SPORTS JOURNAL
In search of lost peace
Fla wants to show against Americano that the defeat in Montevideo left no consequences
Nathan de Lima
Wallace Teixeira/JS
Goalkeeper Bruno, whose performance in the defeat was questioned, played as a striker
Nothing like returning to play at home to try to overcome the problems that an away loss brought Flamengo. Today's match at 16 p.m. against Americano, in the second round of the Taça Rio, will serve as a morale boost for the players after the tough blow suffered in Uruguay, when the team lost its composure and ended up losing 3-0 to Nacional in the Libertadores.
Already qualified for the Campeonato Carioca final, the Flamengo players will face an empty Maracanã stadium, with fans still reeling from the mistakes made in Montevideo. It's quite likely that some players, such as midfielder Toró and full-back Léo Moura, who were sent off in the Uruguayan capital, will be booed, especially if the team doesn't perform up to par. But since the opponent is one of the worst teams in the competition, this type of match is ideal for the players to make the fans forget the bitter taste left by the defeat in Uruguay.
Coach Joel Santana declined to confirm the lineup, but Flamengo will field a mixed lineup. Even without naming all the starters, the coach made it clear that the second half of the Carioca Championship must be taken seriously.
"Just because we won the Guanabara Cup doesn't mean we're abandoning the Rio Cup. We're going out there to win. We know our players are tired, so we're going to bring in some players who haven't played much, or those who are in very good physical shape," said the coach.
Regarding the loss to Nacional, Joel Santana didn't want to say much after yesterday's training session at Gávea. The coach warned that he doesn't want to think about the Uruguayans right now, but said the team will be eagerly awaiting them.
"The match against Nacional is in the past, we'll just focus on the Taça Rio for now. The week we face them again, we'll think about them again. We're waiting for them here," Joel added.
Flamengo: Bruno, Leo Moura, Leonardo, Tiago Salles and Egidio; Jailton, Gavilan, Jonathan and Toro; Maxi (Marcinho) and Souza\ Coach: Joel Santana\
American: Wender, Ciro, Alex Mineiro, Anderson and Izaías; Leandro Leite, Leandro Matera, Pirão and Ivan; Bruninho and Jessé\ Coach: Valter Ferreira\
Location: Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro\ Time: 16pm\ Referee: Leonardo Garcia Cavaleiro\ Assistants: Jorge Luis Campos Roxo and Rodrigo Pereira Jóia\ Observer: Jorge Fernando Rabello\
In Campos, juniors turn and win
Flamengo's youth team, which continues its quest for its first-ever Campeonato Carioca title, traveled to Campos yesterday to face Americano in the second round of the Taça Rio. Despite starting worse than their opponents, the youngsters from Gávea won 3-1.
The victory was a comeback, with the final goal coming in the 40th minute of the second half, after a well-taken free kick by Paulo Sérgio. The other goals for the Red-Blacks were scored by Diego Moura and Erick Flores.
With a strong performance from Erick Flores, Flamengo maintains its 100% record in the Taça Rio, with two wins in as many matches. The team, led by coach Adílio, aims to win the competition and face Fluminense, who won the Taça GB, in the Carioca final.
Maxi doesn't want to be forgotten anymore
While most of Flamengo's players were quite downcast yesterday at Gávea, one player was quite happy. Striker Maxi Biancucchi (pictured), who has been overlooked by the coach, has a great chance to return to the starting lineup in today's game.
Joel Santana has not confirmed the team, but it is very likely that with Tardelli injured and Marcinho tired, the 'Flying Argentine' could start a match for Flamengo again.
Always in a good mood, Maxi told reporters present yesterday at Gávea, moments before the press conference began, that he missed talking to them. Regarding the chance to play from the start of the match, the striker said he's ready to show the coach that he has what it takes to be a starter for the team.
"I'm always working, and if the coach decides to put me on the field, I'll be very happy and try to perform as well as possible. I'm ready to play, but I know that the competition for a spot in attack is quite tough these days. Our attack is very good, and that's important for our team," said Maxi.
If he wakes up feeling well and fully recovered from the game against Nacional, Marcinho could ruin the Argentine's joy, as, physically fit, the midfielder is coach Joel Santana's preferred player to start today's game.
"I don't know if I'll play yet, but the more I play, the better. By playing, I can showcase my work and show the coach that I have what it takes to be a starter," said Marcinho.
