THE GLOBEFla celebrates the results \ Caio Júnior is now rooting against Grêmio, who have a 43% chance of being champion \ With seven games remaining in the Brazilian Championship, although the situation isn't yet final, Grêmio has increased its chances of winning the championship. The final round also favored the Rio de Janeiro team, especially Flamengo, which is celebrating its results. But Grêmio was the big winner. The Rio Grande do Sul team's advantage, according to mathematician Tristão Garcia, is significant: with 59 points, its chances of winning the championship are 43%. \ Cruzeiro, which missed the opportunity to close in on the leader on Saturday, stopped at 55 points and dropped to third place after being defeated by Atlético-PR, which has a 66% chance of relegation. After the 1-0 loss at Arena da Baixada, Cruzeiro's percentage plummeted from 27% to 17%. \ Interestingly, São Paulo, second with 56 points, has a 13% percentage. However, in its last seven matches, it hasn't faced any of the title contenders. \ Caio: 'The round was excellent' \ With Botafogo holding just a 1% chance, Flamengo is the closest Rio team to the top: in fourth place, with 55 points and a 13% chance. Flamengo maintains its confident stance. And, to support their faith, they arranged for their players to be blessed in the chapel of Saint Jude Thaddeus this morning, before their trip to Salvador, where they face Vitória on Wednesday. In addition to the spiritual reinforcement, coach Caio Júnior will have back left-back Juan and defender Fábio Luciano, who is celebrating the birth of his daughter Isabela. \ - I thought Cruzeiro or Palmeiras could lose, but both... It was really good - said Caio. \ While the battle at the top of the table seems to be getting tighter, at the bottom, the fight to avoid relegation is in its decisive stages. With the 3-0 victory over Palmeiras, Fluminense now has a 34% chance of relegation, down from 49%. Vasco's chance has gone from 83% to 64%, while Portuguesa has 46%. Ipatinga is in the worst position, with 95%. \ THE DAYNation wants the Phenomenon \ The 'Stay, Ronaldo' campaign website has already received 35 hits in just two days. \
Janir Junior
Rio - In its first two days online, the website calling for Ronaldo to stay at Flamengo received 35 hits and hundreds of signatures supporting the "Stay, Ronaldo" campaign. While the board of directors refuses to allow the team to miss out on the Copa Libertadores, qualifying for the competition would be the best chance to convince the striker to abandon other offers, especially that of Paris Saint-Germain in France.
"Ronaldo, do you think money is the most important thing or getting your life back on track? If you think it's money, go to Europe and be unhappy; if you want love and happiness, play for Mengão," wrote internet user Manoel Teles.
Ricardo Conceição wrote on the website: "If you ran for mayor, you would be elected. Never in the club's history has there been a mass vote for a player to stay. The number 9 jersey is yours." All statements will be delivered to the Phenomenon.
Ronaldo's most concrete offer, from Manchester City, fell through. Manager Mark Hughes ruled the player out: "Even though he's recovered, he's not an option. I'm surprised he's even talking about Manchester City. I don't want him here. The door is closed," he told the English newspaper 'Daily Telegraph'.
PSG is in talks with Ronaldo's agent and has presented a plan to acquire the player. On Friday, a sound truck with "Stay, Ronaldo" stickers will go to Gávea, featuring a commentary of a fictional goal by the striker for Flamengo.
Rivals could give Flamengo the sixth title
Rio - Vasco and Fluminense helped Flamengo take the lead in the second half of the Brasileirão. With their Rio rivals' victories over Goiás and Palmeiras, respectively, Flamengo became the best team in the second half, with 24 points from 12 matches. Since August, when the second half of the championship began, Flamengo has had seven wins, three draws, and two losses.
One of Flamengo's main competitors in the fight for the Brazilian title, São Paulo is now the second best team in the second half, with 23 points, followed by Goiás and Santos, with 22 each, and Palmeiras, with 21.
To avoid relegation, Vasco and Flu will be forced to help their rivals. The Tricolores also face Cruzeiro and São Paulo, while the Cruzmaltinos will also face Tricolor Paulista.
After the cold shower that was the defeat to Atlético-MG at Maracanã, Rubro-Negro recovered with a narrow victory over Vasco and a convincing performance in the rout of Coritiba.
In Gávea, players and managers are confident they'll win the sixth title. According to mathematician Tristão Garcia, Mengão has a 13% chance of lifting the trophy, but Obina doesn't care about the numbers.
"We're in the fight. I don't believe in these math calculations, no. Last year, we had minimal chances of making it to the Libertadores, but we pulled through and made it," said the darling, the hero of the victory over Coritiba and confirmed in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Vitória.
