The Globe
Flamengo and Atlético-MG break tradition and draw in a game of poor technical level
Leonardo's shoulder goal at the end saves the red-black team from defeat: 1-1
Photo caption: DIEGO, Bruno's replacement, fights for the ball with Vanderlei and Angelim
BELO HORIZONTE. Longtime rivals who had memorable clashes in so many Brazilian Championships in the 80s, Flamengo and Atlético-MG gave a bit of a twist to tradition yesterday afternoon. In a low-stakes match marked more by enthusiasm than by the skill of their players, both teams left Mineirão satisfied with a 1-1 draw, which turned out to be thrilling given the circumstances of the match.
With the result, Atlético-MG moved into 12th place, with 13 points from nine matches, while Flamengo, which had two games postponed, has just seven points, remaining in the relegation zone in 18th place. Not particularly talented, both teams saved their best moments for the second half.
Atlético-MG were more dangerous in this period. Coelho, in the 10th minute, hit the post with a free kick. In the 25th minute, Diego made a miraculous save from Marcinho's header. But in the 41st minute, after Paulinho made a reckless tackle on Danilinho, he was powerless. Coelho skillfully converted the penalty to make it 1-0. Six minutes later, the game-winning equalizer came with a shoulder-kick from Leonardo.
- We had to win, but due to the circumstances, the draw ended up being good - said Leonardo after the game.
Fla changes its speech and waits for Bruno until tomorrow
One day after announcing that goalkeeper Bruno was out of the plans, Flamengo's board issued an official statement stating that they expect a decision from MSI, the company that holds the rights to the player, by tomorrow.
"We'll wait until Friday for a decision from MSI. There are signs he's being negotiated with Zaragoza. If it doesn't work out, he might stay," said vice-president Kleber Leite.
Businessman Eduardo Uram, Bruno's agent, however, says he's unaware of any Spanish offer for the goalkeeper. Since Bruno wants to stay at Flamengo, Uram believes he could return if MSI doesn't place him with a European club.
Referee: Sergio Carvalho (DF). Yellow cards: Juan, Vinicius, Coelho, Jailton, Danilinho, Marcinho, Angelim, Rafael Miranda and Paulinho. Red card: Coelho.
FLAMENGO
DIEGO: He replaced Bruno with brilliance and confidence. 9.
LEONARDO MOURA: He got mixed up a lot. He only made one play on the wing. 4. LUIZINHO came on at the end. No score.
IRINEU: Great. Spirited, won most of the plays. 7.
RONALDO ANGELIM: He also had a good performance. 6.
JUAN: With his movement, he was one of the best, providing attacking options throughout the match. 7,5.
PAULINHO: As willing as ever. He was reckless in the tackle that led to the penalty for Atlético-MG. 4.
JAÍLTON: When he established himself and started to play well, he left. 5. PAULO SÉRGIO: came on and worried the rival defense with his speed. 6.
LÉO MEDEIROS: With his good positioning, he composed the midfield efficiently. 5.
LÉO LIMA: He continues to deceive with his appearance as a skilled player, but with his carelessness, he gives every ball to his opponents, setting up a multitude of counterattacks. 2. TORÓ was exactly the same. 2.
RENATO: Three dangerous shots. He was visibly out of position. 6.
LEONARDO: He fought the whole game and was rewarded with a shoulder goal. 6,5.
NEY FRANCO: He made a late and poor change. It was an unnecessary risk to take off Jaílton and keep Léo Lima. Paulo Sérgio's entry was productive. 4.
ATLÉTICO-MG\ In Zetti's team, Diego, Coelho and Danilinho stand out.\
REFEREEING\ Sérgio Carvalho acted correctly. But his assistants almost complicated the war.\
Sports Journal
Spaniards eyeing goalkeeper Bruno
The goalkeeper has an offer from Zaragoza, but he can still renew his contract with Flamengo.
Leo Schabbach and Thiago Bokel
Goalkeeper Bruno may be packing his bags for Zaragoza in Spain. In Gávea, there's hope he'll stay with the red-and-black club.
The fate of goalkeeper Bruno, who left Flamengo's training camp yesterday, may already be sealed. Zaragoza, a club in the Spanish First Division, appears to be a strong candidate to sign the player. The club has reportedly already contacted MSI, the investment group that holds Bruno's federation rights, and is now waiting for a positive response from the goalkeeper before announcing him as a new signing for next season.
Still not confirming the departure of their number 1, Flamengo's board issued an official statement yesterday afternoon saying they are waiting until tomorrow for a decision from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MSI) to formalize the player's new contract, which would run until the end of the year. Bruno signed a pre-contract with the club last week and is now just waiting for the investment fund to be released.
