THE GLOBE
Irony of the red-black fate
Flamengo mocks Botafogo and has a tearful victory over Cienciano by 2 to 1
Photo caption: SOUZA KICKS to score the first goal of yesterday's victory that put Flamengo at the top of Group 4 of the Libertadores, with four points
As he celebrated Flamengo's first goal in the Libertadores, Souza made a gesture as if wiping away tears. In the stands, the red-and-black fans also mocked Botafogo's suffering and the song sung by their fans: "And no one can silence this crying, the president is crying, the whole team is crying, the fans are crying." Ironically, the red-and-blacks also had to cry to beat Cienciano 2-1, with a goal from Marcinho in the 43rd minute of the second half. With the result, the two-time Taça Guanabara champions took the lead in Group 4 of the Libertadores, with four points, followed by Cienciano (3) and Nacional of Uruguay (3), against whom Flamengo plays next Thursday in Montevideo.
- Flamengo showed that they have a squad and that they never give up - said Marcinho.
Just like the GB Cup final, yesterday's match featured controversial plays and a decisive goal at the end. With the score still 1-1, Paraguayan referee Ricardo Grance disallowed a legitimate Cienciano goal and then ignored a penalty in favor of Flamengo.
Souza says he felt like crying
With coach Dunga in the stands, Flamengo fans cheered their players and coach Joel Santana with chants of "It's the national team." On the field, the team pushed forward but had few shots. In the 28th minute, Solis took a shot that Bruno saved brilliantly. Facing the difficulties in reaching the goal, Souza even complained about Ibson, who opted for a solo run and shot against the defense. On the next play, in the 38th minute, the forward received a pass from Toró and fired past Flores to make it 1-0 and mock:
- I felt like crying a little.
Soon after, in a similar move, Souza sent the chance for a second past the goalkeeper. In the 44th minute, Guizasola was pulled down outside the box by Ronaldo Angelim and fell inside, but the referee allowed play to continue. After a cross from the left, Bruno hesitated as he left his goal, and Vassalo headed past the goalkeeper to equalize the game in the 45th minute and take his place as the top scorer in the Libertadores with three goals.
In the second half, Flamengo began to press and take risks. In the 6th minute, Juan crossed from the left, and Tardelli, with a backheel, hit the post. Around the 20th minute, the crowd changed from mockery to nervousness and began demanding more effort. Flamengo began to expose itself, and in the 25th minute, Vassalo scored again, but the goal was wrongly disallowed for offside. Ten minutes later, the referee didn't award a penalty for Flamengo after Vassalo handled the ball. In the 38th minute, Obina headed the ball stylishly just wide of the post. Then, Bruno saved Flamengo from defeat with a great save after a shot by Chiroque. In the 43rd minute, Obina chested down the ball, and Marcinho dribbled past Flores to score the winning goal.
Tried yesterday for his expulsion against América, Fábio Luciano was sentenced to a two-game suspension, one of which has already been served, and is out of Sunday's game against Resende, in the opening match of the Taça Rio.
Flamengo: Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Fabio Luciano, and Juan; Cristian, Kleberson (Jônatas), Ibson, and Toró (Marcinho); Diego Tardelli (Obina), and Souza. Cienciano: Flores, Solis, and Marengo; Bazalar, Romaña, Guizasola, Ortiz, Garcia, and Chiroque; Sawa (Corcuera), and Vassallo. Referee: Ricardo Grance (Paraguay). Yellow cards: Flores, Marengo, and Garcia.
FLAMENGO
BRUNO: Made an excellent save from a Solís cross and a Chiroque header. But he made a huge mistake by stopping in the middle of the box during the high cross, conceding a goal that could have easily been avoided. 4,5.
LEONARDO MOURA: A constant presence in attack, he could have been one of the main weapons in breaking through Cienciano's defense. But this time, he wasn't accurate with his crosses. 5,5.
RONALDO ANGELIM: In his 5th game for the red and black, he had a hard time containing the opposition's attack. He rarely attempted any runs, especially in the second half, when Cienciano pressed. XNUMX.
FÁBIO LUCIANO: He rightly assumed that the defense, including himself, was poorly positioned and, therefore, conceded the goal. 4,5.
JUAN: He was marking Vassallo for the goal and failed to contain the striker. In support, he tried to maintain his usual speed, but misplaced many passes. 4,5.
CRISTIAN: He performed well in protecting the defense. And that's it. He took few risks. 4,5.
KLEBERSON: He helped Ibson set up plays and tried to bring some quality to the midfield. In the second half, his performance dropped and he made misplaced passes. 5. JÔNATAS came on in his place and set up the winning goal. 7.
TORÓ: In addition to helping to seal the midfield, he made at least two precise passes. Souza capitalized on one of them and scored. He risked attacks with speed and nearly scored with a cross-shot in the second half. 7. He was replaced by OBINA, who went into the box, but the ball wasn't reaching him, and was disallowed. He nearly scored with a header on a rare opportunity and was involved in the winning goal. 6.
IBSON: The team's main playmaker. He also took long shots, but could have passed the ball more first time, giving the attack more pace. 5.
DIEGO TARDELLI: He gained confidence with the goal that gave the Guanabara Cup title to the red-black team. Yesterday, he fought hard, had clear chances and almost scored a great goal with a backheel, which hit the post of the good goalkeeper Flores. 6. He left the field for MARCINHO to come on, who came off the bench to secure the victory two minutes from the end. 8.
SOUZA: He opened the scoring and provoked Botafogo into celebration, bringing his hands to his face as if he were crying. He showed energy and good movement, dropping down the field on both sides. In the second half, he left the box to set up plays and his performance dropped. 7.
JOEL SANTANA: He had merit in putting together a team that attacked relentlessly until he scored the first goal. Then, the team relaxed and allowed Cienciano to equalize due to a defensive lapse. Midway through the second half, he made his substitutions and made the right decision by bringing on Marcinho, who scored the winning goal in the hard-fought victory at Maracanã. 6,5.
SCIENTIAN
The team was brave and didn't give up, even after conceding a goal. Coach Franco Navarro set up a defensive defense and played on the counterattack. With the team well-positioned, they equalized thanks to a defensive error. Striker Vassallo showed his eye for goal and scored yesterday. Goalkeeper Flores also stood out.
ARBITRATION
Paraguayan Ricardo Grance had a disastrous performance in the match: he disallowed Cienciano's legitimate comeback goal and then ignored a penalty for Flamengo.
Test season at Fla
Joel Santana will use the Rio Cup to experiment and give players a rhythm
Photo caption: KLEBERSON DRIVES the ball in Flamengo's training session at Gávea: the player is on the rise and is competing for a starting spot on the team
Carlos Eduardo Mansur
Coach Joel Santana intends to use the Rio Cup to experiment and refresh some Flamengo players. However, even though he has qualified for the State final, he has no intention of abandoning the competition. The coach's plan is to mix starters and reserves, leaving out only players who are showing signs of fatigue or are at risk of injury.
The Rio Cup debut will be on Sunday against Resende at the Maracanã. Joel will be without striker Souza, who was sent off in the Guanabara Cup final against Botafogo, for this match. However, if it's up to the Red-and-Black players, they'll likely play.
