THE GLOBE
Fla faces Americano in search of early classification \ Team needs to win and hope for Macaé and Bangu to stumble in the round \ Photo caption: CUCA TALKS with Josiel: striker leads the State's scoring charts \ Marcos Penido \ Flamengo can guarantee its early classification to the semifinals of the Taça Rio today. To do so, they need to win or draw against Americano, at 19:30 pm, at the Godofredo Cruz Stadium, in Campos, and hope for Bangu to stumble against Tigres, in Moça Bonita, and Macaé against Vasco, at Maracanã. If all of this happens, the club will be guaranteed one of the two spots in Group B of the competition, regardless of the game in the last round, against Fluminense, on Sunday, at Maracanã. \ The lesson of the Guanabara Cup, when the team lost to Resende in the semifinals, was not forgotten. Therefore, today's game is seen as a decisive one by coach Cuca. \ - It was a lesson. Today the team is more balanced, on the rise, and with a decisive spirit. It's an important step we need to take against Americano - said Cuca. \ Zé Roberto feels pain in training \ and does not travel to Campos \ Striker Zé Roberto even took part in a game in Gávea, but felt pain in his right thigh again after taking a strong shot into the air. He immediately went to the locker room, accompanied by doctor Marcio Tannure. The player did not even travel with the delegation to Campos, remaining in Rio for medical treatment. Cuca preferred to keep it a mystery about who will replace him. \ - I can put Aírton and free Ibson, or I can opt for Kléberson, who does Zé's direct job. It could be Jônatas too. - She said. \ The fact is that Cuca thinks that Flamengo has found an offensive and balanced way of playing, and he doesn't intend to give it up. \ - Since I started working at Flamengo, I have been gradually changing some things. Today, we have some players like Éverton Silva, Willians and Erick Flores, who were not known and are helping their teammates. I see the team set up in an offensive way as I like, but with balance to defend itself, especially against Americano, a very well-armed team - said Cuca. \ The appointment of referee Felipe Gomes, who officiated in the 3-1 defeat to Resende in the Guanabara Cup, did not please the board. But everyone is confident of a great performance from the team, which has scored eight goals in the last two games, and conceded just two. \ The most excited in the group is striker Josiel. He leads the State Championship's scoring charts with 11 goals, alongside Bruno Meneghel, from Resende, and hopes to contribute with more goals tonight. \ - Striker lives off goals. I already had a phase like that in 2007, in the Brazilian Championship, for Paraná. I was marked by two players, but I did my duty. I hope to continue like this and leave my mark, or help my teammates against Americano - he said. \ American: Jefferson, Elson, Carlão, Ânderson and Paulo Henrique; Renan, Kim, Siller and Ernani; Eberson (Diego) and Kieza. Flamengo: Bruno, Éverton Silva, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Willians, Aírton (Kléberson), Leonardo Moura and Ibson; Erick Flores and Josiel. Judge: Felipe Gomes. \ BROADCAST: Premiere and Rádio Globo. \
Flamengo's Basketball Wins Another \ Flamengo defeated Limeira yesterday at Maracanãzinho, 76-65 (39-40), in the fourth round of the second round of the Brazilian Basketball Championship. Flamengo's forward Marcelinho was the top scorer, with 24 points. The team leads the competition, with 14 wins (in 16 matches) and 30 points. \
SPORTS JOURNAL
Rare tranquility in Gávea\ Lucas Cascão\
Rio de Janeiro - The weekend's round was perfect for Flamengo. Besides the victory over Resende, which served to banish the specter of a GB Cup semifinal, the results of their competitors left the Red-Blacks in a comfortable position. Botafogo and Bangu lost their games and fell three points behind the current leader. Thus, after a long time, Flamengo had a few days of peace to work. With no crises, defeats, salary hikes, or exoduses in the way, the dark clouds that covered Gávea were replaced by a comforting blue sky. Midfielder Willians, a key player in coach Cuca's scheme, celebrated the peace achieved after Sunday's matches. For him, the atmosphere has improved significantly, and this will be crucial in the fight for qualification. "The atmosphere has indeed changed. It's much better, especially after Saturday's match, in which Botafogo and Bangu lost. We can work more calmly to win and qualify," says Willians. Flamengo currently has 13 points in the Taça Rio and leads Group B. The team is already practically qualified for the semifinals, and only a disaster will take away their spot at Gávea. RetrospectAnd, if the history of the Flamengo-Americano matchup is anything to go by, the Rubro-Negro's good run will continue. That's because the Campos team hasn't beaten Flamengo since 2005, when Americano beat them 2-1 at the Maracanã. And, if you only count the games in Campos, the site of today's match, the statistics get even better. At their opponent's home ground, the Rubro-Negro haven't lost since 2002.
