THE GLOBE
Reinforcements become a puzzle for Joel at Fla
Coach tries to prevent the team from losing its marking power
Little by little, Joel is beginning to be able to select Flamengo's reinforcements. Now, he has both a certainty and a doubt. He knows the team will gain technical quality, but he fears losing the marking ability in midfield, the team's main characteristic in 2007. For Joel, players like Jônatas, who debuted against Cardoso Moreira, and Kléberson, who is about to be fit, are more technical, although less defensive than Jaílton and Cristian, for example.
"Flamengo has learned to defend. I don't want to lose that. Before, teams would hold us for 20 minutes and exploit our desperation. The team would open up," said Joel, who has warned that if the team loses its form, it will revert to its previous strategy.
Club decides to postpone Kléberson's debut
Against Cardoso Moreira, Joel began preparing the strategy he'll use to bolster his defense. Late in the game, he fielded defender Rodrigo alongside Ronaldo Angelim and Fábio Luciano:
- In some Libertadores games, especially away, I can use three defenders.
Joel almost had to anticipate a decision regarding Kléberson. For Flamengo, his four-month suspension, imposed by FIFA, was due to end today. Fearing that the CBF would understand that the term only begins after the contract is registered, not signed, the club requested an opinion from the organization, which did not respond. The club's legal director, Michel Assef Filho, recommended that Kléberson not be selected. He is expected to debut on Wednesday against Macaé. As for Gavilán, the club sent a request to the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) to convert the remaining 22 days of his suspension into food baskets.
Sports Panorama
Cloak in 3 styles
Flamengo will launch its new jersey in May. In fact, Nike is offering three new models. The traditional jersey will feature thinner and more numerous red and black stripes than the current ones. Despite the retro style, the brand will use the latest technology. Although the launch date has not been set, the event is scheduled for before the Brazilian Championship.
The changes to the number one uniform don't stop there. Goalkeeper Bruno's uniform will change color: gone from lime green to yellow, as worn by Raul Plasmann in the 80s. Just like the current goalkeeper jersey, it will have short sleeves and a narrow black stripe on the left side, extending from the collar to the sleeve.
The second shirt, which is predominantly white, will have few significant changes.
But another big news will be the relaunch of the number three uniform, as happened in 1995 - the year of Flamengo's centenary.
At the time, the shirt was called Papagaio de Vintém, referring to the origins of red-and-black football.
The design of the model to be released in May is different from the previous one, which featured red and black colors in quadrants. The new jersey will feature horizontal divisions. It will no longer feature the "CRF" logo of the official jersey, but rather the rowing shield, which features two oars and an anchor.
However, it was difficult to approve the number 3 uniform. Superstitious members of the board were afraid of remembering 1995, the year in which the "centenary shirt" ended up being called by opponents the "shirt of the having nothing".
Because the club did not triumph in 1995, there was strong internal pressure for Flamengo to give up on relaunching a third uniform.
Fla delivers the gold
Without sponsorship and living off financial assistance from Flamengo, gymnast Jade Barbosa - Brazil's best athlete in 2007 - could transfer to Pinheiros.
The São Paulo club offered her a contract, something she never had. Yesterday, Jade's father, César Barbosa, presented a proposal to Flamengo. If no agreement is reached, she will go to São Paulo.
SPORTS JOURNAL
Ibson defends himself against bad performances
Joel has been talking a lot with Ibson to understand the drop in performance
Midfielder Ibson was one of the main drivers behind Flamengo's dramatic comeback in last year's Brazilian Championship. But this season, the player hasn't performed to the fullest extent expected of him. Criticized even by coach Joel Santana, who has been speaking extensively with him in recent days to try to understand his poor performance, the player explained the reasons for his decline.
"When I arrived at Flamengo, it took me about three games to perform as expected. I don't want to use that as an excuse, but there's also the problem with the ball, which has changed. The Carioca is much worse than the Brasileirão. In the first game, I didn't perform well and was even upset with my mistakes. In the second, I improved, I was able to do my job better, and I even scored a goal," said Ibson.
Regarding tomorrow's opponent, Duque de Caxias, the midfielder showed he is well aware of the difficulties the team will face.
