Clipp April 8

Flamengo news in the media TODAY THERE IS BASKETBALL AT 19 PM, IN TIJUCA, BROADCAST ON ESPN

By - in 08/04/2008 às 09:15

THE GLOBE

A peaceful protest

Fla is welcomed in Lima by Cienciano fans, but in a friendly atmosphere

Photo caption: JOEL SANTANA gives an interview in Lima, amid Peruvian protests. Behind him, the Cienciano mascot welcomes

Photo caption: DOCTORS measure the oxygen percentage in the blood of players in SP

Carlos Eduardo Mansur

There was no hostility, but it was a protest. Upon landing at Lima airport yesterday, around 23:15 p.m., the Flamengo delegation was greeted by a group of Cienciano fans, tomorrow's Libertadores opponent, displaying banners such as "Altitude doesn't kill" and "We love football," protesting the Rio de Janeiro club's decision to play at Cusco's 3.360m altitude. The protest, however, was far from causing discomfort among the players and coaching staff. Alongside the protesters was the Peruvian club's mascot, a man dressed as a donkey, welcoming everyone.

- We're not afraid of anything, we came here to play - said a calm Joel Santana, surrounded by Peruvian journalists and fans with protest signs.

Club takes precautions

The coach simply followed the script agreed upon in Gávea. Upon leaving Brazil, the delegation remained cautious, aware that they might even encounter a hostile environment in Cuzco, Peru, but instructed to react calmly to potential provocations so as not to repeat the mistakes of the defeat to Nacional in Montevideo, in which two players were sent off. A pragmatic and supportive team, which will play defensively and value possession until it finds space in the opposing defense to attempt a decisive play. These are the proposals of Flamengo, which trains today in Lima and, tomorrow morning, flies to the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, at an altitude of 3.360 meters, to play, against Cienciano, the most important game of the season so far.

Yesterday morning, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to rule on the club's lawsuit challenging CONMEBOL's decision to hold matches at altitudes above 2.750 meters, even without an adaptation period, ignoring FIFA's suggestion. Flamengo's lawyer, Pedro Tengrouse, arrives in Rio today. Even without knowing the CAS's decision, Flamengo began taking measures to combat the effects of Cuzco's altitude during the layover in São Paulo. While the delegation awaited boarding for Lima, physician Serafim Borges and physiologist Rogério Neves measured the oxygen levels in the blood of all the players. The numbers were compared with those collected upon arrival in the Peruvian capital.

Tomorrow, the day of the match in Cuzco, measurements will be taken several times a day. The doctors' goal is to determine each player's individual oxygen needs. Those with lower oxygen levels will receive special monitoring, with extra doses until match time. Although some, like captain Fábio Luciano, have been trying to demystify altitude sickness as a way to motivate the group, the coaching staff's concern is blatant. At the hotel in Cuzco, all rooms have oxygen pumps available 24 hours a day. For the match, the club also rented six 680-liter oxygen tanks, each with a continuous use capacity of 2 hours and 40 minutes, which, according to Serafim Borges, is more than enough for all the players.

"At altitude, the only cure is oxygen," said Serafim, comparing the current situation with what the team experienced in Potosí in 2007. "Cuzco is 600 meters lower. In Potosí, it was almost zero degrees Celsius, and that was very damaging. In Cuzco, the estimated temperature is seven to ten degrees Celsius."

Those who participated in the battle that was the game against Real Potosí guarantee that the memory helps to minimize the situation in Cuzco:

- If at 4.000m, with cold and rain, we were able to get the result after being 2-0 down, we can do the same now - recalled Leonardo Moura.

Despite the warm welcome in Lima, upon arriving in Cuzco, Pinheiro, the club's security chief, will make his first contact with local authorities. After the delegation settles into their hotel, he will travel the hotel-to-stadium route accompanied by members of the local police.

"We're worried about what's already been said. And they've already played here, they're not coming back, right?" he asked.

In the pre-trip training session at Gávea, Gavilán and Obina were tested among the starters. The team, however, is expected to start the match at Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium with Jaílton, Cristian, Ibson, and Toró in midfield. Joel admitted, however, that Kleberson and Marcinho are in the plans.

CONTRIBUTED BY Fábio Juppa (Rio)

Third in Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores with seven points, Flamengo cannot even contemplate defeat tomorrow at the 3.360m altitude of Cuzco, Peru, if they want to rely solely on their own strength to qualify for the next stage. Their opponent, Cienciano, has the same seven points but a better goal difference (XNUMX-XNUMX), which leaves them in second place.

If they manage a draw in Cuzco, Flamengo will only need to beat bottom-placed Coronel Bolognesi of Peru on the 23rd at Maracanã to advance. And, with 11 points, they could even finish first in the group. This is because Cienciano and Nacional, the current leader with nine points, face each other in the final round in Montevideo. If they lose tomorrow, Flamengo, in addition to winning at home, will have to root for a Nacional victory. And try to qualify on goal difference.

Basketball: Only victory gives another chance

Fla needs to beat Boca Juniors to stay in the South American League

Photo caption: FLAMENGO PLAYERS watch assistant coach João Batista guide the Tijuca youth players, who were moving as if they were the Boca Juniors team

Claudio Nogueira

After the 100-88 defeat to Boca Juniors, in Buenos Aires, last Thursday, in the first game of the best of three semifinals of the South American Basketball League, Flamengo has to beat the same opponent today, at 19 pm, in Tijuca, to maintain its chances of advancing to the final of the competition for the first time.

Only by winning today will Flamengo trigger another match tomorrow in Tijuca at 19 p.m. If Boca wins, they will close out the series 2-0 and advance to the League final for the second time. In 1999, they lost to Vasco.

If it depends on studying and observing their rival, Flamengo has a good chance. Coach Paulo Chupeta and his assistant João Batista led a training session yesterday in Tijuca, where five Tijuca youth players performed like Boca Juniors, watched by the Flamengo squad.

"We asked the Tijuca boys to make plays, so our team could see how to defend and make their job more difficult. Boca made 13 three-pointers in 20 attempts. That was 39 points out of a total of 100. Without that, it would have been a different game," Chupeta analyzed.

Eight points shy of his 1,000th for Flamengo, point guard Marcelinho enjoyed the training session:

- Normally, this observation is made with the reserves, but it was good because we could all see the best way to stop them.

