The Globe
To overcome Joel's retranca and ghosts
Flamengo has five youth players today against Figueirense
Photo caption: WITH CONE in hand, Joel guides the team: after installing panic, the coach asks the youngest to calm down
Pedro Motta Gueiros
On the radio show Joel Santana listened to as a child, animals talked, and the world was more innocent. Half a century later, the Flamengo coach took it upon himself to shatter those illusions. The day before yesterday, his angry voice announced on radio and TV that he wasn't there to tell stories about Uncle Janjão because the reality of Flamengo was horrific. To situate his comparison in time, he said that modern coaches would use Harry Potter fables. Regardless of the era, using fear to alert the younger generation is still relevant. After instilling panic over relegation, Joel called for calm as they face Figueirense today at 20:30 pm at Maracanã. With six players missing, Flamengo will have five players coming from the youth teams.
"I said it was awful given our position in the table, but the fans will continue to support us, the team will respond," said the coach, denying that he's putting youngsters like Thiago Sales and Rômulo on the line. "It's great to see the kids performing well. And many more will come. If I have a player I don't know, I always put a homegrown one."
Coach trains defense despite the obligation to win
Joel can't be accused of exposing his boys. Whenever he receives criticism, he's primarily concerned with the suffering caused to his sons. He also serves as a buffer with the players. Yesterday, instead of the usual recreational training session, he held a training session to get the team in shape, given the absences of Ronaldo Angelim, Fábio Luciano, Juan, Roger, Souza, and Maxi. At the edge of the box, acting as a sweeper, he guided the duo Thiago and Rodrigo Arroz, who will often become a trio of defenders, with Rômulo dropping back. Despite the need to win the game and Figueirense's defensive defense, Joel preferred to work on the defense yesterday.
- It's the game of my survival, because we don't know if we'll have another chance - said Rodrigo Arroz.
Striker Leonardo sees it the same way:
"I need to get going, my contract is ending," he said, ready to overcome the lack of rhythm and training with his new teammate. "We'll work things out in the conversation."
Despite his appreciation for the homegrown players, the coach is likely to improvise with Léo Medeiros at left back instead of fielding the specialist Egídio. In Joel's stories, the moral is sometimes difficult to grasp, but not for lack of sincerity:
- I wanted to convey my feelings. The fans need to know that we are not satisfied.
Brazil finishes 17th in the World Cup and does not qualify the men's team for Beijing
If Diego Hypólito wins the floor final, the country will take two gymnasts to the Games.
STUTTGART, Germany. The Brazilian men's team's dream of qualifying for the Olympics has been postponed once again. Yesterday, after the final day of national qualifying rounds at the Gymnastics World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany, Diego Hypólito, Victor Rosa, Mosiah Rodrigues, Luiz dos Anjos, Arthur Zanetti, and Danilo Nogueira finished 17th with 351.550 points.
With this placement, Brazil qualified only one gymnast for Beijing, as happened in Athens 2004, when only Mosiah Rodrigues, who finished 33rd overall, represented the country.
But Brazil still has a chance of having two athletes at the Olympics. According to the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Olympic qualification criteria, the gymnast with the highest overall total will advance to the Games.
Diego Hypólito, the best Brazilian in the event (36th place), could secure an automatic spot if he wins gold in the floor final on Saturday, thus opening up a spot for another Brazilian.
"I'm already training and making changes to my routine because I want to fight for the world title. After all, only the apparatus champion qualifies for the Olympics," said Diego, floor champion in 2005 and runner-up last year.
Brazil will play the women's team final today
Diego qualified for the floor final with the second highest score (16.050), behind only China's Kai Zou (16.275).
Only the top 12 teams secured a spot in next year's Olympics. On the first day of the men's qualifying round, the day before yesterday, Brazil finished in ninth place, still harboring hopes of an unprecedented qualification. Had the team finished between 13th and 15th overall, it would have qualified two athletes for Beijing, which would have been an achievement in itself.
China, host of next year's Olympic Games, proved its favoritism and finished in first place, with 374.275 points, followed by Japan, Germany, the United States, Russia, Romania, Spain, South Korea, France, Italy, Canada and Belarus.
Today, starting at 9 am Brasília time, the women's team, eighth in the qualifying phase, competes in the team final of the Gymnastics World Championships.
TRANSMISSION: Bandeirantes Network
Free that costs a lot
Clubs are harmed by benefits granted by law at games at Maracanã
Gian Amato
The traditional "Suderj informs" announcement at Maracanã now appears on two large screens. Besides modernizing the stadium by displaying the action in digital format, the devices have made revenue data clearer, revealing the size of the gap in clubs' revenue caused by legally mandated free tickets. Since the start of the second half of the season, the organization has been discriminating between paying and non-paying spectators in the Brazilian Championship. Only for the match between Flamengo and Sport, the largest paying spectator in the championship, with 51.552 people, 9.656 fans, including seniors, children, and those with disabilities, benefited. However, for each match, Suderj and the Football Federation (Ferj) keep 1.500 tickets, which are distributed free of charge.
State Secretary of Sports, Leisure, and Tourism Eduardo Paes admits that these 1.500 tickets are being given to "gatecrashers" and will continue to be distributed. Special guests from Suderj and Ferj are seated in the honor and sports stands (an area unrelated to the press section).
"Complimentary tickets don't exceed 1.500; that's the cap. The rest goes to the clubs. They're invited by the federation and Suderj, and I don't see any problem with that. FIFA, which is a serious organization, requires 1.000 free tickets for the World Cup. If you want, you can call them free rides, because they're distributed according to our will," Paes stated.
Flamengo president attacks courtesy
The biggest problem, according to the secretary, who is also president of Suderj, is the lack of a limit on the entry of fans benefiting from the law.
"This non-paying public isn't a freeloader. They're either beneficiaries of the law or people who have acquired the right to be at Maracanã because they own reserved seats or boxes," Paes said.
In the game between Fluminense and Grêmio (1-1), on August 25, the number of complimentary tickets reached 1.334, just under half of the non-paying public, which was 3.027. In the same match, only 392 elderly people benefited. In the game between Flamengo and Goiás, on August 26, the number of complimentary tickets (1.716) was almost double the number of elderly people present (1.029).
