This Wednesday, Flamengo has another chapter in Ecuador, where they will face Emelec in the second round of the CONMEBOL Libertadores. Ecuador isn't a country Flamengo has visited much in its history.
Basically, they were games against Emelec and Barcelona, the two main teams in Guayaquil. Quito, the capital, has only seen Flamengo twice. But these weren't just games against domestic teams. We've faced (and beaten) Colombians and even Brazilians.
Check out the list below and learn a little more about our history in Ecuador.
1. On the line that divides the world
Since the first time, in 1952, there have been only 10 matches, with a great record of six wins, two draws, and two losses. And the "debut" game in the country wasn't exactly against a local team.
On June 29, 06, Flamengo faced Boca Juniors de Cali. Yes, from Cali, Colombia. If it weren't for the color, the crest, and the name, no one would suspect any resemblance to its Argentine cousin. In fact, the BJ de Cali was, indeed, created in honor of the Bombonera team. And on this day, Flamengo didn't even want to know.
Playing at altitude in Quito, Benitez (2), Huguinho, Nestor (2) and Esquerdinha gave the victory to the team led by Flávio Costa, 6 to 3. Welcome to Ecuador.
2. Goal against Barcelona
Three days later, Mengão went down the mountain to face Barcelona, the "Flamengo" of Ecuador, as its fans make up the overwhelming majority in the country. But Flamengo only has one.
Playing at George Capwell Stadium, the venue for today's match, Rio de Janeiro won 3-1, with goals from Huguinho Nestor and Dequinha. The tour in Ecuador concluded successfully.
3. Shall we invade your beach?
In 1966, Flamengo returned to Ecuador and Guayaquil for another friendly tournament. This time, they faced Barcelona, with whom they drew 1-1 but lost on penalties, and Corinthians.
Yes, the Brazilian derby decided the tournament, and Flamengo prevailed. At the National Stadium in Guayaquil, a 2-0 victory followed, with goals from Paulo Alves and Almir Pernambuquinho, and another successful local tour.
4. Electric cars
Emelec is Flamengo's most frequent opponent in Ecuador. Counting friendlies and official matches, they've faced Emelec five times. Three wins, one draw, and one loss at their stadium. At George Capwell, they've played just two matches, one win, and one draw.
In the last game, valid for the 2014 Libertadores, the red-black team won 2-1, with goals from Alessandro and Paulinho.
Two members of the current squad were in that match. Everton formed the front line with the goalscorers, while Jayme de Almeida (now an assistant) was the team's coach.
5. Cauldron?
The George Capwell is Emelec's home stadium, with a capacity of 40. It will most likely have something close to that tonight. It's a vertical stadium, with the fans very (very) close to the pitch. And Emelec has been very happy at home recently. They haven't lost since July 2017, when they lost 2-1 to San Lorenzo. Since then, they've played 16 games, won 15, and drawn one.
For Flamengo, it's a neutral stadium. They've won and lost there, both in the CONMEBOL Libertadores, with four goals for and four against. In other words, everything is equal.
6. The goal scorers
Flamengo's games in Ecuador were mostly played in the 1950s and 1960s. Therefore, the list of goalscorers features more names from these eras. And one of the most prominent among Flamengo's top scorers in the country is Paulo Alves, known as Paulo Choco. A two-time Rio de Janeiro champion with Mengão, in 1963 and 1965, Choco scored three times against Emelec and once against Corinthians.
7. Flamengo veteran
In 2014, in the 2-1 victory over Emelec, Everton was in the team, playing on the left wing, with Paulinho and Alecsandro up front. Today, the number 22 will be back on the stage of that match. Behind only Juan and Julio Cesar in appearances for Flamengo, Everton has 260 appearances, 11 of which have come in the Copa Libertadores.
8. Carpegiani in Barcelona
The current coach of the red-and-black squad, Paulo Cesar Carpegiani, previously worked in Ecuador, specifically at Emelec's biggest rival. For three months, Carpegiani was in charge of Barcelona, replacing Jorge Habbeger, an Argentine who didn't excel in politeness or dealing with players. However, due to boycotts from some players, especially another Argentine, Rubén Insúa, his time in Guayaquil was short-lived. Interestingly, upon leaving, the coach left the position to... Jorge Habbeger.
