THE GLOBE
A different Fla debuts in the Rio Cup
Joel keeps only three starters for today's game against Resende
Photo caption: DEFENDER Leonardo trains at Gávea: the 30-year-old player debuts for the red-black team and promises to play seriously
Carlos Eduardo Mansur
Flamengo fans heading to Maracanã today will see, in the Copa Rio opener against Resende at 18:10 p.m., a different Flamengo than the one that faced Cienciano in the Libertadores. Of the starters, only Bruno, Kleberson, and Diego Tardelli will start. This doesn't mean an unfamiliar squad will be on the field, as players the fans have grown accustomed to cheering on, such as Obina, Jaílton, Marcinho, and Jônatas, will return to the stadium as starters.
Obina takes Souza's place and forms a duo with Tardelli
With the Guanabara Cup champion and the Libertadores Cup as his priority, coach Joel Santana decided to rest players who, in his opinion, were suffering the most fatigue. The biggest concerns were full-backs Leonardo Moura and Juan, as well as midfielders Ibson and Toró. Fábio Luciano and Souza are serving suspensions. In defense, the star player is Leonardo, who will make his debut.
"It's an interesting time to debut. I won't say I won't miss the match rhythm. Training and playing are different things," said Leonardo, 30, who has played for Coritiba, Palmeiras, and Goiás. "I'm a defender who plays hard and seriously. If I have to play, I do. If I need to kick the ball, I do."
On the wings, Luizinho and Egídio will have the chance to show their worth.
"We have a long string of games, and so is the strain. We have to be ready to take advantage of our opportunities. That way, Joel will know he can count on us," said left-back Egídio.
Paraguayan Gávillan is expected to get his first opportunity this year. Suspended for 120 days by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD) last year for assaulting Palmeiras' Valdívia in the Brazilian Championship, the midfielder says he's fit to make his debut.
"I'm ready for any competition. Joel decides who climbs," he said.
In attack, Diego Tardelli will be joined by Obina, who takes Souza's place.
"We're not abandoning the Rio Cup. We have a group, and we'll evaluate, game by game, the best way to use our players," said Joel, who doesn't intend to drop more than five starters in any game.
Flamengo: Bruno, Luizinho, Leonardo, Thiago Sales and Egidio; Jailton, Jonathan, Kleberson and Marcinho; Diego Tardelli and Obina. Resende: Marcio, Valdir, Marcio Costa, Leandro and Vinicius; Beto, Marcio Gomes, Leo and Bruno Reis; Alexandre and Toni Carvalho. Referee: Leandro Noel Laranja.
Newspaper talk
GLOBO reporters and editors let the fans speak and speak out against the Botafogo/Flamengo feud
Worried, as a matter of professional duty, about not letting their passion spill over the line between the computer and the TV, journalists release their stress in heated bar conversations. Or rather, in the newsroom. When the topic is sports, things take on a more vociferous and passionate dimension. Below, what's been talked about here during the epic past week. (Arnaldo Bloch)
SPEECHLESS
"And no one stops/This crying..." Fan music is like any other music: some catch on, others don't. This one caught on. It was the collective interpreting the black and white show so perfectly that it makes any word seem smaller.
- Dimmi Amora, reporter, Fla
ADHEMAR DE BARROS WENT TO THE GAME
Those who cry don't get fed. A shot that hit the post in the 46th minute of the second half is inexcusable. Flamengo, at least, follows former governor Adhemar de Barros' motto: steal, but score.
- Eduardo Fradkin, reporter, Flu
CRYING: THE GOOD OF LOVE
I think Botafogo can capitalize on the collective outcry at the Rio Cup. It was a rare display of commitment to the club in football these days. More than a fan could hope for.
- Mauricio Fonseca, Bota
EXERCISE FOR LIFE
Knowing how to deal with football's frustrations is a valuable life skill. Everyone has the right to cry, cry, and express their feelings inappropriately. Otherwise, they'll quickly punish the goal scorer, because the pain caused to the opposing fans can incite violence.
- Pedro Gueiros, reporter, Fla
SHE FREQUENTLY ATTENDS...
I'm a Flamengo fan and a regular at Maracanã, whose collective hysteria delights me. I sympathize with the black and white lamentations, but Ibson's tenacity, Diego Tardelli's class, and Obina's will leave no doubt.
- Mariana Timóteo, Ela Notebook, Fla
WITH CEREMONY
In a football game that often shifts from professional to mercenary, the black-and-white attitude was as rare as it was dignified. It's not easy to see a man crying in public, let alone a man of 17 or 18. It's normal for a player to spend three months at a club and then move on to another, without ceremony.
- Claudio Nogueira, reporter, Vasco
RODRIGIAN AWESOME
The game awakened a long-standing rivalry in me. It was exciting, well-played, and good in that sense. But to think that Flamengo's victory was "fairly fair" still amazes me to this day, and reminds me of a Tricolor, in this case, an impartial one: Nelson Rodrigues. What does that have to do with it? Ask the idiots of objectivity.
- Marcos Penido, reporter, Bota
THE GIRL OF THE LETTERS
It's just a mess. No one highlights a pass, a brilliant move. It makes me sad.
- Lilian Quaino, responsible for the letters section of GLOBO, without a team
FLAMENGO IS WIDE
It's hard to dismiss Flamengo with just negative thinking. They have everything going for them, even off the field! They're too "wide"!
