LANCE! selects eight reasons for Flamengo fans to believe in victory
Flamengo fans organize a red-and-black invasion at Morumbi
Dennis Nery RIO DE JANEIRO \ \
Hugo Perruso RIO DE JANEIRO \ \
Rodrigo Vessoni SAO PAULO
For Flamengo fans still unsure whether to go to Morumbi Stadium this Sunday to watch the decisive match between Flamengo and São Paulo, LANCE! has listed eight reasons to help you decide. The support of the fans, seeking a victory that will keep the dream of winning their sixth championship alive, is just one of them.
Even playing away from home, Flamengo has a good chance of winning. Two players on the squad, Fábio Luciano and Marcelinho Paraíba, have already enjoyed great joy at the stadium and could do so again. Furthermore, coach Caio Júnior's team has the second-best away record, trailing only leaders Grêmio.
Coach Caio Júnior gave another reason for the fans to turn out in force: to watch a good football game.
"It's an interesting game for the fans. It will be exciting. Anyone who has seen Flamengo's games has had no regrets. The team plays forward and creates scoring opportunities. The games are open," he said.
And for those who think that fans traveling to see games doesn't affect player performance, Caio Júnior reveals just how much of a difference it makes:
"The traveling fan sets a good example for the players. They sacrifice themselves, hitting the road to see Flamengo play. I've even mentioned this to them. At some point during the game, you end up remembering all this sacrifice and gaining strength."
And Caio is confident the red-and-blacks will be there. Of the 13.201 tickets sold, 5.292 went to the red-and-blacks. In this Brazilian Championship, fans have "invaded" their opponents' stadiums. The majority of fans were against Ipatinga and Portuguesa:
"I'm sure Flamengo's fans will be as large or close to São Paulo's. If they're given space, they'll come. Against Portuguesa, it was impressive."
Reasons for the red-black nation to go to Morumbi
1. Decisive game for Flamengo, who will need the support of the fans
2. Josiel's debut with the red and black shirt
3. Fábio Luciano usually fares well against São Paulo. His last title came against the opponent (2003 Paulista Championship with Corinthians).
4. Marcelinho Paraíba has already scored many goals at Morumbi Stadium. In his debut for Grêmio, he scored three at the stadium.
5. Flamengo has a good away record: winning four, drawing five, and losing three. It's the second-best away record.
6. Flamengo's comeback last year came after a victory over São Paulo (1-0 at Maracanã)
7. Players and coach trust in the presence of fans at Morumbi
8. Watch a Flamengo match
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Thirteen thousand tickets have already been sold for Sunday's classic in São Paulo
Flamengo fans promise an invasion of Morumbi Stadium on Sunday (Credit: Ricardo Cassiano)
LANCEPRESS!
The match between São Paulo and Flamengo, scheduled for Sunday at 16 p.m. at Morumbi Stadium, had 13.201 tickets sold as of Friday afternoon. Of the total, 5.292 were sold to the Flamengo fans, who promise to invade Morumbi Stadium on Sunday.
It's worth noting that Flamengo has an initial allotment of 10 tickets. This number shouldn't be a problem if all tickets are sold. São Paulo's board has already expressed its support for releasing more tickets to Flamengo fans if necessary.
LANCENET! will follow the odyssey of the fans who will leave the Marvelous City for São Paulo. Click here and check it out!