Flamengo president Márcio Braga questions the 1.500 complimentary tickets and warns that he will put an end to the "party" if the club manages the stadium in the future.
"If the idea of Flamengo managing Maracanã becomes a reality, we'll put an end to the ticket spree, which is used for political purposes. If Ferj is entitled to 200 tickets, why does it need another 500? It's the biggest predator. Suderj, at least, owns the stadium and distributes them to whoever it wants," Braga said, stating that the club gets 350 complimentary tickets. "It's normal. After all, we're paying for the game."
Clubs can do nothing but comply with the law. Their only autonomy is regarding ticket prices. Boards of directors have the freedom to charge lower prices, which explains the revenue gap between Flamengo and Sport (R$475.954,00) and Fluminense and Vasco (R$691.341,00), which had lower attendance figures.
The secretary states that he decided to dissect the data on free admission in the name of transparency. Previously, only revenue, attendance, and paying attendance were announced, raising suspicions. The next steps, he says, will be to add box-seat guests to the total paying attendance, starting with the next game, and to install, within about 40 days, a turnstile to prevent access to the Press Tribune by non-work attendees, currently frequented even by club presidents and members of coaching staffs.
"We have no control over this department, which is run by the Sports Writers Association (ACERJ). The membership card from that organization alone will no longer be valid. We will establish a new accreditation system, with a limit of 300 journalists per game," he declared.
For state deputy Pedro Paulo (PSDB), who works in the Legislative Assembly (Alerj) for the approval of the Bill that excludes three entities benefiting from the Maracanã's income tax (Scoteiros, Acerj and Fundo de Garantia do Atleta Profissional - Fugap), unrestricted access for non-payers needs to be reviewed:
- Maracanã is neither a theater nor a movie theater. Therefore, it provides no cultural incentive. This benefit for seniors and children negatively impacts the clubs' own revenue.
Even though the congressman doesn't consider soccer a cultural incentive, children roll around with free admission and have been a constant presence at the stadium. Dressed and painted in their club colors, 3.152 children under 12 went to Maracanã on Sunday to watch the 1-1 draw between Fluminense and Vasco. Oblivious to the details of income and attendance, they still innocently gaze at the big screen, simply to enjoy their idols' plays.
Fla lost R$241 thousand in a match
The game with the highest attendance in the Brazilian Championship (51.552), between Flamengo and Sport, grossed R$475.954,00. If the 9.658 fans benefiting from the free tickets laws had paid the R$25 for the stands, an additional R$241.45,00 would have been in the red-and-black account. Based on calculations like these, the Rio State Legislative Assembly is attempting to approve a bill that excludes three entities from the list of beneficiaries of revenue from Maracanã games: Fugap, the Brazilian Scout Union (UEB), and Acerj. On vote day, the bill received amendments and was removed from the agenda.
"The goal is to increase club revenue and make this transfer of funds transparent. Why prioritize the Scouts and Fugap over other entities? Maracanã is the only stadium where these discounts are available," stated Representative Pedro Paulo (PSDB), assuming that the vote will resume in 15 days.
According to the congressman, the opposition is against the bill. Therefore, the State Secretary of Sports, Tourism, and Leisure, Eduardo Paes, will discuss the bill with party leaders.
- I am sure that Alerj will approve this project - said the secretary.
Fugap currently receives 2% of the net revenue from each game played at Maracanã. UEB and Acerj's shares are smaller, 1% and 0,5%, respectively. According to the Rio de Janeiro State Football Federation, the three entities together received R$240.936,20 in the last Campeonato Carioca. Since the stadium was used 29 times in the competition, this averages over R$8 per game.
Fernando Calazans
Like Botafogo, Flamengo has a collection of suspended players. For today's game against Figueirense, they have three: Fábio Luciano, Juan, and Roger. Not counting the injured players. Three truly, or supposedly, important players. Fábio Luciano has become the star of the defense; Juan has been, quite simply, the best on the team. And Roger came to be this team's playmaker—if he were to play, which is rare and difficult.
Joel Santana has to figure out the lineup, improvising Léo Medeiros, for example, at left-back.
News that could be good: by all indications, Renato Augusto will play in his true position as a fourth midfielder or playmaker, whichever you prefer.
It's good for us to begin to understand the real reason for the player's drastic drop in production, because old foxes within the club itself believe Renato Augusto doesn't play as much as he thinks he does. It's a respectable theory.
Even though I'm far from alone, I was one of those who complained most about Flamengo's young talent being placed in the wrong position. But that's how Ney Franco placed him—in the wrong position—and also how Joel Santana did due to injury. Today, due to suspension—Roger's, naturally—Renato Augusto returns to midfield, where he should never have left.
Let's see if Renato Augusto plays everything he and the board think.
Sports Journal
Joel Santana: 'I'm calm, I'm always calm'
After appearing on the covers of the main sports newspapers, showing great irritation with the mistakes made by his group in the last rounds of the Brazilian Championship, which made Flamengo return to the relegation zone, coach Joel Santana said he is calm, and what happened in training last Monday was an outburst, a way of showing the red-black fans that no one in Gávea is comfortable with this situation.
"I'm calm, I'm always calm. When I talk to my players, when I talk to you, I don't mince words; I speak with my feelings. We've had ups and downs. I continue to maintain myself at a big club, as I am now, with responsibility. I like to convey to you and to the public that what's inside here is emotion. The fans need to know that we're not happy with the situation," the coach explained to Rádio Globo.
Regarding Wednesday's match against Figueirense at Maracanã, Joel is banking on the homegrown talent and the fans to come away with a victory. With six players missing—Juan, Fábio Luciano, Roger, and Souza are suspended; Ronaldo Angelim and Maxi Biacucci are injured—Flamengo will be responsible for Rodrigo Arroz, Renato Augusto, Thiago Sales, Rômulo, Íbison, and Egídio, the latter of which has yet to be confirmed.
"The crowd's behavior, the fans' behavior, will be a big factor. We're betting on tomorrow's game. I'm confident in the motivation of these young men, these kids who grew up on a team as big as Flamengo. They want to perform well, and the fans will be there for them. We're going to put on a good performance," said the Flamengo coach.
