training session, however, wasn't Joel Santana's changes or the presence of the fans' new favorite, Maxi Biancucchi, but rather the visit of Riquelme. No, it wasn't the Argentine star, but rather the son of defender Ronaldo Angelim, just one year and seven months old.
"It was a tribute to the player and also to my wife, whose name is Ricarcia. This is the first time I've brought him here. I think he's lucky, don't you think? I'll always bring him so Flamengo can keep winning," commented the father.
The tribute to famous soccer stars doesn't stop there. Angelim's other son also has an unusual name: Ronald de Boer, the same name as the Dutch star who played for the Brazilian national team in the 94 and 98 World Cups. When asked about his sons' future in soccer, the Flamengo defender jokes.
"Well, if they pursue a career, of course I'll support them, right? But it's still too early. At least they already have a good name."
It's with this calm that Flamengo intends to escape the relegation zone. Angelim and company will need the support of their children and the entire Flamengo nation to overcome Goiás this Sunday at Maracanã. If they win and are favored by a combination of results, the fans could see Mengão out of the bottom four this weekend.
Kayke: The future of the Red-Black Nation
Leo Schabbach Nathan de Lima and Thiago Bokel
Jair Motta
Kayke (wearing a Flamengo jersey) poses with his family: mother Rose, father Julinho, and brother Kauê. In the photo below, the young athlete with his dog Hulk
JORNAL DOS SPORTS - How did you come to Flamengo?
Kayke - I was born in Brasília and came to Rio early. At nine, I joined CFZ and played futsal with Renato Augusto at Grajaú Tenis Clube. Then, Fronha's father (a youth player) took me to Flamengo.
JS - What was that experience like in Malaysia, being the team's top scorer with five goals, did you get any offers?
Kayke - It was good, I really enjoyed playing there. I didn't get any offers from abroad, but the guys complimented me. They'd meet me at the hotel and talk to me. People from Milan, Juventus, and Barcelona, but it was all informal.
JS - What flaws do you point out in Flamengo's failure to win the U-19 tournament in Malaysia?
Kayke - There weren't any normal games there; it was a final every day. We were focused and well prepared, but we lost by a small margin. It was a real on-field situation.
JS - Playing for Flamengo is more important than playing for other clubs. Are you prepared to handle the pressure?
Kayke - Flamengo is different from all the others because we have a huge fan base. We had a fan in Malaysia. He went to the stadium with a flag and everything... he supported us, he cursed the referee. The stadium holds 100 people, and he was there, loyal to the team. I heard that here in Brazil, even in our current situation, the fans filled the Maracanã stadium during the Fla-Flu match and put 30 fans against Náutico. We know there's pressure, but it was there in the youth team and progresses as the ranks increase. When you get to the professional level, it doesn't change much compared to the juniors.
JS - Despite being considered one of the biggest revelations in Flamengo's youth academy, you've had few chances with the first team. Does that bother you?
Kayke - Things that have to happen will happen over time. I haven't had a run in the professional world yet. I've been working hard and doing the best I can. I believe people are enjoying my work.
JS - With Joel in charge, do you expect to have more opportunities to act?
Kayke - With Ney, I was in the professional team and just training. Now, with Joel, the youth academy players are getting more opportunities. I hope to be used more often in games.
JS - Joel Santana still has doubts about Fla's attack, which would you like to be the starting duo?
Kayke - Kayke and one more (laughs).
JS - Which players resemble your style of football? Kayke - There's no one who has a style close to mine. Of course, I'm not going to be so bold as to say I'm like Ronaldinho Gaúcho (laughs). I try not to imitate anyone. I'm a second striker, I like to play wide on the wings, but I know how to score goals.
JS - When you went to the World Cup in Malaysia, were you already part of the professional squad? Is your return to the squad already set?
Kayke - I still don't know if everything is okay and if I'll continue in the pros. The only thing I know is that I have to show up at Gávea to talk.
JS - We know you're not from Rio, but what was your childhood team?
Kayke - Actually, when I was little I was Tricolor (Fluminense) because of my father, but now me and everyone at home are Flamengo and Kayke Futebol Clube.
JS - From your generation, which other Flamengo youth players do you see with potential to play professionally?
Kayke - Flamengo's youth academy has several good players. I've played with Egídio, Vander, who also excelled in Malaysia, Renato Augusto, and Vinícius Colombiano. Our generation is very good. Everyone has the potential to be a professional.