- Sergio Prado, assistant, Flu
CRONENBERG 3 x 0 FOOTBALL
How could I waste time with 22 grown men on the day the Coen Brothers were competing for the Oscar? I was so worried that I took advantage of the game time to rewatch David Cronenberg's new film for the third time.
- Rodrigo Fonseca, critic, Flu
IT'S TIME FOR PEACE
Passion and controversy make football fascinating. But there's a limit to everything. The Flamengo fans' chant at the match against Cienciano is spectacular. Souza's attitude is not. It's an example of irresponsibility. The limit was crossed, with many risks. In a city where violence is commonplace, the climate created, of confrontation between the two fan bases, is worrying. Very worrying. It's time for peace. - Antonio Nascimento, editor, Flu
STOP IT!
Stop it. What's this pointless seriousness? Football is a game, a joke. And jokes without banter are no fun. It's like Carnival without dancers, feijoada without jerked beef, beer without alcohol. Winning a beautiful title like the GB Cup and not making waves against your opponent is impossible. Joy, everyone, this is football.
- Ascânio Seleme, executive editor, Fla
PASTEURIZED BORING
Soccer has become a pasteurized bore. Everyone wants to pose as proper. I used to be thrilled with Renato Gaúcho and his witticisms during derby week, or with Horta's phrases, who joked without offending (it's an art, not for everyone). Romário is what's left, in Rio, of that generation. Túlio Maravilha, hiding out in Goiás, makes me cry with longing. Even Robinho has been contaminated by this pseudo-professionalism dictated by press officers and top officials. Renato has become a bore. If Kaká is the role model, what can we expect?
- Jorge Luiz Rodrigues, columnist, Vasco
RED-BLACK CONFESSES
I'm a Flamengo fan, and I was upset with the refereeing, which ruined a beautiful game and took the shine off Flamengo's victory by casting doubt on the fairness of the match. I think the outcry is exaggerated, but I admit that Botafogo is by far the club most harmed by the officiating.
- Paulo Thiago, writer, Fla
SAD CARDBOARD
Athletes who tell fans not to go to Maracaí should be out. But the club's leadership doesn't care about that, nor is it very keen on keeping promises. Just look at Bebeto's "resignation" and Cuca's dismissal last year. What a shame.
- Flavio Pessoa, reporter, Flu
WHY THIS PAGE?
But what do you want to discuss? The indisputable penalty? The indisputable victory? I don't understand... why this page?
- Paula Autran, reporter, Fla
PRAGMATISM AND STANDARDIZATION\ The refereeing committee should standardize certain decisions: in this case, either all penalties are awarded or none. But it's also time for Botafogo to be more pragmatic.\
- Fabio Juppa, reporter, Fla
TWO CHAMPIONS
Controversy is the icing on the cake of a final. In this regard, Flamengo and Botafogo were champions. Like Renato's belly goals and Wilton's handball in the Fla-Flus match: a good thing is when the game lasts well beyond 90 minutes.
- Paulo Motta, editor, Fla
STOMACH ACHE FOR EVERYONE
That the referees always make mistakes, they really do. At least that's what the commentators shout during every broadcast. The problem is, this time, the mess was against my team—tomorrow, it will definitely be against yours. I hope he has a stomach ache the next time he officiates.
- Léa Cristina, editor, Bota
ENDEMIC INCOMPETENCE
Botafogo fans lack self-criticism when they see grand conspiracies where there is only the endemic incompetence of soccer referees. The unfortunate consequence is that a great game, a packed stadium, and a stunning goal in the final minutes were overlooked, victim of a futile debate.
- Aydano André Motta, editor, Fla
LONELY CROWD
Being a Flamengo fan means being part of a lonely crowd against which everyone else joins in rooting for defeat. That's why it's natural for Tricolor and Vasco fans to tend to agree with the black and white whiners. So, that Ferrero guy almost rips off Fábio Luciano's shirt, Lúcio Flávio kicks Juan from behind, and it's the referee's fault? If it were, 19 years later, the current referee would have done justice to Maurício's shove of Leonardo in the goal that gave Fogão the 1989 championship. Botafogo lost this time because Flamengo was better. Just like Botafogo was better in 1989. That's all.
Marceu Vieira, Ancelmo column, Fla
THE VOICE OF BLOOD
For us América fans, the uproar is strange. Distanced from fanaticism, we are a kind of Enlightenment Republic amidst dogmatic theocracies. Perhaps these are just normal reactions, but, to an American, Flamengo's fan base resembles that of an ultra-nationalist state, a mass blind to other realities. Botafogo is a kind of football Bolivia, with a victim complex. Vasco is a feudal regime, a Cuba without a beard and with a big belly. And Fluminense is a republic of merchants with a fixed doge from a "family" that makes the president's decisions.
- Renato Galeno, reporter, master in international relations from UFF and América fan
'SOUL' VASCO
"Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain
Joy and pain are like sunshine and rain"
- Carlos Albuquerque, Vasco reporter and DJ, quoting "Joy and Pain", a soul classic from the 70s
FLAMENGO BASKETBALL
Undefeated leader of the National Men's Basketball Championship with ten wins, Flamengo kicks off its return leg of the championship against Iguaçu today at 11 a.m. at the Hélio Maurício Gymnasium in Gávea. Flamengo is also enjoying a strong run in the South American League, with three wins in three games.
