Titles won by sheer force. It may seem cliché, but Flamengo's year is closely tied to the adjective its fans love most. Whether in the Campeonato Carioca or the Campeonato Brasileiro, the red-and-black team knew how to prevail over its opponents in decisive moments, emerging from 2009 as the country's most successful team.

There was a moment in the Campeonato Carioca when the Red-Blacks were considered out of the running. In the end, they won their third championship and achieved dominance (31 titles to Flu's 30) for the first time in their history. The same storyline practically repeated itself in the Brasileirão. After changing the football department and the coach—Cuca left and Andrade joined—midway through the competition, the Red-Blacks overcame the obstacles and also took the trophy.

Willians: the biggest ball thief in the Brazilian league

Some say that Petkovic, at 37, was Flamengo's breakthrough player in 2009. But, jokes and the foreigner's effectiveness aside, Willians takes the prize with flying colors. Signed from Santo André, he earned the midfield position in the preseason and stuck with it. Despite his swagger off the field, the player shone in the tackles and was the Brasileirão's top ball stealer. He has been approached by European clubs, but for now, he's staying with the Red-Blacks in 2010.

Adriano celebrates the title at Maracanã: highlight

Adriano met with the press in April to announce that, due to a lack of motivation, he would temporarily stop playing soccer. But Flamengo welcomed him and, as he himself says, became his psychologist. Less than a month and a half later, he made his triumphant debut against Atlético-PR.

The chants of "The Emperor has returned" multiplied, gained strength, and received a response. Despite perks, missed training sessions, and other minor setbacks, the striker was decisive. His 19 goals secured him the top scorer spot alongside Atlético-MG's Diego Tardelli and the Brazilian Championship title for his beloved club. The tears of a victor—in life and on the field—on the Maracanã pitch after the victory over Grêmio summed up a year of hardship and brilliance for the Gávea number 10.

In the season in which they won two titles, Flamengo played 66 matches. They won 34, drew 20, and lost 12. They scored 108 goals and conceded 69. Adriano finished the year as the team's top scorer with 19 goals.

In such a positive year, tragedies are almost forgotten. But Carnival Saturday 2009 held a bitter parade at Maracanã. Little Resende strolled, defeated Flamengo 3-1 in the Guanabara Cup semifinal, and triggered the first major crisis of the year.

On August 23, a 3-0 loss to Avaí in Florianópolis seemed to decide their goal in the Brazilian Championship: avoiding relegation. But Andrade and the players responded. The team benefited from the return of key starters and the signings of Maldonado and Álvaro to climb from 14th place and, one by one, overtake their rivals to claim the national title.

\

Andrade was still interim coach when he moved Brazil in July with tears after the 2-1 victory over Santos. More than just the end of a historic drought—Flamengo had never won at Vila Belmiro—the manager's tears had another reason: two days earlier, his friend and former goalkeeper Zé Carlos died of cancer.

\

Andrade, Flamengo coach:

"This title felt special. Many people didn't believe me, they said I was incapable, and I proved them wrong. Of course, Adriano and Petkovic were important, but it was the group that won this championship. I can only thank them for standing by my side and leading Flamengo to this achievement. But now it's time to think ahead. The Libertadores is coming. It's a new challenge, and we can't get complacent."

\

Flamengo was still outside the top four when it went to Palestra Itália to face leaders Palmeiras. And it was on that sunny Sunday that the team, as Andrade himself revealed, felt it could compete for the trophy. Petkovic put on a show, scoring both beautiful goals in the 4-2 victory.

\

Inter was Brazil's sensational team in the first half of the year. However, it was Flamengo who played better in both Copa do Brasil quarterfinal matches. That's why Andrezinho's late goal stung so much. But, as the optimists say, "there was something better in store." And on December 6th, Flamengo proved the point with the Brazilian title. The runner-up? Colorado, of course.

\

Patrícia Amorim was sworn in on the 22nd and promised: 'Flamengo will be bigger than it is today'

\

The main bet for next year will be president Patrícia Amorim. The first woman to hold the position, the former swimmer takes over a championship team, but one with serious financial problems. In her inauguration speech, she promised to make "Flamengo even greater than it is."

On the field, unlike usual, the club shouldn't rely on the maxim "Flamengo makes stars at home" in 2010. The youth academy is undergoing restructuring, with investment expected in the training center. Players recently promoted from the youth academy will initially be loaned out to gain experience, such as Erick Flores.

\

Ibson and Emerson... Both left and were missed. However, both may return. Fábio Luciano—or rather, the Captain—will only be seen again in the red-and-black jersey in video clips. The defender announced his retirement in the final stretch of the Campeonato Carioca. It was the fuel a group dejected by its poor relationship with Cuca needed to bounce back and win its third Rio championship. And so Fábio said goodbye as he would have liked: lifting the trophy at the club he grew to love.