JS - Who are your idols and the people you consider important in getting you here?
Kayke - My parents helped me with everything, and without them I wouldn't have gotten anywhere. In soccer, my idols are Romário and the Ronaldos (Fenômeno and Gaúcho).
JS - You debuted against Internacional, with a packed Maracanã stadium. How was it for you?
Kayke - It couldn't have been more complicated. I'd never been on the bench and had never played at Maracanã. It was my first time there, and it was also in front of a good crowd. Off the field, I was getting nervous, but once I came on, everything went back to normal and I was able to play with confidence.
Roger is doubtful for the game against Goiás
Roger needs to recover from the pain in his thigh to avoid missing from the team.
Coach Joel Santana has a question mark for tomorrow's match against Goiás. Midfielder Roger suffered a right thigh injury in the rout against Juventude and was replaced by midfielder Léo Medeiros. Despite the injury, the player is likely to be present for tomorrow's match.
Flamengo doctor José Luis Runco downplayed the severity of the athlete's injury and said he will only be sure of Roger's presence during today's training session.
"It doesn't seem to be anything serious. It won't even be necessary to do more complex tests. Tomorrow (today) we will decide on that," said the doctor.
Roger hopes to play in the game, but he made it clear that he will only take the field if he no longer feels any pain. He believes it's important to be cautious to avoid aggravating the muscle injury.
"For someone who hasn't played for a while, with this marathon on Wednesday and Sunday, you end up feeling something. The doctor said I was smart when I felt the pain," said Roger, who explained what the recovery process will be like.
"I still don't know if I'll play, because that's how muscles are. You think everything's fine, you play, and then you end up tearing it and being out for two months. I'm going to do physiotherapy to recover for Sunday, but I'm not going to sacrifice myself. The team has players to put on the field and if I do the right thing, I'll be out for less time," explained Roger.
Joel Santana hasn't confirmed his role yet, but if Roger is unable to play, the midfield should consist of Rômulo, Cristian, Léo Medeiros, and Ibson. The coach's other option is to field a strike trio of Maxi, Souza, and Obina.
Juan close to renewing with Fla
Flamengo's form is getting better and better. After finishing last in the Brazilian Championship, the team from Gávea has been recovering and is now in 17th place, with two games in hand. Besides the good chance of escaping the relegation zone, the board managed to finalize the renewal of Juan, the team's standout player in the Brazilian Championship.
Negotiations dragged on for two months. Now, Flamengo will acquire an additional 25% of Juan's transfer rights—the club already owns 50%—and extend his contract until 2010.
"Everything is going well. In the next few days, the new contract will be signed," said Alexandre Uram, son of businessman Eduardo Uram.
O Dia
Flamengo: Hurricane Drying Day
Before facing Goiás tomorrow, Rubro-Negro hopes for Atlético-PR's relegation
Marluci Martins
Rio - With their homework done, it's time to root against their neighbor. So close to Atlético-PR, one spot below them in the table, Flamengo could escape the relegation zone tomorrow. To that end, before beating Goiás, Flamengo is hoping that Inter will take points off Furacão today, which, in Porto Alegre, will feature the debut of none other than Ney Franco.
Since it's no use just looking at your neighbor's roof, coach Joel Santana has a lot to fix at home. He hasn't yet decided who will be Argentina's Maxi Biancucchi's strike partner tomorrow, as he liked both Souza and Obina—who came on in the second half of the 4-0 win over Juventude.
"When he scored, Souza went to the bench to hug Obina. And Obina did the same. The important thing is that everyone is part of a project. Everyone is collaborating," said Joel, who hopes to define the team this morning.
Joel even considers the possibility of starting both forwards, keeping Maxi Biancucchi in the lineup. This option is only on the coach's mind because Roger injured his right thigh and is unlikely to be fit to play. Renato Augusto won't be able to resume his starting spot, as he also suffered a muscle strain again. And Léo Lima has a heel problem. Therefore, Joel has the option of starting Maxi, Souza, and Obina, or giving Roger's spot to Léo Medeiros or Toró.
"In football, anything is possible. I was surprised by Roger's injury and I need to evaluate it calmly," said the coach.
Souza hopes that Joel Santana will give the attacking duo formed by him and Obina another chance:
"Obina and I know we're competing for a spot, and that's complicated because we're friends. Since we've played together before, I think it would be possible again. And no one has a guaranteed spot in the starting lineup."