Rodrigo Arroz will play this Wednesday for Fla
After coach Joel Santana surprised everyone last Saturday by fielding defender Thiago Sales in place of the injured Ronaldo Angelim, thus bypassing Rodrigo Arroz, the favorite for the starting spot, he will finally make his first start for Flamengo in this Brazilian Championship, playing at Maracanã. His previous starts were against América-RN in Uberlândia and Atlético-PR in Curitiba.
"It's another opportunity that's presented itself, and I have to go in as if it's my last chance. I have a good rapport with Thiago Sales, as we always train together on the reserve team, so there won't be any problems," said the defender.
Figueira cautious\ Figueirense defender Asprilla warned that the Santa Catarina team will need to be very cautious in today's match if they want to win.\
"Flamengo is coming off positive results. We have to remain cautious; we can't go out and attack. They're at home and have an obligation to win. We have to play like we did against São Paulo, tight. We have every chance of coming away with a positive result at Maracanã," said the player.
Anyway, Colace is from Mengão!
Argentine player will sign contract today with the red-black club after a long wait
Thiago Bokel and Nathan de Lima
Argentine Colace has yet to sign a contract with Flamengo, but he interacted with fans at Gávea on Friday. He is expected to sign the contract today.
One of Flamengo's most dramatic recent dramas is coming to an end. The deal for midfielder Hugo Colace, scheduled to take place last Friday, has been postponed but will take place today.
Vice President of Football Kleber Leite met for about four hours yesterday with the club's lawyer, Michel Assef Filho, and the midfielder's agent, Cato Grosso, to finalize the negotiations. A fax was even sent to the AFA (Argentine Football Association) requesting the foreigner's release. Leite is increasingly optimistic about the outcome of this story.
"The situation is very well underway, with only minor bureaucratic details remaining, such as the player's signature, who will arrive in Brazil tomorrow (today). Because of this, we haven't officially announced it yet. He's initially contracted until June 2008, with the possibility of a six-month extension. Flamengo will acquire a portion of the economic rights belonging to Colace," Kleber Leite confided.
During the day in Gávea, there was much speculation that the Argentine would no longer sign with the Flamengo club due to the delay in resolving the matter. Another indication that the signing would no longer happen was Colace's return to Argentina, as Estudiantes demanded the player's return. The agreement with Newell's Old Boys has already been sealed, so it will be very unlikely that the deal will fall through. Although Flamengo's vice president of football did not confirm what percentage of Colace's rights the Flamengo club would acquire, it is very likely that the club will hold the other half, which belongs to the Argentine. Estudiantes, previously considered Newell's 'partner', is actually just the club to which he is on loan.
Obligation to win
Full of absences and problems, Flamengo needs to win to recover in the Brazilian Championship
Nathan de Lima and Thiago Bokel
Obina is armbarred by Íbson. The striker is Flamengo's hope of getting out of trouble.
With six absences and with the opponent choking on their throat, Flamengo faces Figueirense today, at 20:30 pm, at Maracanã, trying to leave the uncomfortable relegation zone of the Brazilian Championship once again.
Without Fábio Luciano, Juan, Roger, and Souza, all suspended, and also without the sidelined Ronaldo Angelim and Maxi, both with left thigh injuries, Flamengo will face a difficult match against the Santa Catarina team. Today's match is crucial, as a win will see Flamengo reach 29 points and surpass Figueira, who has 28, pushing their opponents closer to the brink.
To make matters worse for the Rio de Janeiro natives, the last meeting between the teams ended in a 4-0 rout for the Santa Catarina team, complete with a performance by former Flamengo player André Santos.
Figueira's rout came on June 10th, and under coach Ney Franco, Flamengo was crushed by Figueirense, the week the Santa Catarina club lost the most important title in its history, the Copa do Brasil final to Fluminense. The 14.363 spectators who attended the Orlando Scarpelli stadium saw a listless and lost Flamengo on the field. The defense, consisting of Moisés and Ronaldo Angelim, was overwhelmed, and the attack, which featured Leonardo and Souza, was ineffective.
Defender Rodrigo Arroz, who will play in place of Fábio Luciano, explained what happened in that match.
"There, our team never found its feet, and nothing went right. I hope things will be different this time. We have to focus on tomorrow's game (today). The defeat we suffered is in the past; we had a different coach," said Arroz, who pledged a different approach.
"The mood is different today, but we can't recover those lost points. In this game, only victory matters, and we'll do everything we can to get it," said Arroz.
Coach Joel Santana, as usual, didn't confirm the full lineup for the match against Figueirense. The question mark he left open this time was at left back.
Midfielder Léo Medeiros trained improvised in Juan's place, but young Egídio still has a chance to play.
Suderj informs: Fla signs agreement
Flamengo president Márcio Braga has a meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. today with Rio de Janeiro's Secretary of Sports, Tourism, and Leisure, Eduardo Paes, where he will sign an agreement with the Rio de Janeiro State Sports Superintendence. The partnership is an agreement between the Flamengo and Fluminense boards and the Rio de Janeiro State Sports Federation (Suderj). Márcio Braga said he considers this project to be a great benefit for the Gávea club and that if it comes to fruition, it will be very important for the club.
"I've just been summoned by Rio's Secretary of Sports, Tourism, and Leisure, Dr. Eduardo Paes, to appear tomorrow (today) at the Suderj headquarters because he wants to launch a loyalty program for Maracanã. In other words, the more Flamengo plays at the stadium, the less we'll pay in field rental. I think this loyalty program is great," said Márcio Braga, who seemed quite pleased to learn that Flamengo was also involved in the project.
"To our immense joy, I saw that Fluminense will be there at the meeting with us," said the Flamengo president. Regarding the possibility of the Rubro-Negro becoming the "new owner" of Maracanã, Márcio Braga preferred to be a little more cautious and preferred to avoid rushing into giving any opinion on the matter.
"Regarding the privatization of Maracanã, we'll only know after the bidding process is open, especially since there are issues that still need to be resolved before we go all in. For example, the state government hasn't yet announced whether the privatization will involve the entire complex or just the stadium. So, we can't say anything until the bidding process is open. I prefer to be cautious with my words," added Márcio Braga.
