The Globe
Fla x Botafogo, a classic on the couch
For Ney, the game isn't a tiebreaker. Cuca believes the black and white team will overcome the elimination.
Photo caption: RENATO is one of Flamengo's main weapons in tonight's classic
Photo caption: The SKILLED DODÔ concentrates Botafogo's hopes of overcoming
After three draws in state championship matches, Flamengo and Botafogo face each other again this year, this time in the Brazilian Championship. Short-staffed and shaken by their elimination in the Copa do Brasil, the black-and-white team, in a mood for revenge, will attempt to break a streak dating back to 18 at 10:2004 p.m. tonight at the Maracanã. The team currently managed by Cuca has not beaten the red-and-black team in 11 matches, but in the last meeting, after a 2-2 draw in regulation time, they won the state title with a 4-2 victory on penalties.
At Gávea, coach Ney Franco's biggest concern isn't self-affirmation. According to him, the time is right to focus on the challenging Brazilian Championship.
"This isn't a tiebreaker. A win or a loss won't determine who's better. Our goal in the Brazilian Championship is to score points."
Flamengo now has two issues for today. Defender Irineu is experiencing pain from a knock to his left thigh, but he should play. Souza, meanwhile, has muscle pain in his left thigh and could be replaced by Paulo Sérgio or Leonardo.
Cuca says Botafogo hasn't chickened out and is betting on the future
At General Severiano, the team is careful not to dwell on the loss of the state title and elimination in the Copa do Brasil semifinals, calling into question the quality of their work thus far. The group's awareness-raising process began in the Maracanã locker room, following Wednesday's elimination to Figueirense.
The coaching staff and motivator Evandro Mota, who has been with the club since the beginning of the season, tried to convey to the players the idea that if they didn't achieve the goals they set for themselves, it was because they weren't ready. Instead of lamenting what happened, the important thing is for everyone to believe in what's being accomplished.
"Despite the blows we've taken, we're standing tall. That's Botafogo's secret," explains Evandro Mota. "If we keep complaining about the past, we won't get anywhere. If everyone realizes we're not ready yet, then we'll achieve our goals."
After reviewing the facts, coach Cuca noted that the team's return has been highly positive. With only three losses in 28 games this season, and having entered the field in a decisive mood for 14 matches, he believes the response in the Brazilian Championship will be positive, as already demonstrated in the victories over Inter and Atlético-MG. This, incidentally, should be the topic of the team's pre-match talk for the derby against Flamengo later today.
"We have to work hard to avoid letting our elimination from the Copa do Brasil be traumatic. But everyone is ready to continue. The team didn't back down; we certainly would have progressed if we hadn't made a few mistakes," said Cuca, referring to the defeat in Florianópolis, in the first game against Figueirense.
Referee: Heber Roberto Lopes (PR).
BROADCAST: Premiere and Rádios Globo and CBN
Fernando Calazans
Fire in the rivalry
By a pleasant coincidence, the big derby couldn't have come at a better time: Flamengo and Botafogo, with their long and traditional rivalry renewed, face each other today, at the very beginning of the Brazilian Championship. In fact, it could have been better: the only thing better than that would have been if they played in the final rounds, competing for the title. But that would be too good a dream. Let's settle for the recent breath of fresh air in the rivalry.
It was the breath of fresh air from the Rio Championship final, which gave rise to much debate. The debate over refereeing, sometimes harming one team, sometimes the other, has no end in sight. And imagine if something strange—strange and, nowadays, paradoxically common—happens soon. Let's hope not. Let's hope we have a game, just one game, without a gross refereeing error, if that's even possible—and, of course, if it's not asking too much of the Brazilian refereeing team. If the referees find the request impertinent, please ignore it. Referees can officiate however they wish.
The other day, I was shocked by the behavior of a Federal District judge named Sérgio da Silva Carvalho, who gave a very fair yellow card to the hot-tempered Flamengo defender Thiago in a match against Goiás. Thiago charged at him, stared him down, yelled in his face, and gave him a terrible dressing-down—and the referee just sat there, quietly, withered, and didn't even give him the obligatory red card.
