THE GLOBE
Qualified, Fla must rest starters against Volta Redonda
Joel Santana will evaluate whether it is worth fielding a full-strength squad against Flu
KLÉBERSON: SUPPORTER will finally have the chance to start playing on Thursday, against Volta Redonda
Márcio Tavares
Having qualified for the decisive stage of the Guanabara Cup after Volta Redonda's 5-1 victory over Cardoso Moreira, Flamengo, already focusing on the Copa Libertadores da América, will rest some starters for Thursday's match against Volta Redonda at Maracanã. Satisfied with their performance in Group A, coach Joel Santana announced that he intends to begin giving Rodrigo, Kléberson, and others who have been underused recently some playing time.
"We'll be very tired at the start of the Libertadores and we'll see how we use the players in the remaining matches," said Joel, who begins testing the alternatives for Thursday this afternoon in Gávea.
The coach, despite having announced the possibility of fielding a mixed team until the end of the first phase of the Guanabara Cup, will still meet with the board and members of the coaching staff to assess the situation. Particularly regarding the derby against Fluminense on the 10th, whose rivalry nullifies any logical reasoning regarding the team's position in the standings.
Obina says goals were a gift from heaven
In the 4-0 rout of América on Saturday at the Engenhão stadium, midfielder Toró received his third yellow card, and defender Fábio Luciano was sent off, also receiving his third yellow card. In addition to these two, Leonardo Moura, called up to the Brazilian national team, is also missing for Flamengo. To replace Leonardo Moura, Joel Santana is fielding Luizinho, who has been out of the team for some time, as the starter is in excellent form.
Rodrigo, who came on late in Saturday's game, is guaranteed a place in the defense. The same goes for Kléberson, who has been at Gávea since October but, due to bureaucratic issues, was only able to debut last Wednesday, when he played 13 minutes against Macaé. Now, the coach will use him from the start.
"I want to put Kléberson in the game. He's already assimilated our playing philosophy and is aligned with our work methods, and it's a good opportunity to see him on the field," said Joel Santana, who is hoping that Carnival won't affect the players' physical fitness.
Joel's concern is that some kind of excess could affect the team's physical form, which has a 100% record in the Guanabara Cup and cannot afford to let the pace drop in this decisive stretch.
One of those on the rise is striker Obina, who scored a hat trick on Saturday. The Bahia native, who had previously scored three times in a single match for Flamengo, in a 4-3 victory over Fortaleza at Castelão in the 2006 Brazilian Championship, credited the scoring spree to a gift from heaven.
- I hadn't scored in a long time, and God blessed me with three chances. Thanks to Him, I was able to make the most of them.
THE DAY
Kléberson is the new addition to Flamengo
With three players out and an eye on the Libertadores, Joel will field a midfielder against Volta Redonda
Rio - Kléberson will be Flamengo's biggest new addition for Thursday's match against Volta Redonda, at 19:30 pm, at Maracanã, closing the sixth round of the Guanabara Cup.
With three absences and already looking ahead to the Copa Libertadores debut, coach Joel Santana revealed yesterday that he will rest players from the formation that has been starting the games in the two remaining matches of the Taça Guanabara.
Furthermore, the red-black commander wants to give game rhythm to the five-time world champion, who has not started a match since April last year, when he was still playing for Besiktas, in Türkiye.
"Kléberson needs to play. He's been out for a long time, but he's an important player and has great quality. We'll need him a lot in the Libertadores," said Joel.
With the suspension of defender Fábio Luciano, sent off in the victory over América, and midfielder Toró, who received his third yellow card, as well as right-back Leonardo Moura, who will defend the Brazilian national team in the friendly against Eire, in Dublin, on Wednesday, the coach has already defined the substitutes: Rodrigo enters the defense, Kléberson in the middle and Luizinho on the side.
Joel, however, may rest other starters, as the team will be severely strained physically starting in its Libertadores debut on the 13th in Tacna, Peru, against Coronel Bolognesi. Striker Obina, who scored three goals against América, has a good chance of starting against Voltaço, as Marcinho performed poorly against Diabo.
BALANCE OF ENGENHÃO
The vandalism at the Engenhão stadium during the Flamengo-América match resulted in 14 broken chairs, some destroyed lamps, and a looted bar. During the match, police arrested a fan for attempting to destroy a restroom.
The destroyed chairs will cost R$700, but the insurance provided by the Football Federation covered this type of loss. The damage to the lamps was minor.
SPORTS GAZETTE
Kléberson will start against Volta Redonda\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - With Flamengo mathematically qualified for the semifinals of the Guanabara Cup after Volta Redonda's victory over Cardoso Moreira this Sunday, coach Joel Santana will give five-time champion Kléberson a chance to start a match for the first time since arriving at the club in October last year.\ With midfielder Toró suspended due to a third yellow card, Kléberson will start in the match against the team from Cidade do Aço, next Thursday, at Maracanã, in a match valid for the sixth round of the competition.\
Kléberson's entry, however, won't be the only change to the team. Defender Fábio Luciano, who was sent off in the match against América on Saturday, will be replaced by Rodrigo, while Léo Moura, who is with the Brazilian national team traveling to Europe, will be replaced by Luizinho.