As he racks his brains, thinking about tomorrow's game at Maracanã, Joel is already dreaming of a lighter week. Today, he'll be rooting against Ney Franco: "We need to take pride of place in the standings."
Riquelme in Gávea, with his father, Angelim
No, the address wasn't wrong. Gávea actually looked like an Argentine stadium, so many times were the names Maxi Biancucchi and Riquelme heard.
No, Flamengo didn't sign Riquelme. The Argentine star merely served as inspiration for defender Ronaldo Angelim, who named his one-year-old son after his idol.
"I've always admired Riquelme's football, and that's why I named my son after him. It was also a tribute to my wife, whose name is Ricássia," explained Ronaldo Angelim, who took his son to training yesterday.
Little Riquelme isn't the only one named after a soccer player in Ronaldo Angelim's family. His eldest son, 7, is named after Dutch striker Ronald de Boer.
PACT FOR PEACE
Flamengo's board of directors has called a truce with the two organized fan groups that have been feuding since the match against Palmeiras at Parque Antáetica. And they believe they've achieved their goal. The two fan groups are making a peace pact for tomorrow's match against Goiás, starting at 18:10 PM at Maracanã. They apologized for disturbing Flamengo at such a difficult time, as the club seeks recovery and closer ties with its fans.
Roger may not face Goiás
Thigh problem caused discomfort to the player
Rio - After midfielder Roger left the Maracanã pitch during the 4-0 victory against Juventude, the club's medical department sounded the alarm, as the player has a good chance of missing the match against Goiás next Sunday, also at Maracanã. A thigh injury could rule him out of this important Brazilian Championship match.
In an interview with Rádio Globo, doctor Walter Martins believes that the problem must be treated with great caution.
"Roger presented two interesting situations. First, the negative side was that he felt an injury in the back of his thigh, and the positive side was that he immediately asked to leave the field, which didn't aggravate the injury. This Friday afternoon, in Gávea, the other doctor Runco will perform the evaluation and we have this Friday and Saturday to find out if he will be fit or not," he highlighted.
Sports Gazette
Flamengo is in a festive mood after another victory\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - After beating Juventude 4-0, Flamengo's squad returned to action this Friday afternoon. In a celebratory mood, many fans turned out at Gávea to cheer on the players with loud chants and signs. At the sidelines, officials watched the activity led by coach Joel Santana. Midfielder Roger, one of Flamengo's star players, urged the squad to exercise caution. "We have to leave this euphoric atmosphere to the fans, because success is only achieved through hard work and sweat," he said.
Despite preaching seriousness to the Flamengo squad, the midfielder admits that the three wins in the last four matches helped lighten the mood at Gávea. "It was a quality group, but it lacked confidence. With these victories, confidence is growing, and the trend is only to grow even further," he declared.
With muscle pain, Roger will be re-evaluated this Saturday to see if he will be fit to face Goiás on Sunday at Maracanã.
Obina should be a starter for Flamengo on Sunday\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - When Joel Santana took over Flamengo almost a month ago, the coach saw Obina's performances lackluster. Seeing that his player, who had returned from a serious right knee injury, was overweight, Joel decided to sideline him to regain his fitness. In the last three matches, the striker has been on the bench and has come on in the second half. With a strong performance last Thursday against Juventude, Obina seems to have finally convinced the coach that he deserves another opportunity with the first team. And that opportunity should come on Sunday, in the 18:10 PM (Brasília time) game against Goiás at the Maracanã.
"He trained well this week and is working hard. Obina is very important to us, but we need to be patient so we don't waste an idol. But I think he can start from now on," said Joel Santana.
Since Souza, despite scoring a penalty, had a lackluster performance against Goiás, he's likely to be the one sacrificed for Obina's return to the Flamengo team. He'll pair up with Argentine Maximiliano Biancucchi, who's steadily gaining favor with Flamengo fans.
While Obina is getting closer to starting, midfielder Roger isn't guaranteed a spot. He left the field on Thursday complaining of muscle pain and will need to prove his recovery.
"He felt discomfort in his thigh. He asked to leave immediately, and the injury didn't get worse. Roger told me it was just a minor discomfort, but we'll take a closer look. We'll reevaluate him tomorrow (Saturday), and predicting anything now would be premature," said doctor Walter Martins.