Basically, they were games against Emelec and Barcelona, the two main teams in Guayaquil. Quito, the capital, has only seen Flamengo twice. But these weren't just games against domestic teams. We've faced (and beaten) Colombians and even Brazilians.
Check out the list below and learn a little more about our history in Ecuador.
1. On the line that divides the world
Since the first time, in 1952, there have been only 10 matches, with a great record of six wins, two draws, and two losses. And the "debut" game in the country wasn't exactly against a local team.
On June 29, 06, Flamengo faced Boca Juniors de Cali. Yes, from Cali, Colombia. If it weren't for the color, the crest, and the name, no one would suspect any resemblance to its Argentine cousin. In fact, the BJ de Cali was, indeed, created in honor of the Bombonera team. And on this day, Flamengo didn't even want to know.
Playing at altitude in Quito, Benitez (2), Huguinho, Nestor (2) and Esquerdinha gave the victory to the team led by Flávio Costa, 6 to 3. Welcome to Ecuador.
2. Goal against Barcelona
Three days later, Mengão went down the mountain to face Barcelona, the "Flamengo" of Ecuador, as its fans make up the overwhelming majority in the country. But Flamengo only has one.
Playing at George Capwell Stadium, the venue for today's match, Rio de Janeiro won 3-1, with goals from Huguinho Nestor and Dequinha. The tour in Ecuador concluded successfully.
3. Shall we invade your beach?
In 1966, Flamengo returned to Ecuador and Guayaquil for another friendly tournament. This time, they faced Barcelona, with whom they drew 1-1 but lost on penalties, and Corinthians.
Yes, the Brazilian derby decided the tournament, and Flamengo prevailed. At the National Stadium in Guayaquil, a 2-0 victory followed, with goals from Paulo Alves and Almir Pernambuquinho, and another successful local tour.
4. Electric cars
Emelec is Flamengo's most frequent opponent in Ecuador. Counting friendlies and official matches, they've faced Emelec five times. Three wins, one draw, and one loss at their stadium. At George Capwell, they've played just two matches, one win, and one draw.
In the last game, valid for the 2014 Libertadores, the red-black team won 2-1, with goals from Alessandro and Paulinho.
Two members of the current squad were in that match. Everton formed the front line with the goalscorers, while Jayme de Almeida (now an assistant) was the team's coach.
5. Cauldron?
The George Capwell is Emelec's home stadium, with a capacity of 40. It will most likely have something close to that tonight. It's a vertical stadium, with the fans very (very) close to the pitch. And Emelec has been very happy at home recently. They haven't lost since July 2017, when they lost 2-1 to San Lorenzo. Since then, they've played 16 games, won 15, and drawn one.
For Flamengo, it's a neutral stadium. They've won and lost there, both in the CONMEBOL Libertadores, with four goals for and four against. In other words, everything is equal.
6. The goal scorers
Flamengo's games in Ecuador were mostly played in the 1950s and 1960s. Therefore, the list of goalscorers features more names from these eras. And one of the most prominent among Flamengo's top scorers in the country is Paulo Alves, known as Paulo Choco. A two-time Rio de Janeiro champion with Mengão, in 1963 and 1965, Choco scored three times against Emelec and once against Corinthians.
7. Flamengo veteran
In 2014, in the 2-1 victory over Emelec, Everton was in the team, playing on the left wing, with Paulinho and Alecsandro up front. Today, the number 22 will be back on the stage of that match. Behind only Juan and Julio Cesar in appearances for Flamengo, Everton has 260 appearances, 11 of which have come in the Copa Libertadores.
8. Carpegiani in Barcelona
The current coach of the red-and-black squad, Paulo Cesar Carpegiani, previously worked in Ecuador, specifically at Emelec's biggest rival. For three months, Carpegiani was in charge of Barcelona, replacing Jorge Habbeger, an Argentine who didn't excel in politeness or dealing with players. However, due to boycotts from some players, especially another Argentine, Rubén Insúa, his time in Guayaquil was short-lived. Interestingly, upon leaving, the coach left the position to... Jorge Habbeger.