Much has been said about Flamengo's split with MSI, but nothing has been made official yet. Despite being in the stands at Mineirão yesterday, watching the team play Atlético-MG, it's very likely that Bruno will definitely not stay at Gávea.
When the goalkeeper's contract extension proposal was made official, Vice President of Football Kleber Leite even said that only a major European club would be able to take Flamengo's number one. However, Zaragoza lacks the tradition of Real Madrid in Spanish football and is constantly struggling to maintain its position in the mid-table.
What may confirm the Spanish club's interest in the goalkeeper is the fact that the club has a good relationship with MSI, which already loaned left-back Gustavo Nery to Zaragoza at the beginning of the year.
By adopting the stance of waiting until tomorrow for the investment group's response, Flamengo is further prolonging the ongoing saga of the goalkeeper's uncertainty. There's still hope, as Kleber Leite is trying every possible way to keep Bruno at Gávea.
For Ney Franco, defense shows an evolution
After not playing for more than two weeks, coach Ney Franco said on the eve of the match against Atlético-MG that his team would show improvement compared to what they had been showing in recent games.
One area that received much praise from the club's manager was precisely the one that was most criticized: the defense. Previously considered the team's weak point, it was largely credited with the team's strong result in Belo Horizonte.
"I'm very pleased with the changes made defensively. Irineu, for example, was one of the best on the field. Up front, we missed Souza and failed to keep the ball more in attack. We now need to find an offensive balance," said Ney Franco.
Flamengo won't have an easy ride in its next match, against São Paulo, currently second in the league, at Morumbi Stadium on Saturday. For the coach, the match will serve as a chance for the team to recover its emotional state, which has been hampered since its elimination from the Copa Libertadores to Uruguayan side Defensor Sport. With yesterday's result, the team remains in the relegation zone, in 17th place.
"The team hasn't been playing well since that match, so I think this break was a great opportunity to get some key players back into my game. Against Atlético, I already saw significant improvements in the details we were lacking. Now I'm hoping we can put together a positive run of games to take our lead in the standings," the coach concluded.
GOODBYE — A minute of silence was dedicated yesterday during the game between Fla and Galo to the great red-and-black Dadinho Marcondes Ferraz.
Ney: 'We couldn't lose!'
Coach Ney Franco praised the team, which despite remaining in the relegation zone for Serie B, showed grit and drew away from home
Flamengo failed to win and remained in a very bad situation in the Brazilian Championship. However, a draw against Atlético-MG at Mineirão cannot be considered a bad result, and although the Red-Black team remains in the relegation zone, coach Ney Franco preferred to highlight his team's performance.
"We couldn't have lost, because we played well. In fact, we could have won, because we played for it. I really liked the way the team performed in this game," the coach analyzed.
However, the late draw wasn't enough to improve the club's position in the Brazilian Championship. Ney Franco lamented Flamengo's failure to secure all three points, but admitted that it would have been a little better to leave the field with a taste of victory.
"These points we missed will certainly be sorely missed, but I'm sure we'll bounce back. In any case, having equalized in injury time, we left with a better feeling than our opponent," the coach revealed.
And the red-and-black coach seems to be right, so much so that after yesterday's game several Atlético-MG players lamented the result. Midfielder Rafael Miranda summed up the Atlético sentiment well.
"We were doing well in the match, but we conceded an equalizer in a challenge of our own. Unfortunately, today we lost two points due to the team's lack of focus late in the game," he lamented.
Leonardo celebrates draw with Atlético-MG
Although the draw was not the best result for Flamengo, who remain in the relegation zone of the Brazilian Championship, in 17th place, the conditions in which it occurred ended up giving a taste of victory to the tearful 1-1. Striker Leonardo, largely responsible for the draw, was one of those who highlighted the result, despite being aware that in next Saturday's game against São Paulo, at Morumbi, Flamengo will have the obligation to begin its recovery in the championship.
"I think the draw was good, especially considering the circumstances of the match. We came here to try to win and leave with the three points, but the draw in the final minutes left us with the taste of victory. Now we'll breathe and fight to change this situation," the player declared, referring to Flamengo's struggle to escape the relegation zone.
He then went on to discuss the confusing play that led to the Red-Black equalizer. The player, who started due to top scorer Souza's suspension, had been playing a quiet game throughout the match until, in the 46th minute, during a scuffle in the penalty area, he put his shoulder on the ball and, somewhat by accident, managed to equalize.
"It was a real tear-jerker. It was a bit awkward, the ball hit his shoulder and went in. But for a striker, the goal is what counts," said Leonardo, who hopes to have firmly established himself in the starting lineup after scoring the winning goal in yesterday's match.