- For me, I'll play in every game - said midfielder Ibson.
One reason may be increased competition. In addition to Kleberson's rise, the Rio Cup matches should provide new opportunities for players like Jônatas, who, in Joel's opinion, felt the lack of rhythm in the Guanabara Cup. The same is true for Gavilán, who, freed from the 120-day suspension imposed by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD), is now legally eligible to make his Flamengo debut.
"We'll always evaluate each game. I don't think it's a good idea to rest everyone at once. The ideal is to see the players' condition and what will be best for Flamengo," Joel explained.
Marcio goes to FIFA to fight altitude sickness
Another factor to consider is the date of the finals. To win the title, Flamengo must win the Taça Rio or a potential state final. The semifinal and final of the second round take place on April 13th and 20th, respectively, precisely when Flamengo will have a 15-day break from Libertadores matches. However, if Flamengo fails to win the Taça Rio and has to decide the state title in two more matches, Flamengo would play the finals on April 27th and May 4th, meaning the Libertadores knockout stage is already underway.
Off the field, the club awaits the scheduling of the trial of striker Obina, indicted by the TJD prosecutor of the Federation for having harassed midfielder Arouca, of Fluminense, in the Guanabara Cup classic, in which the tricolor won 4-1. Obina, who did not even receive a card, was charged under article 255, with a penalty of one to three games.
President Márcio Braga will travel to Zurich today. At FIFA headquarters, he plans to meet with members of the legal department to request that FIFA intervene with CONMEBOL to ban Libertadores matches at altitudes above 2.750 meters. This limit was established by FIFA itself for its competitions. The organization, however, is reluctant to interfere in CONMEBOL competitions.
Bet on Jade's heels
Confederation director says gymnast will fight for gold in Beijing
Photo caption: BRAZILIAN GYMNAST Jade Barbosa: she performs the same type of vault as the world champion in the sport, China's Cheng Fei
Claudio Nogueira
The technical director of the Brazilian Gymnastics Confederation (CBG), Eliane Martins, is normally cautious. She avoids promising medals or results. But despite all her caution, she has made clear her confidence in Jade Barbosa, a bronze medalist in the individual all-around at the last World Championships, for the Beijing Olympics in August. Keeping a close eye on the athlete's training at the CBG training center in Curitiba, Eliane analyzes Jade's chances at the mega-event.
"Jade has real medal potential. I believe her biggest chance in Beijing will be in diving. Even for the gold medal. She's been performing the same type of diving as China's Cheng Fei. And Cheng Fei is the current world diving champion," Eliane observed.
In the men's category, Brazil has only one spot.
According to the director, Jade's technical improvement has been very clear. Last year, in Stuttgart, at the World Championships, Jade had obtained scores of 6,50 and 5,60 for the degree of difficulty of her vaults, while the Chinese (gold medalist in vault at the 2005, 2006, and 2007 World Championships and gold medalist in floor and team events at the 2006 World Championships) had obtained two scores of 6,50 for both vaults (the execution of the exercise is worth ten points, and, if the vault is perfect, it reaches 16,50).
- In December, at the Brazilian Circuit, in Foz do Iguaçu, Jade managed for the first time to do the second jump with a difficulty level of 6,50. If the Chinese woman has (in Beijing) the same level of difficulty as in Stuttgart, and Jade also does a jump with the same level of difficulty, she will already be at the same level as Fei - he explained.
According to Eliane, Jade had to give up participating in the Olympic torch relay on April 11 in Buenos Aires, representing Brazil, because she will be competing in the World Cup in Cottbus, Germany, from April 9 to 13. The gymnast had been elected with more than 114 thousand votes in a vote on the website www.carregueatocha.com.br, in October, in a dispute with swimmer Thiago Pereira (just over 20 thousand votes), best male athlete in Brazil in 2007, in the Brazilian Olympic Committee's (COB) Brazil Olympic Awards.
- Jade can't lose focus on the competitions. She needs to compete in several competitions to make this new jump even better.
Last year, Jade, in addition to the bronze medal at the World Championships, in the individual all-around, was elected the best female athlete in the country, also by the COB's Brazilian Olympic Award, thanks to the medals obtained at the Rio Pan American Games: gold (vault), silver (team) and bronze (floor).
Also as part of its preparations for Beijing, Brazil will participate in a tournament in Rome from July 4th to 6th, alongside the national teams of Italy, Romania, and another invited country. Then, on July 18th, the team will arrive in Japan for an acclimatization period ahead of the Games. Arrival in China is scheduled for August 1st.
Currently, nine athletes are part of the women's team.
"There will be six athletes at the Olympics. Three (of the current nine) will leave the team after the tournament in Italy. Currently, it's not entirely certain that any of them are guaranteed. In the men's competition, Brazil has one spot, and the most likely spot is Diego Hypólito (two-time world champion in floor exercise, among other titles), with Victor Rosa as a reserve," the director said.
An idol both inside and outside the gym, Jade will soon launch her official website. According to the athlete's father, César Barbosa, the site must be live before the Olympics. The idea is to create an interactive and informative website. One of the highlights will be the Jade Club, a section specifically designed for children and young people, which will feature the character Jadinha.
"The website is under development and is almost ready. Jade Club will be a leisure section for young people aged 7 to 20," César concluded.
FLAMENGO WINS
Flamengo defeated Argentina's Libertad Sunchales, the reigning South American basketball champion, 89-72 on Tuesday night in Montevideo, Uruguay, in the second round of Group B of the South American League. With the victory, their second in the League, Flamengo secured their place in the next phase of the competition.
SPORTS JOURNAL
Pushed by the fans, Fla gets its first victory in the Libertadores
Livia Andrade landrade@jsports.com.br
Photo by Nina Lima
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In a provocation to the black and white squad, Souza celebrates his goal with "Chororô"
Flamengo defeated Cienciano 2-1 in a tight match. Playing their second Libertadores match at the Maracanã on Wednesday night, Flamengo manager Joel Santana made the perfect second-half substitutions and secured their first victory in the competition. Marcinho scored the winning goal.
The first half began with Mengão easily dominating the game, the team putting in good touches but struggling to finish. In the fifth minute, Cristian played a one-two with Kleberson, and the five-time World Cup-winning midfielder fired a powerful shot from outside the box, sending it over the bar. Kleberson, in the 5th minute, wasted a great opportunity when, after receiving the ball from Souza, he misplaced the pass.
Cienciano struggled to break through, and Flamengo continued to maintain possession. It was only a matter of time before Flamengo opened the scoring. In the 28th minute, the Rio defense made a mistake, and after a free kick, the Peruvian team played well inside the box. Solis fired a powerful shot into the corner, but Bruno stretched and made a fine save.
In the 37th minute, Souza opened the scoring. Toró, playing waiter, found Souza alone in the box, and the striker made no mistake, firing home a shot and opening the scoring for Mengão. Souza scored his first goal in the Libertadores!
Near the end of the first half, Vassalla leveled the score. The striker pounced on a ball thrown into Flamengo's box, Bruno hesitated, and the player slotted it into the left corner. 1-1.