Of his opponents, Chupeta highlighted not only power forward Gutiérrez, a world and Olympic champion with Argentina, but also Fernández and American Ford, two other three-point specialists. The red-and-black team's strategy will be to neutralize these shots and load Boca with fouls. This Tuesday, Alírio will guard Gutiérrez:

"He's a great player; he helps with the playmaking, controls the ball, and shoots three-pointers. I'll put as much pressure on him as possible to reduce his play volume. But he's not a great scorer. With the ball, I'll go after him and try to foul him."

Three-time adult state champion, Chupeta considers the game historic:

- It is of utmost importance for Rio de Janeiro and Brazilian basketball.

For the coach, one of Flamengo's strengths is Marcelinho:

- He is the star of the company, but also the first to enter the court and the last to leave.

Marcelinho, for his part, acknowledged that the team didn't perform well in Buenos Aires. Today, they have to set the pace.

- It's life or death! It's very important, to show our potential and to go to the final - he said.

The player highlighted the importance of Flamengo fans:

"It's the biggest in Brazil. This increases our responsibility. Being the first team to win South American and Brazilian titles for the club is a pressure, but also an opportunity to make history for Flamengo."

For Boca Juniors coach Gabriel Piccardo, the secret is to slow down Flamengo's pace:

"We have to stay focused and not deviate from our usual style of play. We know it will be very difficult, but I have a lot of faith in the team. We're going for the final."

Around three thousand tickets are on sale in Tijuca, at R$5 and R$10. In the other semifinal, Regatas Corrientes, from Argentina, will host Universo/Brasília at 19 p.m. In the first game, in Brasília, Corrientes won 84-83. \ TRANSMISSION: ESPN Brasil\

SPORTS JOURNAL

The team will only think about Botafogo from Thursday onwards.

Coach Joel Santana has already noted that Flamengo may only have two games left to become the two-time Rio de Janeiro champions. But the matter is on the back burner at Gávea, completely overshadowed by tomorrow's Libertadores match against Cienciano.\ However, Cristian said the team will only have peace of mind to face Botafogo if they can perform well tomorrow against the Peruvian team.\

"We will only be at peace if we get a great result against Cienciano. Then we can face Botafogo more calmly," he said.

Marcinho, who is expected to be on the bench against Cienciano but will likely face Botafogo, has been a key player in this Taça Rio. He warned that, even though he won't be playing against Cienciano, his thoughts are focused solely on Sunday's opponent.

"Botafogo is a great team, but our thoughts right now are on Cienciano. Only later will I think about Botafogo.

Fábio Luciano: 'Let's go to Cuzco to play football'

Upon boarding the plane to Cuzco, where they face Cienciano tomorrow, Flamengo's players avoided fueling the weeks-long controversy surrounding playing at the Peruvian city's altitude. Captain Fábio Luciano once again reaffirmed his leadership of the group, saying that the technically superior team must prevail, regardless of the altitude (over 3000 meters above sea level) or any hostility from the local fans.

"There's no point in having a better team in theory. We have to show it on the field to emerge victorious. We're going up there with the goal of winning, but we know we'll face enormous difficulty in securing the three points. I haven't heard any Flamengo player speak ill of the city or its residents. We want to go to Cuzco to play football," said Fábio Luciano.

No memories

The experienced player, who played for a long time outside of Brazil, also confessed that he doesn't remember the negative effects that altitude has on athletes.

"It's been a long time since I played in this situation and I don't remember feeling bad. We can't go onto the field thinking about the off-field conditions. Our concern is only with the game and not with everything that happened," said Fábio Luciano, recalling the fight that Flamengo had with the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) to not play under these conditions, contrary to the determination of the FIFA Technical Council.

Marcinho wants to leave his mark in Cuzco

Although Marcinho is almost certain to start tomorrow's match on the bench, he hopes to get his chance, even if it's late in the match. And, under these circumstances, he hopes to score again, as he did in the match between the two teams on February 27th at the Maracanã.

In that match, he once again showed his brilliance, scoring the winning goal in the 43rd minute of the second half. When things are going well, confidence is high. That's why not even the fact that he's making his debut in high-altitude matches scares him.

"I haven't had that experience yet, but I'm more concerned about Cienciano. I know a draw could even be considered a good result. However, we're going there to win," assured Marcinho, who showed he has the recipe for victory at his fingertips: "We have to be alert, since we have all the conditions to play good football and forget about the things that happened off the field. If we start defending well, the victory will come naturally," believes Marcinho.

His strong performances and goals have Marcinho dreaming of a permanent spot in Joel's starting eleven. However, he prefers to avoid any controversy on the matter, but he also doesn't hold back when asked about his preference. "If the coach chooses my lineup, I'll be ready to step in and show my worth."

Joel: 'Let's go for victory'

Flamengo heads to Cusco confident of securing a place in the Copa Libertadores Round of 16

Nathan De Lima and Pedro Chiaverini

Flamengo departed for Peru yesterday afternoon, carrying with them the hopes and dreams of an entire nation that believes in a good match against Cienciano tomorrow in the much-feared city of Cusco. The city's altitude of approximately 3.400 meters was the main topic of discussion as the delegation boarded for São Paulo, where the team made a stopover before arriving in Lima. However, despite having to face the altitude, the hostile climate of the Cusco residents, and the Cienciano team and fans, coach Joel Santana believes in a victory that would guarantee qualification with a round to spare.

"We're going to the hills to seek victory. Here at Flamengo, no one plays to draw. We're going there with the responsibility of representing our club, our country, our fans—in other words, we're defending the pride of an entire nation," he said.

Joel, in his luggage, still carries a small doubt about choosing the team.

"My team is ready, but they might pull something off and I might have to change something just before the match. I might put Kleberson or Marcinho on, but initially Jaílton will play," he added.

Renato Augusto doesn't have fond memories of high-altitude matches. In last year's match against Real Potosi, at 3.967 meters, he was one of the players who felt the most unwell after the game. But even so, he believes that if Flamengo plays well, they'll return home qualified.

"We're going there to play well. We have to go there and get the win. We know the difficulties of playing at altitude, but we're prepared, our team is good and so we're capable of playing a calm game. I suffered a lot in Potosi, but that's in the past and it was an atypical game. It rained, I took a ball to the face, but against Cienciano it will be better," said Renato Augusto, who despite being used to scoring important goals in decisive moments, didn't want to promise anything: "First we have to think about winning, I don't want to promise anything, but if the opportunity arises I will try to do it."