It's for these and other reasons, Mr. Édson Rezende, that referees lack the moral authority or authority to impose themselves on crucial plays. The linesman has already been suspended for technical errors. And what about referee Sávio Spínola, who let the bar run wild during the same match? Will he win a medal?
Does the CBF's director of referees think, like coach Leão and director Carlos Augusto Montenegro, that only women cannot referee football?
Is Sérgio da Silva Carvalho, from the Federal District, being scolded by a player in the open field, allowed?
And Sávio Spínola, from São Paulo, letting his dick eat as he pleases, can he?
Oh well...
Oh, well, what about today's game? It seems—it really seems!—that Ney Franco will stick with the lineup from the last game, which is rare for Flamengo. I can only imagine how pleased the coach must have been with Flamengo's performance in the win over Goiás, to keep the lineup.
They say and write that the formation is a 3-5-2, but it's not. It's a 3-6-1, because if there's one thing Renato Augusto isn't, it's a striker. He's playing well, he scored a couple of nice goals, but he's not a striker. Whether the formation is working is another story. But for me, it's a 3-6-1.
This time, Cuca will be the one to change the lineup, but he'll only do so because of so many absences (an entire defense) that will lead to a shattered Botafogo team. Which is a shame, in such an attractive game. But at least Dodô and Lúcio Flávio are already guaranteed, which is (almost) a consolation.
Sports Journal
Souza may miss today's classic at Maraca
Renatto Thiele/JS\ \ \ \ Souza is doubtful for the derby against Botafogo. He's not a unanimous choice at Gávea, but he's been making a difference in the opponents' box.\ \ \ Yesterday morning's recreational training session at Gávea was peaceful and relaxed. But by the end of the session, the lighthearted atmosphere had faded, and the smiles were replaced by apprehension. Flamengo is expected to face a last-minute injury ahead of the derby against Botafogo today at Maracanã, in the third round of the Brazilian Championship. Souza, one of the red-and-black team's key attacking players, felt a twinge in the adductor muscle of his left thigh during a recreational training session yesterday and is now doubtful for the match against Botafogo.\
Deeply upset about the injury, the Rubro-Negro's number 9 left Gávea without speaking to the press. Team doctor Wálter Martins declined to reveal the diagnosis before further evaluation. However, the striker's chances of playing today are slim. He will remain with the group for training, will remain in intensive care, and will be reevaluated today. "We still have the evening, and we'll see if he recovers. The most important thing is his desire to play," commented Wálter, leaving the mystery hanging in the air.
If Souza's veto is confirmed, Neymar will have to rack his brains to decide on the striker pairing. Flamengo is currently experiencing a shortage at the position. Roni and Bruno Mezenga were traded to Cruzeiro and Fortaleza, respectively, and the favorite Obina, along with Leonardo, are in the medical department. This means Paulo Sérgio could earn a starting spot, and Renato Augusto is expected to once again be used as a second striker.
Renato Augusto is improvised again in the attack
Nina Lima/JS\ \ \ \ Renato Augusto plays improvised in the attacking sector. He scored a goal in the last game against Botafogo\ \ \
If Flamengo failed to win the Copa Libertadores da América, it's time to turn the page, and now the Gávea team is fully focused on the Brazilian Championship. Ney Franco's team will face its third opponent in the Brazilian Championship today, and its first Rio derby in the championship. Flamengo, coming off a 3-1 victory over Goiás at Serra Dourada, hopes to earn three more points against Botafogo, which is hurting after losing the Campeonato Carioca title to Flamengo and its recent elimination from the Copa do Brasil. Renato Augusto, who is expected to be deployed again in the attack, knows the opponent will be stung by recent negative results.
"They're going to take the field looking for a winning streak. We need to be prepared, because they'll come at us with everything," analyzed the number 10.
The Rubro-Negro homegrown player has never lost to Botafogo since his professional debut. But the fan doesn't pay much attention to that statistic, because football is won on the field. "It's always good to remember that it's a taboo. This is my third year as a professional, and I haven't lost to Botafogo yet, and I hope to be as lucky tomorrow (today). But the most important thing is that we're having a good time," he said.