The second half began with Cienciano attacking. Japanese player Sawa took a chance from the edge of the box, but shot wide. Seven minutes in, Flamengo decided to get their revenge. With a good move down the left, Juan burst into the box and sent a low cross to Tardelli, who deflected it with his backheel, but the ball hit the post.
Coach Joel Santana's team once again dominated the game. Despite creating a threat, number 1 Flores made good saves and thwarted the Rubro-Negro's attempts. In the 15th minute, the goalkeeper, who was making good saves, nearly gave the game away. Flores got tangled up, Souza pressed his marker and nearly scored his second.
Not satisfied with the missed chances, Joel replaced Marcinho with Toró and Obina with Tardelli. Cienciano closed up while Flamengo went all out on the attack.
In the 25th minute, Cienciano mounted a strong counterattack. Sawa passed the ball to forward Vassallo, who pushed it into the goal. It would have been the Peruvian team's second goal, but the assistant referee flagged for offside, saving Mengão.
With just 10 minutes to go until the final whistle, Juan lifted the ball into the box, Vassallo challenged Souza in the box, the Peruvian striker punched the ball, however, nothing was called.
Mengão kept pressing. And in the 43rd minute, Joel's substitution made all the difference, and Marcinho scored the winning goal. Jônatas passed beautifully to Obina at the edge of the box. The striker controlled the ball with his chest, and the ball fell to Marcinho, who beat Flores to score Mengão's second.
With this result, Flamengo took the lead in Group 4 of the competition. In the next round of the Libertadores, the team from Gávea faces Nacional in Uruguay at 16 pm on March 6th.
TV Cultura pays tribute to Zico's 55th birthday
This Sunday at 11 a.m., São Paulo's TV Cultura will pay tribute to former Flamengo and Brazilian national team player Zico. On the eve of his 55th birthday, the program "Grandes Momentos do Esporte" will air a special edition featuring a never-before-seen interview with the player, highlights of his best goals, and testimonials from his family and friends. Hosted by Hélio Alcântara, the special features the star player discussing his career; his biggest disappointments, such as the Munich Olympics in 72, when he was playing for Flamengo's youth (now junior) team and, despite being a standout, not being called up to the national team, which even led him to consider giving up his career; his knee injury, which required six surgeries. He also discusses the memorable match against Cobreloa in 81, the third leg of the Libertadores final; and his time working for the athletes' union, advocating for the rights of the players.
Television, music, and football personalities also give their thoughts on the player, including actress Malu Mader, musicians Alexandre Pires and Moraes Moreira, and players Edmundo, Élber, Edílson, and Leonardo. Among their testimonies, viewers can watch the star's incredible goals.
Best of the world
Zico scored 508 goals in 731 games. In 1977 and 82, he was voted "the best player in the Americas," and in 1981—when FIFA had not yet established the current award—the "best player in the world" by European newspapers.
Platini against games at altitude
Nathan de Lima
Flamengo president Márcio Braga met today with the European Football Union (UEFA) resident Michel Platini at the entity's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
Platini expressed solidarity with the Brazilian clubs' stance in defense of athletes' lives and guaranteed that, within UEFA's jurisdiction, no football match will be held at an altitude above that recommended by FIFA.
Furthermore, they discussed the importance of ensuring that players remain at their training clubs and the need to establish an ongoing dialogue between European and South American football.
Colombian
Considered by many to be the new Ibson, Vinicius Colombiano, who injured his left knee last year, will be cleared to train with Flamengo's professional squad tomorrow.
The Colombian had been used among the reserves by coach Joel Santana in training sessions, but due to the injury he lost his place.
Souza doesn't forget the provocation
Striker pretends to cry after scoring Flamengo's first goal to provoke Botafogo fans
Photo by Nina Lima
Right after scoring the first goal, Souza ran to the fans and rubbed his eyes.
Known for being a controversial player, striker Souza didn't deny his reputation last night. As soon as he scored the first goal for the red-and-black team, he celebrated as if he were crying, a clear provocation to Botafogo, their opponent in the Guanabara Cup final, who left the field complaining loudly about the refereeing. "It made me want to cry a little," the player replied ironically when asked about the reason for the celebration.
Souza had the fans celebrating in the first half, but the biggest reason for the red-and-blacks last night was seeing the team, once again, fight until the end of the match. Proof of this was Marcinho's goal in the 43rd minute of the second half, against the strong defense orchestrated by Cienciano coach Franco Navarro.
"We knew we needed to win, as we were one point behind them. We're improving in the competition and doing a good job in training. The winning goal, once again, came at the end, and that shows how much we're giving on the field," Marcinho said, praising coach Joel Santana for the changes made in the second half that ultimately resulted in the victory.
And the supporter guarantees: he still has a lot to show the fans, taking the opportunity to also highlight the value of the entire squad.
"Flamengo's board did a great job. We have a strong group, with players who never give up," added the red-and-black hero of the night.
Suspension
Defender Fábio Luciano was suspended yesterday by the Rio de Janeiro Sports Court (TJD/RJ) for his red card in the Guanabara Cup match against América. He was given a two-match suspension for a violent challenge, of which he has already served one. Therefore, he will not be able to play in the red-and-black team's debut in the Rio Cup against Resende on Sunday.
Game character: Kleberson
After changing the game's complexion by coming on at halftime in the victory over Botafogo, Kleberson got his well-deserved chance to start for Flamengo yesterday in place of Jaílton. The improvement in his passing was clear. And even the nine months he spent without playing due to the dispute with his former club, Besiktas, already seem to be a thing of the past in the player's career.
With Kleberson on the field, Flamengo gains a new tactical approach, freeing up the flanks and also adding power in plays through the middle. Even though the team wasn't performing well yesterday, the defensive midfielder showed that he should quickly earn a starting spot. In addition to all the virtues already listed, he brings the touch of quality to his game vision that Flamengo was lacking.
With him on the field, midfielder Ibson also benefited, as he shared the marking and could focus on setting up plays. While Flamengo still has a long way to go before it can play the kind of football worthy of a team aspiring to a Libertadores champion, Kleberson's entry bodes well for better days this year. In the end, exhausted, he was replaced by Jônatas.
Peruvian newspaper calls Márcio Braga a crybaby
Lima, Peru's 'Expreso' newspaper has decided to go on the attack against Flamengo. According to the newspaper, this Wednesday, Cienciano's players will attempt a new 'Maracanazo' to silence Brazilians' cries against playing at altitude.
The president of the red-black club, Márcio Braga, is called a crybaby and, according to the newspaper, continues to put on his 'show', now in Switzerland, at FIFA headquarters.
It is worth remembering that this week, the president of Flamengo was at FIFA headquarters to discuss the issue of games at high altitudes.
THE DAY
Fla beats Cienciano 2-1
Martha Esteves
Rio - The 'nation' did its part and filled the Maracanã stadium to support Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores. The fans almost left the stadium in tears, but, as happened in the Guanabara Cup final, the shirt weighed heavily, and in the end, Flamengo defeated Cienciano of Peru 2-1. Souza opened the scoring and mocked the black and whites with a tearful gesture. Vassalla scored the Peruvian goal. Marcinho scored the winning goal in the 43rd minute, and once again, the fans left the stadium singing and celebrating. With the victory, Flamengo took the lead in Group 4 of the Libertadores, with four points.
