The Globe
Paulinho could be another one to say goodbye to Fla
The defensive midfielder is considering a proposal from Israeli football. The board says it is unaware of it.
Photo caption: PAULINHO: DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER should transfer to Hapoel Tel-Aviv
The last one to leave turns off the lights. After Bruno and Renato, the most recent exodus, Flamengo is losing another starter to the foreign market. This time, it's Paulinho, who is negotiating a transfer to the same club as former Vasco player Abedi, Hapoel Tel-Aviv, in Israel.
After a period of distrust, after fabricating a macabre story to skip training, Paulinho lived through days of idolatry at Gávea. This prestige, however, has plummeted in recent years due to a drop in performance. So much so that he wouldn't even play against Atlético-MG.
Coach Ney Franco had trained Toró as a second midfielder alongside Jaílton. But the day before yesterday, Paulinho was surprisingly selected. If the idea was to showcase him and boost his transfer value, it may have backfired: Paulinho didn't play at all and even conceded a penalty with an irresponsible tackle.
For now, Paulinho's departure is being treated with reservations by the football leadership.
"They didn't contact me. But if there's that kind of news, I can't vouch for the others," said Vice President Kleber Leite.
As Renato's departure to Al-Nassr, from the United Arab Emirates, was left to be discussed on Monday, Ney Franco is still counting on him and Paulinho against São Paulo, tomorrow, at Morumbi.
Flamengo will be without left-back Juan, suspended due to a yellow card. Egídio, recently reclaimed from Paraná, will be his replacement. Souza's starting lineup is also confirmed. And the coach still dreams of having Bruno back. The Flamengo board hopes that today the MSI will authorize the goalkeeper to remain at Gávea, while they try to find him a club in Europe.
The situation has been making Bruno anxious. He's accompanying the delegation to São Paulo, hoping to be released.
"I'm going to travel. I want the situation resolved quickly so I can get back to playing," said Bruno, showing little hope of a solution favorable to Flamengo.
Fernando Calazans
I would have preferred to ignore another 1-1 draw between Atlético-MG and Flamengo, as it was a simply unqualified game, played by two equally good teams. However, a perceptive reader, José Mauro Saar, makes a curious observation about the similarities between the football played by Ney Franco and Dunga. He says they both disdain talented players, love to field teams entirely with defensive midfielders, and lack a well-rehearsed and well-planned attacking play.
Sports Journal
Fla keeping an eye on Engenhão
Marcio Braga says the club and the American executive are willing to manage the stadium
Leo Schabbach and Thiago Bokel
Flamengo president Marcio Braga (foreground) makes another visit to Engenhão and says that executive Dean Bonham liked the stadium
Flamengo is expected to be the next club to enter the bidding process for the João Havelange Olympic Stadium, also known as Engenhão. Yesterday, president Marcio Braga visited the stadium with American consultant Dean Bonham to analyze the venue's structure and begin developing a leasing strategy.
According to the director, the visit was very fruitful, and the American consultant was very enthusiastic about everything he saw. Therefore, the lease plan is being formulated, and Flamengo is expected to enter the race for the Engenhão stadium.
"Deam really liked the Engenhão. He said it's not only a new stadium, but also very beautiful, modern, and equipped with cutting-edge technology," said Marcio Braga.
Flamengo's strategy will start with a way to build its stadium in Gávea and maintain other large stadiums like Engenhão and Maracanã. That's why the club turned to the Bonham Group, a market leader in developing financial strategies, to develop a formula that allows it to manage two stadiums without incurring any losses. It's no surprise that this is Flamengo's first concern, even before considering a partnership.
"We don't need a partnership; our problem is how to align the management of our stadium in Gávea with that of another, like Engenhão or Maracanã. To manage two stadiums, we need to have a secure financial return. Therefore, we need to develop a business plan, and that doesn't happen overnight. That's why we hired the Bonham Group. They will be responsible for outlining the leasing strategy," said the director.