"Duque de Caxias is a team that surprised Fluminense, but faltered and ended up allowing the comeback. Everyone who comes to face Flamengo wants to show off their work. They want to prove they can play here one day too. That's why we have to be alert. The important thing is to get the three points. We didn't do well in the first match, but we won. Against Cardoso Moreira, we were a little better and got a bigger result. We're improving every day, and in three games, we'll be flying," the supporter added.
Juan celebrates the good phase
One of Flamengo's standout performers in the rout over Cardoso Moreira, full-back Juan, just like at the start of last season, has been attracting attention for his excellent football.
With good vision and beautiful passes, he left humility aside and said he had a perfect performance against the Norte Fluminense team.
"This time there was no shortage of goals. I scored one goal and had a hand in the other three. I had an excellent performance and I hope to continue improving. Joel gives me the freedom to attack; it's one of my roles on the field," said the full-back.
For him, it won't be long before Fla returns to the rhythm of play seen in 2007:
"We're finding our way to play again. With a few more games, we'll be at the same level as last year," he warned.
Regarding the expected duel against Fluminense, the full-back was emphatic:
"Both teams are winning and promise to close this phase of the Guanabara Cup with a flourish," he added.
Tardelli only on Carnival Saturday
Anyone hoping to see striker Diego Tardelli show off his football skills tomorrow at the Maracanã against Duque de Caxias, in the third round of the Guanabara Cup, will have to wait until Carnival Saturday, when Flamengo faces América.
The striker, who has been in training for eight days, has not been cleared by the club's coaching staff to appear on the field in front of the fans. According to fitness coach Ronaldo Torres, he still needs some adjustments to ensure he can develop naturally in games.
"Right now, Tardelli isn't fit enough to play a full game, and I don't think he'll even play a half. I'm going to start a kind of preseason with him, and next Thursday I'll hand him over to Joel. This is necessary, because otherwise, he could have problems down the road," Ronaldo Torres told Rádio Brasil.
Until Tardelli is released, coach Joel Santana will continue to field striker Souza, who has been making excellent appearances for the team, in the red-black team's front commission.
Dream postponed
Supporter Kleberson was hoping to debut tomorrow, but as a precaution, the club vetoed his lineup
Nathan de Lima and Thiago Bokel
Ursula Nery
Kleberson participated in the training match against Castelo Branco yesterday, but will not be able to play tomorrow.
One day after the 4-1 rout of Cardoso Moreira, the coaching staff and one player in particular were feeling anxious. Midfielder Kleberson was looking forward to making his debut for the Red-Blacks tomorrow at 18:10 p.m. against Duque de Caxias at Maracanã Stadium, but he'll have to wait a little longer.
The 2002 world champion with the Brazilian national team arrived at the club in September last year, but as he had unilaterally broken his contract with Besiktas, from Turkey, the case ended up going to FIFA, which suspended the player for 120 days - a period that would come into effect when he signed with a new club.
Since Kleberson became a Flamengo player on September 26, 2007, the board expected him to be legally fit to play tomorrow. To that end, the club's lawyer, Michel Assef Filho, consulted the CBF yesterday to see if he could be fielded. The response was positive, but an obstacle emerged.
"The CBF verbally released the athlete and said there would be no problem for him to play. But since there wouldn't be enough time to put this on paper, I thought it best to advise the club not to put him on the field on Sunday (tomorrow)," explained Michel Assef Filho.
Before learning of the lawyer's decision, Kleberson was hopeful about acting tomorrow.
"I have high expectations. I've got it in my head that I'll be able to play on Sunday (tomorrow) and I'm working hard to achieve that. If that doesn't happen, I have to keep up the pace and wait for the opportunity to show my football. I want to feel the support of these fans. So far, I've only been able to see it from the stands, but I want to feel it on the field," the supporter hoped.
An old football fox, coach Joel Santana preferred to adopt his usual cunning. To avoid losing the trust of anyone who might leave the team, he declared:
"We'll wait for things to come to fruition so as not to cause problems for him, me, or whoever leaves. We need to wait for a legal decision. He's training well and will be useful this year, but I don't want to keep changing the team," the coach said.
With that, Flamengo should go onto the field with the same formation that started the game against Cardoso Moreira: Bruno, Léo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Jaílton, Jônatas, Ibson and Toró; Marcinho and Souza.