Before the game, the fans were still focused on the Guanabara Cup title and took the opportunity to mock the Botafogo team by singing the song "E ninguém Cala" (And No One Shuts Up), but in a version that reflected the crying of Botafogo's players, directors, and fans. In the stands, Brazil's national team coach, Dunga, and his assistant coach, Jorginho, were present. Flamengo created little in the first half. The proof is that the first big chance fell to Cienciano in the 27th minute. Bruno had to stretch to save a cross shot from Solís.
But after being caught offside several times, Flamengo's attack found a gap in Cienciano's weak line. Souza received the ball unmarked in the 37th minute, turned, and fired a powerful shot into Flores' left corner: 1-0. During the celebration, the striker provoked the black and whites by pretending to cry. "It made me want to cry," Souza said sarcastically.
The Flamengo fans didn't cry, but they were deeply saddened in the 45th minute. The defense and Bruno made mistakes (the goalkeeper pretended to come off and then came back), and Vassalla equalized with a header. In the second half, Flamengo again made numerous mistakes and was saved by the referee. In the 25th minute, Vassallo received the ball in a legal position and tapped it toward goal, but the referee disallowed it, citing offside. Just when all seemed lost and the fans were already mourning the equalizer, Marcinho received the ball in the box from Obina and slotted it past the goalkeeper, sealing the score.
Suspension
Defender Fábio Luciano received a two-match suspension from the TJD (Department of Justice) for his red-and-black sending-off against América. Thus, the red-and-black captain will miss the Copa Rio opener against Resende.
Gift for Ronaldo
Two fans go to Paris with the mission of delivering to the Phenomenon a flag, a shirt made just for him and also convincing him to end his career at Gávea
Rio - The left knee injury doesn't matter much. At least not for Flamengo, which isn't giving up on its plans to sign Ronaldo. Determined to convince the star to end his career at Mengão, two fans are flying to Paris today with the mission of delivering to the Phenomenon the flag they used to honor him in the Guanabara Cup final, as well as a shirt made especially for him with the approval of the Gávea board.
Upon learning of the tribute for 'Ataque', Ronaldo was pleased: “I thank the Flamengo fans for their expression of support and affection and also all the other fans who are with me in this battle”
The fans will spend seven days in Paris, staying at the home of a friend of a former Flamengo director. José Carlos Peruano and Ramon Castro hope to fulfill their dream of seeing the Phenomenon wearing the 'sacred jersey' in 2009. According to them, "Ronaldo is a Flamengo fan and deserves all the support he's experiencing during this difficult time," Peruano expressed his solidarity.
Joel is expected to compete in the Rio Cup with a mixed team
Having qualified for the State Championship final, coach Joel Santana is likely to compete in the Rio Cup with a mixed squad. "Flamengo doesn't have just 11 players. They have a strong squad capable of competing for the title, even if they don't always use all of their key players," the coach said during yesterday's debate on Fla-TV in Gávea.
For Joel Santana, the rotation will be good for the Gávea group. "This way, everyone will be motivated, since our priority now will be the Copa Libertadores.
The red-and-black fans are another reason the coach feels more confident: "This support from the stands is crucial. On Sunday, we were losing 1-0 to Botafogo, and the fans were chanting that Botafogo would turn the game around. And they were right."
Angelim chooses the most important of his 100 games
Rio - Defender Ronaldo Angelim completes 100 appearances for Flamengo today, but the number of appearances for the Red-Blacks is a curious fact. The two matches that most impacted Angelim were the ones against their biggest rival, Vasco. In an interview with Rádio Brasil, the defender chose his favorite.
"There are several memorable games. The 2006 Copa do Brasil final, the last game against Vasco, in the Guanabara Cup semifinal. But I think I prefer the last one, because I scored the goal that secured Flamengo's place in the final," he analyzed.
When asked about the likely lineup, the red-black number 4 said what everyone already knows.
"Joel hasn't given us the team yet, but I'm sure whoever takes the field will do their best."
Defender Leonardo, the team's latest signing, will wear the number 23 shirt and will be on the bench for today's match.
SPORTS GAZETTE
Ibson leaves happy with his close victory. Souza mocks his rival.
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Flamengo's 2-1 victory over Peruvian side Cienciano at the Maracanã Stadium put them in sole command of Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores. For the players of the Rio de Janeiro club, while the team's performance wasn't perfect, the result made up for it. 'That's what the Libertadores is all about. There's always this suffering. We managed to win the match and now we have to focus on the next game,' summarized Ibson, one of Flamengo's best players in Wednesday night's match.
Right-back Léo Moura, a key player in attacking support, agreed with his teammate and praised the result against the Peruvians. "Cienciano is a dangerous team, but we got the win. The second half was very close, but thank God we got the win."
Striker Souza, who scored Flamengo's first goal and celebrated by pretending to cry, assured that he didn't mean to provoke Botafogo, who were defeated in the Guanabara Cup final. "It made me want to cry. That's all," he quipped.
Joel celebrates his lead and highlights the quality of the red-black team
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - After winning the Guanabara Cup with a last-minute goal against Botafogo, Flamengo secured three important points in the final moments of Wednesday night's game against Cienciano, from Peru, at the Maracanã: 2-1. Marcinho's goal, scored in the 43rd minute of the second half, guaranteed the red-blacks' first victory in the Libertadores and the top spot in Group 4 of the competition, with four points, one more than the Peruvians themselves and Nacional, from Uruguay, Flamengo's next opponent.
For Joel Santana, Wednesday's good result was achieved thanks to the quality of the group he has at his disposal. "The group is good and has experienced players. The important thing is to change the players and know that they will react as expected, because without the players' competence, nothing happens," commented the coach, who took off Toró and Diego Tardelli for Obina and Marcinho and saw the duo create the winning goal.
"The change was good, because we were a bit slow and we managed to get back into the game. We really felt Cienciano's goal at the end of the first half, because we weren't expecting it, but we'll qualify by doing our homework," he promised. "Today we'll go home happy," concluded the coach.
Fábio Luciano is convicted by the TJD-RJ and is out of the premiere
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Flamengo defender Fábio Luciano was tried at the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice (TJD-RJ) on Wednesday and was sentenced to a two-game suspension for his sending-off in the 4-0 thrashing of América on February 2nd, a Guanabara Cup match. Since he had already served his automatic suspension, the player will miss Flamengo's Rio Cup debut against Resende on Sunday. Flamengo's lawyer, Michel Assef Filho, tried to use video evidence to secure the defender's acquittal, but Fábio Luciano was ultimately tried under Article 254 (violent tackle) for having tackled an opponent, and was convicted by a majority vote.
The proceedings also included the trial of two América players sent off during the match. Elvis, who was also charged under Article 254, and Jefferson, under Article 250 (committing an unfair or inappropriate act during the match), were each sentenced to a one-match suspension. As their punishments have already been served, both will be available for their team's match against Botafogo on Saturday.