To forward the classification
Without Zé Roberto, Fla faces Americano, this Tuesday night, in Campos
Vinicius Castro
Rio de Janeiro - This Tuesday, at 19:30 p.m., coach Cuca and Flamengo face an important challenge. The red-and-black team travels to Campos on Monday, where they face Americano at Godofredo Cruz Stadium, needing a win to get closer to qualifying for the Taça Rio semifinals. Besides the difficulty of facing a traditionally strong opponent on home soil, coach Cuca has an additional headache. With a hamstring injury in his right thigh, attacking midfielder Zé Roberto is out of the team and did not even travel with the delegation. Although the coach tried to mislead, the tendency is that Aírton and Kleberson will compete for a spot in the game that could help the red-and-blacks qualify. "This round is crucial. If everything goes well, qualification may not be 100% guaranteed, but it would depend on a difficult combination to get us out. To replace Zé Roberto, I have Erick Flores, who has been playing further forward. I can bring on Aírton and free up Ibson. I can put Kleberson to fill the role that Zé Roberto was doing. Jônatas will change things up a bit," he teases. DifficultiesFor the coach, despite all the off-field challenges—the cramped stadium and long journey—the home team remains the main obstacle today. "The biggest challenge will be Americano. They're a team that's been playing well. They're fast, with a strong counterattack, three defenders, and important wingers. We're keeping a close eye on their developments, and I know it's going to be a tough game. Americano will be looking to get back into the game, and that could be good for Flamengo," he analyzes. Cuca commentsCuca also commented on the return of a relaxed atmosphere at Gávea and the good form of striker Josiel. According to the coach, the entire team has been playing well and evolving at the right time. "The ball is coming in well, and he's been taking advantage of his opportunities. Not just him, but the whole team has been playing well. We're strong on the wings. I believe we're evolving at the right time. When you're winning, everything is good; the atmosphere improves, but I feel the same motivation as before. It's important to know how to live with this, and that's how it is at Flamengo: we have to always win and prove our competence in every match," he concluded. With all this, the coach and Flamengo have another opportunity to prove their competence and show that the club can reach the end of the competition with a real chance of winning the coveted fifth title.
Kléber Leite mocks referee
Manager criticizes referee for elimination against Resende and the game against Americano
Rio de Janeiro - Felipe Gomes da Silva, the referee of the match in which Flamengo was eliminated from the Guanabara Cup by Resende, is scheduled to officiate the match between Flamengo and Americano this Tuesday. This is a source of discontent for Kléber Leite, the club's vice president of football. In that match, the referee's controversial performance was ejected by sending off two players from the Gávea team in the first half.
Although not very happy with the selection of Felipe Gomes da Silva, Leite shows confidence in the work of the Refereeing Committee: "Jorge Rabello has been doing a good job. He is a serious guy and must have a good reason for selecting this guy. I hope the referee has had a good intensive course in the psychological aspect and performs well," says Kléber Leite ironically.
Mengão continues to be devastating in the NBA
South American champions beat Limeira and maintain their lead in the competition
Eduardo Vieira, Pedro Ivo Almeida and Thiago Barros
Rio de Janeiro - The São Paulo teams' ordeal against Flamengo in the Novo Basquete Brasil continues. On Monday night, it was the turn of Limeira, the São Paulo champions, to be defeated by the might of Mengão in a very tight match at Maracanãzinho. With 24 points from Marcelinho, Flamengo outscored their rivals 76-65 and secured the long-awaited rematch of the NBB first-round match. All this without Baby, who will be out for a month due to an Achilles tendon injury. This Wednesday, Flamengo returns to play in the Nacional against another São Paulo team: São José, at 19 p.m. Flamengo started with a bang. With Baby out, the team relied on its other star, Marcelinho, to lead the team, and even took a 12-0 lead. After that, however, coach Paulo Chupeta's team was unrecognizable, and with an excessive number of errors, it allowed the São Paulo team to tie the game at 20-20 in the first quarter. For the second period, Chupeta made some changes. Fernando Mineiro and Wagner came in for Duda and Coloneze, but they didn't improve the Gávea team's offensive output, which continued to give away too many free balls to Limeira. The visitors opened up a six-point lead, but another substitution kept Flamengo in the match. Fred changes the gamePoint guard Fred entered the court midway through the second quarter and scored seven points, three of them on a last-second basket that cut the São Paulo team's second-quarter lead to just one point: 40-39. He remained on the court in the third quarter, but Flamengo made the same mistakes as in the first half: hasty shots, misplaced passes, and childish fouls. Even so, buoyed by chants of "let's come back," and with strong performances from Jefferson and Marcelinho, the reigning national champions sought the comeback. With aggressive defense and plenty of quick counterattacks, they succeeded and even opened up a three-point lead. But the third quarter ended tied at 54-54, saving the drama for the final period. It was a happy ending for Flamengo. The team rose to the occasion and played a final quarter worthy of a champion. \ The fans pushed, Wagner was a lion on defense, Marcelinho led the offensive actions and the team won its thirteenth victory at Novo?Basquete Brasil by 76 to 65.\
THE DAY
If you believe you are winning, don't change.