If they defeat Vitória, Mengão could move very close to the top spot in the next round, as Cruzeiro and Grêmio face off in Minas Gerais. The nation will also be rooting for a Botafogo victory over São Paulo.
SPORTS GAZETTEFlamengo congratulates Corinthians on promotion
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Showing diplomacy, Flamengo's board issued an official statement congratulating Corinthians on their return to the Brazilian Championship's Série A. The statement was published on the club's official website late Saturday afternoon and is signed by Flamengo president Marcio Braga and his vice president of football, Kleber Leite.
"CR Flamengo shares the joy of Sport Clube Corinthians and its loyal fans for returning to the first division of the Brazilian Championship, a club that has always been among the elite of Brazilian football," the club's statement read. "This is a credit to the dedication of its players, coaching staff, and the excellent work carried out by president Andrés Sanches leading the board," it added.
Fla also recalled the decisive influence of one of its players in Corinthians' promotion. "Fate also wanted our athlete Fabricio, on loan to Paraná, was the player who helped in this early return, scoring the goal that provided this moment of glory,” says the note, citing the scorer of the goal in Paraná's 2-1 victory over Barueri, which mathematically sealed Timão's promotion.
With the results of the round, Corinthians – which won Ceará 2-0 – reaching 70 points, opening up a 19-point lead over fifth-place Barueri. With only six rounds (or 18 points) remaining in Série B, Timão can no longer be left out of the top four, which guarantees promotion.
Fla ends its statement by wishing Corinthians a return to Série A in 2009. “On behalf of Flamengo, directors, employees and the red-black nation, please accept our best wishes for a Happy Return,” it concluded.
Against Vitória, Juan rules out Fla's draw\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Returning to Flamengo after serving a suspension, left-back Juan travels with his teammates to Salvador this Monday afternoon. On Wednesday, the Gávea team faces Vitória, a match that could bring them even closer to Grêmio, the Brazilian Championship leader with 59 points, four more than the Rio de Janeiro team.
Faced with this possibility, Juan rejects any idea that Flamengo won't enter the field thinking only of winning the three points. "We're prepared to face them at Barradão. We're going to Bahia looking for the win. We need to play intelligently, exploiting Vitória's weaknesses. I believe they'll come out on top, and we have to…" enjoy the spaces”, commented the full-back.
Despite their confidence in securing three more points in the Brasileirão, Flamengo's players are well aware of the challenges they'll face playing away from home. "We know the stadium there is very small and that there will be pressure from the fans, who are very close to the pitch. But Flamengo has every chance of going there and getting a good result," said midfielder Jaílton, who is expected to once again play as a third center-back.
This Monday, Flamengo train in the morning at Gávea. Unless there are any last-minute problems, the Rio team should be confirmed with the following lineup for Wednesday's match: Bruno; Jaílton, Fábio Luciano, and Ronaldo Angelim; Leonardo Moura, Toró, Kléberson, Ibson, and Juan; Marcelinho Paraíba and Obina.
Before traveling to Salvador, the players, coaching staff and board will be blessed by Father Leandro Cury, from the Church of Saint Jude Thaddeus, the club's patron saint, whose day is celebrated on October 28, when Flamengo will already be in Bahia.
PELENET
At Flamengo, the group sets the course for the desire to win the national title
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de JaneiroWith the best campaign in the second half of the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo sees its ambitions of leading the table grow stronger with each passing round. To continue in the right direction, Flamengo needs to defeat Vitória at Barradão Stadium next Wednesday in a match valid for the 32nd round. Focused, the group knows exactly how important it is to achieve a positive result.\ "Now it's just an important game, and we have to approach this match, like the others, as a real decision. The match against Coritiba is behind us, and we're focused on Vitória. We have to show the same dedication and commitment. We know it's difficult to play there in Bahia, but we have to go out there and do our part," said midfielder Toró.\ To help Flamengo on this journey, coach Caio Júnior will have the return of two key players to the smooth running of his game plan: defender and team captain Fábio Luciano and left-back Juan, who are returning from suspension. \ "We know the difficulties of facing Vitória at Barradão, but we're prepared. We're going to Bahia looking for three points. We need to play intelligently, exploiting our opponent's weaknesses. I believe they'll come out on top, and we have to capitalize on the spaces," noted Juan, who had Luizinho as a substitute in the match against Coritiba. \ In the view of striker Marcelinho Paraíba, the most important thing at this moment is maintaining the determination of previous games for Flamengo to continue its bid for the national title. \ "We have to maintain our momentum and play with a lot of determination. Facing Vitória at Barradão is always very difficult. We need to be careful, because it's a game that could define our future in the Brazilian Championship," he emphasized. GLOBOESPORTE\
On a high, Obina returns to Barradão and warns: 'There, I know the shortcuts'
For the first time since arriving at Fla, the striker plays in his homeland
Eduardo Peixoto GLOBOESPORTE.COM, Rio de Janeiro
Obina smiles at Flamengo training. Baiano will meet Vitória again.