Former Paraná player, Leonardo returns to the starting lineup for Fla
Leonardo seems worried about the responsibility of being a starter
The hopes of Flamengo's young forwards ended yesterday when coach Joel Santana confirmed Leonardo alongside the fans' favorite, Obina, in the match against Figueirense. Paulo Sérgio and Kayke, who were hoping for a chance to start as Souza is serving the last day of his suspension, will have to wait a little longer. The news may surprise some fans, as the biggest change during the Joel Santana era, following Ney Franco's failure, was to give more opportunities to players trained in the club's youth academy.
Leonardo, who had been forgotten at Gávea, had been training separately from the group. The player hopes to now have a longer run of games to prove to everyone that he can perform at Flamengo as well as he did for Paraná last season.
"Joel told me last week that he was keeping an eye on me and that I needed to work hard. I think I need a string of games to prove my worth," said the striker, warning that the injuries that hampered his career at Flamengo are no longer part of his routine.
"These injuries are in the past, I've overcome them. I intend to show that I'm fully recovered," he stated confidently. If Flamengo beats Figueira, they'll escape the relegation zone. Leonardo is banking on his recovery to help the Red-Blacks escape this uncomfortable situation.
"It's missing that something extra, something different. The right time will come; there are three months left in the Brazilian Championship, and I just need to do my job to earn my place," he added.
Maxi returns to Fla against Inter
Striker Maxi Biancucci is training to return to the team for the match against Internacional at Beira-Rio. The Argentine suffered a grade one strain in his left thigh after injuring himself during Flamengo's victory over Goiás and has been working on his recovery. Coach Joel Santana is expected to start him in Saturday's match.
After having a problem with his left thigh, defender Ronaldo Angelim is also expected to return to the team for this weekend's game.
In Saturday's game, the Flamengo coach will be able to field full-back Juan, defender Fábio Luciano and midfielder Roger, all suspended for their third yellow card, and striker Souza, punished by the STJD, who will return to the team.
O Dia
Flamengo: Joel bets on the strength of youth
Without starters or more experienced players, the coach uses the youngsters against Figueirense
Rio - At Flamengo, the more experienced players lack maturity, receive silly cards, and are out at the worst possible time. Coach Joel Santana speaks. Ronaldo Angelim and Maxi Biancucchi are injured, and with the suspensions of Roger, Juan, Fábio Luciano, and Souza, there's no other option: the coach will rely on the club's youthful Red-and-Black squad, nurtured within the club, in today's match at 20:30 PM against Figueirense at Maracanã.
The defense will be formed by Thiago Salles and Rodrigo Arroz. Léo Medeiros and Egídio will compete for the left-back position, and the attack will consist of Leonardo and Obina.
What weighs in favor of homegrown players? For Joel, it's the fact that they experienced, from an early age, the pressure of playing for Brazil's most popular club, where heaven borders hell.
"The important thing is that they know each other. Not to mention that they're confident and motivated. And they know the responsibility of victory, which can keep our team out of the relegation zone," explained the coach.
On Monday, Joel Santana was pure irritation. Yesterday, he changed his tone and tried to show his confidence in the team's new formation. The coach recalled that Flamengo was "shaken" by Figueirense in the first round, when they suffered a 4-0 defeat in Florianópolis.
Still, he's betting that the boys will be able to handle the responsibility of getting revenge and helping the team improve its position in the table and push the opponent down.
Flamengo is in 17th place with 26 points, while Figueirense is 14th with 28. "It's definitely going to be a good game. Only with confidence will we overcome this problem. I didn't hesitate to put the boys on the field because they're focused and confident. And knowing how the fans behave, they'll give their all," says Joel.
Yesterday, the coach spoke with the youngsters before training. He highlighted each player's history with the club, recalled the titles won in the youth divisions, and spoke of the importance of performing well.
Defender Thiago Salles, making his second start, is grateful for the confidence and intends to prove the coach right. Even though he hasn't played alongside Arroz, he promises to close out the defense, with the help of Rômulo, who will complete the defensive line. "I know our responsibility is great. We're going to fight hard," said Thiago, who learned Flamengo's motto at a young age: 'Win, win, win.'
Leonardo bets everything on this game
The opportunity to start playing today is seen as the last chance for striker Leonardo to show he has what it takes to stay at the club. His contract expires at the end of the year, and the player dreams of staying at Gávea for a while longer.
Leonardo last wore the red-and-black jersey in the 2-1 victory over Náutico, Joel Santana's first match at Maracanã after the Pan-American Games. He was injured and returned to training last week.
"I'm very motivated to play well and show that I have what it takes to extend my contract. I want to score a goal early in the game to give the team some peace of mind," said the striker.
Pairing up with Obina won't be a complete mystery, as the two played together at Vitória. He also worked with Joel Santana for a month at the Bahia club. Experienced, Leonardo has the recipe for the Gávea team to avoid the game of today's opponent.
"They usually play with three defenders and three defensive midfielders, very defensively. We have to go into the second half winning, otherwise our fans will start booing and cursing. We'll need patience," he warns.
With a new look, a thin beard and longer hair, Leonardo isn't bothered about returning to the team in the middle of a hurricane, noting that he's always called up in times of pressure. "In those moments, I'm always ready to help. I want to play a great game and really take off at Flamengo," he hopes.
One more chance
Like Íbson, Rômulo, Thiago Salles and Renato Augusto, defender Rodrigo Arroz was discovered at the club, and — with ups and downs — has managed to remain strong in the professional group for the third consecutive year.
Therefore, every opportunity to start is seen as a definite one. He has worked with several coaches, including Cuca, Valdemar Lemos, and Ney Franco, and hopes to convince Joel Santana that he can help the team.
"It's not easy to stay on the professional team. Every day is a new challenge. But I've been working very hard and I'm more than ready to help the team," said Arroz, who has never played alongside Thiago.
Arroz said he is well aware of the responsibility of defending the team's colors and can help players from abroad understand what it means to play for Flamengo.
"It's an exchange of experiences. I can show them the immensity of Flamengo and also draw on the experience of the older ones."
To foster synergy in the defense, Rodrigo Arroz said he will constantly communicate with his teammate. "We'll close the area tightly and not give them any space."