Midfielder Renato Augusto is expected to remain out. He was being prepared to return on Sunday, but on Thursday he again complained of thigh pain, which worried the club's doctors. He sustained the injury in the match against Náutico.
With last Thursday's victory, Flamengo sits at 21 points and could leave the relegation zone on Sunday. Seventeenth, the Rio de Janeiro team needs a win and hopes for a loss by Paraná or Atlético-PR. And contrary to what was expected at the beginning of the week, the Flamengo delegation did not return to Teresópolis after the match against Juventude. This Saturday morning, in Gávea, the team will hold its final training session before facing Goiás.
PeléNet
Midfielder Roger will be re-evaluated and is in doubt at Flamengo
From the Editorial Team\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Coach Joel Santana risks being without midfielder Roger for this Sunday's match against Goiás at Maracanã Stadium. During the 4-0 victory against Juventude last Thursday, the player felt pain in his left thigh and asked to be substituted.
This Friday, the squad will report back at 15:30 p.m. in Gávea, and the midfielder will be re-evaluated by the club's doctors. Depending on his performance, the number 8 could undergo tests and miss the Rio de Janeiro club's match against the Goiás team.
If Roger is ruled out, Joel Santana could opt to bring Obina into the team. This way, the coach would field two fixed attackers up front—Souza and Obina—and drop Maxi Biancucchi back to create plays.
This is because Renato Augusto has not yet recovered from a left thigh injury and is expected to remain out of the team, undergoing treatment. The expectation is to see if the midfielder recovers in time for the derby against Botafogo next Wednesday.
If they beat Goiás on Sunday, Flamengo has a chance to escape the relegation zone. To do so, they need to root for Atlético-PR to lose to Internacional in Porto Alegre. The Rio de Janeiro team is in 17th place with 21 points, two behind the red-black team from Paraná, in 16th place.
Flamengo players will cheer for Inter against Atlético-PR
Guilherme Toscano\ In Rio de Janeiro\
This weekend, Flamengo's players won't just be focused on the match against Goiás on Sunday at 18:10 PM at Maracanã. On Saturday, they'll be rooting for Internacional to beat Atlético-PR at Beira-Rio Stadium.
If Flamengo wins and Atlético-PR loses the match in Porto Alegre, the Rio de Janeiro team will escape the relegation zone, a spot they entered in the 12th round of the Brazilian Championship and have never escaped since. Now, they have a chance to achieve this goal.
"I'm confident. Atlético-PR has a tough game ahead of them. It's tough to score against Internacional in Porto Alegre, so we're hopeful that if we do our part, we can get out of the relegation zone this weekend. But we have to get the win against Goiás, otherwise it won't be any use," said left-back Juan hopefully.
Striker Souza echoed his teammate: "Of course we'll be rooting for Internacional. But first and foremost, we have to do our job, which is to beat Goiás on Sunday," but coach Joel Santana disagrees with the players' view: "The important thing is for us to get our points, we have to solve our own problems and forget about others'."
Flamengo sits 17th in the Brazilian Championship with 21 points, but has only played 18 games, two fewer than most teams in the competition. This Sunday, they have a chance to finally escape the relegation zone.
Joel Santana has doubts about starting Fla against Goiás
Guilherme Toscano\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Coach Joel Santana has three options for Flamengo's playmaker position in midfield: Léo Lima, Roger, and Renato Augusto. There's a chance the coach won't be able to count on any of them for this Sunday's match against Goiás at 18:10 PM at Maracanã.
This is because Roger felt pain in his right thigh during the match against Juventude and was substituted. He's not guaranteed to be in the starting lineup against Goiás. Renato Augusto has been out for a few rounds and is expected to take about a week to return. Léo Lima suffered a heel injury.
"First, we'll wait to see what the doctor says to see if we can have the player [Roger] available for the match. If he's not cleared by the medical department, we'll have to decide who to put in his place," said coach Joel Santana.
Despite saying he doesn't yet know what the team's formation will be, Joel admitted that the formation could change: "In football, anything goes. Léo Medeiros can play, we can have three forwards, with Maxi, Obina and Souza together. But I haven't even watched the Goiás team yet, so I haven't decided what the team will be if Roger isn't fit. We just can't set up those squares that are invented out there and everyone saw what happened."
Although he's not sure who the starting lineup will be, Joel Santana emphasized the importance of having a well-balanced team on the field: "Football is very simple: the best defense is the attack and the best attack is the defense. The team has to be balanced to play good football."