Flamengo: Saved by the shoulder
Diego has an excellent performance and Leonardo, in stoppage time, guarantees a draw with Atlético-MG
Leo Schabbach and Thiago Bokel
folhapress
Leonardo celebrates Flamengo's goal at Mineirão, which saved the team from another defeat in the Brazilian Championship
In a very tight and lively match at Mineirão Stadium, Flamengo and Atlético-MG left their goals until the end, ending up with a 1-1 draw, and missed the opportunity to climb the league table. Flamengo remained in 18th place, remains in the relegation zone, and desperately needs a win in its next game, against São Paulo at Morumbi Stadium. Atlético, meanwhile, remained in the middle of the table, with 13 points and in 12th place.
Atlético-MG, as usual, entered the field looking to exploit high-speed attacks and exploit any defensive lapses. Flamengo, on the other hand, deployed a more aggressive but less creative midfield, intending to free up Juan and Leonardo Moura for creative play.
And the Minas Gerais team had the better start to the match. Just three minutes in, Vanderlei received a free kick inside the box and only failed to open the scoring because he controlled the ball poorly, giving the red-and-black defense time to recover.
After this play, Flamengo improved, and the two teams began alternating control of the game. However, the first half ended 0-0.
The second half, however, had a more lively start. Atlético started at a strong pace, creating significant danger for Diego, who had earned a starting spot in Bruno's absence, and he didn't disappoint. The best proof of this is that, in the 26th minute, he made a spectacular save from Marcinho's header, preventing Flamengo from conceding the first goal.
However, in the 43rd minute, there was no way out. Atlético opened the scoring with a penalty kick from the talented right-back Coelho, which Paulinho had conceded childishly. And just when everything seemed headed for another defeat, striker Leonardo, somewhat unintentionally, scored the equalizer for the red-and-blacks.
In the end, despite the relief, the result was not good for Flamengo, who remain in the relegation zone.
Juan will miss the match against São Paulo
Flamengo will be without full-back Juan for next Saturday's match at 18:10 PM against São Paulo at Morumbi Stadium. The player received his third yellow card in Wednesday's match against Atlético-MG. Egídio, who was on loan to Paraná and has returned to the club, will be the substitute.
Coach Ney Franco was already without goalkeeper Bruno for this Wednesday's game, as the player's contract expired on Sunday and he has not yet been formalized. Bruno may leave for Zaragoza, but his agent has not confirmed anything.
Flamengo issues official statement and sets deadline for Bruno case
Due to the confusion surrounding goalkeeper Bruno's contract renewal, Flamengo issued an official statement on the matter this Wednesday. In the statement, the club emphasizes the board's efforts to keep the number 1 at Gávea and warns that it will only wait until July 6th, next Friday, to determine his future. MSI's agents don't want the goalkeeper to stay in Brazil and are trying at all costs to negotiate his transfer to a European club.
On the other hand, Bruno continues to say that he wants to stay at Rubro-Negro, and was even at Mineirão to watch the 1-1 draw between Flamengo and Atlético-MG, the club that revealed him to football.
Gymnasts arrive at the Village
Diego Hypólito & Co. are already at the training ground for the Pan-American Games.
Happy — The Brazilian artistic gymnastics team poses in front of one of the buildings at the Pan American Village. The team has already trained in Rio de Janeiro.
One day after the official opening of the Rio 2007 Pan American Village, Brazilian athletes began occupying the 100 apartments reserved for the green and yellow delegation. Members of the artistic gymnastics team were the first competitors to arrive at the Village. They settled in yesterday morning. Among the gymnasts are internationally renowned athletes, such as world champions Daiane dos Santos and Diego Hypólito. Everyone was impressed with the structure and facilities of the Pan American Village. Daiane not only praised the village but compared it to the one she stayed in at the last Pan American Games. "We are super happy to be the first team to arrive at the Village. This Village is much better than the one in Santo Domingo. The rooms are large and comfortable. I've already met with the people from Canada, who also highly praised the facilities. Comfort is important at an event of this size."
Diego Hypólito was one of the most excited upon the team's arrival at the Village. Anxious, Diego said he didn't even sleep the night before landing in Rio. "I really liked the apartments. They're beautiful and cozy. All have four suites for our comfort." Furthermore, the world champion also commented on the importance of the Pan American Games being held in Brazil. "I'm very excited to represent my country in these Games. The Pan American Games will open up many opportunities for millions of children who want to play sports."
In the evening, it was the diving team's turn to enter the Village, with Juliana Veloso, Evelyn Winckler, Milena Sae, Tammy Galera, Cassius Duran, Cesar Castro, and Hugo Parisi. And today, it will be the turn of five other Brazilian teams to get to know the home of Brazilian sport until the 29th, when the Closing Ceremony of the Games will be held. Athletes from women's and men's soccer, speed skating, baseball, and rowing will participate.