Regarding the suspension of the revitalization works in Gávea, which involve the construction of a shopping mall with 212 stores, as well as 12 movie theaters and a stadium for around 22 people, Marcio Braga was brief.
"We will appeal the decision granting the injunction. If I'm not mistaken, we have up to 15 days to appeal," he stated.
Diego happy to return to the Fla team
With Bruno's possible departure, which could be traded to Zaragoza in Spain, goalkeeper Diego was given the difficult task of replacing one of Flamengo's current idols. In his first game with this responsibility, he performed exceptionally well. Despite Flamengo only drawing 1-1 with Atlético Mineiro at Mineirão Stadium, Diego had a standout performance, not only coming out of goal well on several dangerous plays, but also making a spectacular save on Marcinho's header.
After yesterday's training session at Toca da Raposa, the player celebrated his good performance, but made a point of praising the entire red-black squad who, in his opinion, played a good game at Mineirão.
"I think everyone has their own importance, and everyone played their part well. Unfortunately, we conceded the goal when they were coming out more, so we had space. But I'm happy to have helped Flamengo. Now, we just have to look for the win in the next game," said the goalkeeper, who still doesn't know if he'll start in the match against São Paulo at Morumbi, since the Bruno saga, which should conclude today, hasn't been resolved.
Ronaldo fears violence in Rio and rules out Flamengo
For the most die-hard fans who dream of seeing striker Ronaldo Fenômeno wearing the Flamengo jersey one day, here's some sad news. The player, a two-time World Cup winner with the Brazilian national team in 1994 and 2002, said yesterday that he has no intention of playing for a club in Brazil again. Despite being a staunch Flamengo fan, Ronaldo ended up being hesitant about returning to his home country for one big reason: lack of security.
“I like the idea of coming to Brazil for the holidays, but I don’t want to live here in the future, because my son won’t leave Europe and I want to be part of his growth,” explained the Phenomenon.
Even though he never played for Flamengo, Ronaldo is deeply loved by the club's fans. Despite being from Rio de Janeiro, the only club he played professionally in Brazil was Cruzeiro. He left the country very early, at 17, to play for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands.
“I've been a Flamengo fan since I was a kid and I know the fans want me to play for the club, but honestly, I think it's unlikely that will ever happen,” said the player.
Ronaldo is a dream come true for the club's board, and he has always said he would one day return to Brazil to play for his beloved club. However, with this statement, it's clear that his move to Gávea will be nothing more than a dream. Last year, vice president of football Kleber Leite even said he was negotiating the striker's signing.
Souza lined up against São Paulo
Souza, after suspension, returns to the team tomorrow against São Paulo at Morumbi Stadium. He's hungry for goals.
For tomorrow's match against São Paulo at Morumbi Stadium, Flamengo will have the return of a key player in coach Ney Franco's scheme. Striker Souza, who missed the last two matches, against Internacional and Atlético Mineiro, is back in the lineup and hopes to finally break through in the Brazilian Championship. He couldn't even remember when he last scored for Flamengo.
"I don't remember very well, but I also spent some time out of action due to injuries and suspension. Now, I hope to score for São Paulo and help the team get out of this difficult situation. I know that some players, because they're more experienced, end up being more pressured," said the striker.
In this Brazilian Championship, Souza was on the field in only two matches, against Goiás, when the team won 3-1, at Serra Dourada, and in the 4-0 defeat to Figueirense, in which he was sent off and suspended for two games.
Souza's last match was in the Carioca final, when he scored the first goal in a 2-2 draw with Botafogo. Coach Ney Franco celebrated the goalscorer's return.
“With Souza, the team’s offensive system improves a lot,” the coach celebrated.
Fla holds meeting to close contract with American company
President Marcio Braga has summoned the members of Flamengo's Deliberative Council to a meeting next Monday in the Salão Nobre da Gávea. The purpose of the meeting will be to review and vote on the service provision contract for the analysis, negotiation, and sale of sponsorships to be signed between the club and The Bonham Group, Inc., along with the opinions of the Fiscal Council and the Permanent Finance and Legal Affairs Committees.