The victory routine
Diego Hypólito, the two-time gymnastics champion, makes the discipline his leap to Beijing
Photo caption: DIEGO HYPÓLITO, one of the greatest Brazilian gymnasts in the world, shows his collection of 20 medals won in 11 years of competitions
Jorge Antonio Barros
Every day he does everything the same. His cell phone alarm wakes him up at 6 a.m. It's set to go off every five minutes until 6:30 a.m., his last chance for dawn. He doesn't wake up right away, but he's the top performer in South American gymnastics and one of the best in the world. Building on a successful career marked by 20 medals and vaults that almost always take him to the podium, 21-year-old gymnast Diego Hypólito, from São Paulo, values precisely what most people consider boring and almost always leads to failure: routine.
"Life is monotonous, but that's what makes it work. Discipline and dedication are very closely related. People talk about routine as a negative thing, but it's actually very positive. I have to thank God and my family for my routine. I always think about my past. We lived in a very small house, and there were days when there was no coffee on the table. We had a million difficulties. And we were very happy. So I will fight to always win," says the Flamengo athlete and greatest Brazilian gymnast of all time.
A member of the "podium generation" of Brazilian gymnastics, along with his sister Daniele and Daiane dos Santos, Diego is a natural-born obstinate athlete. He's now ever closer to realizing his dream of becoming an Olympic champion in Beijing. But he assures me he's never been as calm as he is today.
"If it doesn't happen, it won't be for lack of training. But I'm not going to give up that easily," says the boy.
With a new hairstyle and his usual good mood, the athlete presented a bit of this routine to GLOBO, for two days in a row.
Diego wants to launch a new 'Hypólito' at the Beijing Olympics
Gymnast controls anxiety and maintains positive thinking for victory
In his apartment, Diego has daily English lessons with a private tutor. He has suspended his enrollment in the Physical Education course.
Jorge Antonio Barros
Flamengo's Olympic gymnastics coach, Renato Araujo, who has coached two-time champion Diego Hypólito for 13 years, admits he's impressed by the tenacity of the boy who told him at eight years old that he wanted to be an Olympic champion. Like a world gymnastics circuit, Diego progressed through the ranks until he qualified for the Beijing Olympics in August. Ever closer to his dream of standing on the Olympic podium, Diego reveals he even plans to launch a new "Hypólito," similar to the stunt double who inscribed his name in the Olympic gymnastics code of points, just like Daiane dos Santos.
He'll start competing in Germany in April and finish in June with a national tournament. But he assures me he's not anxious.
"Last year, I had to train even more than this year. People say, 'So, are you going to train a lot this year?' I'm training like I did last year. An Olympic spot is harder than being an Olympic champion. I train with that goal in mind. Whether it will happen or not, I don't know; it's in God's hands. But it won't be for lack of training or for not doing my best," says the athlete, who is a believer in positive thinking and faith in God.
"I think it's very important to believe in God. I pray a lot, and prayer calms me," adds Diego, who is Catholic, admires spiritualism, and attends two churches: an evangelical church and Our Lady of Peace in Ipanema.
Gymnast says he has never fallen in love
Faith in God and feet on the platform at the Cláudio Coutinho Gymnasium, at Flamengo's headquarters—where he spends much of his day, which starts early, in the three-bedroom apartment provided by the club on Avenida Rui Barbosa, a former upscale Rio address. He lives there with his father, Wagner, an employee of NovaDutra, and his brother, Edson, a physical education teacher.
"Every day I do everything exactly the same. I brush my teeth, have breakfast, shower, tidy up, brush my teeth again, and go to training," says the athlete, who trains an average of seven hours a day and has four sponsors.
He dropped out of his second year of Physical Education at Estácio and opted for daily English lessons with a private tutor, keeping an eye on press conferences abroad. He doesn't read much, but he'll have some valuable insights in a self-help book published by Thomas Nelson (an Ediouro imprint), written by coach Renato and judge William Douglas, the competition champion. He barely has time to watch TV every day and instead follows virtual rivals online, such as Romanian Marian Dragulescu, Spaniard Gervasio Deffer, and a Chinese man whose name he can't remember. Diego swears he doesn't even have time to date, but he also confesses he's never been in love.
One of her greatest passions is her family. The only thing that can't be missed in her day is a phone call or two to her mother, Dona Geni, who harvested a lot of coffee in the interior of Paraná.
"Diego is a ray of light. A very happy boy who radiates that happiness to all of us," says his mother and great supporter, as does his sister, Daniele.
Although he doesn't like driving due to his inability to cope with traffic, Diego gets behind the wheel of his Mitsubishi Airtrek and heads to the club, arriving around 7 a.m. He almost always plays gospel music, his favorite.
"When I get to this gym, I forget everything. I enter a kind of bubble. I go train because this is my life, it's what I love to do," he says, while undergoing one of two daily physical therapy sessions, a mandatory practice for athletes condemned to live between the dream of physical perfection and the limits of the human body.