Since hiding the lineup has been working, Cuca maintains the mystery against Americano
BY SABRINA GRIMBERG, RIO DE JANEIRO
Rio - Since the victory over Madureira, Cuca has stopped predicting the team's lineup, and the new strategy has been bringing luck to the superstitious Flamengo coach. In the following game, against Resende, he maintained the mystery, and Flamengo won 4-0. As Cuca's maxim "don't change a winning team" holds true, for now, it's been "decreed": no advance lineups. \While wary of superstitions even in his words, Cuca commented that for today's game, at 19:30 pm, against Americano, in Campos, he intends to defend tightly so as not to be surprised on set pieces. \"We haven't conceded many goals from set pieces, but it's best not to say too much so as not to be called that," said Cuca, who always carries a statue of Our Lady in his pants pocket to games. \Another superstition attributed to the coach is the change of shirts during halftime. In this case, Cuca prefers to say it's due to excessive sweating. And, since he previously never owned two pieces of clothing of the same color—a problem recently fixed by Nike—the habit also joined the coach's list of "oddities." The same relationship is the source of the legend that Cuca won't let the club bus reverse while transporting the coaching staff. The episode, which he swears was just a joke, happened when Cuca was still in charge of Botafogo. Superstitions aside, Flamengo enters the field in this seventh round with the possibility of early qualification if Botafogo, Macaé, and Bangu stumble in their matches. "This is the decisive round. The game against Americano is tough because they have a fast team with a strong counterattack. It's going to be a good game to play," Cuca hopes, even thinking about a 1-0 victory. "In the final stretch of the championship, this is a great result. Our focus is on playing well." With the team coming off two good wins—despite the players not yet having received their February salaries—the mood at Gávea is one of pure tranquility. "It's much better. Since Botafogo and Bangu lost, we're back in the lead. This way, we can work more calmly and strive for qualification," said Willians. Coach Cuca, however, sees it from a different perspective: "In football, when you're winning, everything is good. But I feel the same atmosphere as before, even in defeats. When you work for a big team, the obligation is to win. And when a setback happens, the biggest consequences arise, and we have to learn to live with that. That's how it is at Flamengo; you have to always be winning to prove your competence and that of the team." Poor performance\ The state's top scorer with 11 goals, Josiel has been practicing penalty kicks. Despite his efforts, the performance of 'Jesus,' the nickname he earned from the fans, is below expectations: one goal every three attempts.\ Expectation for a goal\ A defensive midfielder, Willians has yet to score a goal for Flamengo. "My time will come, but I'm not that anxious," he said, having scored five goals in his career.\
Aírton, Kléberson and Jônatas compete for Zé Roberto's position
Rio - Injured Zé Roberto was ruled out by the medical department and did not travel with his teammates to Campos. Last Saturday, against Resende, the player felt a twinge in his right thigh and left the field. He participated in yesterday's training session, but after kicking the ball high, he felt muscle pain again and left the training session accompanied by doctor Márcio Tannure. "I was very upset about this injury. Just when I was figuring out how to play for the team. I didn't want to miss this match, but unfortunately, there's no way I can play without the risk of aggravating the injury to the point of ruling me out for the rest of the competition," said Zé Roberto, referring to the spot he's earned in midfield, his original position. For the player, this week will be one of intensive training as he attempts to return for the derby against Fluminense on Sunday. "It's the kind of matchup no player would want to miss, and it's no different for me. Playing a Fla-Flu match in front of a packed Maracanã would be fantastic," says the number 10. With Zé Roberto out, Cuca is considering three options: Aírton, Kléberson, or Jônatas. "With Aírton on the field, we'd free up Ibson and Willians more. Kléberson would take over Zé's direct role, and with Jônatas, it changes things up a bit; he has different characteristics," analyzes the coach, who will keep Erick Flores alongside Josiel. Due to yesterday's chaotic traffic, training started 40 minutes late, and Cuca didn't go over the tactical part: "The team already knows what to do. Tactics are important when there are a lot of changes."
Josiel on nickname: 'It would be blasphemy'
Rio - Called Jesus by Flamengo fans, Josiel doesn't seem to like the nickname very much. However, he's cautious about the subject: "It's a joke on their part. I have nothing against it, but I'd rather stay out of it, especially since it would be blasphemy against the name of Jesus." Cuca also didn't want to dwell on the comparison: "I don't like to joke about it. It must be because we're approaching Holy Week and because of the long hair." With five goals in the last two games, the competition's top scorer with 11 goals, alongside Bruno Meneghel, says his relatives in the South are ecstatic. "They're happy, as we say there. Before, I'd play and not score, and they'd call to ask if something was wrong, now they're just praising me," celebrates the player, who has a contract until July. Despite his good form, Josiel maintains his stance and won't say whether he wants to stay with the team or return to Saudi Arabia. "It's hard to say. Things change quickly here. Until last week, we were experiencing a lot of turbulence. Today, thanks to the results, everything is calmer. In three months, everything could change. I prefer to just focus on the game and leave things as they are," he said evasively.