Renato Augusto also took the opportunity to dispel any speculation about a possible transfer abroad. He stated that he is very happy at Flamengo and has no plans to leave at the moment. "I have no reason to leave. I'm happy with the good times I'm having at Flamengo," he stated.
Renato wants to keep the taboo about Botafogo
Flamengo hasn't lost to Botafogo since 2004. They've played 11 matches, the last three of which, in the Campeonato Carioca, ended in draws. This Sunday, the two teams will take the field again, and midfielder Renato hopes the streak continues.
"We don't have to prove anything to them; we've proven that we're a great team, very well put together by Ney. It's always good to remember that the team is doing well at the moment, and this is my third time here, and I haven't lost to Botafogo. I hope to have the same luck tomorrow; we have to work where we feel comfortable," said the player.
Regarding rumors of a possible transfer, Renato made it clear that his focus is on Flamengo.
"I have no reason to leave; my mind is on Flamengo. Sometimes a European club doesn't weigh as much. Since I arrived, I've been having a good time with the club. I continue to do well and identify with it more and more," said the number 11.
Ney Franco bets that Fla will increase production
Coach Ney Franco is confident for this Sunday's derby against Botafogo and hopes his team will perform even better than they did against Goiás in the last round of the Brazilian Championship, when they won 3-1. This optimism is due to the fact that, according to the coach, Flamengo had a great performance in training this week and, therefore, should increase their performance even further.
"It was a really good week. I think our team will come in stronger than in the last game. We've had a good run tactically and we hope to put in an excellent performance," said the coach.
Fla faces Paulistano in the last qualifying round of the National Basketball Championship
Wallace Teixeira/JS\ \ \ \ Forward Olivinha is Flamengo's biggest weapon as they look to win today and reach the playoffs with high morale\ \ \ Flamengo faces Paulistano today in the final round of the qualifying phase of the National Men's Basketball Championship. Regardless of the result of this match, the Rubro-Negro has already qualified for the competition's playoffs. The game takes place today at 11 a.m. in Gávea.\
For winger Olivinha, one of the team's standout performers in the competition, this match will be crucial for Flamengo's preparation for the knockout stage. "This game will be crucial for us to determine our playoff ambitions," said the player, who was present for the first-round match against Paulistano, when Flamengo lost 87-76.
Olivinha also believes that with the team's progress in training and matches, it will be very difficult for any opponent to beat them from the quarterfinals onward. "Our team has great potential and can compete with anyone in the playoffs," he said, confident about the upcoming matches, which should always be seen as decisive.
And it seems that confidence has been a key factor for coach Paulo Chupeta's team. "The mood is very excited for this final game on the road to the playoffs. Training is going strong, and we're already seeing improvements in our defense. We still have room to improve, and the match against Paulistano can help us with that. We have to defend the São Paulo team very well to attack with more confidence," said point guard Fred.
The last game of this classification phase will take place next Wednesday, between Paulistano x Franca, when the table will be fully defined for the playoffs.
O Dia
Flamengo vs Botafogo: a classic to settle the dispute
After three draws this year, Flamengo and Botafogo face each other again at Maracanã
Rio - Flamengo hasn't won a single derby this year. Botafogo is one of the leaders of the Brazilian Championship, with two wins, and has been considered by many to be one of the best in Brazil, despite recently suffering from the trauma of being eliminated from the Copa do Brasil. Coach Ney Franco agrees, and therefore, he's a clear favorite in this Sunday's derby at 18:10 PM at the Maracanã.
The two teams have faced each other three times this year, and neither team has emerged victorious. "Botafogo is truly one of the best in the country, with six points in the competition and entering the match as favorites. We'll have to play hard to win and climb the table," believes Ney Franco.
But the drama the black and whites endured after being eliminated from the Copa do Brasil by Figueirense may not be over yet. "I know the group there, and of course they must be sad, especially after an elimination like this. The emotional side always weighs heavily on an important game like this," says midfielder Claiton, who was on the other side.
But it was in Gávea that Claiton felt the same disappointment experienced by his black and white friends, when Flamengo won, but did not take the spot against Defensor, in the Copa Libertadores.