A perfectionist, but also a big joker
A floor exercise specialist, his body soars in somersaults to the delight of those watching him in the gym, morning and afternoon. The other athletes stop to watch. The kids cheer. "It's perfect!" exclaims physiotherapist Cláudia Rodrigues, an Olympic gymnastics and Flamengo Medical Department physiotherapist who has been treating Diego for two years. He mumbles "nothing, nothing" at Cláudia's enthusiasm.
- He's a perfectionist - says the owner of the hands that search for the sore spots on Diego's body (1,70m, 67 kilos), on his ankles, wrists, shoulders and lower back - the result of the acrobatics.
Cláudia also ends up learning about Diego's antics off the stage. The other day, he took advantage of a brief blackout at the club to show her a lizard. General panic ensued. Outside of training and competitions, when he's at his most focused, Diego is a jokester who confesses he doesn't go to the movies because he's embarrassed by his shrill laugh. And he laughed heartily when the reporter, more accustomed to stray bullets, asked him to explain what the double twist with a "carrapeta" actually looks like:
- What carrapeta?! It's a double carpado twist, with a 360-degree pirouette.
On the streets, a young man or two realizes he's standing in front of Brazil's greatest gymnast and pays him homage. Diego assures me he doesn't care about fame and defends humility as an important value for winners.
"We must keep our feet on the ground and our heads down," he says, alongside his sister Daniele, who is one of the pioneers in this new stage of Olympic sport in Brazil.
Fernando Calazans
The three challengers
Vasco is one of the attractions of the Rio Cup, which begins this weekend. The others, naturally, are Fluminense and Botafogo. This is because the smaller clubs, as we saw in the first round, pose no threat. And Flamengo, the other big club, is already one of the Rio Championship finalists. There's only one spot left, which will be contested by Botafogo, Fluminense, and Vasco.
These three, therefore, will be the main protagonists of this second round. Flamengo, already busy with the Copa Libertadores da América, will use its reserve team, filled with one or two (future) starters who need to get in shape and get into rhythm.
Vasco, which takes its first step today, is fielding an attacking quartet: Morais, Edmundo, Alex Teixeira and Alan Kardec.
Could this be a good sign? It depends. Coach Alfredo Sampaio left a question mark. He believes, as I read here on our pages, that the quartet's lineup leaves "the defense vulnerable."
But "vulnerable" against whom? - I ask.
If I understand correctly, Alfredo Sampaio believes Vasco's defense will be "vulnerable" against Boavista, Cardoso Moreira, Duque de Caxias, Volta Redonda, and Macaé. Isn't that formidable?
I imagine the coach was deeply impressed, deeply frightened, by what he saw from these teams in the first round of the championship. In other words: Vasco can't be offensive against Cardoso Moreira, or against Duque de Caxias, or against... Vasco, in short, can't be offensive. They can only be offensive today (if at all) because they won't have Jonilson, Leandro Bonfim, and Beto, who are injured. But they're considered starters. When they return, one of the four offensive players will have to leave the team.
Now, please. Does Vasco know it has to win this second round at all costs if it even harbors any ambition of competing for the title?
Does Vasco know that it can't settle for draws and other results considered "good"?
And, after all, what team can't do without Jonílson, Leandro Bonfim, and Beto, these indispensable stars? Is this a team that's actually competing for a championship title?
To get there, where Flamengo and Vasco have already arrived, not only Vasco, but also Botafogo and Fluminense, they will need courage, determination, boldness and, above all, decision-making power - firepower.
They'll need victories, not heavy defensive schemes, to face this team, especially with another extraordinary advantage that the rules, so kind to the powerful, give them: they only play at home.
That's the best part.
The only thing better is Flamengo's situation, as they will dedicate the second half of the season to preparing the team for the decisive stages of the Libertadores and the championship final.
How? Playing Kleberson, Tardelli, Jônatas, Marcinho, and even some forgotten players like the Argentine Maxi. Still so young, and with family ties that speak highly of him—he's Messi's cousin, currently the best player in the world—Maxi hasn't been fully utilized at Gávea.
Wouldn't this be the time to give him another chance?
Never mind, it's funny that Túlio criticizes Souza (or whoever) for lack of professionalism.
In terms of professionalism, what can be said of a player who tearfully begs his own fans not to set foot in the Maracanã again? Or of a player who was suspended last year for kicking a downed opponent in the head?
Who are these players? Only one: Túlio.
SPORTS JOURNAL
Jaílton wants to regain his place
Jaílton wants to prove today, against Resende, that he can return to being a starter for Fla
After losing his starting spot to Kleberson against Cienciano, defensive midfielder Jaílton will have another opportunity today against Resende to prove he can return to Flamengo's first team. Despite being sidelined, he didn't seem upset with coach Joel Santana.
"Of course I was surprised by the benching, but I'm subject to it. Getting used to being a reserve is difficult, but I have to keep working to get back. Joel made the decision he thought was right, and I have to accept it. Just as I became a starter without him even talking to me, I ended up leaving the team. I'm not upset," Jaílton clarified.
With a team full of reserves, he'll have the mission of being one of the leaders on the field. The new role doesn't exactly scare him: "I'll have to know how to manage this. Because it's a new team, one that's never played an official match, we'll need a lot of dialogue to get things settled," he explained.