SPORTS GAZETTE
Flamengo can secure a spot in the semifinals if they beat Americano
Gazeta Press \ Rio de Janeiro (RJ) \
Riding high on two consecutive victories, the last being a 4-0 thrashing of Resende, Flamengo is trying to secure a place in the semi-finals of the Taça Rio, the second round of the Campeonato Carioca, in advance this Tuesday, at 19:30 pm (Brasília), when it goes to the Godofredo Cruz Stadium, in Campos, to face Americano in the seventh round.
To qualify, besides needing a win, Rubro-Negro, leader of Group B with 13 points, will have to hope for slip-ups from Macaé and Bangu, who face Vasco and Tigres do Brasil, respectively. Cano, fifth in Group A with eight points, has no chance of advancing, but wants to earn points to fight for a spot in the next Série D of the Brazilian Championship.
Flamengo coach Cuca spoke to his players about the importance of securing qualification for the semifinals in advance this Tuesday, or at least arriving in good condition for the final round, when the rival will be even more complicated, as it is the classic against Fluminense.
"It will be very difficult for us to go into the final round having to defeat Fluminense in any way to qualify, or even depending on results other than ours. Therefore, winning this Tuesday will be very important, since, even if we don't qualify in this game, at most we will need a draw in the derby," warned Cuca.
Flamengo's players agree with their manager, but understand that defeating Americano will be important not only in terms of the standings, but also to show that the work is on the right track.
"We know how difficult it is to play in Campos and beat Americano there. Therefore, logically, the victory will be crucial in terms of qualification, but it's a result that will give us even more confidence and will give our team a boost in the derby against Fluminense and the semifinals," recalled left-back Juan.
For this match, Cuca won't be able to stick with the lineup that defeated Resende. Striker Zé Roberto, who left the game complaining of a twinge in his right thigh, was ruled out. The coach remained tight-lipped about his replacement, saying he could opt for either Aírton or Kléberson. What's certain is that, with either of them, Erick Flores will play up front.
For Americano, coach Toninho Andrade believes that early pressure can help his team secure a positive result. The coach promises a highly attacking approach, with his team marking the opponent's half and forcing Flamengo into mistakes.
"The victory is also important for our team, although we recognize the difficulties of facing Flamengo. But I believe that only by trying to play on equal terms will we be able to surprise their team," said Toninho.
For this match, the coach will make a change to the formation that defeated Friburguense 1-0 in the previous round. Defender Anderson returns from suspension and will take Nirley's place.
Josiel's nickname sparks controversy at Flamengo
Rio de Janeiro - RJ)
Flamengo's standout striker Josiel, who played for Flamengo in the final rounds of the Rio Cup, has been nicknamed "Jesus da Gávea" by Flamengo fans. However, the goalscorer's new nickname didn't sit well with coach Cuca.
Although the nickname is partly due to Josiel's "resurrection" at Flamengo - at the end of last season, the player shares the top scorer list in the Taça Rio with Bruno Meneghel, from Resende, both with five goals -, Cuca believes that the striker's new nickname comes from his long hair.
"I don't like to joke about it. It would be interesting to think about it. In my opinion, it was a nickname people gave him because Josiel has long hair. Besides, it's almost Easter," the coach pointed out.
Josiel, who had already commented on the nickname last Saturday, assured, this Monday, that he prefers not to carry the nickname "Jesus da Gávea".
"It's a joke from the fans. I prefer to stay out of it and I consider it blasphemy if I accepted that nickname," said Josiel.
Zé Roberto will be out of Flamengo's squad against Americano
Rio de Janeiro - RJ)
Flamengo will be without midfielder Zé Roberto for Tuesday's match at 19:30 pm (Brasília time) against Americano in the Taça Rio. During training on Monday, the Flamengo's number 10 felt the muscle pain in his right thigh again, which forced him to leave the match against Resende last Saturday, 16 minutes into the second half.
For the player, who had scored a goal in the match against Resende, the injury comes at a bad time, as in the last two matches he was finally playing in his original position, midfielder.
"I was very upset about this injury just as I was figuring out how to play for the team. I didn't want to miss this match, but unfortunately, I can't go on the field without the risk of worsening the injury to the point of being out for the rest of the competition," explained the player, who, however, remains undeterred.
"I'll be undergoing intensive treatment this week to be fit for the derby against Fluminense next Sunday. It's the kind of match no player would want to miss, and it's no different for me. Playing a Fla-Flu match in front of a packed Maracanã would be fantastic," plans the number 10, who didn't even travel with the rest of the Rubro-Negro squad to Campos, the venue for Tuesday's match.
Without Zé Roberto, Cuca should field Kléberson, who would play in midfield, or defensive midfielder Aírton, freeing Ibson to set up plays.
Therefore, Flamengo's lineup, which leads group B of the Rio Cup with 13 points, to face Americano should be as follows: Bruno, Everton Silva, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Willians, Ibson, Leonardo Moura and Kléberson (Aírton); Erick Flores and Josiel.