Flamengo's top scorer Souza felt a twinge in the adductor muscle of his left thigh during a morning training session and is now a doubt. If he's ruled out, Leonardo, who has recovered from an ankle sprain, will take his place.
At Botafogo, the order of the day is to forget the past and look forward. There's no room or time for regret, or we risk letting the Brazilian Championship's momentum slip. "Those who haven't overcome the trauma had better get over it soon. We have a derby coming up, and we need to get back on track in the Brazilian Championship. A victory will restore our confidence," said supporter Lúcio Flávio.
Against Alvinegro, in addition to an 11-game winless streak, four players will be missing: defenders Vágner and Juninho, full-back Luciano Almeida, and defensive midfielder Túlio. Defenders Alex and Zé Roberto will be re-evaluated today by doctors to determine their fitness to play.
Paulinho: Supervised freedom
The defensive midfielder denies that his drop in performance on the field is caused by excesses at night, but admits that he is not going through a good moment and promises to make an effort to turn things around.
Rio - Through his grit and fierce running, Paulinho won the hearts of all Flamengo fans. Without committing fouls, the defensive midfielder stole the ball from opponents, protecting Flamengo's always fragile defense like a true warrior. But his energetic style of play seems to have lost steam, and against Goiás, Paulinho narrowly avoided being benched for the first time since joining the club last year.
In Gávea, there's concern about the player's decline in performance, especially after rumors that his poor performance against Botafogo in the State Championship finals was linked to his life off the field.
Paulinho, from Minas Gerais, is apparently overdoing it when he's out partying. "It's all lies. I heard about these rumors, yes, and I even stopped leaving the house because of them. It's not the first time these things have happened to me. In Ipatinga, I was also a victim of this kind of gossip," he says.
Coach Ney Franco heard the same story and called Paulinho in for a private conversation. He was determined to keep him out of the Goiás squad, but decided to give the midfielder another chance as a vote of confidence.
"I can't police the player's life or chase him down the street. I prefer to trust people. He assured me he wasn't overreacting outside the club and was selected. But he would be barred due to his recent performances against Botafogo, which were below par," explains the coach.
Paulinho believes his drop in performance is directly linked to fatigue, having played 43 games this season. At 31, the defensive midfielder, whose contract with the club runs until 2009, would understand being left out: "But I would be upset, yes, because of everything I've shown on the field."
He confirms that he was very upset by the insinuations that he was having fun in Rio's nightlife and saddened by some of the jokes made by his Flamengo teammates.
"Some annoying jokes started. I was sad and shocked to learn that they were saying my performance had suffered because of this lie. When you play for a big club, you're very exposed to this kind of gossip," complains the player.
At home, Paulinho talked to his wife, Ana Paula, about the recent events and decided to stay away from certain public places for a while. "I don't even go to the mall with my family anymore. I've lost some of my freedom. I'm even afraid to have a soda on the street. I'll show with football and dedication that it was all just a misguided story," Paulinho promised.
Sports Gazette
Flamengo and Botafogo meet again at Maracanã\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Three weeks after deciding the Campeonato Carioca, when the red-and-blacks prevailed on penalty kicks, Flamengo and Botafogo meet again, this time in the third round of the Campeonato Brasileiro, this Sunday at 18:10 pm (Brasília time) at the Maracanã. Flamengo is trying to overcome the trauma of their elimination in the Copa do Brasil semifinals and is seeking their third consecutive victory in the competition. Meanwhile, the team from Gávea, who defeated Goiás last weekend away from home, is looking for their second consecutive victory. Despite winning the State Championship, Flamengo comes into this Sunday's match looking to end their drought in the derbies this year, having yet to beat any of their three main rivals (Botafogo, Fluminense, and Vasco). "We haven't really won any, but we've also lost a few. The most important thing is that the team plays well and gets three more points in the Brasileiro. We don't care about that drought," commented midfielder Renato Augusto. \
Flamengo drew every time they faced Botafogo in the Campeonato Carioca. Therefore, coach Ney Franco preaches respect for their opponents and urges his players to excel. "I hope Flamengo can repeat the performance they had against Goiás, when every player gave their all on the field. It will be a very close game, with no favorites in my opinion, and we have to play intelligently to get the win," the coach advised.