Flamengo in search of its fifth victory in the National Men's Basketball Championship
Jair Motta/JS
Winger Marcelinho is Flamengo's standout player in the National Basketball Championship
Flamengo takes the court this Sunday against Iguaçu at 11 a.m. at the Hélio Maurício Gymnasium in Gávea, seeking its fifth consecutive victory in the National Men's Basketball Championship. Flamengo leads the competition with ten points. The team's standout forward, Marcelinho Machado, expects a high-tempo game.
"We've faced Iguaçu twice in the Carioca Championship and already know more or less how they play. Despite being a young team, they have good players and use speed as their main weapon. We're playing at home, and our opponent deserves respect, but our focus is on victory; our goal is to get another good result," said Marcelinho through his press office.
After facing Iguaçu, coach Paulo Chupeta's team faces Minas Tênis on February 8th.
THE DAY
Flamengo: Gifts for the beloved son
Joel, a dad, gives Íbson advice to try to improve the supporter's performance.
Janir Junior
Rio - Defined as a father figure by the red-and-black squad, Joel Santana has been giving special affection to one of his 'sons.' Yesterday, as he did during the week, the coach spoke privately with Íbson. The player's subpar performances were at issue, as Joel criticized him after his debut and, in a self-critical performance against Cardoso Moreira, admitted that he hadn't performed as well as last year, when he was considered one of the Gávea team's standouts.
Joel pointed out one of the problems Íbson has been facing. "He understood what I meant when I said he'd never misplaced so many passes as he did on his debut. But we're having games where the midfield gets very congested. For a creative player, the level of difficulty increases," analyzed the coach, who continues to rely on the player.
"I know Íbson's technical quality and character. He's a great player and will improve." Íbson acknowledged that he still needs to perform well: "I struggled in these two games, but I know I can do better."
For tomorrow's game against Duque de Caxias, at 18:10 PM, at Maracanã, Joel announced that he will maintain the team, with Jônatas and Marcinho. Despite being cleared, Diego Tardelli will only make his debut for Rubro-Negro on the 2nd, against América. The coach once again urged the team to pay attention. "There can't be a lack of interest. The players have to prove that we have a competitive team," he said.
For Joel, the match against Duque de Caxias will be the toughest yet. The coach noted that the veteran Viola deserves special attention. "He's an experienced player, a world champion. We have to be very careful, because he's the kind of guy who puts the ball in," Joel stated.
In the stands, the fans are heating up their rivalry with Vasco and, during the last game, released a song to taunt the Animal: "Edmundo is a fool, he came back to Vasco to obey grandpa Romário."
Joel warns: Viola is the guy who "let it in"
Rio - Flamengo coach Joel Santana said this Friday that the team needs to be careful and attentive with veteran Viola in this Sunday's match against Duque de Caxias, in the third round of the Campeonato Carioca.
"He's a box player, a finisher, someone who puts the ball in the net. We can't forget that he's a world champion," said the coach, who previously worked with the striker at Vasco.
Viola, 39, scored a goal in his debut against Fluminense and said he'll celebrate with a Carnival-inspired choreography if he scores against Flamengo at Maracanã. "Carnival is here, and I'm definitely preparing a celebration."
For Joel Santana, Viola is a dangerous player, even at the end of his career. "Football isn't about age, it's about health. Those who know, remember. There are 42-year-olds who are in shape. There are 18-year-olds who are full of termites," he joked.
SPORTS GAZETTE
Tardelli ruled out of upcoming games\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Signed to reinforce Flamengo this season, striker Diego Tardelli will have to wait a little longer to step onto the field for the red-and-black team. This Friday, fitness coach Ronaldo Torres confirmed that the player will need to improve his physical condition before being named in the squad by coach Joel Santana. Therefore, Tardelli has already been ruled out of Flamengo's next two matches in the Campeonato Carioca, against Duque de Caxias (Sunday) and Macaé (30th). His debut could take place on Carnival Saturday, against América-RJ.
"Diego Tardelli reported to Flamengo with an ankle injury and didn't train, just receiving treatment. We did a physical evaluation yesterday (Thursday), and he's not fit to play ninety minutes, or maybe even forty-five minutes. He needs to do a preseason, with all the exercises the other players did. I'll hand him over to Joel next Thursday," Ronaldo said in an interview with Rádio Brasil.