O Dia
With a shoulder goal, Fla gets a draw against Galo
BELO HORIZONTE - It wasn't a header or a foot strike. It wasn't pretty. It was a shoulder-to-shoulder, tearful, Flamengo's equalizer. And, not to say there wasn't any emotion, it was in the 46th minute—three minutes after the Red-Blacks had conceded—that Leonardo scored, securing a 1-1 draw with Atlético-MG, right at the end of the game, at Mineirão.
Leonardo's shoulder to the rescue didn't keep Flamengo out of the relegation zone in the Brazilian Championship. With seven points, they remain in the black hole, alongside Juventude, Náutico, and América-RN, but with fewer matches played.
Without any flair in midfield, Flamengo had few chances in the match. In a first half where both teams played it safe, Renato had a good chance in the 14th minute but shot wide. Atlético, showing too much respect for their opponent, created a threat in the 25th minute: after a corner kick, Marcos, unmarked, headed wide.
The game's momentum improved in the second half, when Galo pressed a little harder. In the 10th minute, Coelho hit the post with a free kick. And in the 26th minute, goalkeeper Diego made Bruno a distant memory: he saved a dangerous ball that Marcinho headed down.
After so much resistance, Paulinho made a mistake: an unnecessary penalty on Danilinho, in the 41st minute. Coelho scored the right shot, in the 43rd minute, giving Galo the lead: 1-0.
The Minas Gerais fans celebrated prematurely. A mistake by Atlético's defense resulted in Renato's header being grazed, and Leonardo rose as best he could. He missed the header but caught the ball with his shoulder, scoring the equalizer in the 46th minute.
There was only time for defender Coelho to be sent off. And also for the Minas Gerais fans to end their celebrations, as they began booing everything in their path.
Bruno's fate is still a mystery
Rio - Off the field, sitting in the stands, Bruno watched the draw between Flamengo and Atlético-MG. His question is the same as the club's board: what will his future hold?
After threatening to abandon negotiations to extend Bruno's contract, vice president of football Kléber Leite has backtracked: he will wait until tomorrow for a response from the group of investors who hold the goalkeeper's economic rights.
From the investor group, Flamengo received word that Real Zaragoza of Spain is interested in goalkeeper Bruno. Kléber Leite set a deadline of tomorrow for the player's future to be decided.
JUAN SUSPENDED
Flamengo leaves Belo Horizonte tomorrow for a new challenge on Saturday: the match against São Paulo at Morumbi Stadium. Juan, who picked up his third yellow card yesterday, will be out. But Souza will be back after serving a suspension, which fills coach Ney Franco with optimism.
"The team felt Souza's absence. The ball bounced upfield and back. We fixed the defense, and while he wasn't the best, Irineu was one of the team's best. Now, with Souza back, the team will gain offensive power," said Ney Franco, who considered the draw a fair result.
Sports Gazette
Ney emphasizes: Souza was missing from Fla
Belo Horizonte (MG) - Flamengo fans may be celebrating the 1-1 draw with Atlético-MG at Mineirão Stadium, achieved in the 46th minute of the second half with a shoulder goal from Leonardo, but for coach Ney Franco, the match highlighted that adjustments need to be made in the red-and-black team for the next game, Saturday, against São Paulo, at Morumbi Stadium.\ "Our team really missed Souza. We were good at stealing the ball and when it came to counter-attacks, there was no one who kept possession at our feet for longer," said the coach, who at least praised the defense, which he said was strengthened by the introduction of Irineu.\
"But I'm very pleased with the adjustments made in defense, with Irineu being one of the best on the field, and now we'll try to find an offensive balance for the next game," he assured.
Positive - While the 18 days without games were difficult for the fans, Neymar expressed gratitude for the offseason, which took place in the middle of the calendar. The Flamengo manager guarantees that the period was important for improving the team's mental health, which was shaken after the elimination in the Libertadores, and for developing plans for recovery in the Brasileirão. The Flamengo remains in the relegation zone with just seven points.
"We weren't in a good place emotionally after being eliminated from the Copa Libertadores. This break was a great opportunity to fine-tune the details we needed, and that was evident on Wednesday with the strong defensive performance. Now I hope Flamengo finally puts together a good run and gets going in the competition," he concluded.