Renato Augusto may reappear
Flamengo fans may have some good news in today's match against Americano. Midfielder Renato Augusto, who suffered facial fractures in the match against Boavista on January 20th, has been called up for training and could be an option on the Flamengo bench.
Renato has been training with the ball, but he hasn't yet gained the confidence to start a match.
With Diego Tardelli's injury and Obina's suspension, Joel Santana is expected to bench either midfielder or Vinicius Pacheco. The club doctor explained what happened to striker Diego Tardelli.
“He suffered a small abdominal pain and so he will be rested for tomorrow’s game (today), but he will be released for Wednesday,” explained Walter Martins.
Egidio
Left-back Egídio has been training very well and the possibility of starting today's match could be the big chance the player was waiting for to win the heart of coach Joel Santana once and for all.
"It's another chance to show that I have a chance to be a starter. This is my third game, and God willing, I'll have a great performance and put the coach's mind at risk. I'm a good striker and have always been a good free kick and corner taker. I think this could help me secure a spot on the team," said Egídio.
Marcos de Castro
Bath-in-Cuia
From here and there
Marcos de Castro
Popular wisdom, perhaps unaware that Lavoisier's law underlies this, says that "in this world nothing is created, everything is copied." In reality, this isn't quite true, because to copy something, someone must have created the original first. But imitation monkeys are rampant in football! Consider the creation of Souza, the Flamengo striker. After scoring a goal after that final against Botafogo, he came up with a heartfelt joke that evoked Botafogo's tears. An original joke that didn't offend anyone, simply demonstrating his good humor (although a Rio newspaper ran a short editorial criticizing Souza's innocent joy). Three or four days later, in the Campeonato Paulista, a Palmeiras player imitated Souza: after a goal, he made the exact same gesture. Everything can be copied (thank goodness there were no moralizing mini-editorials this time).
A reprehensible gesture, that indeed, was Toró's in Montevideo, pushing a ball boy who was holding the ball. Now, the ball boy was a 13-year-old boy, Nicolás (whom our TV reporters insist on Americanizing to Nícolas!). Toró is certainly not a bad guy; he lost his way in the heat of a difficult game. Flamengo did well to warn him not to repeat such an inconsiderate gesture. Incidentally, and without contesting the justice of Nacional's victory: it's incredible to allow Libertadores games in a stadium like that. It's as if Flamengo, in the second leg, decided to play at Fluminense's stadium!
THE DAY
Charanga rubro-negra is back to tune the team
Otavio Leite
Rio - When the team fell out of tune against Resende on Sunday, the Charanga Rubro-Negra stepped in. Returning to Maracanã after a long absence, the musicians fired up the crowd with Lamartine Babo's "Flamengo Anthem" and "Theme of Victory," the stadium's biggest hit. The result was unsurprising: the players got into the swing of things and turned the game around from a 2-0 deficit to a 4-2 deficit.
"We want to make the fans happy. In the last game, the team was sleepy, and we set them on fire with our songs," proudly recalls Grimário Batista do Nascimento, from Pernambuco, better known as Seu Guigui.
At 62, he's a mix of 'band general' and maestro. Charged with keeping the flame that fuels the musicians' passion for the Rubro-Negro alive, he boasts about the old band's current lineup.
“Our musicians are much younger and all very good,” says Guigui, responsible for percussion.
He humorously recalls the disdain that Flamengo composer Ary Barroso used to heap on the band. "He was the one who named us. He said we were an out-of-tune band. It stuck," he laughs.
At the time, the leader was Bahian Jayme de Carvalho. Interestingly, Ary and Jayme have a lot in common. Besides the band's inclusion of the classic "Aquarela do Brasil" in their repertoire, both fell in love with Flamengo after becoming disenchanted with Fluminense—due to the prejudice of the time.
Stories like this are in the book 'Above All Red-Black, the Album of Jayme de Carvalho', by Cláudio Cruz and Wilson Aquino, released last year.
Jayme, who died in 1976, founded the charanga in 1942. But in recent years, it's been far from Maracanã. "During Edmundo Santos Silva's time, it became difficult to maintain," he says. So difficult, in fact, that the musicians even played at América matches. Today, the group is based in Niterói, and each musician receives a symbolic stipend of R$50, plus match tickets and snacks.
"Eduardo Paes was the one who had the idea of inviting us back. Now, we're going to sell the band's shirts to try to improve the situation," hopes Guigui.