While Tardelli will have to wait to be included in Joel Santana's squad, defender Rodrigo was able to debut against Cardoso Moreira last Thursday, coming on as a second-half substitute. However, Ronaldo Torres noted that the defender hasn't yet reached his ideal physical condition. "Rodrigo arrived at Flamengo in poor condition, with a body fat percentage of 18%. But his dedication was immense, and today he's at 13%, when the ideal is normally 12%.
Ronaldo Torres's praise is for midfielder Kléberson, who has been with Flamengo since the second half of 2007 but will only be able to debut next month, as he is still serving a FIFA suspension for a dispute with his former club, Besiktas, in Turkey. "I've never seen anyone with Kléberson's dedication. He arrived last year and trained with the other players. No one becomes a world champion by accident. He's ready to play, he's eager, and he'll certainly be a huge help to Flamengo," Ronaldo predicted.
While Ronaldo Torres worries about his fitness, coach Joel Santana is trying to get his team ready for Flamengo's upcoming matches in the Carioca Championship. The coach said he was pleased with the team's performance in the 4-1 rout of Cardoso Moreira, but criticized his team's lack of focus on the opponent's goal. "With all due respect to Cardoso Moreira, we can't concede a goal when we're winning 2-0 and with an extra player on the field. Especially in the situation that occurred. From a free kick or a set piece, fine, but not like that," Joel stated.
On Sunday, Flamengo will be seeking its third victory in the Campeonato Carioca. The team will face Duque de Caxias at 18:10 PM (Brasília time) at the Maracanã stadium. This Saturday morning, Joel will lead the only pre-match ball practice. The coach is expected to remain unchanged from the team that started the last game.
Off the field, Flamengo's board denied that goalkeeper Bruno is being negotiated with Milan, as was speculated in recent days at Gávea. The player was reportedly in the Italian club's plans to replace Dida, starting mid-year. However, last Thursday, Bruno was registered by Flamengo and made his debut in the Campeonato Carioca against Cardoso Moreira.
PELENET
Tardelli will only be able to debut for Fla in the fifth round of the State Championship
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo received the documentation regarding the transfer of Diego Tardelli from São Paulo on Thursday. However, contrary to initial predictions, the striker will not make his debut in Sunday's match against Duque de Caxias at 18:10 pm (Brasília time) at Maracanã Stadium, in the third round of Group A of the Guanabara Cup, the first round of the State Championship.
Diego Tardelli is still not physically fit to play his first match for Flamengo.
Still not at optimal condition, Tardelli was ruled out by the club's fitness coach, Ronaldo Torres, who set a new deadline for the forward to return to action: Thursday. This means he will only be available to coach Joel Santana for the match against América on February 2nd.
"He arrived in less than ideal condition, as he only trained for one week at São Paulo and still had an ankle problem. Until now, we've focused more on the muscles. Right now, he's not in a position to play ninety, or even forty-five minutes of the game," Ronaldo said in an interview with Rádio Brasil.
"He needs to do a preseason. Not a long one, but he has to do all the physical work the other players did. Otherwise, he could have problems in the future. Starting today (Friday), Diego will begin that work. As part of my plan, I'll hand him over to Joel next Thursday," he added.
Ronaldo also highlighted the physical evolution of other athletes recently signed by Rubro-Negro: defender Rodrigo, midfielder Jônatas and midfielder Marcinho, the latter two starting in the 4-1 rout over Cardoso Moreira, this Thursday, at Maracanã.
"Rodrigo arrived here in a very bad state, with eighteen percent body fat and now he's at thirteen. Close to the ideal I consider, which is eleven. Marcinho and Jônatas surprised me in yesterday's game (Thursday). I didn't expect them to perform so well," said the coach.
Flamengo will not have Kléberson in this Sunday's match
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo decided not to take any chances. Therefore, Kléberson will miss Sunday's match against Duque de Caxias at 18:10 PM (Brasília time) at Maracanã Stadium, in the third round of Group A of the Guanabara Cup, the first round of the State Championship.
ANOTHER REINFORCEMENT OUT
Flamengo received the documentation regarding the transfer of Diego Tardelli from São Paulo on Thursday. However, contrary to initial predictions, the striker will not make his debut in Sunday's match against Duque de Caxias at 18:10 pm (Brasília time) at Maracanã Stadium, in the third round of Group A of the Guanabara Cup, the first round of the State Championship.
Kléberson's situation is quite simple. Suspended by FIFA after breaking his contract with Besikitas of Turkey, the midfielder was supposed to be available starting January 26th. However, the club's legal department has not received any official document from the CBF.