Leonardo celebrates unusual goal
Belo Horizonte (MG) - Flamengo hadn't played in 18 days, and their fans got proof this Wednesday afternoon that things could be different for the Red-Blacks in the Brazilian Championship. The team conceded a goal to Atlético-MG in the 43rd minute of the second half, but equalized three minutes later to seal a 1-1 draw at Mineirão Stadium. The scorer was striker Leonardo, who was being booed by the Flamengo fans in Belo Horizonte and deflected a cross into the box from Léo Medeiros with his shoulders. "It was a goal I really regretted. It was a bit awkward, the ball hit my shoulder and went in. But for the striker, the goal is what matters," the player assured.
In terms of standings, the draw was not a positive for Flamengo. The team went five games without a win in a row and remains in the relegation zone with seven points, sitting in 18th place. Leonardo is optimistic about Flamengo's campaign.
"I believe it was a good result, given the circumstances of the game. We came here to try to win and leave with the three points, but the draw in the final minutes left us with the taste of victory. Now we'll breathe and fight to change this situation," he emphasized.
Fla draws in injury time and frustrates Mineirão's 'afternoon session'
The crowd surprised even president Ziza Valadares, and the positive expectations created by the crowd turned into a real nightmare on Wednesday afternoon, an unusual time, at Mineirão Stadium. After scoring their goal in the 43th minute, Atlético-MG couldn't hold off Flamengo and surrendered a 1-1 draw to their Rio de Janeiro rivals in stoppage time, in a match that concludes the ninth round of the Brazilian Championship. The party was ready for the Galo at the Gigante da Pampulha Stadium. Better for much of the match, the Alvinegro once again suffered from their offensive issues. The team's goal came from Coelho, who broke his record in penalty kicks and converted in the 43th minute.
What the fans couldn't have expected was that Flamengo, having not played since June 16th thanks to matches postponed due to the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, would find the energy to find its goal in the dying moments. In the 46th minute, just as many were preparing to leave the Mineirão stadium, Léo Medeiros took a free kick into the box, the defense fumbled, and Leonardo managed to deflect it into the net.
The final three minutes were the most exciting moments of the match. Both teams were poor, especially in the first half, when they overused shots from outside the box. In the second half, they relied on speed, opened up the defense, and improved the quality of the performance.
Galo has gone three consecutive games without a win in the Brasileirão, the second a 1-1 draw, a result achieved last Saturday against Internacional. The team, which was in the top four, is now only 4th with 12 points. In the next round, their opponent will be Grêmio, on Saturday, again at the Gigante da Pampulha stadium.
"Fasting" is also a recurring word in Flamengo's vocabulary. Hampered by the lack of games, the team hasn't won in five rounds. This doesn't include having two postponed matches. The team remains in the relegation zone, occupying 18th place with seven points. Their next challenge to regain their footing is also on Saturday, against São Paulo at Morumbi Stadium.
Flamengo was out of action for 18 days, but the training session in the capital of Minas Gerais appears to have kept the team in good shape. In the opening minutes of the match at Mineirão Stadium, the Rio de Janeiro team ran rampant against Atlético-MG and had the first good chance in the 13th minute, when Renato received a pass inside the six-yard box and fired over the defense.
The red-and-black enthusiasm was dangerous, but it didn't last long. Buoyed by the good crowd at the Gigante da Pampulha—despite the unusual time—Galo played the ball with more purpose. Chances were created, but Vanderlei maintained the curse of the number 9 jersey and kept tripping over his own feet when it came to finishing.
The solution then became long shots. And so it was in the 23rd minute, with Marcinho taking a risk. The defense cleared the ball and awarded a corner, creating space for Galo's first big chance. A minute later, Coelho took a shot to the far post, Marcos rose with freedom and deflected it over the crossbar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
With Souza suspended, Ney Franco moved Renato up front, and the result paid off. Flamengo kept Atlético from advancing and posed a threat up front. Leonardo, like his teammate in the No. 9 jersey, Vanderlei, was a bit of a liability, weighing heavily against Flamengo, keeping things balanced at the Mineirão stadium.
Éder Luís, Atlético's standout player in recent games, was well-marked, and Galo relied heavily on long-range shots. In the 35th minute, Coelho received the ball at the edge of the box, cut past Léo Medeiros, and shot, forcing Diego to duck for a save.
In the 39th minute, it was Danilinho's turn to fire a shot from outside the box, scaring Flamengo's goalkeeper. The ball sailed just wide of the left post. The play excited the Mineirão stadium, but it demonstrated how tight, contested, and even somewhat violent the match was. The number of fouls was high, preventing either team from finding anything more.
Seeking to improve his team's momentum, Zetti took off Vanderlei and brought on the young Paulo Henrique, whose name was being chanted at Mineirão stadium even before the game began. It was the key to a change in the game's momentum, which became more open and offered better chances for both sides. As in the first half, Flamengo had the first chance. In the sixth minute, Léo Lima broke free on the right and crossed perfectly for Leonardo. Diego anticipated and made the save.