PELENET
In the end, Fla wins and takes the lead in Group 4 of the Libertadores
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
It was a close call. However, Flamengo secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Cienciano-PER this Wednesday at the Maracanã stadium in the second round of Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores da América. Souza and Marcinho scored for the Red-Blacks, while Vassallo scored for the Peruvians.
With the win, Flamengo reached four points and took the lead in the group. Cienciano and Nacional from Uruguay have three, while Coronel Bolognesi from Peru is bottom with just one.
In the next round, Flamengo will travel to Montevideo to face Nacional on March 6th. Cienciano will face Coronel Bolognesi on the 11th, at the altitude of Cusco.
However, before the Copa Libertadores da América, Flamengo has a commitment in the Taça Rio, the second round of the State Championship. This Sunday, the Rubro-Negro, champion of the Taça Guanabara, the first round of the competition, faces Resende at 18:10 pm at Maracanã.
After so much mystery, coach Joel Santana preferred to field a traditional 4-4-2 formation. In midfield, Kléberson prevailed and "stole" Jaílton's place.
Flamengo started the match on top of Cienciano. However, with their opponents tightly closed, Flamengo was unable to create their main play with full-backs Leonardo Moura and Juan.
Despite playing defensively, Cienciano almost opened the scoring. However, Bruno saved the game. After the scare, Flamengo, through Souza, opened the scoring. In celebration, the striker taunted Botafogo.
Just when everyone expected Flamengo to take the lead into halftime, Cienciano equalized. Bruno came out of goal poorly, and Vassallo didn't hesitate.
Flamengo started the second half the same way they did in the first: pressing Cienciano. Six minutes in, Diego Tardelli's backheel hit the Peruvian crossbar.
However, from then on, the team's performance dropped and they were trapped by Cienciano's strong marking. To change this situation, Joel Santana, in the 20th minute, took off Toró and Diego Tardelli and brought on Obina and Marcinho, respectively.
But Flamengo couldn't break through the opponent's defense. Cienciano, in turn, scored the second goal, but was mistakenly flagged for offside.
Flamengo, helped in one play, ended up being harmed in another. In the 35th minute, after a free kick into the box, Vassallo blocked the ball with his hand. The referee didn't award a penalty.
When everything seemed to point to a draw, Marcinho, in the 43rd minute, scored the second red-black goal and guaranteed the hard-fought victory for the team.
Marcinho, who scored the winning goal, praises Flamengo's fighting spirit.
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Marcinho celebrates the goal that gave Flamengo the victory over Cienciano in Rio
Just as it did in the Guanabara Cup final, when it defeated Botafogo, Flamengo also defeated Cienciano-PER this Wednesday at Maracanã in the Libertadores final. Scorer of the second goal in the 2-1 victory, supporter Marcinho praised the team's fighting spirit.
"We've shown once again that Flamengo is a great team. This team never gives up. When you step onto the field and see your teammates sweating, you get motivated and go above and beyond to help," he said.
Marcinho came on for Diego Tardelli in the 20th minute of the second half and credited coach Joel Santana with knowing the right time to make substitutions in the team.
"He's been doing a great job. He tries to prepare us well and make us aware of what we need to do when the time comes to step onto the field," he concluded.
Joel "ignores" changes and shares the merits with the players
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Just like their victory over Botafogo in the Taça Guanabara final, Flamengo defeated Cienciano-PER 2-1 in the Libertadores, with a late goal from a substitute player (Marcinho). When asked if he was taking credit for the changes, coach Joel Santana shared the credit with his players.
"They deserve it. The goal was scored by all three players who came on during the game. It's not embarrassing for anyone not to start. We have to put an end to that. But I don't like being called a star," he said.
The Flamengo coach then made a point of praising his team. He believes Flamengo has a good squad, as the board has signed quality players.
"It's good to have a group like this, because we can make changes and the quality remains. Kléberson, Tardelli, and Jônatas have been playing well. I just need to give Gavilán a chance," he said.
Finally, the coach dedicated the triumph to the fans, even though they were in smaller numbers compared to the crowd that attended the Guanabara Cup final.
"Marcinho's goal at the end was a sign of optimism and faith. The victory was deserved because of the dedication of the players and the fans who did their part," concluded Joel Santana.
In Flamengo's victory, Souza provokes Botafogo
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
The match was against Cienciano-PER in the Libertadores. Even so, Souza didn't forget Botafogo, their opponent in the Guanabara Cup final. When he scored his goal, Flamengo's first in the 2-1 victory, the striker took a dig at the black and whites.
During the celebration, Souza put his hands over his eyes and made a clear sign of tears. After last Sunday's decision, Botafogo complained heavily about referee Marcelo de Lima Henrique.
"I felt like crying a little," said the red-black striker, one of the team's highlights this season.
Besides Souza, Flamengo fans also provoked Botafogo. With a new song, the Flamengo fans were unforgiving. "And no one will shut up, this crying, crying for the president, crying for the whole team, crying for the fans."
GLOBOESPORTE
Marcinho scores at the end, and Fla wins
The team beats Cienciano and leads the Libertadores. The flag disallows a legitimate Peruvian goal.
Eduardo Peixoto
Every game brings a hero. After Diego Tardelli, it was Marcinho's turn to step in and decide a match. Against Cienciano, this Wednesday, at Maracanã, the player scored the winning goal in the hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Peruvian team in the 44th minute of the second half.
Marcinho secures Flamengo's victory. Watch the video! The result secured the Rio de Janeiro team top spot in Group 4, with four points from two games. Cienciano is in second place with three points, tied with Nacional. Coronel Bolognesi, which has one point, is in last place. Interestingly, Flamengo's relief goal was created by players coming off the bench. Jônatas launched the ball, Obina controlled it, and Marcinho became the savior.
The Paraguayan refereeing trio performed poorly, making mistakes on both sides. However, two of the match's three crucial calls went Flamengo's way: a legitimate Cienciano goal, disallowed by linesman Carlos Galeano, and a Marcinho handball in his own goal (watch the video above). Paraguayan referee Ricardo Grance also failed to spot a Cienciano defender's handball inside the box.
Goal and irony for Botafogo
Flamengo took the field with the echoes of the Guanabara Cup final still in their minds. The fans cheered the players with chants of two-time champions. Botafogo's complaint against the refereeing was also mocked, with chants of "weep for the president, cry for the whole team, and cry for the fans." When the ball rolled, the red-and-black team pressed, but centralized the plays and made it easy for the opposition to mark. Only in the 22nd minute,
Kleberson passed the ball to Leo Moura, who fired it straight at Flores' legs. On the corner kick, the Cienciano goalkeeper's legs again prevented the first goal, this time from a Kleberson header.
Souza opens the scoring, 'cries' and makes fun of Botafogo. Click and watch!\ The first time they went ahead, in the 27th minute, Cienciano only didn't open the scoring because Bruno made an exceptional save. Chiroque shot low and the Flamengo goalkeeper stretched to save it.\
The fans began to grow irritated by the Peruvians' delay. Until Ibson, in the 36th minute, hesitated and missed an easy goal. But the next moment, Toró passed, and Souza struck hard and high to open the scoring. The celebration again included a reference to the Guanabara Cup. The forward put his hand to his face as if crying, referring to the collective tears in the Botafogo locker room.