In fact, Brazilian football's governing body only gave a verbal "okay." Flamengo's directors, therefore, decided it best to leave the player out of this match.
Therefore, the tendency is that coach Joel Santana will only count on Kléberson for the duel next Wednesday, January 30, against Macaé, at 19:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã.
Kléberson arrived at Flamengo in September of last year, during the Brazilian Championship. The midfielder, despite a significant period away from the field, boasts some of the best physical conditioning in the group.
"Kléberson trains like no one else and is very eager to play. He is an excellent professional. Otherwise, he would never be a world champion athlete with the Brazilian National Team (2002)," praised the red-and-black physical trainer Ronaldo Torres.
Flamengo tries to convert Gavilán's sentence into social services
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Still under a 120-day suspension imposed by the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD), Paraguayan midfielder Gavilán is unable to debut for Flamengo. Therefore, this Friday, the day the player completes his 98th day of suspension, Flamengo's legal vice president, Michel Assef Filho, filed a request to convert his sentence to social services.
According to a note published on the STJD website, the request will be forwarded to the president of the Court, Rubens Approbato Machado, who may or may not accept it.
"I claimed in the request that the player intends to become a Flamengo idol and that the style of play in the south, where he played, is different from the style in Rio. The marking there is tougher and here at Flamengo, he will play in a more gentle way," said Michel Asseff Filho, in an interview with the website Justicadesportiva.com.br.
Gavilán, who was charged under Article 253 (assault) of the Brazilian Code of Sports Justice (CBJD), was punished while still at Grêmio after punching Palmeiras midfielder Valdívia in the back during a match played on October 6, 2007, at Palestra Itália, valid for the 30th round of the Brazilian Championship. On that occasion, the green and whites ended up winning 2-0.
While the Paraguayan was still under contract with Grêmio, the Tricolor's lawyers filed a request for a stay of execution, but were defeated by 4 votes to 2.
Joel warns Flamengo team about the dangers of Viola
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
At 39, Viola is still capable of keeping many an experienced coach awake at night. After scoring a beautiful goal in Duque de Caxias' 3-2 loss to Fluminense on Wednesday, the striker left seasoned Joel Santana with a "flea in his ear." Cautious, the coach warned everyone at Flamengo. And to do so, he used his typical "footballer" style.
Rubro-Negro faces the team from Baixada on Sunday, at 18:10 pm (Brasília time), in the third round of Group A of the Guanabara Cup, the first round of the State Championship.
"He's a great finisher, world champion (1994) and he doesn't pay enough attention. Age in football means nothing, there are 42-year-old players who look healthy and there are 18-year-olds who are all hollow, full of termites," he highlighted.
The veteran goalscorer is one of the attractions of the State Championship, alongside no less expressive names such as Edmundo and Romário, both at Vasco, and Válber, at América.
GLOBOESPORTE
Jade Barbosa may leave Flamengo
Gymnast, who lives off financial assistance at the Rio de Janeiro club, has an offer from Pinheiros-SP
GLOBOESPORTE.COM
Jade Barbosa is without sponsorship
Gymnast Jade Barbosa, one of the biggest medal hopes at the Beijing Olympics, may leave Flamengo for Pinheiros, São Paulo, where she has an offer to sign a contract, something she never received. The best Brazilian athlete in 2007 is without sponsorship and currently lives solely on a stipend from the red-and-black club, reports the "Panorama Esportivo" column in the newspaper "O Globo."
Jade's father, César Barbosa, presented a proposal to Flamengo this Friday. If an agreement isn't reached, the red-and-black club will lose its jewel.
Fla seeks 'fat' against Caxias
Rubro-Negro is looking for a third consecutive victory, already aiming for its debut in the Copa Libertadores.
Joel Santana will try to increase the team's 'fat' this Sunday
The opening game is over, and so is the second. And Flamengo remains unscathed in the Campeonato Carioca. With a 100% record and leading Group A, the team faces Duque de Caxias this Sunday at 18:10 p.m. at Maracanã Stadium. GLOBOESPORTE.COM is covering the match in real time, and the Premiere channel will broadcast the match live throughout Rio de Janeiro.
A positive start was in the coaching staff's plans. After all, the goal is to reach the final round of the Guanabara Cup, against Fluminense, with qualification to the semifinals guaranteed. And gaining some extra cash in the form of a victory is essential at this point.