PELENET
Close to a spot in the semifinals, Fla takes on Americano in Campos
Pedro Ponzoni\ In Rio de Janeiro\
After a shaky start to the Taça Rio, Flamengo will have the chance to erase its negative image and secure a spot in the semifinals this Tuesday at 19:30 pm, when it faces Americano at the Godofredo Cruz stadium in Campos, in the seventh round of the second round of the Rio State Championship. To do so, the Rubronegro, who currently leads Group B with 13 points, will need to win and hope to lose two of its three direct opponents in the fight for a spot in the next phase: Botafogo, Macaé, and Bangu. In the fight for early qualification, Flamengo will have a significant absence for Tuesday's match. Attacking midfielder Zé Roberto, who injured his right thigh during his team's 4-0 rout of Resende last Saturday, felt the pain again in training on Monday and was ruled out. "I was very upset about this injury because I was fitting into the team. I didn't want to miss this game, but unfortunately, I'm not in a position to play and risk aggravating the injury. That could keep me out of the State Championship," Zé Roberto assessed. Cuca preferred not to confirm who the attacking midfielder's replacement will be. However, the coach did offer some clues. He could bring on Jônatas, as he did in Saturday's match. Another option would be to move Erick Flores forward and return to playing Airton in defense. Two other alternatives would be to start Kléberson in midfield, also moving Erick Flores forward, or even a bolder option, with Maxi Biancucchi in the front line, alongside Josiel, and only one defensive midfielder: Willians. "I have some alternatives for Zé Roberto's departure. I could start Aírton, and that would free up Ibson to attack. In this formation, Erick would play further forward. Kléberson is another likely replacement. I could also bring in Jônatas, but that would change the team's play," analyzed the coach. At Americano, the main goal at the club is to finish the second half of the season in third or fourth place and, thus, compete for the João Ellis Filho Cup. In fifth place with eight points in Group A, the Campos team already has a guaranteed spot in the Série D Brazilian Championship because they were runners-up in the 2008 Copa Rio.
Cuca does not approve of the nickname given to striker Josiel
Pedro Ponzoni\ In Rio de Janeiro\
The nickname Flamengo fans gave to striker Josiel is starting to generate controversy in Gávea. Coach Cuca preferred to avoid the question of whether he thought the nickname "Jesus" suited the top scorer in the Rio State Championship, alongside Bruno Meneghel of Resende. "To tell the truth, I found out through you (journalists). Anyway, I prefer not to joke about it. It would be interesting to think about it. In my opinion, it was a nickname people gave him because Josiel has long hair. Besides, it's approaching Easter Week," the coach stated. The striker himself reiterated this Monday that he prefers to leave such comparisons regarding his appearance to the fans. Furthermore, he stated that he finds the nickname offensive. The striker has a habit of celebrating his goals by thanking the heavens. "It's a joke from the fans. I prefer to stay out of it. Besides, I think it would be blasphemy if I accepted that nickname," he said. Last weekend, the center forward stated that the only similarity between him and Jesus would be the fact that both managed to turn things around. Josiel recalled that he arrived at the club surrounded by distrust, but managed to start the season well, scoring many goals. "It's a joke from the fans. I think it's cool, but there are no comparisons in that sense. I can't compare myself to Jesus. Except for the fact that, after a lot of distrust here at Flamengo, I managed to get back on my feet," he said, referring to Jesus' resurrection. Josiel's good form has already led the board to reconsider the possibility of simply releasing him at the end of his loan contract, which expires in June. However, the club's financial crisis could get in the way. To keep the player at Gávea, Flamengo will have to pay US$2 million (approximately R$4,6 million). When asked if he wants to stay at Rubronegro, the player dodged the question. He noted that he's in good form, but things could change. "It's hard for me to talk about that. Things are calmer for me now, but in three months things could change. In any case, I'd rather not worry about my contract right now so as not to get in my way," he concluded.
Loterj sponsors Flamengo basketball
Rio de Janeiro Flamengo basketball has another reason to celebrate: it has secured its first grant to cover its expenses. The club, which launched a jersey sales campaign, has reached an agreement with Loterj.
The Rio de Janeiro state agency will pay approximately R$80 (in four installments of R$20) for a sponsorship contract until the end of the NBB season. Each installment covers 10% of Flamengo's monthly payroll.
GLOBOESPORTE
Emerson's debut should happen in the Fla-Flu
The striker is still improving his physical fitness and will start training with his teammates next Thursday.
Eduardo Peixoto Rio de Janeiro
Emerson, in a blue vest, participates in a Flamengo match
Flamengo's secret weapon in the Campeonato Carioca will be showcased next Sunday in the derby against Fluminense. At least that's the coaching staff's plan for striker Emerson's debut. The player has been working hard in physical training over the past week to get in shape. He was expected to play in Tuesday's match against Americano, but the coach decided to hold off. "Maybe for Sunday. He'll stay in Rio doing physical training and start training with us on Thursday," the coach explained. Signed from Al-Sadd, Emerson impressed in his presentation with his love for Flamengo and the emotion he displayed when sharing his life story. The player arrives with credentials from successful stints in Japanese and Qatari football.