To secure the victory, Ney Franco decided to repeat the formation he used in the match against Goiás. "This is a game I absolutely don't want to lose. It's always great to be able to play in big derbies, and I hope to help Flamengo secure another victory in the Brasileirão," explained Claiton, who is returning after recovering from injury.
However, on Saturday, the coach faced an unexpected headache. Striker Souza left the final training session complaining of muscle pain in his left thigh, and his participation in the derby is doubtful. If he is ruled out, Paulo Sérgio and Leonardo could be his replacements.
Botafogo's focus for this Sunday's game is to overcome the disappointment of losing their place in the Copa do Brasil final, which came in a very traumatic way in the duel with Figueirense, where Alvinegro had two controversial goals disallowed and was left without qualification, despite winning 3-1. Coach Cuca, however, guaranteed that the squad is already focused on the Brasileirão.
"The Copa do Brasil is already a thing of the past for us. We were fortunate not to have neglected the Brasileirão and secured two wins in our first two matches. We're on a roll in this competition and have ambitious plans for the Brasileirão. Our group is aware of how far we can go, and that's what motivates us to beat Flamengo," said Cuca.
For right-back Joílson, Flamengo is the ideal opponent for Botafogo to face after a situation like the one against Figueirense. "It would be natural for the group to be down because of the way the elimination against Figueirense unfolded. But especially since Flamengo is our next opponent, we'll go in determined to win. We've played them three times this year and have drawn every match, even though we were superior in those matches. We lost the State Championship on penalties and want to win on Sunday no matter what," Joílson recalled.
Cuca's problems abound in the match against Flamengo. Defenders Juninho, with a dislocated right shoulder, Alex, with a left knee injury, and Vágner, with a muscle strain, and left-back Luciano Almeida, with a right foot injury, are all sidelined, as is midfielder Túlio, with right groin pain.
This will precipitate the debut of defender Renato Silva, who has been out of action for two months due to a suspension by the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) and was released this week to be available to the coaching staff. He will partner with Asprilla. Ricardinho will play at left back, and Diguinho will replace Túlio.
On the eve of the classic, Flamengo settles part of the arrears
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Nothing like a deep pocket to motivate a team seeking victory. Aware of this, Flamengo's board agreed to a month's salary arrears with the Flamengo squad early Friday night. The news left coach Ney Franco pleased and even more confident of achieving a good result in the derby against Botafogo this Sunday at Maracanã. "This is very good for the weekend game."
With the agreement, the club's management only has a month of pending issues with the squad. However, Ney Franco believes the situation will be resolved quickly.
"Flamengo's economic situation is delicate, and everyone knows it, but the board is striving to honor its commitments and proved it this Friday. This gives us peace of mind to work," he concluded.
PeléNet
'Equals,' Flamengo and Botafogo seek redemption in the Brazilian Championship\ From the Newsroom\ In Rio de Janeiro\ With many things in common, Flamengo and Botafogo face each other this Sunday at 18:10 p.m. at the Maracanã. After drawing all three classics this year, all in the Rio State Championship, the rivals now meet in the Brazilian Championship, a competition in which they are trying to reach the Copa Libertadores after losing their chances of securing an early spot in the continental competition.\
Three days after winning the state title against their rivals, Flamengo was eliminated from the Copa Libertadores in the round of 16 by Defensor-URU. Botafogo, meanwhile, was aiming to reach next year's Copa Libertadores with the Copa do Brasil title, but last Wednesday they were eliminated from the tournament in the semifinals by Figueirense.
Now, the rivals are only thinking about a victory in the classic to enter or at least get closer to the group of the top four in the Brazilian Championship that will guarantee a place in the South American tournament in 2008.
With two wins, Botafogo is one of six teams tied with six points in the table, but, according to tiebreaker criteria, it is in last place in the group of leaders.
"There's no sense of revenge. We drew our three previous matches, losing the last one [Rio State Championship final] on penalties. It's an important game for both teams. The expectation is to play another great match at Maracanã and get a result that keeps us in the lead," commented Botafogo coach Cuca.