"Joel talked to us about it, but we have to win one game at a time. There's no point in thinking about the future without winning this Sunday's game," says left-back Juan.
Duque de Caxias debuted by crushing América. In the following round, they took a 2-0 lead against Fluminense, but allowed a comeback. After defeating Boavista and Cardoso Moreira without much difficulty, the expectation is for a tougher match.
- Based on what they did in the first rounds, I think they will be our toughest opponent so far - says midfielder Ibson.
Viola is the highlight of the Caxias team
The number 7, by the way, didn't have good performances at the beginning of this Carioca. But he spoke with coach Joel Santana and received encouragement. On the other hand, striker Souza started the year averaging a goal per game. But since not everything is perfect, he also received two yellow cards.
Unable to count on Kléberson, who is still serving a suspension, Gavilán, Diego Tardelli and Renato Augusto, coach Joel will maintain the team from the previous round, with Jônatas and Marcinho in midfield.
In fourth place in Group A with three points, Duque de Caxias' main star is four-time champion Viola. However, the team's top scorer is Edivaldo, with three goals. The Baixada Fluminense team, which had never played at Maracanã before, finds itself in an unusual situation, playing at the stadium for the second time in less than four days.
Service:
Tickets: Green/Yellow Grandstand: R$ 30; White Grandstand: R$ 40; Special Seat: R$ 120; Regular Seat: R$ 20\ Where to buy: Flamengo headquarters, in Gávea; Botafogo headquarters, in General Severiano; Fluminense headquarters, in Laranjeiras; Caio Martins ticket office, in Niterói; Maracanã ticket office 8; Engenhão North ticket office\
Kléberson will not play this Sunday
Flamengo receives verbal authorization from the CBF, but does not consider it sufficient and vetoes the player.
Eduardo Peixoto
Kléberson only debuts in the fourth round
Kléberson even gave an interview about the possibility of debuting on Sunday against Duque de Caxias. But on the way home, the Flamengo player learned he would be out of the third-round match of the Taça Guanabara, the first round of the Campeonato Carioca.
Flamengo's lawyer, Michel Assef Filho, received the "go-ahead" from the CBF regarding the end of the player's 120-day suspension. However, he didn't think it was enough.
"I wanted something in writing, but they can't do that until Monday. Even though they gave Kléberson verbal clearance, I thought it best to leave him out of the game," Assef Filho explains over the phone.
Kléberson was suspended for unilaterally breaching his contract with Besiktas in 2007. He has been at Gávea since October of last year, but has not yet been fit to play. He is expected to play on Wednesday against Macaé.
Tardelli's debut brake preparer
Player will only be released to Joel Santana in the game against América, on the 2nd
Diego Tardelli will only be able to wear the red and black shirt at Carnival
Diego Tardelli's Flamengo debut will be amidst confetti and streamers. But the party won't necessarily be for the striker. According to the club's fitness coach, Ronaldo Torres, the player will only be cleared to play in the match against América, scheduled for Carnival Saturday—February 2nd—at Engenhão.
Having spent eight days in Gávea, Tardelli planned to play his first match this Sunday against Duque de Caxias. However, he has just recovered from a right ankle injury and is far from his best.
"Right now, he's not fit enough to play ninety, or even forty-five minutes of the game. I'm going to start a kind of preseason with Diego, and next Thursday I'll hand him over to Joel. This is necessary because otherwise, he could have problems down the road," says Flamengo's fitness coach in an interview with "Rádio Brasil."
Without Tardelli, coach Joel Santana is expected to keep Souza as Flamengo's only striker in Sunday's game.
Joel approves of Jônatas and Marcinho
Flamengo's commander highlights the fighting spirit demonstrated by the midfielder in Thursday's match
Fred Huber
Flamengo's two new additions from the opening match, Jônatas and Marcinho, were praised by coach Joel Santana in Thursday's 4-1 victory over Cardoso Moreira (watch the highlights below) at Maracanã. Regarding the midfielder, the coach praised the player's team spirit in assisting in the marking; regarding the defensive midfielder, Joel considered him to have performed well despite his time inactive.
"Marcinho did very well, both in attack and in helping out in the scoring. He already understands what I want and has adapted to the team. Jônatas did well too, but he was out for a long time. He's a tough player with good ball skills, but he still has a ways to go before he reaches the level we're used to," he analyzes.