This contract will be essential to accelerate the development of the Gávea Revitalization Program and analyze the privatizations of the João Havelange Olympic Stadium, better known as Engenhão, and Maracanã.
Sergio Areas
Rolling Ball
MSI Hostages
Sergio Arêas areas@jsports.com.br
Since negotiating a partnership with Corinthians, MSI has taken Brazilian sports news by storm. Accusations have emerged from all sides, most often criticizing the country's second-most popular club's approach to an unknown company. But what was unimaginable was that the tentacles of this shadowy investment fund would reach Rio de Janeiro. And in a somewhat strange way, they did. The first attempt was with Flamengo, through the contacts of vice president of football Kleber Leite and former president Hélio Ferraz. This resulted in the signing of the excellent goalkeeper Bruno, who left the club this week without further explanation.
But it's not just the Gávea club and the goalkeeper who have become the latest hostages of the MSI. At Laranjeiras, Carlos Alberto's departure highlights the depths of some Rio clubs. Without any autonomy over the star, the Tricolor board was forced to let go of a player whose contract ran until the end of this year.
This story, unfortunately, is nothing new. Just remember the rather unfunny saga of striker Nilmar, who still doesn't know what his future holds. Or the lightning-fast transfers of Tevez and Mascherano to West Ham in England.
O Dia
About to return, Souza doesn't remember when he scored his last goal for Flamengo
Striker could be the reinforcement for the match against São Paulo
For the match against São Paulo this weekend, coach Ney Franco may bring forward Souza back into the squad. Souza, who was sidelined for a long time due to a muscle injury, can't even remember when he scored a goal for Flamengo.
To be honest, I really can't even remember when I scored my last goal. I hope I can find my way back to the net, but the key is to work to get out of this situation," he said in an interview with Rádio Tupi.
Souza's last goal came on April 29th in the second leg of the Campeonato Carioca final, a derby against Botafogo. The match ended in a 2-2 draw, and Souza scored the opening goal of the final. Flamengo won the state championship on penalties.
Regarding the team's situation in the Brasileirão, the top scorer recognizes that Flamengo has an inexperienced group and, therefore, takes the responsibility of scoring goals upon himself.
"I take full responsibility, we have a young group and someone has to call the game," he added.
Flamengo: Last chapter of the soap opera
The deadline given by the Gávea club to MSI to find out whether Bruno will renew ends today.
Marluci Martins
Rio - Flamengo is experiencing another day of uncertainty and apprehension: the deadline given by the club to the MSI investment fund to extend goalkeeper Bruno's contract expires today. Diego is already on standby to take the field tomorrow night against São Paulo if the starter is once again unable to play at Morumbi Stadium.
"If they approve the transfer, there's still a chance Bruno will play. If not, best regards. Life goes on," said vice president of football Kléber Leite, expressing pessimism about the situation.
If no agreement is reached, Bruno, with an offer from Real Zaragoza, will indeed leave Gávea. However, Flamengo's board isn't considering signing a new goalkeeper.
"There's no need for us to look for another goalkeeper," Kléber dismissed, satisfied with Diego and also with young Marcelo Lomba, who has shown in training that he has potential and deserves trust.
Yesterday, Flamengo woke up with a scare: Diego suffered a bruise on his thigh. But the medical department assured that the goalkeeper will be training normally today in São Paulo.
If Flamengo still has doubts in goal, tomorrow's opponent, São Paulo, has one certainty: Rogério Ceni has already scored more goals than he has conceded in the current Brazilian Championship. He has scored three and conceded only two. He is São Paulo's top scorer and also the goalkeeper with the fewest goals conceded in the competition.
RENATO'S FAREWELL?
The match against São Paulo could be Renato's last for Flamengo. The midfielder has an offer from the Arab world and declined to renew his contract with the Gávea club early, which expires in December. Flamengo will only comment on the matter on Monday.