Bruno's mistake causes a draw
After opening the scoring, Flamengo relaxed and conceded the equalizer in the 46th minute. Bruno came out poorly, and Vassallo headed the ball over him. The goalkeeper, who had been furious before kickoff because he had been forced to change his uniform, scratched his head, acknowledging his mistake.
Watch Cienciano's equalizer! Click!\ At the start of the second half, two minutes in, Toró came one-on-one and almost scored. On the counterattack, García shot and Bruno saved, saving Fla.\
The game was open, and in the sixth minute, Juan crossed and Diego Tardelli hit the foot of the post. The Rio de Janeiro team continued to press from above and below. But no one managed to beat Flores.
In the 25th minute, a mistake by the refereeing trio favored Flamengo. Vassallo, in a legal position, scored the Peruvians' second goal, but the assistant referee mistakenly flagged offside, disadvantaging Cienciano.
Flamengo players celebrate Marcinho's goal at the end of the game at Maracanã
In the final 15 minutes, sensing a need for help, the red-and-black fans woke up. Soon after, in the 34th minute, a Cienciano defender handled the ball in the box, but the referee ignored the penalty. In the 37th minute, Obina headed the ball just wide of the post. Total pressure from the Red-and-Blacks.
In the 42nd minute, Chiroque, who defeated Leo Moura in the friendly, shot, and Bruno parried it away. On the counterattack, Jônatas delivered a beautiful pass, Obina controlled poorly, and Marcinho capitalized on the rebound and scored the hard-fought victory. The controversial detail of the play is that upon controlling the ball, the Flamengo midfielder touched the ball with his left hand, but since neither the linesman nor the referee signaled it, Marcinho ran to the crowd: 2-1 Fla.
Souza scores a goal and makes fun of the black and whites
Flamengo's striker scores against Cienciano and takes the opportunity to mock Botafogo. Three days after Flamengo won the Guanabara Cup final with a 2-1 victory over Botafogo, Souza didn't miss the opportunity to poke fun at the black and whites, who complained loudly about Marcelo de Lima Henrique's refereeing on Sunday, even leaving several players in tears. The Flamengo striker opened the scoring against Cienciano in a 2-1 victory this Wednesday, in a match valid for the second round of Group 4 of the Libertadores, and celebrated with gestures imitating someone crying.
At the end of the halftime break in which Fla was tied at 1-1, Souza made no attempt to deny his provocation.
- It made me want to cry, that's all - he said ironically.
Souza's celebration promises to further intensify the rivalry between the two fan bases. But the striker wasn't the only one mocking the black and white fans' tears. In the stands, a new song was sung, actually a version of the Botafogo anthem "And no one shuts up...".
Check out the lyrics:
And no one shuts up,\ this crying,\ the president cries,\ the whole team cries,\ the fans cry...\
Marcinho: 'I still have a lot to show'
The red-black midfielder praises the players' commitment in the last two games of the season
Marcio Iannacca and Eduardo Peixoto
Marcinho scored the winning goal in Flamengo's 2-1 victory over Peruvian side Cienciano this Wednesday at Maracanã Stadium. In the 44th minute, the attacking midfielder saved Flamengo from their second draw in the Copa Libertadores. The result would have left the team from Gávea in a dire situation in Group 4 of the competition.
Watch Marcinho's goal that gave Fla the victory!\ In the press conference after the game at Maracanã, Marcinho praised the commitment of the team and the reserves, who have come on and decided the match.\
- The last two games were decided in the 45th minute of the second half and this shows not only the commitment of the players who came on, but also the fact that those on the field never gave up on the result - says Marcinho.
Aware that he has yet to play a great match wearing a Flamengo shirt, Marcinho says he still owes the Flamengo fans.
"The goal was important because it boosts the team's morale. I still have a lot to show. Flamengo fans don't know me very well yet. I'm trying to work hard and grow with each game," he says.
Marcinho celebrates the winning goal for Flamengo with his teammates. Flamengo 2 x 1 Cienciano
Joel says it was a victory for the race
Rubro-Negro coach praises fans in hard-fought 2-1 victory over Cienciano
Marcio Iannacca and Eduardo Peixoto From GLOBOESPORTE.COM,
Joel Santana expected 60 Flamengo fans to show up at Maracanã this Wednesday. Only half showed up. But it was enough to make the difference, in the Flamengo coach's opinion, in the 2-1 victory over Cienciano in the Copa Libertadores.
In the locker room, wearing the same dark blue and red striped shirt from recent games, the coach wasn't displeased with the team's performance. Quite the opposite. He praised the team's perseverance, which, once again, scored the winning goal in the final minutes.
- It was the victory of race, will, optimism and faith - Joel lists, and then continues:
"I have no doubt that the victory was deserved. The players believed in it, and our fans believed in it. They kept up the momentum and fought until the end."
With the victory, Rubro-Negro jumped to the top of Group 4 with four points. Their next match will be on Thursday, March 6th, against Nacional in Montevideo.
Flamengo returns to action next Sunday against Resende in the Rio Cup opener. The coach said he expects to rest five or six players.
Marcio Braga meets Platini
UEFA President Supports Rubro-Negro's Action Against High-Altitude Games
Márcio Braga hands over Flamengo's shirt to Michel Platini at UEFA
Flamengo president Marcio Braga visited UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, this Wednesday. The Flamengo director met with Michel Platini, head of the European governing body. In addition to presenting the former French player with a red and black team jersey, he asked for support regarding the altitude issue. Platini was touched by the request.
In addition to discussing the altitude issue, the two also talked about the possibility of protecting training clubs and the need for ongoing dialogue between the European and South American continents.
Platini requested the Brazilian Championship schedule to reciprocate Marcio Braga's visit. The UEFA president's plan is to attend a Flamengo match in the national competition. UEFA Secretary General David Taylor and Pedro Trengrouse, legal advisor to the Flamengo presidency, attended the meeting.
Players thank the fans
Ibson and Leo Moura praise the team's performance in Wednesday's game at Maraca
Flamengo achieved an important result in Wednesday's Libertadores match against Cienciano-PER. The 2-1 victory over their rival secured them the lead in Group 4 of the competition. Ibson revealed the team's recipe for victory.
Marcinho secures the victory for the red-and-blacks. Watch!\ - That's what the Libertadores is all about. There's always this suffering. We managed to win the match. Now it's time to think about the next game.\
Right-back Leo Moura praised his rival.
"Thank God we got this victory. They're a dangerous team. The second half was hard-fought, and we got the win, thankfully."
In addition to Bota, TJD will analyze Flamengo
Prosecutor, who claims to be a Flamengo fan, will review images before filing charges.