Flamengo to sign Maracanã loyalty agreement
Fluminense will also join the mix. Clubs will pay lower stadium fees.
Rio - According to president Márcio Braga, this Wednesday, Flamengo will sign a loyalty agreement for the use of Maracanã Stadium at 10 a.m., at Suderj. The proposal was made by Suderj president Eduardo Paes, and the club is committed to playing 70% of its home matches at Maracanã. The initiative will reduce stadium costs, as the club will now pay R$5 per game (the maximum fee was R$40), in addition to keeping all the revenue.
Fluminense will also be represented at the meeting, and it's rumored that the Fla-Flu duo will be responsible for implementing this project. In an interview with Rádio Brasil, Márcio Braga said he couldn't provide further details about the project.
"I heard from Eduardo Paes that Fluminense will be attending this match, but I can't say why. I know the idea is that the more we use Maracanã, the less we'll pay for it. It's similar to the frequent flyer programs offered by airlines," said the president.
Maracanã will be put up for auction, just as Engenhão was, now owned by Botafogo. Flamengo and Fluminense will compete for the stadium, but Márcio Braga says he still needs more details to determine the extent of Flamengo's interest.
"We don't know if the entire Maracanã Complex or just the stadium will be put out to tender," he explained. Suderj is expected to release the bidding notice between the end of October and the beginning of November.
Sports Gazette
At Maracanã, Fla faces Figueira to regain victory\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Back in the relegation zone and with two consecutive draws in the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo will be looking to regain its winning ways this Wednesday when it hosts Figueirense at 20:30 pm (Brasília time) at Maracanã in the 24th round of the competition. The Rio de Janeiro-based team sits in 17th place with 26 points – two points behind the Santa Catarina-based team, which sits in 14th and suffered a loss to Goiás over the weekend. To make amends with its fans, Flamengo hopes to once again count on the support of its fans. Last Saturday, in the draw with Sport, more than 60 people attended Maracanã. Despite escaping much criticism, coach Joel Santana knows that boos could follow if they stumble again. "The fans, like us, are not satisfied with Flamengo's situation in the Brazilian Championship. We have to go in with commitment and play intelligently to make our home advantage count," said the coach.
With matches postponed due to the closure of the Maracanã stadium during the Pan American Games, Flamengo has been subjected to an intense marathon in recent weeks. As a result, some players have ended up injured, such as midfielder Maximiliano Biancucchi and defender Ronaldo Angelim. The latter, incidentally, is expected to reappear in the team this Wednesday.
Joel Santana's problems aren't limited to injuries. Due to suspensions, the coach will be without defender Fábio Luciano, midfielder Roger, forward Souza, and left-back Juan. Faced with so many setbacks, Joel even decided to improvise midfielder Léo Medeiros on the wing for the match against Santa Catarina.
"I don't see any problem with being improvised," Léo Medeiros said. "When I played in midfield, I sometimes switched with Juan so he had more freedom to attack without worrying too much about getting back to mark. Besides, I played as a full-back at Ipatinga and did well," he commented.
Despite the many changes he's been forced to make to his team, Joel Santana avoids any pessimistic views. "We're having some problems, but that's how the Brasileirão is. Some players are out due to injuries, others due to bookings. But we're not going to complain; we're going with what we have," said the coach.
Figueirense coach Mário Sérgio will be without defender Chicão, the team's captain, who was sent off in the 2-1 loss to Goiás at Serra Dourada. However, the Santa Catarina manager will have the return of midfielder Carlinhos, who served a suspension in the last game after accumulating three yellow cards.
Just like in the previous round, when they played in Goiânia, Mário Sérgio didn't even include striker Frontini in the squad for the match against Flamengo. "We'll be playing at our opponent's home ground, defensively and quickly on the counterattack. That's why I opted not to include Frontini. But he's part of the plan and will return when we play at home," he assured.
So far, the Santa Catarina team has played 12 away matches in the Brazilian Championship, accumulating two wins, four draws and six defeats.
Fla and Flu will be partners at Maracanã\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - The presidents of Flamengo and Fluminense are expected to sign an agreement with Suderj this Wednesday at 10 a.m., in which the two clubs commit to playing 70% of their home matches at Maracanã. According to the agreement formulated by Sports Secretary Eduardo Paes, the clubs will pay a fee of R$5 per game (the maximum fee was R$40) and will also retain all the proceeds from the match. Paes believes the partnership will bring benefits to everyone.
The idea is that the clubs keep the income and Suderj keeps the money from the sale of game signs, boxes, and also from services that involve the public, such as food sales.
Maracanã will have a 'mileage' process\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Rio de Janeiro State Sports Secretary Eduardo Paes called the presidents of Rio de Janeiro clubs that regularly play at Maracanã Stadium for a meeting this Wednesday morning. Expectations were high for information about a possible bidding process or outsourcing of the Maracanã Stadium. However, Flamengo president Márcio Braga revealed that it's the launch of a "mileage" program, which provides discounts on rental fees for clubs that play more at Maracanã. "I was summoned by Secretary Eduardo Paes to appear this Wednesday at 10 a.m., because he wants to showcase a loyalty program, meaning the club that plays more at Maracanã will pay less for rent for the field. It's like an airline mileage program. That's what he wants to announce. From what I've seen, Fluminense will be present, and I don't know why Botafogo and Vasco will be absent," said Márcio Braga, revealing that he will be accompanied only by Fluminense president Roberto Horcades.
Vasco da Gama and Botafogo are unlikely to attend because they don't plan to host many games at Maracanã in the coming years. Vasco da Gama has the São Januário stadium, while Flamengo has leased the João Havelange Olympic Stadium, also known as Engenhão, for the next 20 years. Regarding the possibility of entering the bidding process to manage Maracanã, the tender for which will be released in October, Márcio Braga said that Flamengo is awaiting future developments.
"The notice should be published at the end of October, and we need to analyze it before making any statement, as it's something we don't yet know. Governor Sérgio Cabral has always talked about privatization, while Eduardo Paes talks about a partnership between the private sector, the club, and the state. Therefore, we need to know exactly how this will work, and we'll only know that when the notice is published. We also don't know if this will refer only to the stadium or to the entire sports complex," stated the president of the Rio de Janeiro club.