Mengão goes after Boca

We need to win today to force a new game tomorrow and continue in the fight for the South American League

Pedro Ivo Almeida

Jair Motta

Winger Marcelinho stretches before training. His goal is to play a great game.

Flamengo takes to the court today for the most important match of the current season, the team faces Boca Juniors, at 19 p.m., at the Tijuca Tênis Clube gymnasium, for the second match of the best-of-three series of the semi-finals of the South American Basketball League.\ Coach Paulo Chupeta's team needs the victory at any cost to force a third and decisive match, and continue dreaming of a place in the finals of the competition, otherwise the team will be eliminated, since it lost the first match in Buenos Aires by 100 to 88.\

Flamengo's absolute standout in the first leg, winger Marcelinho is confident and counts on the support of the red-black nation towards the comeback, and consequently towards securing a spot in the final:

"Whenever we've had our fans behind us, we've played better. We have to beat Boca Juniors, a high-quality team, and to do that, it's important to have a packed Tijuca stadium, encouraging and pushing the team. We've trained hard these past few days to address the mistakes we made in Buenos Aires. We've worked hard and have the ability to turn this series around, but we can't go into the game haphazardly. We can't stray from our signature game, our fast-paced, defensively-driven style, as has been the case this season, and we can't give them the freedom to shoot from three."

In addition to helping Flamengo tie the semifinal series, winger Marcelinho could reach a very important milestone with the red-and-black jersey: 1000 points. The winger currently has 992, and with 8 more in today's match, he reaches the historic milestone.

"I'm happy because it's an important milestone in my career, an important milestone in my journey with the Flamengo jersey, and one that makes me very proud. But my biggest concern is helping Flamengo beat Boca Juniors; that's our obligation," concludes the winger, who assures he's more concerned with qualifying.

THE DAY

Coca tea and water are prohibited

Technical committee warns players not to drink liquids of dubious origin

Rodrigo Lima

Rio - Coca tea, famous for its consumption in high-altitude South American cities like Cuzco, has been banned for Flamengo players. According to fitness coach Ronaldo Torres, the team is not allowed to drink any liquid without permission from the coaching staff. "They were warned not to drink any tea or water without the doctor's consent," Torres said.

Despite the precautions, the coach revealed that the players are ready to face the 3.400m of Cuzco. "They recently underwent a physical and physiological evaluation, and the tests showed the group's performance was above expectations. They're ready to play at altitudes of up to 10 meters," he stated.

The last time Flamengo faced high altitude was against Bolivia's Real Postosí last year, also in the Copa Libertadores. In the return leg, the team, which had played at 4.100 meters, was thrashed 4-1 by Madureira in the GB Cup, but qualified for the semifinals thanks to Botafogo's loss to Boavista.

Even so, Ronaldo said the team is prepared for the marathon of having to play in Cuzco, and on Sunday, against Botafogo. "The team will land in Rio and stay focused. We've had special preparation. However, I believe the team will feel it less, as the altitude is lower than in Potosí," he explained.

The difficulty of adapting to the altitude is so difficult that Flamengo will remain in the Peruvian capital, Lima, until tomorrow, only boarding a flight to Cuzco a few hours before the match. Besides the 3.400m, a taboo subject will be at stake. Since July of last year, Cienciano has not lost at Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium. They have played 18 matches in local tournaments and the Libertadores, winning 17 and drawing only one.

Joel wants victory

Even the odds against them didn't dampen Joel Santana's optimism. "If we go there thinking about a draw, we'll lose. We're representing a country, a nation, and we have to honor that jersey, playing with passion and health. It's in life's greatest difficulties that we show how different we are, overcoming obstacles," Joel emphasized, downplaying the taboo. "They've already come to Rio and lost. Besides, for the past eight months I've also been achieving all the results we planned. I can't be afraid," he said.

Renato Augusto promises not to get sick

Rio - One of those who felt the altitude the most during the famous 'Battle of Postosí,' when Flamengo snatched a draw after trailing 2-0 to the home team, was supporter Renato Augusto. The player became ill during the match. Renato Augusto had to use an oxygen tank several times to survive the match.

The player assured that this time he won't feel the effects of the altitude. "That game was unusual. It was raining and very cold. Plus, the altitude was much higher than Cuzco. To make matters worse, I got hit in the face by a ball early in the game, which left me even more dizzy and out of breath," said the number 10.

According to fitness coach Ronaldo Torres, Renato Augusto was among the best in the squad's physical tests, but he didn't rule out taking care of the player. "If he felt unwell once, it could happen again. I can only say that he's physically fine," he stated.

Joel reveals he has only one doubt for the match against Cienciano

Rio - Coach Joel Santana revealed during his departure for Peru, this Monday, that he only has one doubt for Wednesday's match, against Cienciano, in Cuzco.

The coach confirmed that there is only one vacancy left in midfield to define the team.

"I only have one doubt left. I still don't know whether to field Jaílton, Kléberson or Marcinho. It will depend on the team the opponent fields," he revealed.

Fábio Luciano reveals Fla's strategy against Cienciano

Rio - In their minds, they're filled with tranquility and experience gained from past mistakes. On the field, they're playing a tight defense and are opportunistic up front. This is how Flamengo will face Cienciano this Wednesday at 3.400 meters in Cuzco, Peru, in a match valid for the 5th round of the Copa Libertadores.

"We'll play calmly, knowing that a favorable result will put us in a good position in the table. On the field, we'll defend tightly and trust our attackers, who will take advantage of their scoring chances and come away with a good result. Despite the difficulties, we have everything we need to play a good game," he declared in an interview with Rádio Globo.

For the player, Flamengo's current position in the group 4 table is not a concern:

"We're in third place, but we have a game in hand. We have this difficult match, but then we'll play at home, where we're very strong and can secure qualification."

Fábio Luciano highlighted that despite the poor results against Coronel Bolognesi and, especially, against Nacional, Flamengo learned valuable lessons, important for the group:

"I think the team played well in the opening match (against Bolognese), they didn't give the opponent any chances, they created chances, but they didn't score. Against Nacional, it was an unusual game. It would have been difficult with 11 players (Flamengo finished the match with 9), but we learned a lot from it. The team is back to focusing, respecting the opponent and is prepared for the altitude," he said.