Renewed and reinvigorated, Flamengo tries to qualify against Americano
The match takes place this Tuesday in Campos. The club finds peace with victories and top scorer Josiel.
Eduardo Peixoto Rio de Janeiro
Cuca pensive: Fla has a new test against Americano, this Tuesday
The hair is the same, but the morale... what a difference. After a rough patch at Gávea, Josiel is the symbol of a Flamengo team that is resurgent after being savaged by critics and deflated by disastrous performances. The new test for the top scorer and the Rubro-Negro will be this Tuesday at 19:30 pm against Americano in Campos. If they win at the Godofredo Cruz stadium, the team could secure a spot in the semifinals depending on other results. The match, valid for the seventh and penultimate round of the Taça Rio, will be broadcast live on GLOBOESPORTE.COM. Premiere Futebol Clube and Rádio Globo-RJ will also broadcast. After losing the derby to Vasco and finishing third in Group B, Flamengo bounced back with victories over Madureira (4-2) and Resende (4-0). Of the eight goals scored, Josiel scored five, reaching 11 in the Carioca Championship. He leads the scoring charts alongside Bruno Meneghel of Resende. "As soon as he arrived, Cuca spoke to me and said I'd have a chance if I dedicated myself. I wanted to be a starter and score a lot of goals because I needed opportunities and confidence. And everything worked out," commented the number 9. "His goals helped the team take the lead in the group, with 13 points. The early spot could come if two clubs, including Botafogo, Macaé, and Bangu, slip up." "The biggest challenge, without a doubt, is beating Americano. They've been playing well and have a very good and fast team. I've been following them and know we'll have a tough time," said coach Cuca.
Zé Roberto is out
To achieve this goal, Flamengo's coach must make just one change to the team that thrashed Resende. And even then, it's a forced one. Zé Roberto is injured and will be replaced by Kleberson or Aírton. With no chance of qualifying for the next round, Americano is banking on striker Kiesa to upset the two-time Rio de Janeiro champions. The team sits fifth in Group A with eight points and is coming off a win over Friburguense.
Flamengo takes off late and takes revenge on Limeira to maintain its lead in the NBB
After three balanced quarters at Maracanãzinho, Rubro-Negro opens up an advantage and beats the team that took away their unbeaten record in the first round
Breno Dines Rio de Janeiro
var midiaEmbed = { theme: "darkgray", image: '/GMC/foto/0,,19996995-EX,00.jpg' , band: 'TIPO_TXT' , backgroundColor : "FFFFFF", fontColor : "000000", linkColor : "FF00FF", borderColor : "00FF00", autoStart: false, midiaId: 992459 }; var embed = new GMCEmbed(midiaEmbed); embed.print(); In the first round, Flamengo lost its invincibility when it went to Limeira. This Monday, the Rio de Janeiro team received the São Paulo team at Maracanãzinho and returned the nobility. After three very even quarters, coach Paulo Chupeta's team opened up an advantage in the final period and won 76-65. Even without center Baby, who is expected to be out for a month and a half, Rubro-Negro maintained its lead in the Novo Basquete Brasil.
This Monday's match was brought forward from the fourth round of the NBB's second round. Flamengo returns to play in the third round this Wednesday against São José, again at Maracanãzinho. Limeira travels to Belo Horizonte to face Minas. The team from the interior of São Paulo, with a game in hand, now has 28 points and is in second place, alongside Brasília.
With 24 points and nine rebounds, Marcelinho Machado once again led Flamengo. At the end of the match, he avoided discussing the desire for revenge.
"It was good to beat them, but the important thing is that we got the win. We didn't play a great game, but the defense worked well," said the winger.
Power forward Jefferson, who started poorly, improved and contributed 18 points.
"In the first half, I committed three fouls and left the field after just one minute of play. But I focused and knew I would be back. The team needed inside balls. It was good to beat a team that will be competing for the title with us. If you want to be a champion, you have to beat everyone," he said.
Point guard Hélio (center) tries to beat Eric Tatu's marking on Monday night in Rio
Baby attended the game, but on crutches, with his left foot immobilized. He suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury and is expected to be out for a month and a half.
Limeira also suffered from injuries. Point guard Nezinho, still recovering from a sprained ankle, played 18 minutes and scored just two points. The visitors' top scorer was Shamell with 17 points, followed by Eric Tatu with 13. As soon as the ball went up, Flamengo went on the attack and took a 9-0 lead. Little by little, Limeira calmed down and managed to turn the score around to 20-18 before closing the first quarter at 20-20. The score remained even until halftime, and Limeira went into the locker room leading 40-39. By then, Eric, Nezinho's replacement in the starting lineup, had already scored his 13 points. In the third quarter, the situation didn't change much. Flamengo maintained its focus and once again tied the score, which became 54-54 heading into the fourth quarter. That's when Flamengo prevailed. Over the final 10 minutes, the home team's lead began to grow. With a strong defense, Flamengo maintained a comfortable lead until the end and secured revenge against the Limeira team.