Richard Souza
A decision like last Sunday's between Flamengo and Botafogo for the Guanabara Cup doesn't end with the final whistle. Everything indicates that the controversies and versions will continue (watch the video below). This Wednesday, the attorney general of the Rio de Janeiro State Football Federation's (FERJ) Sports Justice Court (TJD), André Valentim, said in an interview with the newspaper "O Globo" that the Rio de Janeiro State Football Federation "can watch out," as he will charge coach Cuca for insulting and invading the pitch, and goalkeeper Castillo for assaulting referee Marcelo de Lima Henrique. Contacted by GLOBOESPORTE.COM, André Valentim explained over the phone that he did not use a threatening tone. He said his words were based on the referee's report.
"What I said was that I wouldn't make any decisions until I saw the television footage. I was in the stands at Maracanã and watched the game, but I still have doubts about what happened. Until I analyze the video, I can't say what will happen. But what the referee reported in the match report is being considered. I only saw Cuca invade the field twice. And the penalties I reported are based on that. It seems that other people who weren't involved in the game invaded the field," he says.
I couldn't see clearly from where I was. There were a lot of players, but I've been told there are more Flamengo players involved. If it's proven, I'll report it too. I'm not threatening anyone; I'm everyone's friend. At Maracanã, I'm Flamengo, and outside of it, I'm the Court. André Valentim, Attorney General of the Ferj Sports Court of Justice.
According to the prosecutor, coach Cuca and Uruguayan goalkeeper Castillo could face a punishment of 120 (four months) to 720 days (two years).
"That could change. I could ease the situation or escalate it. It will depend on what I find. Tonight (Wednesday), I'm going to Maracanã to watch the tape calmly, in slow motion, and I should file the complaint this Thursday. The idea is to put it on the court docket for next week," he explains.
Ferrero and the red-blacks may also be punished
During the game, Alvinegro defender Ferrero violently hit midfielder Cristian (watch the video below). The incident attracted attention, but Marcelo de Lima Henrique didn't call a foul. André Valentim warns that the play will be closely monitored.
"Even this entry will be reviewed. There's no doubt about it. If I think it's worth reporting, I will," he warns.
The behavior of Flamengo's players will also be monitored, especially in the confusion following the penalty that resulted in the team's equalizing goal.
"Souza (Flamengo's striker) is mentioned in the match report. I couldn't see it clearly from where I was. There were a lot of players, but I've been told there are more Flamengo players involved. If it's proven, I'll report it too. I'm not threatening anyone; I'm friends with everyone. At Maracanã, I'm Flamengo, and outside of it, I'm the court," he states.
Valentine's words may be reported
For ethical reasons, Paulo Schmitt, the attorney general of the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD), prefers not to comment on the actions of his colleague from the Rio de Janeiro State Court of Justice (TJD). However, he does make one observation.
"If the club feels threatened, it can file a complaint. The local court would be responsible for deciding the complaint," he says.
Surprised, Bota's lawyer is cautious
REPRODUCTION - Summary of the Flamengo x Botafogo game with the referee's observations\ Informed about the words of the attorney general of the TJD of Ferj, Botafogo's lawyer, Aníbal Rouxinol, adopts caution and shows optimism.\
"I wasn't aware of it, but the statement surprises me. It's up to the prosecutor to file the complaint, but that doesn't mean they'll be accepted. The auditors will judge. The prosecutor files the complaint, the lawyer defends the case, and the auditors judge. That's how it works. But I trust the prosecutor's office and auditors use common sense when evaluating cases."
Regarding the possible punishment of coach Cuca and the black and white players, the lawyer prefers to wait.
"We're analyzing the match report (see above). The complaint will still be filed, and we'll be certain about the articles considered. From there, we'll define the defense strategy. We'll also wait for the players to return from the match in Acre to speak with those involved in the altercation and get their opinions and versions. Cuca wasn't the only one to invade the field. At the time of the penalty, he was trying to calm things down," he explains.
THROW
Flamengo plays poorly but manages a tearful victory
Rubro-Negro scores a goal at the end that gives them their first victory in the Libertadores
Souza provoked Botafogo fans by crying (Credit: Julio Cesar Guimarães)
LANCEPRESS!
Despite playing poorly, Flamengo—with the kind of luck of a champion—earned its first victory in the Libertadores by defeating Cienciano this Wednesday, 2-1, at Maracanã. Souza, who ended a six-game goalless streak, and Marcinho, who scored in the 43th minute of the second half, scored the red-and-blacks' goals. Vassalo scored for the Peruvians. The victory gave Joel Santana's team the lead in Group 4, with four points.
Kleberson, who replaced Jaílton in the starting lineup, was Flamengo's main figure in the first half. The five-time world champion set up the midfield plays, successfully switching play and creating chances.
But the team that came closest to scoring was Cienciano: in the 27th minute, Bazalar took a free kick and the ball fell to Vassalo, who fired a sharp shot, avoided by Bruno with a great save.
Joel's team's first dangerous move came in the 36th minute, when Toró left Ibson alone. However, Ibson was too cautious and wasted the chance, shooting straight at the Peruvian defense.
Toró's foot was sharp, and in the 37th minute, he again left a teammate unmarked. This time, however, it was the killer Souza, who, with a right-footed shot, opened the scoring. The killer celebrated the goal by taunting the Botafogo fans, putting his hands to his eyes and pretending to cry.
Flamengo, which had become dominant in the game, waited for the first half to end. Perhaps due to this overconfidence, in the 45th minute, the Flamengo defense went to sleep, and Vassalo, completely unmarked and taking advantage of Bruno's poor positioning, equalized.
In the second half, one referee error for each side
The start of the second half was full of excitement. Thirty seconds in, Sawa, after receiving a pass from Chiroque, threatened Bruno's goal. Flamengo responded a minute later with Toró, who nearly scored a stunning goal after playing a one-two with Souza.
In the sixth minute, Rubro-Negro again created a lot of danger: Juan received the ball from Souza and crossed into the middle of the area, Diego Tardelli got tangled up with a Cienciano defender and the ball hit Flores' post.
In the 24th minute, Cienciano scored a stunning goal through a beautiful triangle play between García, Sawa, and Vassalo. The latter, from well behind the ball, pushed the ball into the net after receiving a pass from the Japanese player. A glaring error by the referee, however, negated what would have been a comeback for the Peruvian team.
Despite their poor performance on the field, Flamengo had greater territorial dominance, and this superiority was almost rewarded in the 38th minute, when Obina's header from long range nearly caught the flustered goalkeeper Flores by surprise. Flamengo was also hampered by the referee, who didn't award a penalty after the defender handled the ball inside the box.
The end of the game was still a thrilling one. With three minutes remaining in regulation, Chiroque took off at breakneck speed and unleashed a right-footed shot, but Bruno saved.
In the 43rd minute, however, the Guanabara Cup champion's luck gave Flamengo the victory. Marcinho, taking advantage of a collective lapse in the Peruvian defense, scored with his right foot, with no goalkeeper or Cienciano defender present. Jônatas, who came on in the 39th minute, initiated the winning play.
Souza celebrates by provoking Botafogo fans
Striker imitates black and white's tears after GB Cup defeat
Souza did not spare the black and whites at Maracanã (Credit: Julio Cesar Guimarães)
LANCEPRESS!