Flamengo, in ninth place, with one defeat and one victory, is looking for its second consecutive victory to gain momentum and try to get closer to the group of the top four.
"Our concern isn't to prove that Flamengo has a better team than Botafogo. Now, there are two teams looking to score, and I hope Flamengo gets all three points. This game will help us improve our position in the table," said Flamengo coach Ney Franco.
Rivals with problems on the eve\ Besides their similar pursuit of the same goal, the rivals also have similar doubts regarding their team lineups. In Saturday's recreational training sessions, both faced physical problems with their key players.\
Flamengo striker Souza felt a twinge in the adductor muscle of his left thigh during the traditional pre-match "soccer match." He will be re-evaluated on Sunday morning to determine if he'll be fit to play. If not, Leonardo, who has recovered from an ankle sprain, will likely be the substitute.
In any case, Ney Franco decided to stick with the 3-5-2 formation, which Flamengo performed well with and beat Goiás 3-1 last Sunday in Goiânia. "We've been training with this formation all week. If there are no physical problems, we'll go in with the same lineup. The team performed well against Goiás. In the last game, the team performed well in attack, but without leaving the defense exposed," he stated.
At Botafogo, midfielder Zé Roberto was stepped on his left big toe, a toe he already has a chronic problem with. In severe pain, the player also left the training session and will be re-evaluated on Sunday. If he is unable to play, he will likely be replaced by defensive midfielder Juca.
However, Botafogo already has four confirmed absences: defenders Juninho and Vágner, left-back Luciano Almeida, and midfielder Túlio, all injured. On the other hand, the team will debut defender Renato Silva, who returns to the field after serving a suspension for marijuana use.
Throw
Once again, Flamengo x Botafogo\ Teams duel for the fourth time this year, this time for the Brasileirão\ \ Renato and Dodô: hopes of goals\
LANCEPRESS! \ Flamengo and Botafogo will face each other again this Sunday, at 16 p.m., at the Maracanã. It will be the fourth classic between the teams in the 2007 season. This time, however, the match will be valid for the third round of the Brazilian Championship.\
In the three clashes so far this year, there have been three draws. The first, a 3-3 draw, occurred in the first stage of the Guanabara Cup. The other two, 2-2 draws, occurred in the final of the Campeonato Carioca. Flamengo prevailed on penalties.
Now it's a different competition, with a completely different format. Botafogo is one of the leaders with two wins in two games, but is shaken by its recent elimination from the Copa do Brasil. Flamengo has three points and is coming off a confidence-boosting away win over Goiás.
Rubro-Negro will attempt to repeat the lineup from the last game. This will be the second time this year that Ney Franco will use a 3-5-2 formation, with Renato Augusto up front. However, Souza felt thigh pain in Saturday's training session and is doubtful. If he is unable to play, Ney will field Paulo Sérgio or Leonardo. Midfielder Claiton, who had left thigh pain all week, has recovered and is confirmed.
Despite Botafogo's elimination from the Copa do Brasil, the red-and-black players aren't expecting a weakened opponent, but rather want to use this as an additional weapon for victory. Claiton believes Botafogo could feel the blow of elimination, just as Flamengo did in their opening match against Palmeiras, shortly after leaving the Libertadores for Defensor.
"Against Palmeiras, Flamengo took about 15 minutes to get into the game. We ended up losing, but we recovered against Goiás. Hopefully, Botafogo only recovers in the next game," he joked.
Botafogo, meanwhile, is trying to bounce back after their traumatic elimination to Figueirense last Thursday. Despite performing well this season, the club hasn't won any titles. Coach Cuca is trying to find the strength to boost his players' morale.
"Botafogo has played 14 consecutive decisive matches. They say we're losing steam, but we can't train; it's all about decision-making, concentration, and stress. We have to resign ourselves and work for the match against Flamengo. If we lower our heads too much, we won't be able to get up again. We have an obligation and a need to qualify for the Libertadores through the Brazilian Championship," Cuca demands.