Luizinho, who was Jaílton's teammate at Ipatinga, feels quite different. The right-back knows that no matter how well he plays, he won't be able to take Leonardo Moura's spot. Even so, he isn't afraid of the responsibility of replacing a player at the level of the Brazilian national team.
"I'll go into this game the same way I always have. Léo is doing his job very well, he's in excellent form, but I have to do my part too. I'll give my all so that Flamengo comes out on the field victorious," promised Luizinho.
Mixed opportunities
Against Resende, Flamengo debuts in the Rio Cup with a team full of reserves
Thiago Bokel
File/JS
With his presence in the final already guaranteed, Joel wants to observe those who haven't had a chance
With the Taça Guanabara title and a place in the Carioca final already secured, Flamengo debuts today at 18:10 p.m. in the Taça Rio against Resende, featuring only three players who started in the victory over Cienciano last Wednesday: Bruno, Kleberson, and Diego Tardelli. Even so, the match is crucial for those who haven't had the chance.
This is the case, for example, across the entire Flamengo defense. Leonardo and Thiago Sales will form a unique central defense. The former will even make his debut for Flamengo. Luizinho and Egídio, due to the good form of starters Leonardo Moura and Juan, have virtually no chance of playing. But they're not the only ones. There are also those hoping to regain their starting spot.
Having been ruled out for the week of the Guanabara Cup final, defensive midfielder Jônatas—who provided the assist for Marcinho's goal in the last match—is eager to prove he's reached peak physical form. Heroes of the last two games, Marcinho and Diego Tardelli, will face off in a private duel to show coach Joel Santana that they can partner with Souza in attack. Running as an outside hitter, Obina is also aiming for a starting spot.
"We're fighting to help Flamengo. There's no individuality here, everyone fights for the club. Tardelli and Marcinho have been playing well, but I'm also looking for my place," said the darling of the Flamengo fans.
Another potential battle will be between Kleberson and Jaílton. While the latter was a starter throughout the first half of the Carioca season, the former earned his spot against Cienciano. In addition to those already mentioned, Paraguayan Gavilán and forward Vinícius Pacheco, who was loaned to Ipatinga this year but ultimately failed to adapt to the Minas Gerais club, will be on the bench today and could earn a chance later in the game.
With this spirit, to show Joel that they can be useful to Flamengo this season, these players will enter with the responsibility of taking the club to the Rio Cup semifinals. The coach himself has already stated that he will test these "forgotten" players more often. Mixed or not, the fans don't care; Flamengo has an obligation to leave the field as a winner.
Leader Mengão faces the bottom team
Undefeated in the National Basketball Championship, Flamengo hosts Iguaçu today at the Gávea gymnasium
Eduardo Vieira
Nina Lima
Flamengo players, like Marcelinho, are very confident
With the best record in the National Men's Basketball Championship, with 10 wins in 10 games, Flamengo faces a theoretically easy opponent today at 11 a.m. at the Hélio Maurício gymnasium in Gávea. After all, bottom-placed Iguaçu hasn't yet put up much of a fight against the big teams, hasn't won a match, and will have a tough time holding off the in-form Rubro-Negro. In the first half of the season, the reigning three-time state champions won 122-57.
Even so, pivot Coloneze, one of the highlights of the season, asks for great care and respect for the opponent:
"Our excellent campaign in the South American League (three wins in three games) has left us even more motivated and united. The important thing for the match against Iguaçu is to maintain our concentration and maintain our high level of play."
For coach Paulo Chupeta, the secret to the successful campaign is the team's balance, which allows for constant rotation of players. This leads to an aggressive defense and high speed in connecting defense and attack. However, individually, winger Marcelinho continues to shine, leading the competition with an average of 25,5 points.
"The strength of this Flamengo team is its collective strength. Every player plays a key role in the team's success," explained Marcelinho.
The hardest part is containing the euphoria of the fans, who feel that the possibility of winning the long-awaited national title for the first time is real, having twice escaped them in the final: in 2000 and 2004.
"I think this positive moment is shared by the coaching staff, fans, and players. It's magical, and Flamengo undoubtedly has the team to be champions. But there's still a long way to go," said strategist Chupeta.
Flamengo: Marcelinho, Duda, Alírio, Amiel and Coloneze. Reserves: Fred, Hélio, Maicon, Fernando Mineiro and Collin\ Coach: Paulo Chupeta\
Iguaçu: Rafinha, Cesar, Pedrinho, Adriano and Fred. Reserves: Alex, Douglas, Antonio, Anderson and Eider\ Coach: Bruno Freire\
Location: Hélio Maurício Gymnasium, in Gávea\ Time: 11am\
Marcos de Castro
Bath-in-Cuia
That fan
Marcos de Castro
My old friend, the Flamengo fan, called me twice this week. The first time was on Monday, of course, and he spoke without enthusiasm about winning the Guanabara Cup. The other call was after the victory over Cienciano in the Libertadores. Here too, there was no enthusiasm; the tone, once again, lacked enthusiasm. It couldn't be, given the demanding fan that he is.
There are fans—everyone knows them—who like to win in the 47th minute of the second half, with a handball and an offside call. Not so, my friend.
He likes clear victories, as clear as the white dress of a girl about to make her First Communion. Well, I don't know if people still wear white dresses for First Communion. Maybe it's a thing of the past. But let's move on.