Interestingly, Atlético's response came from a set piece. Paulo Henrique provided a beautiful assist for Danilinho, who, before entering the box unmarked, was brought down by Ronaldo Angelim. Coelho's free kick struck the crossbar with a vengeance.
Atlético's growth on the field was evident. Flamengo was making mistakes in its ball release, and Galo's speed miraculously escaped the attack. In the 25th minute, Thiago Feltri burst into the box behind his defender and sent a short cross. Marcinho headed the ball into the ground, and Diego had to stretch to make an exceptional save.
The match was heading towards a stalemate, but in the final minutes, the situation changed. In the 0rd minute, Danilinho was brought down in the box, and the referee awarded a penalty, which Coelho converted. Everything pointed to an Atlético victory, but the home team suffered a blow in the 0th minute, when Leonardo showed his goalscoring instinct and converted his only chance of the game, heading in a free kick taken by Léo Medeiros to seal the draw at Mineirão.
PeléNet
Coach Ney Franco praises Flamengo's defensive system
Pleased with his team's defensive performance, coach Ney Franco particularly praised defender Irineu and lamented Souza's absence in Wednesday's draw against Atlético-MG at Mineirão Stadium. The Flamengo coach stated that if the striker had been on the field, Flamengo's attacking prowess could have been greater.
"Our team really missed Souza. We were good at stealing the ball, and when it came to counter-attacks, no one could keep possession for longer. But I'm very pleased with the adjustments made defensively, with Irineu being one of the best on the pitch, and now we'll try to find a balance in attack for the next game," analyzed Ney Franco.
Next Saturday, Flamengo faces São Paulo at Morumbi Stadium at 18:10 PM. The coach will be without left-back Juan, suspended for his third yellow card. Meanwhile, striker Souza is expected to return to the Flamengo starting lineup. Now, Ney Franco hopes the team from Gávea will finally take off in the Brazilian Championship.
"We weren't in a good place emotionally after being eliminated from the Copa Libertadores. This break was a great opportunity to fine-tune the details that were missing, and this was evident on Wednesday with the good performance of the defense. Now I hope that Flamengo finally puts together a good run and gets going in the competition," concluded the red-and-black coach.
Bruno's replacement against Galo, Diego has a good performance
With his quality questioned by much of Flamengo's fanbase, goalkeeper Diego replaced Bruno in Wednesday's match against Atlético-MG. He surprised his critics with a strong performance, including a great save from Marcinho's header in the second half.
"I thank God for the opportunity that came my way. I've been working really hard, and facing Atlético-MG at Mineirão is a great test of my abilities. I hadn't played with the main team this year," said Diego, pleased with his performance.
The goalkeeper also praised Flamengo's performance during the match, saying the team could have even won. He added that the Flamengo attack could have better exploited the space left by Atlético's defense.
"Atlético-MG were a very well-positioned team on the field and the point was a good result. They gave us space at the back and we could have even come away with the victory," analyzed the goalkeeper.
After this draw, Flamengo won't play again until Saturday, against São Paulo, at Morumbi Stadium. The team is still in a difficult position in the competition and needs a win to recover.
BalloonSport
Ney Franco: 'I'm a little frustrated'
Coach thinks Flamengo could beat Atlético-MG this Wednesday. The 1-1 draw against Atlético-MG at Mineirão Stadium didn't satisfy coach Ney Franco. After the match, he lamented not leaving Belo Horizonte with a better result. "I'm leaving a little frustrated. Our defense was good, but I think we lacked a little more offensive strength. The ball bounced up and back," he said.
Flamengo sits 17th in the Brasileirão standings with seven points. Their next match will be Saturday against São Paulo at Morumbi Stadium. Until then, the team continues preparing in Belo Horizonte. The trip to São Paulo takes place on Friday.
Irineu receives praise from his boss
Ney Franco says defender was one of the best on the pitch against Atlético-MG\ The 1-1 draw between Flamengo and Atlético-MG had a star for coach Ney Franco. And it wasn't striker Leonardo, who scored the equalizer. The praise went to defender Irineu.\ "We emphasized defense during the break. Irineu played very well, he was one of the best on the pitch, the work paid off. We missed Souza, we stole the ball, and it wouldn't stop in attack, it kept hitting and coming back," says the coach.\
Hero, Leonardo celebrates goal in tears
Player scores with his shoulder and believes Flamengo comes out on top 'due to the circumstances of the match'\ Flamengo remains in the Brasileirão relegation zone after a 1-1 draw with Atlético-MG. But Leonardo, scorer of the red-and-black goal, celebrated what he considered a good result.\ "I believe it was a good result, given the circumstances of the match. We came here to try to win and get the three points, but the draw in the final minutes left us with a taste of victory. Now we'll breathe and fight to change this situation," the player declared.\
Starting in Souza's absence, the striker had a low profile until the 47th minute of the second half. At that moment, he put his right shoulder in and tied the match.