The current lineup includes 12 musicians—all Flamengo fans. "It has to be. It's a requirement," he jokes.
Happy, he doesn't hide his excitement for the next game:
“The fans love it and many have come to ask us to come back again.”
Flamengo's team is a mystery
Rio - Coach Joel Santana has never been so torn. Which Flamengo will take the field this Sunday at 16 p.m. at Maracanã? A mixed team, full of energy, willing to sweat to alleviate the low mood that has gripped Gávea after Uruguay's humiliation? Or will the coach give up on resting the starters, who are competing in the Libertadores, as punishment for the disastrous performance in Montevideo?
Joel's only certainty is that Obina is suspended and won't play. He's likely to be replaced by Argentine Maxi. Midfielder Renato Augusto, who has been out of the team for almost 50 days, could be benched.
These doubts are shared by the red-and-black fans, who hope to see a new attitude on the field today. If it's up to goalkeeper Bruno, who also didn't perform well on Thursday, missing two goals, he promises the team will turn things around and secure their spot in the next round of the South American competition.
"We'll have enough time to regain confidence. This same group has already shown its capacity and strength in difficult times. Last year, we overcame the specter of relegation and earned our spot in the Copa Libertadores, when no one believed it would," recalls the Gávea number 1.
Concerned about the team's difficult situation in the Libertadores, Joel, who had decided to compete in the Taça Rio with a reserve team, may even change his mind. For now, he doesn't even want to consider the possibility of being eliminated from the continental tournament.
"It's tough, but at home we can secure enough points to qualify. But now I have to turn on the State Championship button and think about the American Championship. The so-called smaller teams are there to take points from the big ones. You can't be too careful," he warns.
At Gávea, everyone knows that, with a reserve, mixed, or first team on the field, the fans demand dedication and respect for the red-and-black jersey. Therefore, whoever is selected will have a dual mission: to show coach Joel Santana that they can remain in the squad or even in the starting lineup, and to bring joy to the fans, who are on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
SPORTS GAZETTE
Flamengo forgets hangover and faces Americano\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - After suffering the shock of a midweek Copa Libertadores defeat, Flamengo turns its attention once again to the Campeonato Carioca. This Sunday, the Rubro-Negro faces Americano at 16 p.m. (Brasília time) at the Maracanã stadium in a second-round match of the Taça Rio. The team from Gávea has three points in Group A, while the team from Campos remains without any in Group B. As champions of the Taça Guanabara, Flamengo can avoid a Carioca final if they also win the second round. To secure the title early, Flamengo knows that a victory this Sunday will be crucial for the team in their group. Furthermore, they hope that a positive result will dispel the frustration that threatened to overwhelm the club after their Libertadores stumble. Therefore, the order of the day is to go after Americano.
"The Campeonato Carioca is a very important competition, and we always enter to win. We hope the team can perform well. We'll be playing in front of our fans, and we have a duty to get a result," said coach Joel Santana.
And indeed, at Maracanã, Flamengo has shown strength since Joel Santana took over the team last year. With the coach on the sidelines, the Rubro-Negro won 21 of its 26 matches at the stadium, drawing three and losing the other two, including matches from the 2007 Brazilian Championship. This year, Flamengo only lost to Fluminense at Maracanã, in a match where it used a reserve lineup.
The player who won't be able to play for Flamengo this Sunday is striker Obina. Last Wednesday, the player was suspended by the TJD (Department of Justice) for unsportsmanlike conduct in the derby against Fluminense, still in the Guanabara Cup. Joel should also use the match to refresh some players, such as defensive midfielder Jônatas and midfielder Marcinho. The lineup will only be announced in the Maracanã locker room.
To bounce back from their first-round loss in the Rio Cup, Americano is expected to make changes for this Sunday's match. Starting with the debut of Leandro Matera, a reinforcement signed for the second round. Right-back Ivan returns to the team from Campinas.
To implement these changes, coach Válter Ferreira decided to remove Pirão and Rondinelli from the team that lost to Duque de Caxias. "We're not in a good place in the State Championship, but it's time to stay calm and believe we're doing the right thing," the coach stated.
Defender Ciro, meanwhile, is urging his team to be more focused, both in attack and defense. "In this last game, we had several opportunities to score but didn't. Then we ended up conceding a counterattack goal and lost the match."