The fact is, he wasn't too happy with either victory. In the Guanabara Cup, he was the only Flamengo fan leaving the stadium feeling a bit deflated, as he told me. He couldn't accept the sending off of Botafogo's Zé Carlos, that is, the opponent. He thought Souza (whose name is spelled that way, with a "z" on the second syllable, contrary to the correct spelling) should have been sent off, since he was the one who caused all the confusion by stealing the ball from goalkeeper Castillo, not Zé Carlos, who was just another player in the mix and didn't do anything serious.
In Cienciano's case, he lamented that the Peruvian team had a perfectly correct—and beautiful—goal disallowed by the referee. That didn't stop him from celebrating Flamengo's winning goal, especially because Obina, a fervent fan, participated, and whom he deeply considers even better than that African whose name I won't transcribe because I don't know his exact spelling.
He didn't stop celebrating, in Botafogo's case, because a title is a title, it touches the old Flamengo heart, even with the referee's mistakes, for which Flamengo is not to blame. And, won in a classic, the taste is even greater. In Cienciano's case, because every victory is good in a competition like the Libertadores. But, oh, my old and incorrigible friend would like victories in other circumstances! Patience, there are still people like that...
THE DAY
Fla's Mixed Team faces Resende
Martha Esteves
Rio - The fans may not see it that way. But, despite taking the field tonight (18:10 p.m.) against Resende at the Maracanã with only three starters (Bruno, Jaílton, and Tardelli), coach Joel Santana is demanding that Flamengo also win the Rio Cup to avoid the physical and emotional stress of deciding the state title.
In addition to resting key players such as full-backs Leonardo Moura and Juan, midfielder Íbson and striker Souza, Joel intends to give more chances and observe more closely players such as Marcinho, Kléberson and Obina, and in the future Gavillán, who has not yet worn the red-black shirt.
"Fábio Luciano and Souza felt pain; Léo Moura could be called up to the national team again; Souza complained of a knee problem... These things can only be overcome by building teams for each occasion. And it will be good to look at who was getting few chances," says the GB Cup-winning coach.
Even those who are not selected for the 'very dangerous' game, in the opinion of the red-black coach, bet that Flamengo has the conditions to be champion of the Rio Cup and the State Championship.
"The players coming in have the quality and technique to keep the team on a winning path. I'm completely confident we have what it takes to win the second half," Íbson predicts.
Defender Leonardo, who joined from Goiás, will debut with the team with the same optimism. Happy to fulfill his dream of playing for Flamengo, Leonardo promises great commitment and dedication to help with the difficult task.
"Our responsibility is great, but my expectations are very high. Playing for Flamengo is an honor, and being able to help keep the team on the winning path is an obligation. We'll start off on the right foot to maintain our high spirits," promises the defender. "The red-and-black 'nation' deserves to be happy," says Leonardo.
Ibson wants to stay at Fla
Rio - Being Flamengo's top scorer wasn't the goal for fan Íbson. But scoring four times in the Guanabara Cup was important, even decisive, for him to finally win the hearts of the Flamengo 'nation.' What's more, it could help him negotiate with the club, and Porto, to keep him at Gávea. His contract expires on June 30th, and he can't contain his eagerness to resolve the matter.
The player has no desire to return to Portugal. He's happy at the club and worries about how his son, Íbson Júnior, who's only four months old, will adapt. Not to mention, he's never been so productive.
"My goal was never to be the top scorer, but of course I'm loving scoring goals. But I also enjoy providing good assists. My biggest concern right now is resolving my situation at the club. I really want to stay at Flamengo," says the player, who sometimes has trouble sleeping due to anxiety.
Like most, he hopes the team wins the Rio Cup and avoids the State final and further stress on the players' emotional well-being.
Even knowing that Flamengo will play with a mostly reserve team in most of the second-half games, Íbson is confident in the strength of the group. "Everyone is focused on the goal of leading the team to the title. Being the top scorer comes second."
SPORTS GAZETTE
Fla debuts in the Rio Cup with its sights set on the Libertadores\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Champion of the Guanabara Cup and with a spot secured in the final of the Campeonato Carioca, Flamengo is making no secret of the fact that its priority at the moment is the Copa Libertadores. And thinking about saving itself for the match against Nacional next Wednesday, the Rubro-negro team is expected to field a mixed team against Resende this Sunday at 18:10 pm (Brasília time) at the Maracanã, in the first round of the Taça Rio.\ Although relieved to see Flamengo defeat Cienciano last week, coach Joel Santana knows that his team is not yet in a comfortable position in the Libertadores, where it is only one point ahead of the Peruvian team and Nacional, its next opponent.\
Therefore, the coach is likely to give opportunities to some players currently on the bench, such as midfielder Jônatas and forward Obina. Marcinho, who scored Flamengo's winning goal midweek, should be another new addition to the starting lineup. "Flamengo's board did a great job. We have a strong group," Marcinho stated.
Joel Santana doesn't intend to field an entirely reserve team. The last time he did, Flamengo was thrashed 4-1 by Fluminense. "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. It's good to give opportunities to those who haven't been playing at times. This way, everyone stays motivated, since our priority now will be the Copa Libertadores," said the Flamengo coach.