PeléNet
Flamengo and Figueirense make "decision" against relegation zone
The atmosphere surrounding Gávea this week has given the match between Flamengo and Figueirense, this Wednesday at 20:30 PM, at Maracanã, the feel of a final. More than three points, the match could determine which team will finish the round in the relegation zone.
After two rounds outside the relegation zone, the red-and-black team is back among the four teams that will compete in Série B in 2008. The consequence of their failure on the field was a lot of scolding off it. Last Monday, coach Joel Santana spoke with the players for about half an hour before training. Afterward, the coach spoke out.
"Flamengo's situation is horrible. I thought we had already learned our lesson, but apparently we haven't. It's our own fault. We lack maturity. These are difficult games, and when we have the advantage, we need to hold on. That irritates me," Joel raged.
To escape this situation, however, Flamengo doesn't need to despair. Besides having two games in hand, the team needs to beat Figueirense to breathe a sigh of relief again. The red-and-black team is in 17th place—first in the relegation zone—with 26 points, while the black-and-white team is in 14th place, two points ahead.
"It's a tough game against a direct opponent in this difficult zone. If I get past them, it will be in two ways: in the game and in the standings, leaving them in a difficult situation," analyzed the Flamengo coach.
Figueirense needs to improve its away performance if it wants to escape the danger zone. An away loss, combined with victories for rivals, could put Mário Sérgio's men in the relegation zone. However, based on the club's record in the championship, a victory is unlikely.
So far, Figueirense has played 12 matches away from Orlando Scarpelli in this Brasileirão. They've lost six, drawn four, and won just two (against América-RN and Paraná), and have a 27,7% success rate.
Furthermore, the team may face a large crowd. In the last round, the red-and-blacks once again broke the championship attendance record and achieved the second-best average in the competition this year. It remains to be seen what impact recent results will have on the support.
"I'm sure the fans haven't cooled off because Flamengo fans are passionate, fanatical. The team has been worse before and they haven't abandoned us," said midfielder Léo Medeiros, who is expected to play as a makeshift left-back.
BalloonSport
Present and future in the duel between Fla and Figueira
Bruno and Wilson, who plays for the Rio de Janeiro team, meet in Wednesday's game
Bruno is Fla's starter and will face rival Wilson, a goalkeeper who came through the ranks at Gávea.
Flamengo takes the field this Wednesday at 20:30 p.m., hoping once again for the massive support of its fans at Maracanã and the inspiration the stadium has provided in recent rounds, where it has recorded four wins and two draws. This time, its opponent is Figueirense, also fighting to escape the relegation zone in the Brazilian Championship. The match will mark a meeting between goalkeepers Bruno and Wilson. The present and future of the Gávea team, as the Santa Catarina number 1 still has ties to the Rubro-Negro.
Flamengo is in 17th place with 26 points. Figueira is in 14th with 28. Both teams are fighting to distance themselves or, as is the case with the red-and-black team, escape the relegation zone. Once again, the Rio de Janeiro team's management expects a full house at Maracanã. Those who can't attend the stadium can watch the match live on GLOBOESPORTE.COM or live on Premiere.
Obina wants to end a drought of almost two months without scoring for Flamengo
Fla full of problems
Coach Joel Santana is facing a number of issues when it comes to Flamengo's lineup. He will be without six players. Juan, Fábio Luciano, and Roger, suspended for receiving their third yellow card, Souza, punished by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD), and Ronaldo Angelim and Maxi Biancucchi, both with muscle problems, are out of Wednesday's match at Maracanã.
As a result, the coach had to rack his brains to select the starting lineup. Rodrigo Arroz will play in defense alongside Thiago Sales. Leo Medeiros will be a makeshift left-back. In midfield, Renato Augusto returns to his position, replacing Roger. Obina and Leonardo will be tasked with scoring goals.
"I have confidence in these players who are coming in. I have confidence in our team and I believe in a good result," says Joel Santana.
Figueira in search of the 100th goal
Figueira has extra motivation for the match against Flamengo. If they score against their opponent, they will reach the 100-goal mark this season. To climb the table, the team from Caracas needs to improve its away record. So far, the team has only won twice away from home.
Focused on climbing the table but wary of the relegation zone's proximity, coach Mário Sérgio will be without defender Chicão, who was sent off against Goiás, and forward Ramon, who has a left thigh strain. Figueira is looking to replicate its strong performance from the first half of the season, when it defeated its rival 4-0 at the Orlando Scarpelli Stadium in Florianópolis (watch the goals from the match in the video above).
Joel opens his heart in Gávea
Unlike the day before, the coach says he has confidence in the red-black squad
Marcio Iannacca
Joel Santana says he spoke from the heart last Monday
The day before, coach Joel Santana vented, stating that Flamengo's situation in the Brasileirão was dire. This Tuesday, in Gávea, the coach didn't change his tune, but explained that he spoke from the heart and that the goal was to show fans and players that he's not satisfied with the team's results in the national tournament.
"I like to convey things to you, and you end up conveying what I think to our fans and our players. Everyone needs to know that I'm not happy with our position in the standings."
Despite his outburst the day before, Joel Santana said he is confident of a victory in this Wednesday's game against Figueirense, at Maracanã.
"I'm always confident, and I have to try to convey that to my players. When things are like this, we talk to the players. And that's what I did. I'm sure we'll play well."
Fla and Flu: agreement to play at Maracanã
Clubs sign agreement to play 70% of their games at the stadium at reduced costs
Artetec and Random Architecture
Fla and Flu will play 70% of their games at Maracanã with reduced costs
Flamengo and Fluminense will sign an agreement with Suderj tomorrow at 10 a.m., committing to play 70% of home matches at Maracanã. Under the agreement, devised by Sports Secretary Eduardo Paes, the clubs will pay a fee of R$5 per game (the maximum fee was R$40) and retain the right to keep all match revenue.
For Eduardo Paes, both Maracanã and the two clubs benefit from the agreement.
"Flamengo and Fluminense are clubs with large fan bases. In stadium management, we make money from selling game signs, box seats, and also from services that involve the public, such as food sales," the secretary explained in an interview with the newspaper "O Globo."
He adds that the agreement is also interesting for the Fla-Flu duo.