Joel still has a few players to test on the team. Defender Rodrigo, for example, already came on during Thursday's match. Kléberson, Gavilán, and Diego Tardelli are other options for the club's manager to consider. Tardelli, for example, has been regularized and, depending on fitness coach Ronaldo Torres' assessment, has a chance of being included in Sunday's match against Duque de Caxias. Joel, however, makes it clear that if the new signings don't perform, he will revert to the winning 2007 system.
- We'll put the pieces together little by little, and if it doesn't work out, we'll go back to how it was before - he says.
THROW
Gavilán and Kleberson will not play this Sunday
Fla will still be unable to count on reinforcements. Answers about both players' situations will only be available on Monday.
Fred Gomes RIO
Flamengo's legal director, Michel Asseff Filho, explained Kleberson's case, adding that the midfielder will not play against Duque de Caxias, this Sunday, at Maracanã:
"Yesterday (Thursday), I sent a letter to the CBF, asking about compliance with Kleberson's suspension, imposed by FIFA. I waited for a response today (Friday), but they won't be able to provide it in writing until Monday. Therefore, I recommended that he not be included in the squad."
Also out of the match is Paraguayan Gavilán, who was suspended for 120 days by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) in 2007 while playing for Grêmio, following an assault on Valdívia. The midfielder has already served 98 days, and Grêmio is trying to reduce the remainder of his sentence. However, Asseff says this reduction cannot be made before the match against the team from Baixada Fluminense.
"Since it was only registered yesterday (Thursday) at Flamengo, I was only able to make the request today—for a sentence reduction—and it should be reaching the president of the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) today, or by Monday at the latest. Today (Friday), he is serving his 98th day of suspension. I'm asking that these remaining 22 days be converted into payment of basic food baskets. Despite everything, he's also not playing," he concluded.
Juan sees the current Fla team as stronger than the 2007 one
Left-back says Rubro-Negro had a great performance against Cardoso
LANCEPRESS!
Flamengo's two victories in the State Championship, over Boavista and Cardoso Moreira, excited left-back Juan, who believes that the team assembled for the 2008 season is better than last year's.
"Theoretically, the 2008 team is better than last year's, but only the results will prove that. A lot of quality players have arrived, like Kleberson, Rodrigo, and Jônatas," celebrates the Gávea number 6.
Regarding the 4-1 win over Cardoso Moreira, Juan, who scored one of the goals, considered the red-black team's performance to be excellent:
- We didn't lack anything, it was an excellent performance, not only mine but the team's as well. I hope we can keep this up from now on.
Ibson sees a dangerous Duke of Caxias
Steering wheel highlighted the performance of the Caxienses against Fluminense
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The tough game played by Duque de Caxias against Fluminense—the Tricolor came from behind to win 3-2—is a concern for Flamengo midfielder Ibson. He also added the lack of team chemistry to potential problems the Rubro-Negro could face next Sunday, when they face the team from Baixada Fluminense.
"We need to be careful, because they (Duque de Caxias) did well against Fluminense. The game is tough, reinforcements are coming in, and the team's chemistry will come gradually. The tendency is for things to improve as the games continue," he explained.
The caution advocated by Ibson, however, does not prevent the player from praising the team's victories against Boavista (2-0) and Cardoso Moreira (4-1).
"They were good wins, but we're still trying to find our best form. We improved in the second game, but something's still missing," he concluded.
Joel should count on Tardelli in the fifth round
The striker should be in shape for the match against América, at Engenhão
Tardelli is only expected to make his Flamengo debut in the fifth round against América-RJ (Credit: Paulo Sergio Guimarães)
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Striker Diego Tardelli completed just one week of preseason training with São Paulo before being signed by Flamengo. To ensure the player's fitness, the club's fitness coach, Ronaldo Torres, will begin his physical training program this Friday.
"He may not be able to play even 45 minutes of a game yet. He needs to do a preseason and do all the work the other players have already done," he told Rádio Brasil.
Ronaldo also said that from next Thursday, Tardelli will be available to coach Joel Santana and that he does not intend to rush things.
- We have a game on Wednesday, but I would have to exclude several stages of physical training if he played, and that would harm the athlete, who needs to carry out the work that the group has already done - he concluded.