Two of the starters would no longer be able to play even if Joel Santana wanted them to: defender Fábio Luciano and forward Souza. This is because the defender will have to serve a suspension due to his red card against América in the first round, while Souza received a red card in the Taça Guanabara final against Botafogo.
On Resende's side, which finished the Guanabara Cup with six points, coach Antônio Carlos Roy knows that his team will face many difficulties in getting a good result at Maracanã even when facing an opponent without its maximum strength. 'In any case, Flamengo's squad is very strong and it will be difficult to beat them, whatever the lineup,' says the coach.
Resende will have some new players for the Taça Rio, including defender Leandro and midfielder Bruno Reis. The latter started the season at Vasco, where he hadn't had any opportunities.
Romário already has a date to return to Flamengo. Fans disapprove.\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Although Flamengo's board of directors is reluctant to comment on the matter, Romário's return to Gávea appears to be getting closer. Flamengo sources confirm that the board is simply waiting for the striker's contract with Vasco to end on March 30th to announce his return. The presentation date is reportedly set for March XNUMXth, and Romário would fit into the plan presented by vice-president Kléber Leite. The shorty would play farewell games and have a permanent appearance on Fla-TV. Kléber Leite, however, stated that nothing has been finalized yet, but confirmed that he is simply waiting for president Márcio Braga to return from Europe so that the final decision can be made and the shorty can return to the club.
While Romário seems happy with the outcome of the story and was even at the Maracanã cheering for the club in the final against Botafogo, some fans were not happy about the striker's possible return. A survey conducted this Saturday by the website of the newspaper O Dia showed that Romário is far from being a unanimous choice among the fans. The short man was accused of being a disruptive element, and many said the club is not a retirement home to welcome a player at the end of his career.
Leonardo is confident of a good performance against Resende
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Defender Leonardo is confident he'll have a good game against Resende this Sunday at Maracanã Stadium, in Flamengo's debut in the Taça Rio, the second round of the Campeonato Carioca. The player will take over for captain Fábio Luciano, who is suspended following his red card against Botafogo in the final of the Taça Guanabara, the first round of the Campeonato Carioca. "I want to make the most of this opportunity. It's going to be a very important game, and I'm confident we'll put in a good performance," said Leonardo, confident he's already gelling with his new defensive partner, Thiago Sales.
"We've only had two training sessions together, but he has many qualities. We'll talk a lot to overcome the difficulties," Leonardo emphasized.
After winning the Guanabara Cup, the Rubro-Negro are guaranteed a spot in the Campeonato Carioca final. Indeed, coach Joel Santana is expected to rest some starters for this weekend's match, as the priority in Gávea is the Libertadores Cup.
In this way, the coach must send the following team onto the field: Bruno, Luizinho, Leonardo, Thiago Sales and Egídio; Jaílton, Jônatas, Kléberson and Marcinho; Diego Tardelli and Obina.
PELENET
Leonardo shows confidence in a good debut with the Fla shirt
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Defender Leonardo is confident he will perform well in his Flamengo debut next Sunday at 18:10 PM at the Maracanã stadium in the first round of the Taça Rio, the second round of the State Championship. He will replace the suspended Fábio Luciano in the match against Resende.
"I want to make the most of this opportunity. It will be a very important game and I'm confident we'll put in a good performance," he said, also highlighting that he's already getting used to being in the company of Thiago Sales, with whom he'll form a defensive partnership against the Fluminense team.
"We've only had two training sessions together, but he has a lot of qualities. We're going to talk a lot to overcome the difficulties," Leonardo emphasized.
Winning the Guanabara Cup, defeating Botafogo in the final, guaranteed the Rubro-Negro da Gávea a spot in the State Championship final. Therefore, coach Joel Santana decided to field a mixed team, as the team is simultaneously competing in the Copa Libertadores da América.
In this way, Flamengo faces Resende with the following formation: Bruno, Luizinho, Leonardo, Thiago Sales and Egídio; Jaílton, Jônatas, Kléberson and Marcinho; Diego Tardelli and Obina.
GLOBO ESPORTE
Palmas shines at the premiere of Timemania
Clube do Tocantins is the first winner of the 'Favorite Team' prize draw
The first Timemania drawing took place on Saturday night in São Paulo. The event was attended by Sports Minister Orlando Silva and several executives from Caixa Econômica Federal. The winning numbers were, in order: 71, 51, 63, 57, 24, 80, and 31. The winner of the "Favorite Team" prize was Palmas, from Tocantins.
Winners will share a prize of R$1.894.953,44. Initially, the CEF (Federal Economic and Social Federation) announced the prize would be around R$1 million. The increase occurred on the last day of betting, this Saturday. Timemania was created to help clubs pay their debts to the government.
Unbeaten this year, Fla faces last place
The team is looking for its 14th consecutive victory in 2008 against Iguaçu in the debut of the second round of the National Championship
Marcelinho is Nacional's top scorer
If Flamengo is in good form in soccer, it's even worse in basketball. The Rubro-Negro has played 13 matches this year and has come away with a clean sweep of them all. Finished first in Group B of the South American League with three wins, Flamengo has won ten other matches in the National Championship and should have no trouble winning the next one, this Sunday at 11 a.m. in Gávea, against Iguaçu, the tournament's bottom club so far, without a win in nine games.