But medical issues could derail Cuca's plans. No fewer than five players are doubtful for the match. The defense is the hardest hit: defenders Alex, with left knee pain, Vágner, with a right thigh strain, and Juninho, with a dislocated right shoulder, are still unsure whether they will play.
The left-back is still recovering from an injury to the sole of his left foot. Midfielder Túlio suffered a strained left thigh and is also a concern. Renato Silva, who served a 60-day suspension for doping and marijuana use, could make his debut in defense.
Another doubt for the match is Zé Roberto. The midfielder was stepped on his left foot and felt a lot of pain. However, doctors believe Zé will be able to play. If that's not possible, Adriano Felício or André Lima could be in the starting lineup.
Souza is doubtful for the classic\ The striker is feeling pain in the muscle of his left thigh\ \ Souza felt a twinge in his left thigh (Credit: Archive)\
Nelson Ayres
Flamengo could be without its main striker for the derby against Botafogo this Sunday, in the third round of the Brasileirão. Striker Souza felt a twinge in the adductor muscle of his left thigh during the players' traditional kick-off match this Saturday at Gávea.
Deeply upset, the player left the club without speaking to the press. Flamengo's doctor, Wálter Martins, will evaluate him but declined to comment on Souza's physical condition.
"There's still the night shift, and we'll see if he recovers. The most important thing is his desire to get back on the field," the doctor emphasized.
Henfil's book brings together humorous strips from Fla\ Cartoonist was the one who made the vulture the official mascot of the red-black team \ LANCEPRESS! \
Cartoonist Henrique de Souza Filho, known as Henfil, a die-hard Flamengo fan who passed away prematurely in 1988, had his comic strips collected in the 144-page book "Urubu," which showcases unforgettable Flamengo moments. In addition to stories, the book, released this month, also features several of the artist's drawings.
The book is divided into three chapters: Vulture, Football, and King Zico. The comic strips are humorous, and Henfil took the opportunity to taunt rival clubs. The artist was even the one who officially made the vulture the club's mascot.
Idol Júnior recommends Cerezo's son to Flamengo's youth team. The star took advantage of his visit to Gávea to praise the youngster. LANCEPRESS! Idol Júnior was in Gávea this Saturday to visit some friends and took the opportunity to chat with soccer manager Isaías Tinoco. The topic was the recommendation of Toninho Cerezo's son to Flamengo's youth team. According to Júnior, the youngster is a skilled left-footer.
Ney Franco wants to keep his record against Botafogo\ Flamengo's coach has never lost to this Sunday's opponent\ LANCEPRESS! \
When the topic of writing involves Flamengo, coach Ney Franco usually avoids the conversation and reminds us that it's just numbers. But this time, his thinking is a little different. The coach knows that one day Flamengo will lose to Botafogo, this Sunday's opponent at Maracanã, and so he urged his players to be careful not to lose this Sunday.
"We have to stay alert in this game. At some point, this streak will break and the taboo will fall," he said.
Ney Franco, who has only faced Botafogo once in the Brasileirão, in a 2-0 victory, knows that the eight-game unbeaten streak is important and therefore does not want to miss the opportunity to increase it.
– It’s a milestone, but we don’t want to lose in this match – he said.
Ney Franco has yet to lose to Botafogo. They've played four matches: in the 2006 Brazilian Championship and three in this year's State Championship, with one win and three draws. They also won the Rio de Janeiro state championship.
NATIONAL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Flamengo hosts Paulistano at Ginásio da Gávea today at 11 a.m. for the final round of the National Men's Basketball Championship qualifying round. The Rio de Janeiro team has already qualified for the second round. Other games today include Bandeirantes/Rio Claro (SP) vs. Universo/BRB (DF) at 18 p.m.; and Unimed/Franca (SP) vs. Unitri/Converse (MG) at the same time.
BRAZILIAN GYMNASTICS
The Brazilian Artistic and Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships conclude today at the Tarumã Gymnasium in Curitiba. On Friday, in the capital of Paraná, Flamengo became the men's Brazilian champion for the second time, and gymnast Diego Hypólito won his third Brazilian floor title. This will be the final championship before the Pan American Games in Rio.