Libertadores becomes a priority for Flamengo's coffers\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Flamengo and the Brazilian clubs competing in the Copa Libertadores are making no secret of the fact that the competition is their top priority this season. Besides being the continent's premier tournament, a strong campaign and a title can bring significant profits, given the prize money, especially from the second round onward. That's why the Rio de Janeiro club's board sounded the alarm after last Thursday's loss to Nacional-URU. The order of the day at Gávea is to keep their heads up and seek qualification for the round of 16.
Despite facing financial problems and struggling to pay salaries, Flamengo strengthened significantly for this season. For defense, the club signed Rodrigo, formerly of São Paulo, who was in Ukraine. For midfield, Jônatas, Gavilán, and Marcinho arrived, not to mention Kléberson, who had been with the club since 2007 but only became available this season. Flamengo also went shopping in attack, signing Diego Tardelli.
Flamengo's directors won't admit it, but an early elimination in the first phase could force the club to get rid of some players to cover its payroll.
Flamengo captain Fábio Luciano, defender, is loath to dwell on pessimism and assures that the team's recent Libertadores result will serve to motivate them for the rest of the competition. "We have to take this game as a lesson. We still have two home matches left, and we can still seek qualification," stated the Flamengo defender.
Meanwhile, Flamengo canceled the visit that players, directors, and coaching staff were scheduled to make this Saturday afternoon to the Church of Saint Jude Thaddeus, the club's patron saint. A new date will be set by the club.
PELENET
Fla "forgets" Libertadores and seeks victory against Americano
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo takes the field this Sunday at 16 p.m. at Maracanã to face Americano in the Taça Rio, the second round of the State Championship. Flamengo, still reeling from a 3-0 loss to Nacional in Uruguay in the Copa Libertadores, will play with a mixed lineup.
In the team's debut in the second round of the competition, Flamengo came from behind to win 4-2 against Resende. Americano lost 1-0 to Duque de Caxias away from home.
Apparently, coach Joel Santana will use right-back Leonardo Moura and midfielder Toró, both of whom were sent off in the match against Nacional in Montevideo. Goalkeeper Bruno and center forward Souza will also be included.
The Copa Libertadores is considered a priority at Gávea. Despite this, coach Joel Santana assures that Flamengo will pursue the Taça Rio title. If that happens, Flamengo will be crowned champions in advance, as they won the first round.
"Flamengo will fight for the Taça Rio title. It would be very difficult for our fans to go to Maracanã knowing that we would play without desire, without seeking victory," said the coach.
Fans attending the Rubro-Negro will have two special attractions. Paraguayan defensive midfielder Gavilán will start, while attacking midfielder Renato Augusto may be available on the bench. 45 days ago, the youngster suffered a fractured zygomatic bone in his face.
The Campos team is going through a terrible phase. With four points, all earned in the Guanabara Cup, Americano is trying to escape the relegation zone.
Despite the situation, the players are confident of achieving a good result against Flamengo. "We respect them, but we'll play as equals. We'll show our worth and try to come away with a victory, which will be important for our recovery," said the versatile Pirão.
GLOBOESPORTE
Timemania: São Paulo is the club of the week
São Paulo's Tricolor is the second winner of the 'Favorite Team' prize draw
The second Timemania drawing took place on Saturday night in São Paulo. The winning numbers were, in order: 77, 18, 31, 25, 20, 63, and 50. The winner of the "Favorite Team" prize was São Paulo, the current two-time Brazilian champion. The winners of the first drawing were those who bet on Palmas, from Tocantins.
In the first draw, winners shared a prize of R$1.894.953,44. Caixa Econômica Federal has not yet released the amounts for the second draw. Timemania was created to help clubs pay off debts to the government.
Renato Augusto may return this Sunday
After a facial fracture in the State Championship debut, the midfielder could be the new addition to the team against Americano
Midfielder Renato Augusto was named in the Flamengo squad by coach Joel Santana and could return to the Flamengo squad this Sunday against Americano, after being sidelined since January 20. On that date, in the team's State Championship debut against Boavista, Renato collided with defender Hélton and suffered two facial fractures.
After undergoing delicate surgery, the player made a remarkable recovery and performed his final ball activities normally. Therefore, when coach Joel Santana was asked if Renato could play against the Campos team, the answer was given matter-of-factly.
- Let's study this possibility - Joel left in the air.
Joel: 'Fla will fight for the Taça Rio title'
The red-and-black coach is thinking about winning the second half of the season, but he's likely to field only a few starters.