BalloonSport
Fla in the final phase to join Timemania
The club's lawyer is studying the rules and should make participation official soon.
Flamengo is expected to formalize its participation in Timemania in the coming days. The club has hired a lawyer to review all the details of participating in the federal lottery and must confirm its acceptance of the terms within ten days.
"We're just finalizing a few things, like the debt acknowledgment, and we'll have good news soon. We'll send the necessary documentation," says Flamengo president Márcio Braga.
Since the embryonic phase of Timemania, Rubro-negro has been one of the main enthusiasts of the idea.
Juan receives proposal from Spanish club
Almería intends to sign the Fla left-back, who has been standing out a lot
Eduardo Peixoto
One day after the news broke that Juan would renew his contract with Flamengo until 2010, a piece of information could put a major obstacle in the left-back's agreement with the Flamengo board: Almería, from the Spanish first division, made an offer to sign the player. (Watch the video of Juan's fine performance against Juventude).
No further details about the deal are available yet, but the fact is that Juan's good form has caught the attention of several clubs. A few weeks ago, Espanyol showed interest, but ended up signing Argentine Maxi Rodrigues.
Juan's agent, Eduardo Uram, said this Friday that the contract renewal with Flamengo was well underway. However, the full-back was reticent when discussing the matter at Gávea. Now, all that remains is to wait and see what the outcome of the transaction will be.
Management expects 50 on Sunday
The team's good form at Maracanã and the possibility of leaving the risk area excite the fans
Eduardo Peixoto
Sunday will see a (nearly) packed Maracanã. At least that's what Flamengo's board expects for the match against Goiás at 18:10 p.m.
As usual before each game at Maracanã, the red-and-black club forecast attendance: 50 paying spectators and around 60 in attendance. 79.865 tickets were put on sale.
In its last three games at Maracanã, Flamengo has won them all, attracting over 120 fans. A victory against Goiás could see the club leave the relegation zone after 16 rounds. This is further motivation for Flamengo fans to fill the stadium.
Europeans are raving about Kayke
Player celebrates five goals at the U-19 World Cup, but intends to stay in Gávea
Eduardo Peixoto
Kayke, Flamengo's top scorer in Malaysia, is a hit in European newspapers
Flamengo's third-place finish at the U-19 World Cup in Malaysia paid off for the players. The tournament's second-highest scorer with five goals, forward Kayke is being targeted by European clubs. A Milan executive showed interest in the player and requested more information.
"I received praise from a lot of people. The people at Milan congratulated me, as did people connected to Barcelona. My intention was to return from the tournament with greater morale, and I think I achieved it," says the player.
At 19, he has a contract with Flamengo until the end of 2009. Before Joel Santana arrived, he was part of the professional team and even played against Internacional. However, now he still doesn't know if he'll get the opportunity.
"I'll be back with the youth team on Tuesday and we'll find out. I hope to stay up here," says the player.
While giving the interview, he received praise from Ibson, Souza, among others.
- Hey Kayke! You rocked it, huh? - says Juan.
CBF makes changes in the 25th round
Brazil's match triggers changes to several games on September 9
Due to the Brazilian national team's friendly against the United States in Chicago on September 9th, some Brazilian Championship matches on the same day had their times or dates changed. The matches are part of the 25th round.
Check out the changes:
Figueirense x Atlético-MG: from 09/09 (Sunday) at 16pm to 08/09 (Saturday) at 16pm.\ Internacional x Flamengo: from 09/09 (Sunday) at 16pm to 08/09 (Saturday) at 16pm.\ Vasco x São Paulo: from 09/09 (Sunday) at 16pm to 08/09 (Saturday) at 16pm.\ Palmeiras x Goiás: from 09/09 (Sunday) at 18:10pm to 19pm.\ Náutico x Goiás: from 09/09 (Sunday) at 18:10pm to 19pm.\ Paraná x Corinthians: from 09/09 (Sunday) at 16pm to 19pm.\ América-RN x Sport: from 09/09 (Sunday) at 16pm to 19pm.\ Fluminense x Atlético-PR: from 09/09 (Sunday) at 16pm to 19pm.\
Flamengo takes on Goiás with a shout of 'phew!'