Obina arrived at Flamengo in March 2005. After more than three and a half years at the club, he is preparing for a special moment on Wednesday: returning to play in Bahia, his hometown. \ The opponent will be the GHT - Vitória, the club that gave the striker his first opportunity to play professional football. The player is eagerly awaiting the meeting. Family members promise to cross the sea from Itaparica to Salvador to support him. \ - The crowd will go there. It will be the first time I'll play with Flamengo in my hometown - he says. \ And the timing couldn't be more opportune. After regaining his starting spot, Obina had two decisive performances and left the field last Wednesday named man of the match in the match against Coritiba. \
If it depends on the intimacy with Barradão, the venue for the match against Vitória, the expectation is the best possible. \ "I know everything about that field. I know the shortcuts there. It'll be like playing at home," he declares. \ In 2004, playing for the Rubro-Negro from Bahia, the center forward scored 19 goals in the Brasileirão and finished second in the top scorers list. \
Balance may result in position being decided by tiebreaker criteria
GLOBOESPORTE.COM shows how the Brasileirão regulations decide classification in case of equal points
GLOBOESPORTE.COM Rio de Janeiro
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Flamengo vs Palmeiras: Rubro-Negro has the advantage in the second tiebreaker criterion
Only six points separate the leader Grêmio of the fifth place Palmeiras. O Nautical, 16th and the first club outside the relegation zone, has just four points more than bottom-placed Ipatinga. Balance has been the keynote of the Brasileirão 2008. The title, a classification for the Libertadores and even relegation can be decided there in detail, in the tiebreaker criteria. \ GLOBOESPORTE.COM took a look at the rules and decided to show fans how the competition for position would play out in the event of a tie in points. Even the number of red and yellow cards can determine a position. \ Currently, Cruzeiro, Flamengo and Palmeiras are tied with 55 points. But only by looking at the Brazilian Championship regulations can one understand why the Minas Gerais team is in third place, the Rio de Janeiro team is in fourth, and the São Paulo team is in sixth. Article 13 states the following: \ "In the event of a tie in points earned between two or more clubs at the end of the competition, the tiebreaker, for classification purposes, will be carried out in accordance with the criteria below: \ 1st) highest number of victories; \ 2nd) highest goal difference; \ 3rd) highest number of goals scored; \ 4th) direct confrontation (when the draw occurs between only two clubs);\ 5th) lowest number of red cards received; \ 6th) lowest number of yellow cards received; \ 7th) draw" \ Cruzeiro is better than Flamengo and Palmeiras based on the first tiebreaker criterion. They have 17 wins, compared to Flamengo and Palmeiras' 16. Cruzeiro needs the second criterion to overcome the São Paulo team: 18 goals against 11. \ Extra game could decide the title or relegation \ Regarding the fourth tiebreaker criterion, the rules explain that, in the event of a tie in a head-to-head match between two teams (the same number of goals in the sum of the two matches), the team that scored more goals away from home has the advantage. This is the same criterion used in competitions such as the Copa do Brasil and the Copa Libertadores. \ The rules also allow for a final of sorts, both to decide the title and to determine a relegation zone. If two clubs are tied in the first six tiebreakers, they will have to play an extra match on neutral ground. If the tie persists after 90 minutes, the champion or relegation zone will be decided by penalty shootout.\
THROW
Aírton approves of his performance as a defender at Fla
Steering wheel doesn't see any problem in performing this role again in the team
Midfielder Airton approves of his performance as a defender
LANCEPRESS!
Coach Caio Júnior's surprise in the 5-0 thrashing of Coritiba was the use of midfielder Aírton as the third defender.
For the player, the new role was a good experience and there is no problem in doing it again if necessary.
"It's a little different, but it was easy playing center back. The defensive midfielder moves out more. In defense, I have to stay more contained and don't fight as much," Aírton analyzed.
For the match against Vitória at Barradão, Fábio Luciano will be back in the lineup. Aírton is expected to return to the bench.
Flamengo is in fourth place in the Brazilian Championship, with 55 points, four less than leader Grêmio.
Check your team's chances in the Brasileirão
Grêmio benefited and opened up a three-point lead, but the title race remains tight. And the fight against relegation, too!
Souza's Grêmio has a 43% chance of being champion
LANCEPRESS!
With the conclusion of the 31st round of the Brazilian Championship this Saturday, the title race has become even more complicated. The big winner of the round was Grêmio, which opened up a three-point lead over second-place São Paulo. However, the gap between Grêmio and fifth-place Palmeiras is only four points.