The defender also revealed that he has already played at altitude and didn't experience any problems, but that, in any case, he trusts the group's planning:

"I've played at altitude a few times, but I've never had a problem. I felt the difference, but I haven't had any problems. It's been a few years, we'll see how my body reacts. Ronaldo (Torres, Flamengo's fitness coach) worked on some things that could help us, we have a plan," he concluded.

Joel leads training before boarding for Cuzco

Rio - Flamengo's squad held its final training session this Monday morning before heading to the high-altitude Cuzco, Peru, where they will face Cienciano on Wednesday in a crucial match for the Flamengo team in the Copa Libertadores. Joel fielded the starting lineup: Bruno, Léo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim, and Juan; Gávilan, Cristian, Ibson, and Toró; and Renato Augusto and Souza. The team performed well, winning 2-0, with goals from Toró and Cristian. The reserve team consisted of players who didn't play against Vasco, as well as some juniors.

The coach's only change to the starting lineup was bringing in Obina to replace Gávilan. With the change, Renato Augusto moved into midfield, with Souza forming the attack with Obina.

After training, the Flamengo squad flew to São Paulo, where they'll catch a late afternoon flight to Lima, Peru. During boarding at Tom Jobim Airport (Galeão), defender Fábio Luciano said he's not worried about potential hostility upon arrival in Cuzco.

"This doesn't really concern us. We already have enough problems to face there and we can't think about that. If there is a problem, we'll know how to deal with it," he said in an interview with Rádio Brasil.

Although the victory is a big step towards qualification, the red-black captain shows balance by saying that the draw is a good result.

"We're going to win, but a draw is a good result, knowing that we can decide it at Maracanã."

Players travel thinking about a draw

Rio - Flamengo embarked yesterday with the goal of seeking a draw against Cienciano, at an altitude of 3.400 meters in Cuzco. Although coach Joel Santana demanded a victory and immediate qualification, the players echoed the sentiment, not ruling out a draw and a single point as a good result in the Copa Libertadores.

With seven points in Group 4, two behind leaders Nacional, Flamengo is tied with tomorrow's opponent, but with a goal difference of one less. In the event of a draw, Flamengo would decide the standings at home against bottom-placed Coronel Bolognesi of Bolivia, which has only two points. Cienciano, meanwhile, will face Nacional in Montevideo in the final round of the group.

Captain Fábio Luciano was among those who emphasized the importance of securing at least a draw in Cuzco. "Given the difficulty of the match, as we'll be playing at altitude against a good team, and the long journey, a draw in Peru could be a good option, as we'd decide the spot at home, in front of our fans," said the Flamengo defender.

Leonardo Moura agreed with the red-and-black captain. "If we can't play well, let's at least get a point. This is a key game that could define our entire season. We can't afford to lose everything. We're going for two results: a draw or a win," he said.

Defeated, Márcio Braga still seeks to veto the altitude

Rio - Even with the confirmation of the match this Wednesday at 3.400m in the Peruvian altitude of Cuzco, against Cienciano, Flamengo's president, Márcio Braga, stated that the club has not given up on preventing the Gávea team from playing again in places far above sea level in international competitions.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport today rejected Brazilian clubs' request to ban games in high-altitude regions, an initiative led by Flamengo. "We lost the battle, but we didn't lose the war," said the Flamengo club director, confirming that the Rio de Janeiro club will not give up on seeking the ban.

In the director's opinion, if any physical damage occurs to a player due to playing at altitude, the Conmebol medical board, which authorized games to be held in locations far above sea level, should be held legally responsible for the problem.

To confirm the idea, Márcio Braga cited the case of defender Serginho, who, playing for São Caetano, died on the field after suffering a cardiorespiratory arrest in 2004. "In the case of Serginho, from São Caetano, the ones accused were the club president and the doctor. And now it's no different," said the president of Flamengo.

SPORTS GAZETTE

Ronaldo wants to return to football at Flamengo

Milan (Italy) - Recovering from a serious injury to his left knee, striker Ronaldo revealed this Tuesday, to the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, that he wants to return to football playing for Flamengo, his favorite team, before returning to Milan "if everything goes well".\ "My idea is to play in Brazil for a few months, maybe at Flamengo, to prepare myself and then reappear at Milan", said the Brazilian, adding that he needs to be "up to the task" of the Italian club, which has always left "the doors open" for him.\

The Phenomenon suffered a complete rupture of the patellar tendon in his left knee and is only expected to return in 2009. Confident, he reaffirmed that this new serious injury will not end his career prematurely.

"I'm not giving up. I'm working to get back to playing, working four to five hours a day. The doctors, at this last appointment in Paris, gave me all the hope and reassurance I needed," celebrated the 31-year-old.

Ronaldo also said his recovery is progressing more quickly compared to the same injury he suffered to his right knee in 2000 while playing for Inter Milan. He's not expected to be able to run again for about four months.

Netherlands, Spain and Italy: The Milan striker has once again denied that he used anabolic steroids when he played for PSV in the Netherlands, which would have caused the series of injuries he faced.

Regarding his time in Spain, he said he preferred Real Madrid to Barcelona because he played longer for the capital club. Regarding Ronaldinho Gaúcho's poor form with the Catalan club, the "Phenomenon" bet on his namesake's recovery and said he should continue playing for Barça, despite rumors of his departure at the end of the season.

In fact, it was a terrible season for Ronaldo's current team. Milan fell in the round of 16 of the Champions League, eliminated by Arsenal, and now sits in fifth place in the Italian Championship.

The Brazilian agreed that the red-black team had “an unfortunate year, with a high number of injuries” and suggested signing a player who would bring enthusiasm to the group, which he described as “formidable”.

For Ronaldo, "Roma plays the best football in Italy, but Inter will win the Scudetto." He also said he will dedicate more time to his role as a United Nations ambassador against poverty once he retires from football.

Joel tests starters and may have changes in Cusco

Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - On Monday morning, after a 2-2 draw in the derby against Vasco, the Flamengo squad returned to coach Joel Santana. The squad trained in the rain at Gávea before traveling to Peru, where they have a difficult Copa Libertadores match on Wednesday: Cienciano, at 3400 meters above sea level in Cusco. This Tuesday, the team is scheduled to train at the Peruvian national team's training center in Lima. In the last training session held in Rio de Janeiro, Joel named the starting lineup as follows: Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim, and Juan; Gavilán, Cristian, Ibson, and Toró; and Renato Augusto and Souza. Of these, only Gavilán is expected to miss the match, likely giving way to Jaílton – who did not train on Monday, having been rested due to facing Vasco the day before.