Sports Gazette
Flamengo's board of directors does not discuss Renato's possible departure\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - While Flamengo focuses on improving its situation in the Brazilian Championship, the board remains involved in negotiations. Midfielder Renato could say goodbye to the team in the match against São Paulo. The player received a multi-million dollar offer from Arab soccer and appears determined to change his surroundings, although he hasn't officially confirmed it. The Flamengo board is also still not openly discussing the possibility of losing the midfielder. "I'm not going to say anything about this right now. I'll only talk about it next Monday," stated vice president of soccer, Kléber Leite.
Also next week, the director expects to announce the signing of midfielder Ibson. Flamengo continues negotiations with Porto-POR to loan the player starting in August, when registration for the Brazilian Championship reopens for athletes from abroad.
Striker Souza is unlikely to leave Flamengo, contrary to speculation in the press covering the Rio de Janeiro club. Agent Carlos Leite confirmed he has not received any offers for the player.
Politics – Next Monday night, Flamengo president Márcio Braga will meet with his Board of Directors in Gávea. The meeting will serve as a vote on a service provision contract with The Bonham Group, Inc.
Through consulting work provided by the company, Flamengo hopes to accelerate its revitalization project at its headquarters in Gávea, in addition to analyzing the privatization of the João Havelange Olympic Stadium (Engenhão) and Maracanã stadiums.
Flamengo will have changes against São Paulo\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Still in the relegation zone of the Brazilian Championship, but with games in hand, Flamengo is now preparing for an important challenge this weekend. On Saturday, the Rubro-Negro will travel to Morumbi Stadium to face São Paulo, second in the competition. For this match, coach Ney Franco already knows he will be without left-back Juan, who received his third yellow card and will serve a suspension. Without one of his key players, the coach is expected to start Egídio, who recently returned from a loan spell with Paraná.
"One of our team's strengths is the left flank. Juan is a player who will be missed, but our team isn't one to lament absences. Whoever comes in will do the job," said midfielder Léo Medeiros.
Coach Ney Franco is also preparing another change to face São Paulo. After missing the last two games while suspended, striker Souza is guaranteed a return to the Rio de Janeiro team.
As a result, the coach is expected to remove midfielder Léo Lima from the team, with Renato returning to his original position. Léo Medeiros, who praised the team's performance in Wednesday's draw against Atlético-MG, is a guaranteed starter in midfield.
"We've already seen the team's progress after such a long layoff. We performed well and had a chance to beat Atlético-MG. Furthermore, we showed resilience, as we fell behind late in the game and still had the strength to equalize," said Medeiros.
Against Atlético-MG, Flamengo's first-choice goalkeeper Diego was among the starting lineup. With all the chaos surrounding Bruno, the goalkeeper has been given a new opportunity in the team and has the group's support.
"Diego has played 170 games for Flamengo since the youth teams and is a highly experienced goalkeeper. He's ready to replace Bruno," Léo Medeiros emphasized.
PeléNet
With an uncertain future, Bruno travels with Flamengo's squad
Even with his future uncertain, goalkeeper Bruno travels with the Flamengo squad this Friday to the capital of São Paulo, where the red-black team faces São Paulo on Saturday in the Brazilian Championship.
Even with a likely departure, Bruno traveled with the squad to face São Paulo
Although there is a good chance that the player will not stay at the Rio de Janeiro club, both the athlete and vice-president of football Kléber Leite are still hoping that MSI - the investment fund that holds Bruno's rights - will give in to the board's requests and send the goalkeeper's documentation by this Friday so that he can be regularized in time to face São Paulo.
Bruno's loan contract with Flamengo ended on the 30th. Since then, the club has been negotiating with MSI to extend the contract for another six months, but the investment fund is trying to place the goalkeeper with a European club. Therefore, it has not yet sent the player's documentation to the club.
Meanwhile, there's been much speculation about Bruno's future. Last Saturday, Kléber Leite said his most likely destination is Zaragoza in Spain.
Souza returns to Fla and tries to end a two-month drought without a goal
Flamengo's main signing for the 2007 season, striker Souza returns to the team after a long layoff in next Saturday's match against São Paulo at Morumbi Stadium in the tenth round of the Brazilian Championship. Upon his return, the player will attempt to end a two-month goal drought.