Rubro-negro hopes to leave the danger zone after 16 rounds; Goiás team performs poorly away from home
Eduardo Peixoto
The noose around Flamengo's neck has been much tighter. Proof of this is that this Sunday, after 16 rounds, the Red-Black team could escape the relegation zone in the Brazilian Championship. Of course, there are obstacles to accomplishing this mission. Chief among them is Goiás, their opponent starting at 18:10 p.m. at Maracanã. Another detail is Atlético-PR's need to avoid beating Internacional this Saturday at Beira-Rio.
GLOBOESPORTE.COM will broadcast Flamengo's attempt to escape the danger zone starting at 17:50 p.m. Premiére will also cover the game.
Thursday's 4-0 rout of Juventude was significant, of course. Flamengo boosted their morale, rising to 17th place (21 points), and energizing their fans. Maracanã is expected to host a crowd of over 50. However, none of this will matter if the players don't stay focused.
"We're satisfied, happy, but no fuss. We want to climb a little higher because we have a project, and a simple bump could put us back down there," says coach Joel Santana.
In its last three games at Maracanã, Flamengo has won all three (Náutico, Fluminense, and Juventude). And Goiás isn't usually a demanding visitor. In ten games, the emerald team has lost seven and won only three.
But, in the table, his position is much higher than that of the Rio de Janeiro team: eighth place, with 30 points.
Obina or Souza?
Obina competes with Souza for a spot on the team alongside Maxi Biancucchi (right)
Before the final match, the question about the center forward was only clarified in the locker room. And Joel, once again, didn't say who would play alongside Maxi Biancucchi. According to him, the rivalry between Souza and Obina is beneficial.
"Let's use common sense. This rivalry, in quotation marks, between them is great. Especially since they're both friends and want the best for Flamengo," says the Flamengo commander.
While there's an abundance of attacking options, Rubro-Negro has problems in playmaking. Renato Augusto is out, and Roger is nearly out. Therefore, Toró and Leo Medeiros are competing for the spot.
Baier and ten more
Paulo Baier is the big name for Goiás in this Brazilian Championship
Buoyed by their qualification for the second round of the Copa Sudamericana and four points shy of the Copa Libertadores relegation zone, Goiás faces Flamengo at the Maracanã stadium, aiming to break the stigma of never having beaten the Rio de Janeiro club in Rio de Janeiro. In the first round, the Gávea club won 3-1 at the Serra Dourada stadium (watch the video with the goals from the match above).
Coach Paulo Bonamigo is banking on Paulo Baier, his star player, to set up the midfield. He's sticking with a 3-6-1 formation, confident in the defensive strength to surprise the Rio de Janeiro team at Maracanã Stadium through counterattacks.
- Our team has great consistency in midfield and defense, and the way we play, we can beat Flamengo in Rio - says Bonamigo.
Joel has serious problems in midfield
Renato Augusto is ruled out, and Roger may not face Goiás on Sunday.
Eduardo Peixoto
Joel Santana has problems in the lineup
Flamengo coach Joel Santana didn't even have time to celebrate the rout of Juventude on Thursday night at Maracanã. That's because, on Friday, at the squad's re-match at Gávea Stadium, he learned that Renato Augusto is still unavailable for the match against Goiás on Sunday, again in Rio de Janeiro.
Renato Augusto is recovering from a strained right thigh and hasn't trained with a ball this week. Therefore, he's unfit to play. Roger also complains of pain in his right thigh and will be re-evaluated on Saturday. He only did some pool training this Friday, as he didn't feel well enough to go out on the field.
Obina and Souza, who left the field complaining of muscle problems, are fit and vying for a spot in attack alongside Maxi Biancucchi. The trio, in fact, have a chance of starting if Roger is ruled out. Thus, the Argentine would function as the link between the midfield and attack.
Two other players are training with an eye on Roger's potential spot: Leo Medeiros and Toró are other options for Joel. In any case, the coach's decision isn't expected until this Saturday or even Sunday, just before the match against the Goiás team. He even joked about the situation:
- Toró, Leo Medeiros, Joel Santana can come in - he says, increasing the air of mystery.
Throw
Without Roger, Joel has doubts in the middle
Flamengo coach is considering the possibility of fielding Obina, Souza and Maxi
With Roger absent from the match against Goiás, coach Joel Santana still doesn't know how to line up Flamengo's midfield for this Sunday's game. The rest of the team will be the same one that defeated Juventude, and Joel even hinted at the possibility of fielding Obina, Souza, and Maxi together. The coach, however, doesn't want any squabbling among his players.