Joel, however, remains mysterious, saying that Kléberson and Marcinho are also in contention for Gavilán's spot on Monday. "I want to see how the team plays. We're cautious and will also take health into consideration," said Joel, who denied considering the draw a good result.

"We're going to win. Anyone who works at Flamengo can't think about drawing any game," added the coach, who saw the starting players win the match 2-0, with goals from Toró and Cristian.

Flamengo is third in Group 4, level on seven points with Cienciano, who have the advantage on goal difference. Since they'll face a weak Coronel Bolognesi in the final round, while Cienciano will face Nacional in Uruguay, a draw on Wednesday could benefit Flamengo.

Debut earns praise for Marcelo Lomba\ Gazeta Press\

Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Making his debut for a big club usually brings with it greater responsibility for a soccer player. When it's a derby, the pressure becomes even greater. Even so, goalkeeper Marcelo Lomba left the Maracanã to praise after making his Flamengo debut in the derby against Vasco. "He performed very well and showed personality whenever required. Marcelo showed that we have a good group and we can count on him whenever we need him," said coach Joel Santana, who rested Bruno for the derby.

A product of Flamengo's youth academy, Marcelo Lomba expressed resignation to the two goals he conceded in the second half, which prevented him from leaving the field with a victory in the derby. "We started very well, but unfortunately, we allowed them to react and equalize. But I think overall, I did well and managed to save all the good saves that were headed toward goal," he stated.

Despite his good performance against Vasco, Marcelo Lomba knows that he will have a hard time taking Bruno's place, one of the untouchables in Joel Santana's team and the owner of one of the highest salaries within the club.

In addition to Marcelo Lomba, Sunday's derby also gave the coach the opportunity to observe another young Rubro-Negro player, midfielder Airton. "I think Airton demonstrated everything we expected of him, as he had already been training well with us. Now he's proven he can be used during games as well. In fact, he only left the team because he was injured, and when he left, the team ended up retreating, giving Vasco the chance to equalize," Joel emphasized.

PELENET

Flamengo coach rules out a draw with Cienciano-PER

From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\

If coach Joel Santana has his way, Flamengo won't settle for a draw against Cienciano-PER this Wednesday at 21:45 p.m. in Cusco, in the fifth round of Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores da América. In this match, in addition to their Peruvian opponent, Flamengo will attempt to climb above 3.400 meters above sea level.

"At a certain point in our lives, we can't fear anything. We represent our country and an important club in Brazilian football. We have to go out on the field to win. The team that thinks about drawing has a huge chance of losing," he said.

Joel Santana has only one question about Flamengo's starting lineup: he's unsure whether to put Jaílton or Marcinho in midfield. If he opts for Marcinho, Renato Augusto would move up front and form a partnership with Souza.

"I have some doubts, as does Cienciano's coach. In any case, I will make the decision with the rest of the coaching staff," concluded the red-black commander.

With seven points, Flamengo is in third place in Group 4, tied with Cienciano, but loses on goal difference: 1-0. Nacional-URU leads, with nine, while Coronel Bolognesi-PER, already eliminated, is last with just two.

Fla and Cienciano take the ideological issue of altitude to the field

This Wednesday's clash in the Libertadores is emblematic of the issue of matches in high-altitude locations, pitting leaders from both extremes of the controversy against each other on the pitch.

From Pelé.Net

SÃO PAULO - The hottest topic in South American football in recent months will have its most emblematic chapter this week, at least in the sports arena, when Flamengo and Ciencieano face off in Cusco, Peru, for the Copa Libertadores. More than just a battle for qualification from Group 4, the match is symbolic of the ideological clash surrounding the issue of athletes' physical safety in high-altitude matches, with opposition on the field from leaders on both sides of the spectrum.

Flamengo raised the flag, practically alone, against games at high altitudes, in a decision motivated by the team's traumatic experience in the 2007 Libertadores, in a game in Potosí, Bolivia (more than 4 thousand meters above sea level).

Earlier this year, Márcio Braga, president of the Brazilian club, faced a European crusade by FIFA, UEFA and other relevant entities, such as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (in Switzerland), to argue against holding matches at high altitudes.

Cienciano, in turn, is a leading voice in the cause of altitude, a controversy sparked by FIFA's decision to limit international matches to venues above 2.750 meters. The Peruvian city of Cusco, a tourism hub in the country, is located 3.400 meters above sea level.

Given these circumstances, the Flamengo delegation is expected to be met with some hostility in Cusco. Cienciano fans promise to demonstrate their disapproval of the Brazilians at the airport, upon the Flamengo team's arrival.

The club's management, in turn, even spoke of taking legal action against Marcio Braga, president of Fla (for prejudice and moral damages to local tourism).

"Braga is wrong, and what he's seeking with his statements is a foolish confrontation simply because he's afraid of playing in Cusco. He doesn't realize the damage he's causing to our tourism industry," Juvenal Silva, president of Cienciano, recently declared in a statement to the Andean Official Agency.

Almost a year of controversy\ The issue of altitude in football began to dominate discussions in the world of football in South America in May 2007, when FIFA, in a meeting of its Executive Committee, suggested banning matches in places 2.500 meters or more above sea level.\

At the time, the organization stated that it would await a definitive decision from its medical study group. However, it still recommended that cities above the stipulated limit host international matches only under specific circumstances, such as the two-week acclimatization period for the visiting team.

FIFA's stance immediately sparked a series of reactions across the continent, with the ideological alignment of Andean countries such as Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador directly affected by the ruling football governing body's guidance. In the sports arena, clubs such as Cienciano (PER) and Real Potosí (BOL) emerged as champions of the cause.

However, the main leader in high-altitude soccer was Evo Morales, president of Bolivia, who "rolled up his sleeves" to fight for what he considered to be his country's sporting rights. The Bolivian national team, which has only been to one World Cup (in 1994, boosted by results in the qualifiers in La Paz—3.600 meters above sea level), fought at a continental level to prevent FIFA's recommendation from being applied in South America.