According to mathematician Tristão Garcia, Grêmio's chances of winning the Brazilian championship have increased to 43%. Behind them are Cruzeiro (17%), São Paulo, Flamengo, and Palmeiras (all three with 13%). Even Botafogo, in sixth place and ten points behind Grêmio, has a 1% chance of lifting the trophy.
In the Libertadores, the race is also wide open, but similar to the title race. The main favorites are the same top five teams, but Botafogo, Internacional, Coritiba, Goiás, and Vitória still have a chance, albeit a more remote one.
Another promising battle in these final seven rounds is the fight against relegation. Ipatinga, which had been showing signs of recovery, was thrashed at home by Botafogo and is now bottom of the table, with a 95% chance of relegation. The battle is wide open, but Fluminense and Santos won and moved away from danger.
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New ticketing system is tested in Rio
Seeking to prevent scalpers from taking action, the Football Federation began testing the system on Saturday.
LANCEPRESS!
The Rio de Janeiro Football Federation began testing a new ticket sales system at Maracanã Stadium on Saturday. To organize fans and prevent scalpers, corridors were created to allow fans to line up in an orderly fashion, which is divided into different sections of the stadium. Police officers from the Rio de Janeiro State Football Association (GEPE) wear ticketing shirts to make life easier for fans and prevent queue problems. And the ticket booths now resemble those at cinemas and theaters: fans speak to the ticket agent through a microphone, and the conversations are recorded and monitored by cameras.
The first test was a huge success among fans. The average queue time was ten minutes, and no scalpers even approached the aisles.
"Scalpers take advantage of disorganization. When we avoid these problems, this practice tends to end," explained Marco Aurélio Klein, president of the São Paulo Federation's ticket control committee, which is helping implement the system in Rio.
Flamengo: the best of the second round
Rubro-Negro surpasses Goiás and leads the return leg of the Brazilian Championship with 24 points
Victory at Maracanã took Fla to the top of the second round and to 4th in the Championship
LANCEPRESS!
The round ended in style for Flamengo, who thrashed Coritiba and returned to the top four after Palmeiras' loss to Fluminense at Maracanã. The two clubs are tied with 4 points, but Flamengo leads the São Paulo team on goal difference: 55 to 18.
As a bonus, Flamengo has another reason to celebrate yesterday's victory over its rival. With the result, the club has the best record in the second half of the season.
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Defensive midfielders become a solution for Rio teams
Flamengo, Botafogo, Vasco and Flu are well served in this position
Defensive midfielders are being pleasant surprises in the Brazilian Championship
Leandro Amaral RIO DE JANEIRO
Rio de Janeiro clubs complain about the lack of a technical midfielder and, at the start of every season, desperately search for the coveted number 10. However, there are no longer as many high-level players as there were in previous decades in Brazil. Furthermore, the stars who play this position are in Europe. But a cheap and functional solution emerged in the 31st round of the Brazilian Championship: defensive midfielders.
If in the past players in this sector were limited to defending and were considered "brutes", today they are indispensable to the teams' midfield.
Jair Pereira, who has managed Rio's four biggest clubs, acknowledges that there has been progress among midfield players and attributes this to the work carried out at the youth level.
"This work has been done at the youth level. Players need to improve their technical skills in the youth, junior, and junior levels. The defensive midfielders have improved technically and, in addition, they're receiving help from the full-backs and forwards, who now mark more goals than they used to. I think that in football, technique must prevail over fouls and violence," said Jair, who is currently the football coordinator at Castelo Branco University.
In the match between Vasco and Goiás, for example, young Mateus was the difference-maker for the Giant of the Hill. He marked well and, when in possession, led counterattacks and appeared as a surprise element in attack. He also played a key role in the Cruzmaltino's first goal, scored by Edmundo.
Flamengo has the most defensive midfielders considered to have technical quality. Ibson, five-time champion Kléberson, and Jônatas, who has been underused by Caio Junior, are versatile players who can mark, move forward, and get forward to finish. The first two shone in the Rubro-Negro's 5-0 rout of Coritiba last Thursday.
Fluminense was one of the last placed in the Brasileirão and considered by many to be a strong candidate for relegation. Coincidence or not, it took only midfielder Arouca's improved performance for the Tricolor das Laranjeiras to return to triumph. In three games, the team has collected seven points and is showing signs of avoiding relegation.
Botafogo is the closest to Flamengo in terms of quality. Túlio and Diguinho are players who perfectly illustrate the modern game. They combine speed, marking, tactical obedience, and finishing. The latter, who was even speculated to join Flamengo for the 2009 season, scored a goal in the 3-0 victory over Ipatinga this Saturday. Like Leandro Guerreiro and Thiaguinho, they are also defensive midfielders.