Despite the competition having changed, Flamengo is still celebrating its Guanabara Cup title. After scoring the opening goal against Cienciano on Wednesday night at Maracanã in the Libertadores, striker Souza made tearful gestures. This was a provocation to the Flamengo players, who cried after last Sunday's defeat.
Souza, however, denies having provoked Botafogo:
- It made me want to cry, that's all - said Souza during the break.
The fans made an explicit provocation to the rival fans, by parodying the black and white chant "And nobody shuts up...":
"And no one can silence this crying, the president is crying, the whole team is crying, the fans are crying," sang the Flamengo fans.
Outside the Maracanã stadium, there were still banners for the Guanabara Cup champions. This excitement was evident in Antonio Junior, a fan who traveled from Manaus (in a caravan of 120 friends) to support Flamengo.
- We're going to dance the créu at level five against the Peruvians - said the 43-year-old computer teacher.
Joel Santana doesn't reveal the team that will play in the Rio Cup
The coach has not commented on Gavilán, who has not yet played.
Kleberson is hoping to start in Fla's starting lineup (Credit: Cleber Mendes)
LANCEPRESS!
Convinced of his beliefs, Joel Santana maintained his position of not revealing whether he will field a reserve team for the Rio Cup until Thursday. The Man with the Clipboard only revealed that Léo Moura will likely be one of those rested.
"I haven't decided anything yet. What I can't do is change 11 players at once, as I have a very balanced team. I'll just say that I'll hold on to some players, like Léo Moura, who's been on a strong run," he simply said.
Regarding Gavilán, considered one of the main reinforcements for this season, and Éder, a bet by the board hired from Guarani, Joel also did not guarantee that they have a guaranteed lineup for Sunday's game against Resende.
Marcinho says victory gives Fla morale
According to him, the club must prioritize the Libertadores, the 'biggest objective'\ LANCEPRESS!\
Midfielder Marcinho came off the bench to score the winning goal for Flamengo against Cienciano-PER, this Wednesday, at Maracanã, 2-1, as striker Diego Tardelli had done last Sunday, against Botafogo, for the Taça Guanabara.
The player, however, avoided discussing his personal achievement. He preferred to emphasize the importance of the three points earned for the Gávea club's progress in the Copa Libertadores—the team now has four points and leads Group 4 of the South American competition.
"It's a goal that boosts our team's morale. Flamengo is growing steadily, and this victory is crucial because we knew there were other teams ahead of us," Marcinho celebrated.
After winning the first round of the Campeonato Carioca and securing a spot in the state championship final, a question arose: should the team prioritize the Libertadores over the Taça Rio? The midfielder agrees that the team should opt for the former.
"The main objective is the Libertadores. Of course, we must prioritize it. But we have a strong group that can also compete for the Taça Rio," Marcinho emphasized after the match at Maracanã.
Joel: 'May the Colonel hold on to Cienciano'
Coach sees qualities in Nacional, the next opponent, and dries Cienciano\ LANCEPRESS!\
After beating Cienciano 2-1, Flamengo coach Joel Santana predicted a tough match against Nacional, Flamengo's next opponent in the Libertadores—the match will be played on March 6th in Montevideo. Concerned about maintaining the lead, the Man with the Clipboard declared himself a Coronel Bolognesi fan.
- I hope the Colonel there (Bolognesi) holds Cienciano up high - he laughed amused.
Joel said he knew little about the Uruguayans, claiming he only saw them in action in the match between Nacional and Cienciano. Despite this, the coach saw qualities in the team from the Uruguayan capital.
"I only saw them play against Cienciano, and they played an evenly matched game. They conceded a goal from a careless move. And they let the Peruvians take a 2-0 lead when they let the little Japanese player (Sawa) escape. They had a player sent off, and still, they didn't give up. They put on a big man, scored a goal, and, unbelievably, almost tied," he concluded.
Joel Santana attributes difficulties to exhaustion
The red-black commander says that fatigue is not just physical\ LANCEPRESS!\
The difficulties Flamengo encountered in winning 2-1 against Cienciano were attributed by Joel Santana to the team's fatigue, which, according to the coach, is not restricted to physical issues.
"The wear and tear isn't just physical, but also emotional. We're coming off a string of tough decisions. Their team, for some unknown reason, didn't play last Saturday and came in rested. As a result, they played tight and didn't get tired."
Despite his reservations, Joel praised the strength of the group, praising the entries of Marcinho, Obina and Jônatas.
"The victory belongs to the entire team. The three players who came on in the second half performed well. Proof of this is that Jônatas launched the ball, Obina controlled it with his chest, and Marcinho scored," he concluded.
Joel: 'Victory of race, will and optimism'
Coach believes Vassalo's goal at the end of the first half changed the game\ LANCEPRESS!\
Flamengo's hard-fought 2-1 victory over Cienciano was defined in Joel Santana's words as a victory of grit, will, optimism and faith.
"We've achieved things through hard work and effort. We faced a team we didn't know much about. On their side, there was a guy who saw things clearly, and they knew us well. They marked our key players very effectively," he said.
From the perspective of the Man with the Clipboard, the goal scored by Vassalo, in the 45th minute of the first half, changed the tone of the match.
"We dominated the first half, but ended up conceding a goal just before halftime. It was a strange goal, where our defense slacked off. By conceding the equalizer, we gave them hope, but the goalkeeper started stalling, and we almost got ourselves in trouble."
Coach Joel Santana denies having a 'star'
The winning goal was scored by athletes who entered the field in the second half\ LANCEPRESS!\
Flamengo's 2-1 victory over Cienciano-PER, this Wednesday, at Maracanã, for the Copa Libertadores, was hard-fought and defined by a play by "reserves", brought onto the field by coach Joel Santana in the second half.
Defensive midfielder Jônatas initiated the play in midfield, passing to Obina. The striker tried to control the ball in the opponent's penalty area, and the ball fell to Marcinho, who scored the winning goal.
Last Sunday, in the Guanabara Cup final, a player who also came on in the final half, striker Diego Tardelli, decided the match in Flamengo's favor. Coach Joel Santana, however, denied that the events were a consequence of his "star."
"There's no such thing as a star. The players are the ones who are competent. Sometimes you do everything right and everything goes wrong. Thank God it worked out against Vasco (Guanabara Cup semifinal), Botafogo, and Cienciano," the coach stated.
Now, Flamengo turns its attention to its debut in the Taça Rio, the second round of the Campeonato Carioca. The red-and-black team faces Resende on Sunday at 18:10 p.m., also at Maracanã.
For this match, the red-black coach, Joel Santana, has not yet decided on the formation he will send onto the field.
Marcinho guarantees: 'I still owe a lot to the fans'
Attacking midfielder says he is motivated by the efforts of the 2007 players\ LANCEPRESS!\
Marcinho, who scored the winning goal in Flamengo's 2-1 victory over Cieciano, insisted he hasn't yet shown his full potential to the Flamengo fans. The attacking midfielder also highlighted the commitment of the remaining players from the 2007 squad, citing this as a motivating factor.
- The fans still know me very little, I have a lot to show. I'm fighting this way because, seeing my teammates who have been here longer fighting all the time for the goal, I feel obliged to strive for victory even more and I feel much more