The commitment of Evo Morales's 'Andean wing' (who, in a symbolic act, even played matches at an altitude of 5 meters) and company had an impact within CONMEBOL. Even without unanimity, as Brazil refused to ratify the decision, the organization took a position last January in favor of maintaining football in cities such as La Paz, Quito (2.850 m), Bogotá (2.640 m), and Cusco (3.400 m).

Last week, football officials from across South America met again to discuss the issue, and once again, the altitude limit for football was approved. Once again, only Brazil, through the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation), opposed the decision, a decision that causes momentary political discomfort for Ricardo Teixeira before other regional leaders.

Even resigned, Flamengo, a leader of the "anti-altitude" movement, protested the latest official stance on the issue. "It's a ludicrous decision. Everything we've been fighting for for a year now seems like it will only be implemented starting in 2009. But I remain concerned about our athletes. CONMEBOL had to comply with FIFA's resolution, which is the governing body of world football. It warned of the risk of death. I reiterate that it's a ludicrous decision," argues Flamengo president Márcio Braga.

Flamengo holds final training session in Brazil before Wednesday's match

From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\

Flamengo held its final training session before traveling to Peru, where it will face Cienciano this Wednesday in Cusco for the Copa Libertadores da América. In the training session held at Gávea, the starters defeated the reserves 2-0. Cristian and Toró scored the goals.

Coach Joel Santana still has a question regarding the structure he will use within his team. He's unsure whether he will use Jaílton or Marcinho in Wednesday's match.

Both were absent from Monday's action, as they were present in the Flamengo team that drew 2-2 with Vasco, Sunday, at Maracanã, in the eighth and final round of the Taça Rio, second round of the State Championship.

The Rubro-Negro starting lineup was made up of the following players: Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Gavilán, Cristian, Ibson and Toró; Renato Augusto and Souza.

GLOBOESPORTE

Ronaldo wants to recover his football at Fla

The striker wants to play for the Rio de Janeiro team and then return to Milan, if everything goes well.

Reuters\ Ronaldo says to return to Milan he will need to be up to the Italian club\ Brazilian striker Ronaldo, who is currently recovering from a serious left knee injury, announced on Tuesday that his plan is to return to football with Flamengo and then, "if everything goes well, return to Milan." In an interview published by the Italian sports daily "Gazzetta dello Sport," Ronaldo assured that Milan will always leave its doors open to him, but said that to return to his current club he will need to be up to the task.\

On February 13th, Ronaldo suffered a complete rupture of the patellar tendon in his left knee during a Serie A match against Livorno. The player said he couldn't imagine a life outside of football and added that, although he still has to wait four months before he can run, his recovery will be faster than the previous time he suffered a similar injury.

- The doctors gave me all the hope and reassurance I needed - says Ronaldo.

In the interview, the Brazilian striker denied rumors that he used anabolic steroids during his time at PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, which could have caused his injuries. Ronaldo also commented on the situation of Brazilian midfielder Ronaldinho Gaúcho, stating that he will be able to rediscover his form and will remain at Barcelona.

Striker reaffirms his support for Flamengo

When asked about his preference between Real Madrid and Barça, Ronaldo said he preferred the club from the Spanish capital, where he had a longer history, but explained that he is truly a Flamengo fan.

Ronaldo also spoke about Milan's situation, which is not having a good season, having been eliminated from the Champions League and currently in fifth place in Serie A. The striker said it has been an unfortunate year with many injuries, and stated that the club will need a new player who can bring enthusiasm and motivation to the team, which he described as a formidable group.

Ronaldo also said that "Roma plays the best football in Italy, but Inter will win the Scudetto." The Brazilian also stated that when he retires from football, he will dedicate more time to his role as a United Nations ambassador against poverty.

Fla is received with good-natured protest

Even with the presence of some fans, the delegation disembarks calmly

Márcio Iannacca Special correspondent for GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in Lima, Peru

Man dressed as a donkey, symbol of Cienciano, warns: 'Altitude doesn't kill'

Flamengo's plane landed in Lima, the capital of Peru, at 22:56 p.m. (Brasília time) and 20:56 p.m. (Peruvian time), four minutes earlier than scheduled. This Wednesday, Flamengo faces Cienciano in the Libertadores Cup in Cusco, but will only travel to the city at an altitude of 3.400 meters on the day of the match. Peruvian fans were present at the airport, but they didn't cause any embarrassment for the Flamengo fans, only staging a good-natured protest.

It seemed like no one would show up, but Cienciano supporters arrived at the last minute carrying a banner that read: "Heights don't kill." But there were no attacks or war cries; the Peruvians simply wanted to take photos with the players. A "donkey" also appeared on the scene. The animal is Cienciano's mascot, and a man in a costume made a point of posing alongside the Flamengo fans.

The bus was 300 meters from the arrivals gate, and two police officers observed everything in case of any eventuality, without needing to interfere. Along the way, in addition to being harassed by fans, the athletes also met with the Peruvian press.

While the atmosphere in Lima is calm, the arrival in Cuzco next Wednesday may not be so calm. Cienciano fans are preparing a much larger protest in the city where the highly anticipated match will take place.

Rubro-Negro trains and heads to Lima

Joel Santana promoted a collective with the starters and put Obina in the attack

Joel Santana talks to some players during Flamengo training

Flamengo continues its preparations for the decisive match against Cienciano, in the high altitude of Cusco, next Wednesday, in the Copa Libertadores. The players held their final training session this Monday morning before departing for Lima, Peru. The delegation will only arrive in Cusco on the day of the match.

Coach Joel Santana fielded a starting lineup of Bruno, Leo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim, and Juan; Gavilán, Cristian, Ibson, and Toró; and Renato Augusto and Souza. The team won the match against a mix of reserves and juniors 2-0, with goals from Toró and Cristian.

In a second moment, the Flamengo manager brought on striker Obina to replace defensive midfielder Gavilán. Renato Augusto was moved back to the middle, and Souza formed the attack alongside the Black Angel of Gávea.

Despite Gavilán and Obina's presence at training, they're unlikely to start Wednesday's match. Joel's only doubt is between Jaílton and Marcinho. Neither of them participated in Monday's training session because they played against Vasco. Jaílton's presence in the derby wasn't expected. But since defender Leonardo had a foot problem, the midfielder was called up at the last minute.