Concerned about the team's fatigue, which is coming off a run of twice-weekly matches before the start of the Copa Libertadores, Joel Santana is considering resting other players. The coaching staff will begin planning for the coming weeks starting Monday afternoon, when the squad returns after Sunday's general day off.
PELENET
Volta Redonda thrashes and "puts" Flamengo in the GB Cup semi-finals
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo, with two rounds to spare, has qualified for the semifinals of the Guanabara Cup, the first round of the State Championship. This is because the Rubro-Negro was "helped" by Volta Redonda, who thrashed Cardoso Moreira 5-1 this Sunday in the Steel City, in Group A of the competition.
With Flamengo's victory, Flamengo, which has 15 points and a 100% record in the competition, can no longer be overtaken by Macaé, third in the group with eight. Fluminense, in second, has 11.
In fact, the team led by coach Joel Santana is expected to finish first in the group. If that happens, Flamengo will face the second-place team from Group B in the semifinals. This would likely be Vasco, Cabofriense, or Madureira, all with nine seeds.
Volta Redonda's goals, which reached seven points, were scored by Fábio (2), Lecheva, Márcio Pinho, and Marcinho. Starting this Monday, Alexandre Gama, former Fluminense coach, will take charge of the Aurinegro. He replaces Valter Ferreira, who was fired after the 5-1 defeat to Fluminense on Tuesday. Cardoso Moreira, whose goal was scored by right-back Neném, remained at six points.
In the next round, Volta Redonda, curiously, faces Flamengo, this Thursday, at 19:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã. Cardoso Moreira, in turn, hosts Macaé, on Wednesday, at 16 pm (Brasília time).
Joel doesn't believe in "crossed Carnival" of Fla players
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo's players are off this Sunday and will be able to enjoy Carnival. Coach Joel Santana hopes and is certain that no player will "step out of line" for Monday's training session in Gávea.
Joel Santana is calm and doesn't believe in the players' mess during Carnival
"They're not troublemakers, they're responsible men. No one is going to trade three days of revelry for a whole year of work. I believe and trust my players," he emphasized.
Flamengo's next match will be this Thursday, at 19:30 pm (Brasília time), against Volta Redonda, at Maracanã, for the sixth and penultimate round of Group A of the Guanabara Cup, the first round of the State Championship.
With 15 points and a 100% record, Flamengo is virtually through to the semifinals. In fact, they could qualify this Sunday. Cardoso Moreira, with six points, simply needs to avoid defeating Volta Redonda.
To face Aurinegro, Joel Santana will be without three players: defender Fábio Luciano and midfielder Toró, both suspended, as well as right-back Leonardo Moura, who will be with the Brazilian national team in the friendly against Ireland, in Dublin.
Kleberson, Rodrigo and Luizinho should be Flamengo's starters
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Coach Joel Santana will not be able to field three of his starters against Volta Redonda, next Thursday, at 19:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã.
Defender Fábio Luciano and midfielder Toró are suspended, and right-back Leonardo Moura will play for Brazil in the friendly against Ireland in Dublin next Wednesday. The coach has already named the replacements: Rodrigo will start in defense, Kleberson in midfield, and Luizinho at full-back.
Joel, however, intends to rest other starters, as the team will be subject to great physical wear and tear from the start of the Copa Libertadores, on February 13th, in Tacna, Peru, against Coronel Bolognesi.
Striker Obina, who scored three goals against América on Saturday, has a good chance of starting against Volta Redonda, either in Souza's place or alongside him.
GLOBO ESPORTE
Junior star struggles between Mangueira and Salgueiro
Former Flamengo player maintains tradition by parading in the green and pink of his heart.
A carnival lover, the star was also a highlight at Salgueiro
As is tradition at Rio's carnival, star player Junior was one of the attractions at the Mangueira parade this Sunday.
An inveterate reveler, the former Flamengo player was also an attraction on one of Salgueiro's floats.
Kleberson gets a chance against Voltaço
Joel Santana will put the five-time champion in the starting lineup for next Thursday's game
Eduardo Peixoto
Kléberson at Fla's training session in Gávea
A strong position in the Carioca standings and Toró's suspension. The combination is quite favorable for Kleberson. The midfielder will start for Flamengo for the first time in the match against Volta Redonda next Thursday.
He's been at Gávea since October, but due to bureaucratic issues, he was only able to debut last Wednesday. He played 13 minutes. Now, coach Joel Santana hopes to see him on the field from the start.
"I want to put Kleberson in. He understands our playing philosophy and fits in," he declares.
Rodrigo is expected to replace Fábio Luciano, who is suspended. And for Leo Moura, who has been called up to the Brazilian national team, the immediate reserve, Luizinho, is expected to be used.