Joel Santana leads Flamengo's training session
Already qualified for the Campeonato Carioca final after winning the Taça Guanabara, Flamengo will use the Taça Rio as a training ground for the Campeonato Carioca final and the Copa Libertadores. Coach Joel Santana guarantees the team will compete for the Taça Rio.
The absence of most of the starters in the second-round matches, however, doesn't represent a lack of concern for the competition or the fans. At least that's what the red-and-black coach says.
"Flamengo is fighting to win the Rio Cup. It would be very difficult for our fans to go to Maracanã knowing that we would play without desire, without wanting to be champions."
Despite his talk of focusing on the second round of the State Championship, Joel is expected to field only four starters in Sunday's match against Americano: Bruno, Souza, Léo Moura, and Toró. Even so, the latter two will miss the next Libertadores match against Nacional, having been sent off in the match against the same opponent in Uruguay.
Joel seeks replacement for Toró
Coach will not be able to count on the player and Léo Moura against Nacional
Toró will not face Nacional on Wednesday
After last Thursday's fiasco against Nacional, from Uruguay, where Flamengo ended up defeated 3-0 in the Libertadores, coach Joel Santana is looking for options to replace midfielder Toró and right-back Leonardo Moura, who were sent off, precisely for the game against the Uruguayans, which will take place at Maracanã, next Wednesday.
In Toró's place, Joel has two options: Cristian and Jônatas; in Leo Moura's place, young Luisinho, the immediate reserve, should get a chance. And the player showed personality, assuring he's ready.
"I've always been training hard to help Flamengo. Libertadores games are tough and complicated," said Luisinho, who also commented on his teammates' red cards. "Toró was hot-headed. As for Léo Moura, I think it was a fatal mistake. He tried to clear the ball and hit an opponent, and the red card was fair."
Flamengo's next challenge is against Americano this Sunday in the Campeonato Carioca. Joel is expected to field a mixed lineup, just as he did against Resende.
'
THROW
Fla tries to maintain a record that has lasted 29 years
Fla has scored in every game against Americano in Rio since 1979
LANCEPRESS!
Only a victory with a capital V over Americano, this Sunday at 16 pm, at Maracanã, will be able to lower the temperature in Gávea after the defeat to Nacional, from Uruguay, in the middle of the week.
And for the red-black thermometer to show milder temperatures, it doesn't cost the red-black fan anything to bet on the team's excellent record against Americano, since, since 1979, Flamengo has always scored goals against the opponent in games in Rio de Janeiro.
Accredited to talk about goals due to his personal record, Souza, who usually scores when he plays at Maracanã, wants to continue this curiosity in the clashes against Americano.
"This is a good record, and I hope to do everything I can to maintain it. Every game is a different story, but every time I'm on the field, I'll try to score goals and help Flamengo win matches," said forward Souza, who scored three goals in this year's Campeonato Carioca.
In the running for the Carioca top scorer spot, Souza is one of the starters who will play today. And it will be his job to maintain the momentum that was working in the Guanabara Cup.
Besides the good performance against today's rival, another reason to make the fans even more excited is the fact that Fla has the second best attack in the Carioca, with 27 goals scored so far (Flu, with the five goals yesterday, scored 31 goals in the State Championship).
Coach Joel Santana explains the reason for Flamengo's so many goals: "The goal is simple. Attack, attack, and attack. Regardless of the opponent or the player we field, our team must always keep searching for the opposing goal."
Fla takes on Americano and counts on Maracanã
At the stadium, the team won its nine victories in 2008
Mengão and Americano face each other (Credit: Luis Claudio Dionysio)
Fred Gomes RIO DE JANEIRO
After a crushing 3-0 defeat to Nacional, Flamengo returns to Maracanã this Sunday, the site of its nine victories this year. The match, which will take place at 16 p.m., is against Americano. At the World's Largest Stadium, Flamengo has faced the Campos club 18 times, winning 14, drawing once, and losing only three.
The first duel between Flamengo and Americano at Maracanã was valid for the 1975 Brazilian Championship. On that occasion, Geraldo scored the only goal in the red-black victory. In the last meeting between the clubs at the Largest Stadium in the World, another red-black victory (4-2), in 2006.
In this year's State Championship, Flamengo and Americano find themselves in very different situations. While the club with the largest fan base in Brazil won the Guanabara Cup for the second time, the Campos club ended its participation in the first round as the bottom team in Group B, with just four points.