Flamengo seeks reaction against Boca

Rubro-Negro needs to win at home to force a third match

Against Boca, Marcelinho can reach 1.000 points for Fla\ Flamengo takes to the court this Tuesday, at 19 pm, against Boca Juniors, at the Tijuca Tênis Clube gymnasium, for the second game of the best-of-three series of the semifinals of the 2008 South American League. After losing 100 to 88 last week, in Buenos Aires (Argentina), it is up to Rubro-Negro to defeat the Buenos Aires team to force a third and decisive game, which would be played on Wednesday night.\

The red-and-black captain Marcelinho Machado reinforces the confidence in the comeback in the match and calls on the fans to turn the gym into a Rio "Bombonera", in reference to the Argentine team's football stadium.

"Whenever we've had our fans behind us, we've played better. We have to beat Boca Juniors, a high-quality team, and to do that, it's important to have a packed Tijuca stadium. We've trained hard these past few days to work on the mistakes we made in Buenos Aires. We have the ability to turn this series around, but we can't just go into the game haphazardly. We need to win to take the series to the final. It's going to be a very tense match, but we have a mature team that has already shown that this year, and I have a lot of confidence in us," says the winger.

Historical mark

Marcelinho Machado, in fact, is close to a significant milestone with Flamengo. He could surpass 1.000 points for Flamengo against Boca Juniors: the winger has 992 points in 41 matches.

"I'm happy because it's an important milestone in my career, a significant milestone in my journey with Flamengo, and one that makes me very proud. But my biggest concern is helping Flamengo beat Boca Juniors; that's our obligation."

Fábio Luciano curious to know about the altitude

Captain wanted information about the symptoms of 3.400 meters above sea level in Cuzco

Márcio Iannacca Special correspondent for GLOBOESPORTE.COM, in Lima

Fábio Luciano is apprehensive about the effects of Cuzco's altitude

Captain Fábio Luciano arrived in Lima this Monday, curious about the symptoms of Cusco's altitude sickness. Upon learning that GLOBOESPORTE.COM had experienced the experience, the defender wanted to know what it was like to endure the Peruvian city's 3.400-meter altitude.

"How was it up there? Calm?" asked the player, who was the first Flamengo player to appear in the lobby of Jorge Chavez airport in Lima.

Upon seeing the protest signs of some fans and a donkey, the mascot of the Cuzco School of Science, Fábio Luciano preferred to speak only to the Brazilian press and avoided any comments to local journalists.

"We'll try to come away with a win. It's going to be a tough game," the captain analyzed.

Leo Moura is not afraid of Cuzco's altitude

The full-back, who played in Potosí, believes he won't have any problems at an altitude of 3.400 meters.

Léo Moura at Flamengo training

Right-back Léo Moura believes Wednesday's Copa Libertadores match against Cienciano in Cusco will be somewhat uneventful. The player's statement is based on a bad memory of the 2007 match against Real Potosí.

- The game in Potosí will be marked in anyone's career by its difficulty - says Leo, remembering that some athletes used oxygen tanks throughout the match.

Potosí is located at almost 4.000 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest cities in the world. The match against Cienciano this Wednesday will be in Cuzco, at 3.400 meters. Leo Moura believes the effects of altitude will be lessened.

"Now, I hope there won't be any problems with altitude sickness. Let's stay alert so we don't run any risks."

Flamengo players avoid altitude controversy

For Fábio Luciano, the athletes only think about doing their part on the pitch.

Stadium where Fla will play at an altitude of 3400 meters in the city of Cuzco

The Flamengo players will not be commenting on the controversy surrounding matches at altitudes above 2.750 meters. They are even prepared to face hostility from Cienciano fans, who were not at all pleased with the club's battle last week to prevent Wednesday's Copa Libertadores match from being held in Cusco (3.400 meters above sea level).

"We players don't express opinions. We're just thinking about playing football. If there's outrage from fans and city residents, we'll understand and respect it," says defender Fabio Luciano.

Flamengo fought the hardest for the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) to respect FIFA's ruling for club matches, as the organization prohibited international matches from being played in cities above 2.750 meters above sea level. However, the South American governing body maintained the games above this altitude, and the match between Flamengo and Cienciano (PER) this Wednesday was confirmed in the Peruvian city.

Left-back Juan even believes the fan outcry will add to the challenge. However, he assures the players that they are ready to overcome this obstacle as well.

"The city's residents didn't like our proposal and may protest and exert greater pressure. Only with a positive outcome will we overcome this."

Marcelinho close to 1.000 points for Fla

Player could reach historic milestone in match against Boca Juniors this Tuesday

Marcelinho Machado shows off his commemorative shirt for his 1000 points

Flamengo will try this Wednesday, at the Tijuca Tênis Club gym, to beat Boca Juniors to force the third match of the best-of-three series of the semifinals of the 2008 Liga das Américas. In addition to being decisive, the match could become a milestone in the career of winger Marcelinho Machado, who is close to surpassing 1.000 points with the red-and-black shirt.

The red-black winger has a contract with Flamengo until 2009. In 41 matches, the captain of the Brazilian national team and three-time Pan-American champion has scored 992 points.

Rubro-Negro trains and heads to Lima

Joel Santana promoted a collective with the starters and put Obina in the attack

Joel Santana talks to some players during Flamengo training

THROW

Confirmed: Diego Hypolito has dengue fever

The athlete has been hospitalized since Friday night at the Copa D'Or Hospital\ LANCEPRESS!\

The Copa D'Or Hospital in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro's South Zone, recently confirmed that gymnast Diego Hypolito does indeed have dengue fever. The athlete had been hospitalized Friday night with suspected dengue fever, which has already become an epidemic in Rio.

Diego has been experiencing a streak of bad luck in recent weeks. On March 25th, the gymnast underwent arthroscopy on his right knee at the Copa D'Or to treat a meniscus injury. Two days later, he had already begun physical therapy. According to doctors, he is expected to be discharged this week.

Kleberson, Marcinho and Jaílton fight for a spot

Joel Santana reveals that one of the three will start against Cienciano

LANCEPRESS!

Coach Joel Santana revealed upon the Flamengo delegation's departure for Peru this Monday that he has only one doubt regarding Flamengo's starting lineup for Wednesday's match against Cienciano in Cuzco for the Copa Libertadores. The open spot is in midfield. The coach revealed that three players are vying for a spot in the midfield.