"This can't happen. We're happy and want to keep climbing the table, but we know that any slip-up could seriously disrupt our progress," said the manager, who will face the Esmeraldino at 18:10 p.m. at Maracanã.
Júnior and Leonardo praise Juan's current form\ Former Flamengo full-backs talk about the player's form and give advice\
Juan is the team's top scorer in the competition with three goals (Credit: Julio Cesar Guimarães)
Edgard Maciel de Sá and Rafael Ximenes
Juan's good form in Flamengo's jersey is earning praise from those who know the position well. Former players and club idols Júnior and Leonardo praised Juan's skill, but believe he still has room for improvement defensively.
"He's an extremely skilled player and has a good sense of marking. I like it when he intercepts a play and sets up a counterattack, like in the goal against Fluminense. The only problem is that he sometimes can't contain his momentum and ends up getting sent off or committing unnecessary fouls," said Júnior.
For Leonardo, who has worked as a consultant for Milan since 2003, the player has experienced very good psychological growth over the last year.
"Brazilian full-backs are different from European ones. Here in Europe, you don't find players who can perform both defensively and offensively well. I've been watching Juan, and he's undergone significant psychological growth, as he initially faced pressure from the fans and was ultimately hindered by it. I think he's finding his identity and has strong attacking characteristics. In Brazil, full-backs attack a lot because they end up being covered by the defenders," explained Leonardo.
Joel: "We're not in the right place in the table yet"
Coach highlights victories, but doesn't want to hear about the fuss in Gávea
Flamengo has played three of its last four matches at Maracanã and won them all. These strong results have helped the team improve in the Brazilian league standings, and a new victory next Sunday against Goiás could even lift the team out of the relegation zone. Despite this, coach Joel Santana is not looking to relax.
"We can't get carried away right now. We're happy with another win, but we haven't achieved anything yet. Any mistake could hurt us. We're still not in a decent position in the standings," said the coach.
After a great goal, Juan dreams of playing for the Brazilian National Team
After scoring a great goal against Juventude, the left-back says he is living his best moment in a Flamengo shirt.
LANCEPRESS!
The stunning goal he scored in Thursday's 4-0 rout of Juventude is making left-back Juan dream big. In the move, he dribbled past four opponents and slotted the ball under the goalkeeper to score Flamengo's fourth goal against Juventude. Now, Juan dreams of a chance with Dunga's national team.
"I'm having the best time of my life at Flamengo. I think my chances would be much better if I were at a big European club or if Flamengo were in a good moment. It's difficult to take a player who's fighting relegation, but I have to do my job on the field and dream, because one day I will achieve my goal," he said.
Major promises more rigor with organized groups
Red and black fans fought among themselves again in this Thursday's match
Flamengo fans clashed again this Thursday at the match between Flamengo and Juventude at Maracanã Stadium. Their persistent acts of vandalism have been testing the patience of Major Marcelo Pessoa, commander of the Special Police Group in Stadiums (GEPE).
The major promises to be stricter with rebellious fans.
- We made it clear that now things will not be easy and it will not just be a warning and a basic food basket - he said in an interview with Rádio Brasil, adding:
- Fans can go to Flamengo's game on Sunday with peace of mind.
We spoke with the presidents of the organized groups, and they've been warned that they can't create any more problems. Either they get it right, or we get it right.
Flamengo returns to play at Maracanã this Sunday against Goiás, in the Brasileirão
Flamengo's attackers are enchanted in the Brasileirão
Sector surpasses defense in number of goals scored in the competition
Obina celebrates his goal against Juventude with Léo Moura. The attack has been growing in the Brasileirão (Credit: Júlio César Guimarães)
Rafael Ximenes
Before the 4-0 thrashing of Juventude this Thursday at Maracanã, Flamengo's forwards had only scored seven goals in the team's 17 matches in the Brazilian Championship.
This number represented 31% of the team's goals in the competition: seven of the 22 scored by the Red-Blacks. Leonardo and Paulo Sérgio each scored two, while Obina, Souza, and Maxi Biancucchi each scored one. The team had the fifth-worst attack in the Brasileirão, with 22 goals.
