www.flamengorj.com.br - Vinicius Paiva

1st Timemania ranking

"The first partial list of bets made by each fan base for Timemania has been released. We maintain our dominance, but we can do even better!"

The first partial results of Timemania have been released, revealing which fans are betting the most on the game's ticket, as it requires choosing their "Favorite Team." The partial ranking, released on Thursday (the draw takes place today), is as follows:

1) Flamengo 11,6%\ 2) Corinthians 9,2%\ 3) Sao Paulo 7,2%\ 4) Palmeiras 5,8%\ 5) Santos 4,4%\ 5) Grêmio 4,4%\ 7) Internacional 3,8%\ 8) Vasco 3,7%\ 9) Cruzeiro 3,2%\ 10) Botafogo 2,9%\ 11) Fluminense 2,7%\ 12) Atlético MG 2,4%\

The results are interesting and corroborate many of the things I've already discussed here. This is an "informal fan survey," where fans can make their voices heard by simply going to a lottery outlet to place their bet. This eliminates that old refrain from survey opponents, who always say, "Do you know anyone who's ever responded to a fan survey? I've never been heard." Of course, if a fan of one team makes 10 bets and a fan of the other makes one, the sample becomes biased, but this tends to be diluted amid millions and millions of bets, leading to some degree of fidelity in the results. That said, I have a few considerations to make. To begin with, up to 5th place, all teams showed percentages below what the "formal" fan surveys show (Fla 17%, Cor 12%, SPFC 8%, etc.). The reverse occurred with the teams at the bottom. Botafogo and Fluminense vary between 1% and 2% of the Brazilian fan base, but they received almost 3% of the Timemania bets. Like everything we've seen lately, the São Paulo teams once again demonstrated their strength, finishing in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th place, with Santos standing out, as in "formal" polls they have a smaller fan base than Vasco and Grêmio, for example. Speaking of Vasco, once again it's a huge disappointment. For those with the 5th-largest fan base in Brazil, 8th place in the betting rankings is a fiasco that confirms the declining fan base. I thought Vasco fans would rally, as they were fans who consumed a lot of club-related content, but that wasn't the case. As a mitigating factor, millions of Vasco fans are certainly refusing to "help Vasco and put money in Eurico's pocket." Even so, when a fan base turns its back on the team, it's a sign that things are heading towards chaos... Ultimately, even though teams with greater purchasing power can place a greater number of bets, while more "loyal and consuming" fans can bet more than other, even larger, fan bases, Mengão can't be left with only 11% of the total bets. I urge all red-and-black fans, therefore, to bet heavily so we can get things back on track, not just for the sake of "fan rankings," but also to help our club shore up its finances. It's still possible today, as bets will be accepted until 19 p.m. The first draw will take place at 20:30 p.m., with live coverage on Band. I've already done my part!

Having the best squad in Brazil is what fuels our hopes that, this year, we will achieve something truly great. Game after game, it's the "supposedly reserves" who decide the game. But the funny thing is that today's reserves are yesterday's starters, and they become starters again tomorrow, to be replaced by the reserves, who will continue to decide the game... Don't you understand? Wasn't it against Volta Redonda, in the penultimate round of the Guanabara Cup, that Diego Tardelli made his debut (and scored a goal) for Flamengo? The previously starting player, Marcinho, was dropped to the bench, and this situation continued throughout the matches against Fluminense, Coronel Bolognesi, and Vasco. In the latter, having come on in the second half and ignited the game, Marcinho regained his starting position, sending Tardelli to the bench in the Guanabara Cup final against "Buááátafogo." Then Tardelli comes on with 5 minutes left in regulation, hits a well-placed shot, and sends Bebeto de Freitas and all the other "crybabies" jumping off the bridge... and with that, he reclaims his starting spot!!! In the next match, Wednesday, against Cienciano, Tardelli has a good performance, hits a backheel shot that hits the post, but it's Marcinho, also coming on at the last minute, who solves the problem! What now, Joel? I'd institute an official rotation: Tardelli plays in one match and Marcinho in the other! \ Highlight the winning play, with all THREE substitutes participating: Jônatas passes, Obina controls (it rhymes), and Marcinho shoots... and the lead in Group 4 of the Libertadores is ours! \ Also noteworthy is Souza's beautiful and "cried-for" goal, of course...\

A new team will be available starting this March for the Rio Cup. Gavilán's suspension ends, and the Paraguayan becomes a strong contender for the Flamengo midfield spot. At the same time, midfielders Rômulo (another one in contention for the first midfield position) and Renato Augusto are returning from injury—in less than two weeks' time. And in the dying moments, Vinicius Pacheco was recalled by Ipatinga and, despite likely not getting any opportunities, will be available to Joel. If "Daddy" has been saying he intends to use the second half of the state championship as a test, he'll have a lot of work ahead of him... By the way, where is the talented midfielder William Amendoim, who tore his knee ligaments last year...?

It's vanity, I know... but it's good to know that we have a president with the political influence to meet with the presidents of FIFA and UEFA, and even speak at the UN plenary in Switzerland...

My dears, I apologize for the absence of a column last week, when I was struck down by the flu. This was on February 22nd, my birthday! It happens... but we're here, firm, strong, and more fanatical every day!