Having gone so long without scoring, Souza can't even remember when he last scored. "I don't remember. It's been a long time since I played. It's been a long time since I scored. But I hope to return now against São Paulo and score," said the top scorer in the last Brazilian Championship, who has yet to score in this year's Série A, in an interview with Rádio Tupi.
Souza's last goal was scored on May 6th against Botafogo in the Rio State Championship final. Since then, the striker has only appeared in three of the club's eight matches, battling injuries and suspensions.
After the final against Botafogo, Souza participated in the 2-0 victory over Defensor-URU, a result that eliminated Flamengo from the Copa Libertadores. He then missed the Brazilian Championship opener against Palmeiras due to swelling in his right foot.
Souza returned to the team in the second round against Goiás, but didn't score. He subsequently missed the derby against Botafogo and the match against Sporting due to a strained left thigh.
Having recovered, the striker returned to the team for the match against Figueirense - which defeated Flamengo 4-0 -, the last one played by the player, on June 10. After being sent off, Souza received a two-game suspension, which he served against Inter on June 16 and Atlético-MG last Wednesday.
In 2006, Brazilian clubs became more dependent on TV quotas
Carlos Padeiro\ In São Paulo\ A study conducted by an auditing firm specializing in sports entities and presented this Thursday at the São Paulo Football Federation showed that the 21 richest clubs in Brazil in 2006 lost 7,3% of their revenue compared to 2005 because they sold fewer players. As a result, TV subscriptions have become the main source of income for Brazilian football.\
According to the balance sheet presented by the clubs themselves at the end of April, in 2006 the country's main teams had a total revenue of R$987.04 million.
Of this amount, 29% came from TV fees and 23% from player sales. This was a reversal compared to 2005, when clubs had revenue of R$1,065 billion, with 31% coming from player sales and 26% from TV fees.
"Comparing the results without the revenue from player negotiations in 2006 and 2005, 99% of the clubs are in deficit, which raises the need to expand their sources of revenue so they can balance their budgets," pointed out auditing and accounting specialist Carlos Aragaki.
The Brazilian club that raised the most money last year was São Paulo (R$120 million), followed by Internacional, Corinthians, Palmeiras, and Flamengo. The Morumbi club increased its revenue by R$9,4 million compared to 2005 and earned the most from TV fees, box office, and royalties.
"Until now, clubs have managed these numbers on their own. This initiative to expose and make comparisons is important so we know if we're doing well," highlighted São Paulo's planning director, Marcelo Portugal Gouveia.
According to the study, in addition to this 7% drop in revenue, expenses increased by more than 15%, mainly due to the increased costs related to professional football. The 21 clubs spent a total of R$1,2 billion on their teams.
Just as it raised the most, São Paulo also spent the most, followed by Corinthians, Palmeiras, Internacional, Flamengo, Santos, and Atlético-MG. However, the reigning Brazilian champions didn't spend the most on soccer.
"Let's analyze why other clubs' spending on football is higher than ours. Without spending more, we were champions. What would have happened if we had spent more?" the São Paulo club director commented.
The 21 clubs analyzed by the audit represent 80% of the revenue from the Brazilian professional soccer market. They are: Corinthians, São Paulo, Palmeiras, Santos, Ponte Preta, Guarani, São Caetano and Grêmio Barueri, in the state of São Paulo (41% of the total money generated); Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo and Vasco, in Rio de Janeiro (20% of the total); Internacional and Grêmio, in Rio Grande do Sul (16%); Atlético-MG and Cruzeiro, in Minas Gerais (11%); Paraná, Coritiba and Atlético-PR, in Paraná (9%); and Figueirense and Náutico (3%).
BalloonSport
Maxi undergoes microsurgery
Argentine man takes advantage of downtime to remove sebaceous cyst from his neck
See that deformity on Maxi's neck? It's the sebaceous cyst. Maxi Biancucchi won't start training with his Flamengo teammates until next Monday. In the meantime, he's taking care of the little details. This week, the Argentine underwent microsurgery on his neck to remove a sebaceous cyst.