"I'm torn between Kleberson, Jaílton, or Marcinho. We'll have to wait and see how they come along so we can deploy our soldiers," he said.

The three players have different characteristics. Jaílton plays more defensively, while Marcinho, the team's top scorer this season with eight goals, plays more offensively. Kleberson would be the middle ground between the two. Regardless of the coach's choice, Joel guarantees that the team will seek victory in Peru and qualification for the next stage.

"Those who work at Flamengo don't think about a draw. Those who think about a draw come in to lose. We represent a team, a nation, and we have nothing to fear. We have to play by the book," he concluded.

White Christ is the pride of the people of Cuzco

Monument was built in 1945 by World War II refugees

The Peruvian Christ also has its grandeur (Credit: Julio Cesar Guimarães)

Rodrigo Benchimol IN CUZCO (PERU)\ Get in touch\

Just as the people of Rio de Janeiro have a special affection for Christ the Redeemer, which has existed since 1931, the Peruvian people of Cuzco are proud of the White Christ, built in 1945 by Arabs and Palestinians, refugees from the Second World War, who came to the Peruvian city.

The monument is 9m high, can be seen from various points in the city and is located near the Saqsaywaman Sun Temple, which is one of the major tourist attractions in the most visited Peruvian city.

Flamengo should face great pressure ahead

Peruvian fans promise to turn out in droves at the stadium this Wednesday

Cienciano fans line up in front of the stadium (Credit: Julio Cesar Guimarães, in Cuzco)

LANCEPRESS!\ Flamengo is expected to play in front of 37 people - the number of tickets currently on sale - on Wednesday. On Monday, even a sound truck was calling on Cienciano fans to face the club that, according to Peruvians, is afraid of altitude.\

Demand for the match is extremely high. The Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium itself has the longest lines. There are no ticket scalpers, and the police are very good, preventing any problems.

The game is part of the fifth round of Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores, which is led by Nacional-URU with nine points. Ticket prices range from 15 (about R$10) to 60 soles (about R$40).

Léo Moura remembers the match in Potosí

Player believes the effects of altitude in Cuzco will be less than in Bolivia\ LANCEPRESS!\ Right-back Léo Moura believes that this Wednesday's match against Cienciano in the Copa Libertadores in Cuzco (PER) will be somewhat calm. The player said this when comparing it to last year's match against Real Potosí in Bolivia, when some players even used oxygen tanks during the match.\

- The game in Potosí will be marked in anyone's career by its difficulty - he stated.

Potosí is located at almost 4.000 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest cities in the world. The match against Cienciano this Wednesday will be in Cuzco, at 3.400 meters. Léo Moura believes the effects of altitude will be lessened.

"Now, I hope there won't be any problems with altitude sickness. Let's stay alert so we don't run any risks," he concluded.

Marcinho downplays altitude problems

Rubro-negro prioritizes concern for the Cienciano team\ LANCEPRESS!\

Flamengo attacking midfielder Marcinho ruled out the possibility of hostility due to the controversy surrounding the altitude of Cusco, where the Copa Libertadores match against Cienciano will be played this Wednesday. The player doesn't want to be overwhelmed by the altitude.

radio l! - Our biggest opponent is Cienciano. We have to think about the players first and forget about the altitude, which will certainly be a hindrance, but we can't forget our goal, which is to win the match - he said. (Click and listen)

The city of Cuzco, Peru, is located 3.400 meters above sea level. FIFA prohibits international matches in cities above 2.750 meters. Rubro-Negro fought a battle to have this rule adopted by CONMEBOL for national team matches as well, allowing the match to be held elsewhere.

Paulo Victor is back training in Gávea

The goalkeeper had been loaned to América in this Campeonato Carioca\ LANCEPRESS!\

Goalkeeper Paulo Victor, who was loaned to América for the state championship and relegated to the Rio de Janeiro Second Division, returned to training this Monday at Gávea. He even grabbed a pass for the reserves during training.

Diego, who hasn't trained since the end of last week, has a respiratory infection and is undergoing tests to determine what his problem really is.

Bruno and Marcelo Lomba traveled to Peru for Wednesday's match against Cienciano, in Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores.

Fabio Luciano wants to qualify on Wednesday

Player hopes teammates won't suffer from Cuzco's altitude\ LANCEPRESS!\

The Flamengo delegation left for Peru this Monday morning, where they will prepare for Wednesday's match against Cienciano, for the Copa Libertadores.

Team captain Fabio Luciano guarantees that the players will go to Cuzco looking for a positive result.

"If we go in thinking about a draw, we won't get a good result. We'll go in thinking about winning, thinking that the group is capable of a victory. If we think about winning and get a draw, it will be good because qualification will depend solely on us," he stated.

If Flamengo wins Wednesday's match, they will mathematically qualify for the round of 23 of the Copa Libertadores. If they draw with Cienciano, the team will need to beat Coronel Bolognesi in the final round, on the XNUMXrd, at Maracanã Stadium to qualify.

To do so, the club will have to face another opponent. In addition to Cienciano, the players will have to contend with the effects of Cusco's altitude, as the city sits 3.600 meters above sea level.

"We had specific training for this. Now we'll see if it works out," concluded the Flamengo captain.

Flamengo holds final training session before the trip

Coach says he still doesn't know whether to select Marcinho or Jailton for this Wednesday's game against Cienciano

Joel has a doubt in the team: Jaílton or Marcinho (Credit: Paulo Sérgio)

LANCEPRESS!

Flamengo held its final training session on Monday morning ahead of Wednesday's Libertadores match against Cienciano in Cusco (PER). In a 30-minute training session under the rain on a soggy pitch, the starting players defeated a mix of players who didn't play against Vasco, as well as some juniors, 2-0.

The team's goals were scored by Toró, following a pass from Ibson; and Cristian, with a shot from outside the box. The starting lineup consisted of: Bruno, Léo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim, and Juan; Gavilán, Cristian, Ibson, and Toró; and Renato Augusto and Souza.

During training, Joel Santana took off Gavilán and brought on Obina, highlighting the question of whether Jaílton or Marcinho would start on Wednesday. Neither team played in the training session, as they played against Vasco on Sunday.

The red-black squad travels to São Paulo this Monday, where they will take a plane to Lima, the Peruvian capital.