Hugo Perruso RIO DE JANEIRO
Lancets
A week after the State Championship final, Flamengo and Botafogo faced each other again, this time for the Rio Junior Cup. Flamengo once again proved to be a thorn in their side, winning 4-3. And the famous phrase "there are things that only happen to Botafogo" also applies to the Botafogo youth teams.
Conceding a goal less than a minute into the game, managing a 3-3 draw in the 37th minute of the second half with one player less, conceding a fourth goal in the 46th minute, and still having time to watch Flamengo's goalkeeper, Marcelo, make a save on the goal line in the last play of the game. That's what Botafogo fans, mostly family members of the players, witnessed in yesterday's match at Gávea.
But it wasn't just the problems Botafogo faced against Flamengo that were present in the match. The three consecutive runner-up finishes were also brought up. Although not directly involved, the Flamengo players didn't miss the chance to tease their Botafogo friends a little.
"It doesn't have much to do with the professionals. We tease a little, but we leave it more to the fans," said Guilherme Camacho, explaining that the rivalry between the two clubs is different at the youth level. "The rivalry we have is because we've played against each other since we were kids. But we have many friends there."
Botafogo's number 10, Willian, admits there is concern, but that on the field the players forget about it.
"It's a little annoying, but we let it go so it doesn't interfere with our performance," he said.
The Alvinegro coach, Luizinho Rangel, was also concerned about the possibility of the players feeling the provocation.
"Even unintentionally, deep down the players end up bringing what happened in the professional ranks onto the field. I try to talk to them to avoid a confrontation when they hear jokes from the other side. It happens," he explained.
How was the game?
Yesterday's match between Flamengo and Botafogo almost had a similar story to the professional final. Flamengo's junior team opened up a 2-0 lead in less than five minutes of play, with goals from Guilherme Camacho and João Vítor.
Botafogo attempted a comeback and reduced the deficit with a goal from Renan in the 14th minute. In the second half, Flamengo extended their lead with a goal from Diego Maurício in the ninth minute. It seemed like victory was secured, but Botafogo managed to equalize, just like in professional matches. Gerson, in the 11th minute, and Willians, in the 37th minute, made the game more exciting.
Even when they were playing better, despite being one player less, Botafogo's defense made a mistake after a corner kick, and Lucas scored the winning goal for Flamengo in the 46th minute.
"Rivalry exists, but it's healthy. The work here at the youth academy is different. The goal is to develop the players. But it's important that they quickly get used to beating not only Botafogo, but all opponents," said Rogério Lourenço, Flamengo's coach.
CREDITS:
FLAMENGO 4 X 3 BOTAFOGO
Location: Gávea, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Referee: Daniel Macedo (RJ) Goals: Guilherme Camacho, 1'/1st half (1-0); João Vítor, 5'/1st half (2-0); Renan, 14'/1st half (2-1); Diego Maurício, 9'/2nd half (3-1); Gerson, 11'/2nd half (3-2); Willian, 37'/2nd half (3-3); Lucas, 46'/2nd half (4-3).
FLAMENGO: Marcelo, Rafael Galhardo, Lucas, Christiano and Jorbison; Lenon, Peca (Paquetá, 37'2nd half), João Vítor (Renan, 23'2nd half) and Guilherme Camacho; Bruno Paulo and Diego Maurício. Coach: Rogério Lourenço.
BOTAFOGO: Jefferson, Leipe Reis, Lucien and Gerson; Geovane, Philippe (Welinton, 10'2nd half), Rodrigo Prata, Marquinhos (Miller, half-time) and Renan; Willian and Vinícius (Renan Leite, 27'2nd half). Coach: Luizinho Rangel.