The intervention is simple and was only made because the player has this "free time." Having signed from a foreign club, Messi's cousin will only be able to make his Flamengo debut after August 3rd.
Ney Franco has doubts about playing for Flamengo
Leo Lima and Leonardo are competing for a spot in the match against São Paulo, this Saturday
Egídio (right) will start in the game against São Paulo, this Saturday
Coach Ney Franco has a doubt about the lineup of the Flamengo team that will face São Paulo this Saturday, at 18:10 pm, at Morumbi, for the Brazilian Championship.
The coach will welcome forward Souza back after a two-game suspension. He hasn't scored yet in this Brazilian Championship, but he's guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup. Leo Lima and Leonardo are vying for the spot.
At left back, Ney will be without Juan, who received his third yellow card in the 1-1 draw with Atlético-MG, but he already has one certainty:
"The only certainty is that Egídio will be in the lineup to replace Juan. The rest of the team is undecided," the coach states.
Ney Franco selects the team for training this Friday, in São Paulo.
Without a goal, Souza suffers from amnesia
Player hasn't found the net since May 6th in the State Championship final
While coach Ney Franco praises Flamengo's defense, he also laments the fact that the attack doesn't function as well as the defense. Striker Souza, for example, can't remember the last time he scored for Flamengo. (Watch Souza's last goal for Flamengo in the video below).
"I don't remember. I haven't played in a long time due to injuries and suspensions, but I hope to score against São Paulo, even though they have the best defense in the league. We know our team is struggling, and some players are under greater pressure, like me," he says.
But, to Souza's credit, his last goal came on May 6th, in the State Championship final against Botafogo. After that, he played three more games (Defensor, Goiás, and Figueirense) and failed to score.
He served a suspension in the game against Atlético-MG and returns to the team in this Saturday's match against São Paulo, at Morumbi.
- With Souza, I think our offensive power will improve a lot - says coach Ney Franco.
Former goalkeeper goes to Malaysia with boys
Raul Plassmann will be Flamengo's ambassador at the Junior World Champions Championship. Flamengo's under-19 team delegation to Malaysia will have former goalkeeper Raul Plassmann as its ambassador. According to the Junior World Champions Championship regulations, each team must bring a former player with them.
Flamengo's coach is Adílio, another member of the 1981 World Cup-winning team. But he's not a good fit. The board then invited Júnior, but he declined due to personal commitments. The third option was Raul.
Flamengo makes its tournament debut on August 8th against Milan in Group A. In the draw, the Rio de Janeiro team took the lead and will play in red and black. The Italians will play in white. Arsenal and Ajax complete this group.
Check out all the tournament participants:
GROUP A:\ Flamengo\ Milan\ Ajax\ Arsenal\ GROUP B:\ Juventus\ Barcelona\ Paris Saint-Germain\ Qatar U-19 team\ GROUP C:\ Porto\ Manchester United\ Boca Juniors\ Internazionale Milan\ GROUP D:\ Malaysia U-20 team\ Bayern Munich\ PSV\ Chelsea\
Bruno continues with delegation to São Paulo
With the situation uncertain, the red-black goalkeeper travels with the group for the match against Tricolor
Kléber Leite says that, if he doesn't play against São Paulo, Bruno is out of Fla
One of the longest-running sagas in Brazilian football currently seems far from its final chapter: the departure or stay of Flamengo goalkeeper Bruno. Although Kléber Leite, Flamengo's vice president of football, has given the goalkeeper's rights holders an ultimatum by Friday: if Bruno's negotiations with European football aren't finalized, the goalkeeper could remain at Gávea.
Despite the farewell atmosphere, the goalkeeper reveals that he will travel from Belo Horizonte to São Paulo, where Flamengo will face Tricolor, on Saturday.
"I'm going to travel. But I'd like the situation to be resolved soon so I can get back to playing," he says.