"It was a real tear-jerking goal. It was a bit awkward, the ball hit his shoulder and went in. But for the striker, the goal is what matters," the player declared.
Diego replaces Bruno with a great defense
Goalkeeper delivers solid performance in 1-1 draw against Atlético-MG\ Diego's return to the Flamengo goal didn't make the fans miss Bruno. This Wednesday, in the 1-1 draw against Atlético-MG, the Flamengo goalkeeper delivered a solid performance and stood out with a fine save in the 25th minute of the second half (watch the video below).\ In the move, Marcinho headed the ball from the edge of the six-yard box, and Diego leaped to palm it away. For the rest of the match, he demonstrated solidity in several runs at the attackers' feet and even had a lucky chance when Coelho's free kick hit the post.\
If there isn't (another) twist in Bruno's saga, Diego will remain in Flamengo's starting lineup next Saturday against São Paulo.
Shoulder saves Fla from defeat to Galo
Two goals in the final minutes add to the excitement of the game this Wednesday afternoon at Mineirão. A saving shoulder from Leonardo, in the 47th minute of the second half, secured a 1-1 draw for Flamengo against Atlético-MG, this Wednesday afternoon at Mineirão. The result did little to help either team in the Brazilian Championship standings. The Minas Gerais team extends its winless streak to three games and sits in 12th place, with 13 points (from nine games).
Hampered by the postponement of two games, Flamengo has only seven matches to play. And the same number of points. The result of their poor campaign is reflected in their standings: 17th place and a spot in the relegation zone.
Card show
The 17 days they spent training weren't enough for Flamengo's players to improve their passing skills, especially Leo Lima. The first time he managed to secure possession, Renato received the ball from Paulinho and shot wide.
Despite being the home team, Atlético was timid in the opening minutes. They only truly threatened in the 25th minute, when Marcos headed over the bar.
But the first half, overall, was lacking in good plays. The same cannot be said for the number of yellow cards: five!
Goals in the dying seconds
In the second half, the Red-Blacks remained ahead, but were thwarted by Atlético goalkeeper Diego. His namesake, who replaced Bruno, had a lucky break in the 10th minute. Coelho's free kick from the front of the field hit the right post.
In the 26th minute, Diego showed skill. And what skill! Marcinho headed the ball down, and Flamengo's number 1 made a spectacular save. Flamengo stopped attacking and, remaining closed, withstood Atlético's pressure until the 42nd minute. That's when Paulinho, recklessly, tackled Danilinho inside the box.
Coelho opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute. When the result seemed decided, Renato headed back a cross and the previously absent Leonardo, with a shoulder, equalized for Flamengo.
Ibson decides his future on Monday
Player enters Porto's 'blackout' scheme and cannot give interviews
Ibson is in Flamengo's sights, but for now he can't give interviews. A common practice in Portugal, known as a blackout, Porto has banned Ibson from giving interviews while his future is still being resolved. While not in the plans at Porto, the midfielder has offers from Flamengo and some European clubs. Despite being willing, the player declined to comment on his possible return to Flamengo, which reportedly made the best offer among the clubs interested in signing him.
"I can't give interviews. Porto doesn't want me to talk until my situation is resolved," he says.
Released from the presentation to the Portuguese club, scheduled for last Monday, Ibson will only return to Portugal next Monday, when he guaranteed that he will define his situation with the directors.
- When it's resolved there in Portugal, I'll be able to talk to you - says Ibson.
Negotiations between Porto and Uram stalled on Monday, as the businessman was left to deal with Bruno's case. The businessman confirmed the deadline given by Ibson.
"I spent the day dealing with Bruno's case and haven't spoken to Porto yet. But I believe we can have a solution by the middle of next week," he declares. Ibson's contract with Porto runs until 2009, and the club would like to extend it for another year. The player wants to choose where he goes, and Flamengo is the top choice.
Throw
Atlético-MG and Flamengo draw
Rubro-Negro saves itself from defeat with a shoulder goal from Leonardo at the end
Teams remained tied at 1-1 (Credit: Gil Leonardi)
Rodrigo Mandarini
Atlético-MG and Flamengo drew 1-1 this Wednesday in a low-skill but thrilling finale at Mineirão Stadium. With a midfield comprised of players lacking creativity, scoring chances were rare during the first 85 minutes. However, in the end, what they lacked in quality they made up for in excitement.