There's a chance other players will be rested. Joel will meet with the coaching staff and board to outline the plan for the final two rounds, as qualification for the semifinals is virtually assured.
- There will be some wear and tear with the start of the Libertadores and we will see how we will use the players in these remaining matches - he declares.
Junior
On Saturday, Flamengo's youth team thrashed América 5-1 at Édson Passos Stadium. Goals were scored by Anderson Bamba, Diego Oliveira, Pedro Beda, Diguinho, and Wellinton. Flamengo, the current three-time champion, has eight points, with two wins and two draws.
Fla will have carnival without excesses
Joel will parade, but expects players to be responsible on Sunday off
Eduardo Peixoto
Flamengo's mini-carnival began after their 4-0 victory over América on Saturday (watch the highlights in the video below). The group was released and will have to report back to Gávea next Monday at 16 p.m.
During his downtime, Souza announced he'll be staying home, and Ibson also promises to spend time with his son, Júnior. For now, the only one who has confirmed his presence at Sapucaí is coach Joel Santana.
"I'm waiting for the costumes. Mocidade already sent them to me, now I need Salgueiro," he says.
Then, seriously, the coach said that the players will know how to behave during the festivities.
"Nobody is a child. They know our responsibility, and we trust them. Anything in excess is bothersome," Joel declares.
Balance at Engenhão: 14 broken chairs
Botafogo escapes loss in the match between Flamengo and América, last Saturday
Field next to Engenhão, where Botafogo will train
The destruction at Engenhão during the Flamengo-América clash was less than Botafogo expected. During a post-match inspection, Ferj employees found 14 broken chairs, some destroyed lamps, and a looted bar.
During the match, the police arrested a red-and-black fan for attempting to destroy a stadium bathroom.
The destroyed chairs will cost R$700, however, the insurance taken out by the Rio de Janeiro Football Federation covered this type of loss up to R$1.000. The damage to the lamps was minor.
Botafogo received a report detailing the crowd's behavior, and there's a consensus that the red-and-blacks took good care of the club's black-and-white stadium. The sentiment is similar at Gávea.
"It was a normal game. Nothing unusual; what happened is typical of any large crowd gathering. The behavior was very good, and there's nothing noteworthy," says Flamengo's fundraising coordinator, Flávio Pereira.
Throughout the week, fears of vandalism at Engenhão prompted Botafogo president Bebeto de Freitas to demand guarantees that the game would go ahead. Flamengo, in turn, issued an official statement and distributed leaflets on the day of the game urging the stadium to be preserved.
"The only unusual thing that happened this week was the strange behavior of Botafogo's board. Flamengo, América, and the Federation did everything correctly," says Flávio Pereira.
Botafogo director Ricardo Rotenberg responded to the irony of Fla's fundraising coordinator.
"It's strange that they would throw a party at your house and not invite you. That's what they did. There really weren't any problems with the fans, but Flamengo's behavior at that moment prompted Botafogo to take action to ensure security," he says.
THROW
Published on 3/2/2008 at 22:20
The red-black darling is the king of the round (Credit: Art Adriano Dionysio)
Obina is elected player of the round by LNET!
LNET! editorial team chooses Obina as the standout performer of the Carioca season. Goals against América decide the election.
Leonardo Pereira RIO DE JANEIRO
In addition to scoring three of Flamengo's four goals in the 4-0 rout of América, Obina, the darling of the red-black fans, was elected by LANCENET! as the player of the fifth round of the Taça Guanabara.
This Saturday, the striker started the match on the bench. At halftime, he came on for Marcinho and, in the final fifteen minutes, delighted the Red-Black Nation.
"I hadn't scored in a long time, and I was blessed by God, who gave me three great chances. Thanks to Him, I was able to take advantage of them," he declared excitedly after the excellent performance.
Obina arrived at Flamengo with a lot of distrust and little by little he won the affection of the red-black fans, who even put him above the striker Eto'o (Barcelona-ESP)
Among those remembered in the election, the first three positions were occupied by Obina, with 50% of the votes, followed by Muriqui (18%), Lucio Flavio (10%) and Alex Teixeira (8%).
Joel doesn't see a problem with absences
And anticipates the lineup of Rodrigo and Kléberson against Volta Redonda\ LANCEPRESS!\
Relaxed that qualification for the Guanabara Cup semifinals is virtually assured, Joel Santana isn't worried about the absences for next Thursday's match against Volta Redonda at Maracanã. Fábio Luciano, who was sent off, will make way for Rodrigo, and Toró, who picked up his third yellow card, paves the way for Kléberson's debut.
"I want to bring in Kleberson, who's already aligned with the work philosophy. And Rodrigo can play. Tardelli could also come in."
Regarding the team's formation, if the spot is actually secured in advance, Joel says that the decision about the lineup will be made jointly.
"I'll have a meeting with the coaching staff to discuss our focus. We'll analyze which team will play in the remaining games. We have to start thinking about the Libertadores," said Joel, who previously admitted to considering giving some players game time.