Kléber Leite received a phone call from MSI, the group that has power over the goalkeeper, and gave him an ultimatum this Wednesday: if the goalkeeper's documentation is not sent in time to face São Paulo, he will no longer play for the club.
"Kia Joorabchian called me and I told him it was no longer a comfortable situation for Flamengo. He said there were ongoing negotiations with Zaragoza (ESP) and that he could finalize everything in the next few days. But if Bruno isn't registered with the CBF by the game against São Paulo, he won't play for Flamengo anymore," Kléber assured.
Throw
Bruno should go to Zaragoza in triangulation
Goalkeeper would be bought by Barcelona, who would exchange him for a defender
Rodrigo Mandarini
Goalkeeper Bruno's destination will indeed be Spanish football. The deal to bring the Flamengo goalkeeper to Spain would be a triangulation involving MSI, Zaragoza, and Barcelona. The Catalan club is expected to acquire the goalkeeper from the investment group and transfer him to the Zaragoza club. Barça is interested in Argentine defender Gabriel Milito, one of Zaragoza's standout players, who would be included in the deal.
Bruno wouldn't be of interest to Barcelona for this season. The Spanish runner-up has Valdes, who is respected by critics and fans alike. Bruno, just 22, would stay at the lesser club to gain experience.
Ney Franco has doubts about playing for Flamengo
But the coach has already decided that Egídio will start at left back.
Neymar will have the return of striker Souza for the clash against São Paulo (Credit: André Brant)
LANCEPRESS!
Coach Ney Franco has a doubt about the lineup of the Flamengo team that will face São Paulo this Saturday, at 18:10 pm, at Morumbi, for the Brazilian Championship.
The coach will welcome forward Souza back after a two-game suspension. He hasn't scored yet in this Brazilian Championship. Therefore, the coach isn't sure whether to keep Renato in attack or drop him back to his original position, midfield.
At left back, Ney will be without Juan, who received his third yellow card in the 1-1 draw with Atlético-MG, but he already has one certainty:
"The only certainty is that Egídio will be in the starting lineup to replace Juan. The rest of the team is still undecided," the coach stated.
Ney Franco will define the team in training this Friday, in São Paulo.
Souza prefers Leonardo as a companion
Striker returns to the team in search of his first goal in the Brasileirão\ LANCEPRESS!\
After serving a two-game suspension for his expulsion in the match against Figueirense, striker Souza will return to Flamengo's starting lineup in this Saturday's match, at 18:10 pm, against São Paulo, at Morumbi, for the Brazilian Championship.
Souza still doesn't know who will be his partner in the red-black attack, but he has his preference:
"Leonardo's entry is a big advantage for me. He's a player who moves well, and I stay in the box waiting to finish," said Souza, who has yet to score in this Brasileirão, but has only played twice (against Goiás and Figueirense).
Diego is doubtful for the game against São Paulo
Goalkeeper Diego returned to Flamengo's starting lineup last Wednesday in the 1-1 draw with Atlético-MG at Mineirão Stadium. But he is now doubtful for Saturday's match against São Paulo at 18:10 p.m. at Morumbi Stadium.
Diego suffered a blow (popularly known as a tostão or paulistinha) to his right thigh and will be re-evaluated this Friday. If he is unable to play, Marcelo Lomba will start.
Goalkeeper Bruno didn't participate in training at Toca da Raposa this Thursday. However, Flamengo had a Bruno in training: he was the goalkeeper for Cruzeiro's youth team.
The players who played against Galo only did regenerative work, while the reserves did technical work.
String of draws worries Ney Franco
Coach wants to end Flamengo's negative reputation\ LANCEPRESS!\
Flamengo's situation in the Brazilian Championship isn't great. The team sits in the relegation zone with seven points. This performance can be explained by the team's excessive number of draws in the competition: four in seven games.
Coach Ney Franco is concerned about this situation.
"We have to win, and we think about it all the time. We're on a long draw streak, but we're not lacking in work. We hope to achieve a winning streak like other teams have achieved," said the coach, citing Sport and Cruzeiro as examples.