"We'll go out on the court respecting Iguaçu, just as we respect all our opponents, regardless of whether they're doing well or poorly in the standings. This is and always will be our stance. We played very well in Uruguay, and that made us very happy, given the excellent form we're in. We're going after another victory. We're playing at home against a team that likes to play at a fast pace, and we have to be focused, trying to impose our rhythm from the start," says Marcelinho, the championship's top scorer with an average of 25,5 points per game and the league's leading stealer with an average of 3,4 per game.
Point guard Fred is another red-black weapon
For point guard Fred, Flamengo will be the club to beat in the return leg of the competition.
"Based on our performance in the first half, we're all aware that Flamengo will be the team to beat in this second half. The other teams will want to beat us no matter what and will be motivated for that reason, but we have a great team. Everyone here is very close, on and off the court, and we have a single goal: to win the National Championship. We'll enter with the same drive as in the first half," says Fred.
In the other game on Sunday, Joinville hosts Lajeado at 18 pm, in Santa Catarina
Souza trains, but doesn't speak
Striker warns he will not comment on accusations that he fired shots into the air
Souza does not comment on accusations that he fired shots into the air.
Souza returned to Gávea as usual this Saturday afternoon. The player remained in the physiotherapy room and informed the club's press office that he will not respond to accusations that he celebrated Flamengo's Guanabara Cup title by firing shots into the air on a street in Barra da Tijuca. The player also stated that he has contacted his lawyers to take appropriate action.
Out of the match against Resende after being sent off against Botafogo, the striker's mood remained unchanged by the news surrounding him. He calmly stopped to sign shirts for dozens of fans who had come from Manaus to watch the training session and even listened to some encouragement.
"Souza, make the Botafogo fans cry again," said a fan, referring to the player's controversial celebration in the match against Cienciano. Flamengo's number 9 simply smiled and left Gávea calmly.
THROW
Joel hopes to maintain his title pope fame
Coach could win the Carioca title directly for the fourth time
Joel has already won both rounds of the Carioca three times
Cassius Leitao RIO DE JANEIRO
After winning the Taça Guanabara, coach Joel Santana could achieve another feat in his career. In addition to winning the Campeonato Carioca with Rio's four major clubs, he could also win the competition outright, winning both rounds for the fourth time. This Sunday, Flamengo begins its fight for the Taça Rio title against Resende at the Maracanã stadium.
Joel Santana's first experience of this kind was in 1992, when he won the State Championship with Vasco da Gama. That season, striker Edmundo emerged as a star player. The Vasco da Gama team won both rounds using the points system.
In the final match, having already secured the state title, Vasco hosted Flamengo at São Januário and completed their celebration against their archrival despite a 1-1 draw, which ensured their unbeaten run. Edmundo opened the scoring for Vasco, and Marcelinho Carioca equalized for Flamengo with a free kick.
In 1996, Joel won the State Championship with Flamengo, also undefeated. In the Guanabara Cup, the final was against Vasco, and the Red-Black team won 2-0, with goals from Romário and Sávio.
In the Rio Cup, Flamengo scored more points than their opponents and secured the state title in advance after a 0-0 draw against Vasco. Romário finished that Carioca with 26 goals, the competition's all-time top scorer.
The following year, Joel coached Botafogo and continued his winning ways. With a clutch midfield of Marcelinho Paulista, Pingo, Djair, and Aílton, Botafogo started the Carioca as an underdog and gradually surprised their rivals. In the first-round final, Botafogo defeated Vasco 1-0, with a goal by Gonçalves.
In the Rio Cup, the team won the tournament by points. However, this championship had a peculiarity due to Vasco's political power, which ensured the championship had a third round, which it won. In the state final, Botafogo defeated Vasco again 1-0. Dimba was the hero of the title, coached by Joel Santana.
Flamengo fans hope that their coach's numbers will be reflected in the Rio Cup so that there will be no State Championship decision and the Red-Black team will win the cup in advance.
Reserves have a new chance to appear at Fla
The match against Resende will serve as a test for many players
LANCEPRESS!\ In addition to the motivation demanded by coach Joel Santana, those who have the obligation to show commitment and seize the opportunity they will have are the reserves selected for today's match against Resende. Almost 80% of the team has been changed compared to the match against Cienciano in the Copa Libertadores.\
One of the new additions to the team, right-back Luizinho is counting on the good chemistry with his defensive teammates, with whom he often trains alongside the reserves.
"Only Leonardo hasn't played with us yet, but he's experienced and will adapt easily. Thiago Sales has played a few times and has a lot of quality," said Luizinho, who highlighted Leonardo Moura's good form and said he will try to do his part to help Flamengo win.
Jaílton, who lost his starting spot in the team's last game, will return to the starting lineup. He stated that he will remain committed to earning his place:
"We're here to help Flamengo achieve good results. I'm going to fight for a spot."
Juan and Obina attack as goalkeepers in training
Andrade showed off his football skills, reminiscing about the good old days.\ LANCEPRESS!\ As is customary on the eve of games, Flamengo, which faces Resende this Sunday, didn't go all out and just played a traditional kickabout. In a relaxed atmosphere, Obina and Juan were the goalkeepers for the game.\
Assistant coach Andrade participated in the activity, making some beautiful passes and reminiscing about his talent from his playing days. He was part of the midfield that conquered the world, alongside Adílio and Zico.