Joel Santana didn't say whether he'll make any changes to the team that defeated Resende 4-2 in the first round of the Rio Cup. The lineup is likely to be the same.
Americano coach Walter Martins also opted to keep the details a secret and will only reveal the lineup shortly before the match begins.
Maxi can finally return to the Flamengo team
The Argentine is related and should appear again in the red-black attack
Maxi has not played in recent matches (Credit: Cléber Mendes)
Fred Gomes RIO
Argentine forward Maxi has been named in the squad for this Sunday's match between Flamengo and Americano. Since the starting lineup will be rested, the player may get a chance to play.
Despite having had few opportunities in recent games, the Argentine appears calm about the situation and hopes to finally return to the field.
"I don't know if I'll play yet. But I'm ready if the coach chooses me," Maxi assured.
When he arrived at Flamengo midway through the 2007 Brasileirão, Maxi immediately attracted attention for his football and for being the cousin of Barcelona star Lionel Messi. However, his performance gradually declined and he lost his starting spot.
This season, with the arrival of Diego Tardelli, Maxi has been relegated to the bench. However, he doesn't see this as a negative situation.
"Players have arrived, and the fight is fierce. We have a very positive attack, and that's the best thing for Flamengo," he said, resigned.
Marcinho celebrates new opportunity on the Flamengo team
Attacking midfielder is the only player who participated in all 13 Fla games this year
LANCEPRESS!
Marcinho, the only player who participated in all 13 Flamengo games this year, celebrated being included in the squad for another match.
"The more I play and the more I gain Joel's trust, the better. Regardless of whether I start or not," the attacking midfielder stated.
Marcinho is making winning a starting spot dependent on the sequence of games, even if he comes on in the final minutes of the match.
"If I come on with five minutes left in the game, I can't get discouraged. Nothing can resist hard work. If I keep working, doors will open."
Calm atmosphere in Gávea despite the defeat
Saturday is marked by a relaxed game between red-blacks
LANCEPRESS!
The atmosphere at Flamengo's training session this Saturday in Gávea was nothing like that of a team that had been thrashed in its last match in the year's most important competition. For just over 35 minutes, the Flamengo players played a lively game and seemed to have already forgotten the 3-0 loss to Nacional in the Copa Libertadores.
The "pelada" (a kickabout) is already a tradition on the eve of games. This time, the winning team was the one with left-back Juan as goalkeeper. They defeated Obina and Souza's team 4-3.
Renato Augusto is already fine in the head\ A month and a half after surgery, the Flamengo midfielder is almost ready to play\
Renato Augusto continues the recovery process from the injury to his face and skull (Credit: Gilvan de Souza)
Rodrigo Benchimol RIO DE JANEIRO
Renato Augusto's recovery has been jaw-dropping, literally. Back in action after a head injury he suffered in the State Championship opener against Boavista, which is more serious than previously reported, the number 10 is counting down the days until he can play.
Before the exclusive interview with LANCE!, Renato underwent one of his regular facial physiotherapy sessions. He arrived smiling and said that at the beginning of the treatment he could only open his mouth 12 millimeters:
"Now it's 32 millimeters, when the normal is 40, 45. Physiotherapy with massages to loosen the facial muscles starts on the outside, along the scar, then with a finger inside the mouth. It hurts a lot," he said.
As visible as the scar next to his right eye is his dedication to recovering from surgery that required three titanium plates, fixed with 11 pins. All of this was to reconstruct fractures of his malar bones and zygomatic arch. His skull was also depressed, which could have been worse.
"I was careless, I could have protected myself. It was a very serious thing: it damaged my skull. But I'd rather forget about it. Better that than if it had happened to my knee," said the supporter, who played his second training match yesterday.
Little by little, your routine returns to normal. Sleeping and brushing your teeth on only one side of your face are a thing of the past.
– Since I couldn't open my mouth completely, I only brushed one side (the left). On the other, I applied mouthwash – he recalls.
But the confidence of being able to play a game is still not the same.
radio l! – I think I should be back playing in two weeks. Now it's just a matter of confidence. I'm afraid someone will come in with a bad attitude and throw an elbow. I don't think that will happen, but it worries me because my playing style is contact-based – he revealed. (Click and hear more)
The nickname Tein (Frankenstein) was forgotten by his teammates. But not the affection from them, his family, and many others. Because of this, and his good recovery, he's smiling again with his mouth almost completely open.