GLOBOESPORTE.COM

Galinho says that the coach, Ibson and Fábio Luciano are responsible for Fla's good phase

GLOBOESPORTE.COM

From Turkey, Zico celebrates Flamengo's good run in the Brasileirão. Flamengo's run in the Brasileirão is having repercussions in Turkey. Direct from the Eurasian country, where he manages Fenerbahçe, Zico declares in the weekly column on his official website that he has been following the Rubro-Negro's participation in the national championship and is excited about the possibility of qualifying for the Copa Libertadores, although he assures that "a team with the weight and tradition of the Rubro-Negro should always be fighting for the title."

In the text, Galinho claims to have watched several Mengão games this season, especially the last five (wins over São Paulo, Paraná, Vasco, and Grêmio, and a loss in the Fla-Flu match), and gives high praise to coach Joel Santana. Ibson and Fábio Luciano are also credited with being responsible for the team's good form.

Zico acknowledges that the red-and-black team is far from enchanting, but they play with passion and commitment throughout the ninety minutes, a credit, he says, to Joel. The eternal number ten at Gávea says the coach's charisma and good humor make the team run for him, and he makes a point of emphasizing that Natalino "does know football. A lot."

The greatest idol in Flamengo's history fully embraces the fan side when he states that, if Obina hadn't gotten injured and Souza had repeated the performances from his time at Goiás, the team would be fighting for the title, and ends the text hoping for a glorious 2008.

Joel's Flamengo

And isn't it true that after hovering at the bottom of the standings, Flamengo is now fighting for a spot in the Libertadores? Not that that's what I and every fan should expect; after all, a team with the clout and tradition of Flamengo should always be fighting for the title. But, given all the circumstances, it's already a huge victory. And in my opinion, the main reason for this turnaround is Joel Santana. That's the topic of this week's Conexão.

I had the opportunity to watch several Flamengo games in Turkey, especially the last five, and I saw how much the team has improved in the Brazilian Championship. A milestone was the arrival of Joel Santana, along with reinforcements from Ibson, who is much more mature after his time in Portugal and has been very important in some games, and Fábio Luciano, who has given the defense greater stability and possesses leadership that greatly helps the group.

Flamengo is far from enchanting, but even the fans recognize the team's performance in games like this last one against Grêmio, where the players showed a lot of grit. And that's just like Joel. I can speak highly of him because I've known him for a long time. When he wasn't active, he always participated in the traditional pick-up game played on Wednesday nights at the Football Center. Furthermore, during his time in Japanese football, we often talked on the phone, exchanging football ideas.

Joel is a guy who can make the team play for him. With good humor and charisma, he gets the players to believe in him and brings out the best in each of them. That would be an incredible achievement in itself. But I think it's unfair to say that's his only secret. Joel does know football. A lot. He knows how to watch the game, manage the team, and has become an expert at putting out fires. His extensive experience and a resume full of titles with teams without stars have always earned him the reputation of a folkloric, lucky coach...

I'm leaving my testimony here to do justice to Joel's excellent work. But the championship still has six rounds to go, and now that the team is closer to a Libertadores spot, it must redouble its fight. I wonder if the team had a more effective striker in this championship... if Obina hadn't gotten injured, if Souza played like he did in his Goiás days. With a team whose full-backs are standouts in attack, Flamengo is in contention for the Libertadores. With effective strikers, they'd be battling São Paulo for the title.

But there's no point complaining now. It's time to fight, and I'm rooting for Joel to stay next year and have the backing of the board with reinforcements worthy of Flamengo. Every great team has a backbone. Today's Flamengo has a good goalkeeper, a great defender, and a great midfielder, but they lack decisive players and those who command more respect up front. Examples from previous years should be taken into account when planning for the future. It's time for Flamengo to learn that it has to compete in the Brazilian Championship to win the title, especially with the fans it has. Will we see that in 2008?

See you next week!\ Zico\