First, Atlético Mineiro had the win in their sights in the 43rd minute of the second half. Paulinho conceded a penalty on Danilinho. Coelho took the shot and opened the scoring. Atlético fans were already singing victory when the equalizer arrived: Leonardo, with his shoulder, took advantage of a move in the box and pushed it into the net. A fair draw.
The result, despite the positive performance, was worse for Flamengo, which remains in the relegation zone. Flamengo has seven points and remains in 18th place. With 13 points, Galo now occupies 13th place.
Ney Franco's lineup didn't work as he'd hoped. The midfield, consisting of Jailton, Paulinho, Léo Medeiros, and Léo Lima, showed no sign of creativity. Up front, Renato was the only one trying anything. Leonardo, the other striker, wasn't noticed on the field.
For Galo, the team also showed significant creative deficiencies. Danilinho still attempted a few runs, but not enough to win the match.
To get an idea of the lack of determination of both teams in the first half, only two plays deserve mention in the first half: in the 15th minute, Renato received the ball from Paulinho and shot dangerously at Diego; Galo responded in the 25th minute, with a header from Marcos, which went close to the goal of the other goalkeeper Diego.
In the second half, Atlético Mineiro increased the pressure. Just four minutes in, Danilinho was brought down by Angelim at the edge of the box. A dangerous free kick. Coelho took the shot, and the ball hit the post. From then on, Atlético fans woke up and started cheering the team on, something they hadn't done in the first half.
Coach Ney Franco attempted to change the game's complexion with a bold substitution. He took off midfielder Jaílton and brought on young striker Paulo Sérgio. The change had no effect. Under pressure due to his delicate position in the standings, Ney then took off Léo Lima and brought on Toró. Another substitution that didn't produce results.
In the first match of the "post-Bruno era," Diego appeared and saved Flamengo with a sensational save: Marcinho headed the ball in, and the goalkeeper stretched out to perform a miracle. The former starter would then score a great save for the Rubro-Negro's new number 1.
The game became a heated affair in the 41st minute, when Paulinho conceded a penalty on Danilinho. Coelho fired a fine shot into the left corner, but Diego leaped to the other side.
Flamengo's third defeat seemed certain when Leonardo's saving shoulder appeared. He capitalized on a cross into the box, headed in by Renato, and equalized.
Based on the teams' performance, a 1-1 draw was a good result. No one deserved more than a point.
In the next round, Flamengo will face São Paulo at Morumbi Stadium, while Atlético will host Grêmio at Mineirão Stadium.
Léo Medeiros praises the Flamengo team's attitude
Midfielder says team managed to get Atlético-MG involved
LANCEPRESS!\ Midfielder Léo Medeiros highlighted the Flamengo team's attitude in the 1-1 draw with Atlético-MG, this Wednesday, at Mineirão, for the Brazilian Championship.\
The result had the flavor of victory for the red-blacks, who equalized in the 47th minute of the second half.
"We managed to move the ball well and kept Atlético-MG at bay for much of the game. Everyone's tenacity until the final minute was also important. We conceded a goal after 40 minutes of the second half, but we still didn't give up. Leonardo's goal crowned our determination," said the player.
The Flamengo team remains in Belo Horizonte until Friday, and will then travel to São Paulo, where they will face Tricolor Paulista, at 18:10 pm on Saturday, at Morumbi.
Leonardo saves an ugly goal that was worth a point
Striker scored the winning goal for Rubro-Negro against Galo with his ear
LANCEPRESS!
Striker Leonardo was the hero for Flamengo in their 1-1 draw with Atlético-MG this Wednesday. The striker's goal, in the 46th minute of the second half, was odd, but it earned Flamengo a point.
"My defender jolted, the ball hit his head, then his shoulder and ear. But the important thing is that it went in. It was a goal that gave us a precious point," he said.
The goal came, according to Leonardo, due to the positioning tip given to him by Ney Franco during half-time.
"Galo has two center-backs and a defensive midfielder who never move forward. I stayed close to them in the first half and didn't achieve anything. At halftime, Neymar told me to stay in the box, fixed, so the ball would be left behind. That's what happened," he explained.
Fla gives deadline for resolution of Bruno case
Club demands investors decide by this Friday
Bruno arrived at Flamengo last year (Credit: Cleber Mendes)
LANCEPRESS!
Flamengo's press office released an official statement on Wednesday regarding the club's stance on goalkeeper Bruno. The Flamengo number 1 left the training camp on Tuesday, as he was unable to face Atlético-MG.
The goalkeeper revealed that he wants to stay at the club, but that he depends on the MSI investment fund, which holds the player's federation rights, to do so.