'Fla-Mochilão': delegation hits the road after two years and arrives in Campos
The trip to the interior of the state was by bus and lasted 4h30m, something that hadn't happened since the stretch between Sucre and Potosí, in Bolivia, in 2007.
Cahê Mota Direct from Campos, RJ
Fábio Luciano disembarking in Campos
Backpack on their backs and on the road. No airport or plane, Flamengo arrived in Campos early Monday evening by bus for Tuesday's 19:30 p.m. match against Americano in the seventh round of the Taça Rio. Contrary to their usual air travel routine, the squad traveled approximately 300 km of asphalt from their base camp in Barra da Tijuca to the city in the northern part of the state of Rio de Janeiro.
While the 4-hour journey on wheels isn't new to footballers, it's true that most of the players were unaccustomed to it. Flamengo's last long bus trip was from Sucre to Potosí, Bolivia, for the first round of the Copa Libertadores in February 30. On that occasion, it took about 2007 hours on potholed roads up to the altitude. Since then, only short trips, such as to Teresópolis or Volta Redonda, have been made, taking no more than 3 hours.
"It's much more tiring, but coming the day before is easy. You can recover," said left-back Juan, visibly one of the most exhausted, but who overcame his fatigue to greet the approximately 50 fans waiting for the delegation at the hotel door.
Juan is welcomed by the red-black fans
For logistical reasons, Flamengo opted to reach Campos by land. There are no frequent flights to the municipality, and chartering an aircraft was unfeasible due to the unstable weather in Rio de Janeiro state.
The adventure made some players remember their past at other clubs.
"The last time I traveled by bus was through Paraná. It's different. Especially with morning training, like we had. It's more hectic," Josiel recalled.
Goalkeeper Bruno went even further back in time.
"Man, the last time I took a trip like this was with Atlético-MG. To play against Ituiutaba. It's an eight-hour drive. I don't even know how to get here; I got on the bus and passed out (laughs)," he joked.
To give you an idea of the sheer volume of travel between Rio de Janeiro and Campos, no scheduled Brasileirão match will take as long by plane. And the delegation spent the same amount of time getting to much more distant destinations, such as Montevideo, Uruguay, for the 2007 and 2008 Copa Libertadores, and Campos Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, for this year's Copa do Brasil.
Josiel vetoes euphoria: 'Scoring a goal is nothing more than my obligation'
Striker says he was hired to make up for Fla's lack of goals
Eduardo Peixoto Rio de Janeiro
Josiel talks to his teammates during Flamengo training
It would be natural for Josiel to respond to his critics after the scoring streak that put him in the Carioca top scorer's table. However, the Flamengo striker has adopted a different stance. \ Instead of being dazzled, he prefers to downplay the 11 goals he's scored this season. \ "Scoring goals is nothing more than my obligation. I was signed last year to fill this gap in attack, and today I feel fulfilled to have this good average," said Josiel, who has played 12 times this season, only eight as a starter. \ After the derby against Vasco, Flamengo president Delair Dumbrosck declared that the team "lacked a center forward." A week later, the club is considering signing Josiel in July, when his contract ends. A topic that doesn't excite him at the moment. \ "Things here at Flamengo change quickly. Until last week, we were experiencing great turbulence. I prefer to stay focused only on the game because thinking about the future can get in the way – said the red-black number 9.\
Cuca and Josiel are bothered by the nickname Jesus given to the striker
The striker says the comparison is 'blasphemy' and coach Cuca prefers not to elaborate on the matter.
Eduardo Peixoto Rio de Janeiro
Josiel talks to his teammates during Flamengo training
Flamengo fans had better change the nickname they chose for Josiel. Dubbed Jesus during the match against Resende on Saturday, the striker won the support of coach Cuca on Monday to reject the comparison. "It would be blasphemy (an offensive attitude towards a religion) if I accepted that comparison," said the striker, top scorer in the Carioca Championship alongside Resende's Bruno Meneghel. On Saturday, the striker had already become uncomfortable with questions about the subject. Coach Cuca, who is quite religious, also thought it was a pointless joke. "I don't like to joke about that. It would be good to think about it. It was a nickname people gave him because he has long hair and it's close to Holy Week," said the coach.
Among his companions, Josiel is called Zé Bob, a character played by Carmo Dalla Vecchia in the soap opera A Favorita, or Pescador Parrudo, a character played by actor Marcos Pasquim in the soap opera Kubanacan.
In one week, Fla exchanges chaos for peace
The team bounced back from the derby defeat. Cuca says that defeats have a greater impact on the club.