- The loyalty agreement is beneficial for all parties, as the clubs will receive practically all of the proceeds from the show – he says.
Fluminense will participate in the stadium bidding process
According to Fluminense president Roberto Horcades, this is the club's first step toward its goal of having its own stadium as soon as possible. The second is participating in the bidding process for the Maracanã lease.
"Fluminense is interested in bidding for our stadium. We can enter it with Flamengo, or if Flamengo isn't interested, we'll go it alone. The important thing is the step being taken now," said the president.
Flamengo president Márcio Braga says he's pleased with the new agreement, but wants more information about the stadium bidding process, as he has his own project for the revitalization of Gávea Stadium. Braga made a point of stating that if Maracanã interests Flamengo, the club will not enter the bidding process alongside Fluminense.
Suderj should release the bidding notice between the end of October and the beginning of November.
Gávea swaps 'good train' for 'review'
Minas Gerais' youth academy loses ground to Flamengo's youngsters. And there's more to come...
Eduardo Peixoto
Thiago Sales and Rômulo pose for a photo at Flamengo's training camp
This isn't a direct criticism of Ney Franco's work. But, in Flamengo's youth ranks, excitement grew after Joel Santana's arrival. And no wonder. In just over a month at the club, he began giving opportunities to two players underutilized by the previous coach: defender Thiago Sales and midfielder Rômulo.
Hot on their heels is Kayke. The striker was even used in one game by Neymar, but now he's gaining traction with his strong performance at the U-19 Club World Cup. It's the replacement of the Minas Gerais accent, marked in Gávea by the expression "trem bom" (good train), with the "resenha" (conversation) of Flamengo's player factory.
Mineirinhos danced
There's no prejudice against players from Minas Gerais. But overall, the experiments were unsuccessful. The project began in 2006 with the trio Diego Silva, Walter Minhoca, and Leo Medeiros. Only the latter remains at Gávea. Later, others arrived, like Paulinho and Bruno. The goalkeeper remained, with praise.
"There's no denying that Joel is boosting the homegrown talent." Thiago Sales, defender. But the crop that came to the Libertadores is what negatively impacted the jocular "Cheesebread Republic." Moisés, Leandro Salino, Thiago, Irineu, and Gérson Magrão were released. Jaílton and Luizinho even remain at Gávea. But without much prestige. Lucky for the youth academy kids.
"It's understandable that they've signed more experienced players for the Libertadores. But the kids are saying that 2008 will be our year," says Marcelo Lomba, two-time state junior champion and the third-choice goalkeeper for the senior team.
Nothing like one day after another
The cases of Rômulo and Thiago Sales are emblematic. The former, despite his successful track record at the youth level, wasn't even integrated into the professional squad. The defender, on the other hand, almost never participated in training sessions.
"Ney had players he trusted. I don't even think that's wrong. But there's no denying that Joel is boosting the homegrown players' confidence. And that reflects down there. The other kids are much more excited," says Thiago.
On the youth team, another defender, Anderson Bamba, is being targeted by the seniors. Adílio is trying to keep him down a bit longer. The same goes for midfielder Vinícius Colombiano and midfielder Erick Flores.
Argentine Colace signs this Wednesday
Estudiantes midfielder arrives in Rio and will watch the game against Figueira, at Maraca
Marcio Iannacca
Hugo Colace arrives in Brazil to sign a contract with the red-black team
Argentine Hugo Colace will sign a contract with Flamengo this Wednesday. The player, who had to return to Argentina at Estudiantes' request, arrives in Brazil early in the day to finalize the details of his contract with the red-and-black team. The midfielder will remain with the club until June 2008.
Colace is even going to Maracanã to watch the Flamengo-Figueirense match. On Saturday, he watched the Rio de Janeiro club's 1-1 draw with Sport. The board says negotiations are well underway and that only one detail remains before the official announcement of the deal with the Argentine.
"All that's missing is the player's signature. He's in Argentina and will arrive in Brazil on Wednesday," says vice president of football Kléber Leite.
This Tuesday, the board held a crucial meeting to finalize the transfer of the player, who is already pre-registered with the CBF. After reaching an agreement with Estudiantes last week regarding the midfielder's salary, the Rubro-Negro had to negotiate with Newell's Old Boys, who also held a portion of Colace's rights.
Joel full of problems to scale Fla
Coach improvises Leo Medeiros at left back and confirms Leonardo in attack
Marcio Iannacca
Joel Santana talks to the players during Flamengo training
Coach Joel Santana will be without six players for the team that will face Figueirense this Wednesday at Maracanã. The coach was without Juan, Fábio Luciano, and Roger, suspended for their third yellow card, and forward Souza, punished by the Superior Court of Justice (STJD). Additionally, Maxi and Ronaldo Angelim were ruled out by the medical department.
Without Juan, Joel opted to improvise Leo Medeiros at left back. In defense, Rodrigo Arroz will play alongside Thiago Sales. Renato Augusto returns to midfield. Up front, the coach will field Obina and Leonardo.
With that, in the collective this Tuesday, in Gávea, the red-black coach selected the team with the following formation: Bruno, Leo Moura, Rodrigo Arroz, Thiago Sales and Leo Medeiros; Rômulo, Cristian, Ibson and Renato Augusto; Leonardo and Obina.
In the activity, held this Tuesday, the starters defeated the reserves with a goal from Obina. The player hasn't scored a goal since the match on July 25th.
Throw
Short-staffed, Fla struggles to get out of the death zone
Rubro-Negro takes on Figueirense this Wednesday at Maracanã
Fla wants to win again at Maracanã after two consecutive draws (Credit: Art by Allex Ximenes)
Gabriel Benamor and Rafael Ximenes
After two consecutive draws at the Maracanã, 1-1 against Botafogo and Sport, Flamengo will be looking to get back to winning ways against Figueirense this Wednesday at 20:30 pm at the Biggest Stadium in the World to try to escape the relegation zone in the Brazilian Championship. Flamengo is in 17th place with 26 points, the same number as Atlético-PR, the first team outside the relegation zone, but Flamengo trails on goal difference: -1 to -2. Figueirense is in 14th place with 28 points, but has played two more games than the team from Gávea.