But with goals from Souza, Obina, and Maxi Biancucchi this Thursday, the forwards appear to have finally found their feet in the competition. The numbers have already improved slightly: ten of the 26 goals were scored by the forwards, accounting for 38% of the total. Rubro-Negro moved up three spots in the best attacking rankings and is now 13th.
What gives even greater hope are the offensive numbers in the last three matches: six goals, five of them scored by forwards. The other was a stunning strike by left-back Juan, the fourth in the victory over the team from Caxias do Sul.
And there's more: Souza, last year's top scorer in the Brazilian Championship with 17 goals, returned from a five-game suspension and scored. Argentine Maxi Biancucchi's performance is also very good. In the three matches he's started, Messi's cousin has scored two goals. Meanwhile, Obina, the darling, has been regaining fitness and, despite coming on in the second half, left his mark.
The defense had the best offensive performance, a trend that ended this Thursday. Full-backs and center-backs had scored nine goals, compared to seven from the midfield and attack, which reached ten with Thursday's three goals.
Goals by sector:
Defense: 9 goals\ Midfield: 7 goals\ Attack: 10 goals\
All of Flamengo's goals in the competition:
Flamengo 2x4 Palmeiras Goals: Claiton, Renato Augusto\ Flamengo 3x1 Goias Goals: Irineu, Juan, Leonardo Moura\ Flamengo 2x2 Botafogo Goals: Leonardo, Paulo Sergio\ Flamengo 2x2 Sport Goals: Renato (2)\ Flamengo 0x4 Figueirense (SC)\ Flamengo 2x2 Internacional Goals: Ronaldo Angelim, Juan\ Flamengo 1x1 Atletico-MG Goal: Leonardo\ Flamengo 0x0 São Paulo\ Flamengo 1x2 Paraná Goal: Leo Medeiros\ Flamengo 0x1 Grêmio\ Flamengo 3x1 America-RN Goals: Ronaldo Angelim, Jailton, Obina\ Flamengo 2x2 Corinthians Goals: Souza, Leo Medeiros\ Flamengo 0x3 Santos\ Flamengo 0x2 Atletico-PR\ Flamengo 2x1 Nautico Goals: Fabio Luciano, Leonardo Moura\ Flamengo 1x0 Fluminense Goal: Maxi Biancucchi\ Flamengo 1x2 Palmeiras Goal: Paulo Sergio\ Flamengo 4x0 Juventude Goals: Souza, Obina, Maxi Biancucchi and Juan\
Sheriff begins to fix Flamengo's defense
Rubro-Negro increases production with the arrival of Fábio Luciano
Defender improves sector that had been a problem at Flamengo (Credit: Paulo Sérgio)
Rafael Ximenes
Flamengo's defense was considered a problematic area of the team in this Brazilian Championship. But that has changed in recent matches. One of the reasons is the arrival of defender Fábio Luciano, and the numbers show the improvement in this area.
Before the captain's arrival, the red-and-black defense had conceded 27 goals in 14 matches, an average of 1,9 per game. Fábio Luciano made his debut in the 2-1 victory over Náutico. In this match, the Pernambuco team's goal came from a stroke of luck, when striker Felipe's shot went wide, hitting Cristian and going in. To make matters worse, the defender also scored a header.
In the following match, Fla's defense held off Fluminense's attack and the team came away with their second consecutive victory at Maracanã: 1-0, with a goal from Argentinian Maxi Biancucchi.
In the match against Palmeiras at Parque Antarctica in São Paulo, the team conceded two goals and lost 2-1. The first goal was scored by Luiz Henrique, who made a great play and passed it to Caio. The second came after a mistake by full-back Luizinho. Gustavo scored.
Against Juventude, this Thursday, a 4-0 rout at Maracanã Stadium and few defensive errors. The Caxias team had two good chances: a header that Bruno made an extraordinary save and a counterattack wasted by Fábio Baiano. All in all, a solid performance.
Fábio's teammate in the four matches was the experienced Ronaldo Angelim, who has been instilling confidence and returning to playing the good football that led him to win the title of best defender in the 2005 Brazilian Championship, when he played for Fortaleza.
With Fábio Luciano as the sheriff, Flamengo has conceded three goals in four matches, averaging 0,75 per game, and is climbing the Brazilian league table. Flamengo faces Goiás this Sunday at 18:10 PM at Maracanã. Flamengo fans will have to wait and see if the sheriff can stop the Goiás team and the ever-dangerous Paulo Baier, the league's all-time assist leader.