Eduardo Peixoto Rio de Janeiro
Cuca wipes his face with a towel after Flamengo training
A week ago, Flamengo returned to Gávea after a resounding loss to Vasco. Meetings, embarrassed faces, a threatened coach. Well then. This Monday, at the same venue, the pressure had disappeared. Magic? Victories. The convincing victories over Madureira (4-2) and Resende (4-0) were enough to lift the crisis. "The atmosphere has changed, yes. It's much better, especially with Saturday's matchday, in which Botafogo and Bangu lost. We can work more calmly to win and qualify," said midfielder Willians, who joined Flamengo earlier this year. Coach Cuca was more discreet when analyzing the changes in the atmosphere. "In football, when you're winning, everything is always good. Here at Flamengo, there's more press in defeat than in victory. Winning is normal, and setbacks have the greatest consequences," the coach stated. To further improve the atmosphere, Flamengo faces Americano this Tuesday in Campos. Leading Group B with 13 points, the team could secure early qualification with a win. "This round is crucial. If everything goes well, qualification might not be 100% guaranteed, but it would depend on a difficult combination to get us out."
THROW
Fla plays to get going in Carioca
Rubro-Negro faces Americano and can guarantee a place in the semifinals
LANCEPRESS!
After a strong performance against Resende, coach Cuca has a problem with his starting lineup. Attacking midfielder Zé Roberto felt pain in his right thigh again and didn't travel with the delegation. His replacement has not yet been named. Kleberson, who scored a goal in the last round, is the heavy favorite to take the starting spot. Jônatas and Aírton are outsiders.
Regardless of who joins, the team will change its playstyle somewhat. Midfielder Erick Flores will move further forward and play as a second striker, the same role recently played by Zé Roberto. Kleberson will play as a second midfielder, freeing up Ibson and Leonardo Moura to create.
The one player guaranteed a place in the match is striker Josiel, the competition's top scorer with 11 goals, alongside Resende's Bruno Meneghel. The number 9 hopes to continue this trend and emphasizes that he has fulfilled his duty to the letter.
"I'm only doing what I have to do. I came to fill this need, and today I feel fulfilled for helping. I'm averaging a good goal average, but I haven't won anything. I always need to improve," he declared.
For Americano, already eliminated from the Taça Rio, goals have already been set for the remainder of the Carioca. First, coach Toninho Andrade's team aims to accumulate as many points as possible to qualify for the Brazilian Série D.
Another ambition is to secure a spot in the João Elis Filho tournament, which features the third- and fourth-place teams from each group. In the Guanabara Cup, formerly known as the Moisés Mathias de Andrade Cup, Cano won the title by defeating Mesquita in the final.
"The biggest motivation of all is facing Flamengo, as it's always a showcase. Série D is also on our minds, as it's a very important national competition," said Toninho, who still doesn't know if he'll be able to count on attacking midfielder Eberson.
Fla can qualify this Tuesday
Rubro-Negro needs a combination of results
LANCEPRESS!
Despite a few setbacks in this Taça Rio, Flamengo can secure its place in the semifinals with a round to spare. A combination of results is necessary for this to happen. The key point is a victory for Flamengo over Americano. This must be coupled with setbacks from two of its three direct competitors (Botafogo, Macaé, and Bangu). To secure a spot this Tuesday, Macaé must not beat Vasco, and Tigres must prevent Bangu from winning at Moça Bonita. If even one of these favorable factors occurs, qualification, which currently has a 90% chance, could still come this round. Botafogo will only play on Thursday and will guarantee Flamengo a place in the semifinals if they don't beat Madureira at Engenhão.
Kléber Leite is keeping an eye on arbitration
The referee for Fla vs. Resende in the GB Cup will referee the match against Americano.
Cassius Leitão IN RIO DE JANEIRO \ \
The selection of referee Felipe Gomes da Silva for the match against Americano has Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite, on edge. He complained extensively about this referee—even going so far as to question his sanity—during the Guanabara Cup semifinal, in which the Rubro-Negro team lost 3-1 to Resende and finished with nine men. Kléber Leite asserts his confidence in the Refereeing Committee, but hopes Felipe Gomes da Silva doesn't make the same mistakes identified by Flamengo in that first-round match. "Jorge Rabello has been doing a good job. He's a serious guy and must have a good reason for selecting this guy. I hope the referee has had a good crash course in psychological aspects and performs well," he quipped.
Willians asks for caution with the American
In no rush, midfielder still looking for his first goal for Flamengo
LANCEPRESS!
Coach Cuca's trusted midfielder, Willians, is confirmed for Tuesday's match against Americano in Campos. Despite Flamengo's strong form, the player urged his teammates to be extra vigilant in this away match.
"The atmosphere has changed. It's much better. Even more so now that we're back in the lead after a round that Botafogo and Bangu lost. Americano has a very good team. They're not doing so well in the Carioca, but they're very strong at home," he declared.
With just five career goals, Willians remains calm about the fact that he has yet to score for Flamengo. The midfielder came very close to scoring against Resende, when he sent a beautiful shot off the post.
"Every player wants to score, and my time will come. It's not a necessity, but I have this desire. When that ball hit the post, I thought my time hasn't come yet," he said.