Flamengo is on a good run at the stadium, despite drawing their last two games. They have won four consecutive matches (Náutico, Fluminense, Juventude, and Goiás).
Flamengo will be missing several players for this match, almost half the team. Coach Joel Santana will be without Fábio Luciano, Juan, and Roger, who are suspended for receiving their third yellow card against Sport, and forward Souza, who is serving the last of a seven-game suspension for assaulting Grêmio supporter Tcheco.
Furthermore, defender Ronaldo Angelim and Argentine striker Maxi Biancucchi, both with pain in their left thigh, will be re-evaluated this Tuesday by the medical department, but are unlikely to face the Santa Catarina team.
As a result, the defense is expected to consist of two homegrown players: Rodrigo Arroz and Thiago Sales, who scored the equalizer in the 1-1 draw against Sport. Up front, Leonardo should pair with Obina, and Renato Augusto will play deeper in midfield. The striker commented on the difficulty of the match.
"Everyone who comes to face Flamengo at Maracanã plays as if it's a final. They want to show something more, and it won't be any different with them. Figueirense will come out with a closed game, waiting for us to make mistakes, but we'll play cautiously and wait for the right opportunity to score," said Leonardo.
Figueirense, meanwhile, is also counting on Maracanã to secure a victory. The Santa Catarina team won both matches against Flamengo at the stadium in 2003 and 2006. In matches hosted by the Rio de Janeiro team, the Alvinegro team remains unbeaten, with three wins and one draw. In total, the two teams have faced each other 11 times. Flamengo has won just two, compared to Figueirense's six and three draws.
Defender Chicão, who scored two goals against the Gávea team in the first round, is suspended and will be out of action. Edson returns to defense after playing as a makeshift left winger against Goiás. Defensive midfielder Diogo is unavailable after leaving last Sunday's match with a dislocated left shoulder. If he doesn't play, midfielder Cleiton Xavier, who is also returning after recovering from injury, is expected to start.
Another question for coach Mário Sérgio concerns the attack. If he opts for a two-man formation, Otacílio Neto should pair with Jean Carlos. The striker didn't travel to Goiânia and was called up in a hurry to complete the delegation in Rio de Janeiro. However, since the coach has preferred to field a more defensive team in away matches, midfielder Peter has a better chance of starting. The coach will only announce the starting lineup moments before kickoff.
Leonardo, from Fla, recognizes that he lacks rhythm
Striker returns from injury and doesn't know how long he can play
Leonardo returns to the starting lineup against Figueirense (Credit: Paulo Sérgio)
Hugo Perruso
Joel Santana's big news for Wednesday's game is Leonardo's starting lineup. The striker returned less than a week ago from a hamstring injury in his left thigh and earned a spot alongside Obina.
The striker has not played since August 11, in the 2-1 victory over Náutico and recognizes that he will not be in ideal physical condition for the match.
"Of course, I still have a way to go before I'm in optimal condition. But this is the time for recovery. I have to play well. Even if it's just for 45 minutes and if I can help the team, I'll be happy then," he stated.
Flamengo trains finishing and makes a lot of mistakes
Players perform poorly in Tuesday's training session
LANCEPRESS!
After a 20-minute training session (which the starters won 1-0, with a goal by Leonardo), coach Joel Santana conducted a training session with the Flamengo players, primarily aimed at improving their finishing. But the performance wasn't good.
The players received the ball at the edge of the box and shot one-on-one with the goalkeepers, who took turns (Bruno and Marcelo Lomba), but missed most of their shots. Some, like Renato Augusto and Paulo Sérgio, managed to clear the ball by a wide margin. The goalkeepers also stood out with some excellent saves.
If the players want to win Wednesday's game against Figueirense, they will need to improve their finishing.
Gávea receives visitors on its anniversary
The stadium is 69 years old and attracts people from all over the world.
Many foreigners visit the club every day (Credit: Rafael Ximenes)
Rafael Ximenes and Rodrigo Mandarini
Flamengo's stadium in Gávea turns 69 this Tuesday. The venue, which hosted many of the club's matches in the past, currently serves as the club's training center. Inaugurated on September 4, 1938, José de Bastos Padilha Stadium welcomed several visitors on its anniversary this Tuesday.
Rodrigo, a Rio native, took advantage of his 9-year-old son Franklin's birthday and took the family to visit the clubhouse. The proud boy wore his red-and-black jersey and looked at photos of the winning team and his idols with great enthusiasm. Even his wife, Jaqueline, a Vasco fan, enjoyed the outing.
The family took advantage and went to see the Gávea pitch, but they didn't see the players, who only trained in the afternoon.
Many foreigners and tourists also visit the club's headquarters, as evidenced by the guestbook in the trophy room. Last week, several Americans and people from various parts of Brazil visited the historic site, which showcases some of the club's achievements.
Flamengo Stadium, in Gávea, turns 69 years old
The team hasn't played there for over ten years and Romário scored the last goal
Rafael Ximenes and Rodrigo Mandarini
Flamengo's stadium in Gávea turns 69 this Tuesday. Opened on September 4, 1938, José Bastos Padilha Stadium no longer hosts official matches for the professional team. Currently, the Rubro-Negro's main squad only trains there, and the youth teams play some of their matches there.
In nearly seven decades, Flamengo has played 232 times at the stadium. Their record is largely favorable, with 175 wins, 24 draws, and 33 losses. Interestingly, the team's first match didn't end as the red-and-blacks had hoped. In 1938, Vasco won 2-0, and Niginho scored the stadium's first goal. The first Flamengo team to take the field at the Gávea stadium consisted of Valter; Domingos, Marin and Médio; Fausto and Natal; Sá, Valido, Leônidas, Valdemar, and Jarbas.
In Flamengo's last official match at Gávea, the Red-Blacks defeated Americano 3-0. The match, a State Championship match, was played on April 27, 1997. The last goal scored in an official match at the stadium was scored by Romário. Evandro and Fábio Baiano completed the scoring in that match.
The last Flamengo team that played in Gávea was formed by Fabio Noronha; Fabio Baiano, Junior Baiano, Juan and Athirson, Bruno Quadros, Maurinho, Iranildo (Marcelo Ribeiro) and Evandro; Romário and Marcos Aurélio.