Focusing on two competitions, Flamengo debuts this Wednesday in the Rio Cup
The opening will be on Wednesday, against Madureira, at Nilton Santos
By Lucas Dantas - Flamengo Communications - inThe Guanabara Cup is over, now it's time for the second round. Flamengo begins the Rio Cup, the second round of the Campeonato Carioca, this Wednesday (21). Unlike other years, winning the first round doesn't guarantee a direct spot in the final. However, if they finish the next round with the sash on their chest, then Mengão will await their rival in the final.
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Fan club members get discounted admission and easy access, while also helping Flamengo become stronger. Click here to become a fan club member!
HISTORIC
Flamengo holds the record for most State Championship titles (34 times) and Guanabara Cup titles (21 times), but not for the Rio Cup. The Most Beloved holds eight titles (1978 [undefeated], 1983, 1985 [undefeated], 1986, 1991 [undefeated], 1996 [undefeated], 2000, 2009, 2011 [undefeated]). The leader is Vasco, with 10.
Held since 1982, the Rio Cup has always been a "recovery" competition for teams that failed to win the Guanabara Cup. On nine occasions, the same team lifted both Cups and became champions without the need for a final. Flamengo achieved this feat three times (1978, 1996, and 2011—the last two undefeated). Only in 1985/86 did they achieve their second title.
TABLE 2018
The 35th edition of the Taça Rio will debut on Wednesday against Madureira at 19:30 pm at Nilton Santos Stadium. In this stage, teams from Group B face those from Group C. The two best-qualified teams advance to the semifinals (a new B vs. C match), and the winners advance to the final.
Get your ticket for Flamengo x Madureira by clicking here!
In group B, Flamengo will face the following table:
February 21st - 02:19 pm - FLAMENGO x Madureira - Nilton Santos Stadium
24/02 - 17pm - Fluminense x FLAMENGO - Arena Pantanal
03/03 - 17pm - FLAMENGO x Botafogo - To be confirmed
07/03 - 21:45 pm - Boavista x FLAMENGO - Bacaxá
10/03 - 19:30 pm - Macaé x FLAMENGO - Moacyrzão
18/03 - 16pm - FLAMENGO x Portuguese - To be confirmed
CAST
With the 2018 Copa Libertadores da América approaching, coach Paulo César Carpegiani is expected to mix up the squad, resting some players and testing others in various positions, as he has already revealed in several interviews. One of Flamengo's highlights is expected to be Júlio Cesar's (re)debut in goal. The goalkeeper will end his career with the club and will likely play in the Taça Rio.
HISTORICAL GAMES
Many memorable matches have decided the Rio Cup. Duels between historic stars and their Rio rivals are etched in the memory of fans.
The 1986 final pitted two stars who would later shine in the 1994 World Cup and for Flamengo: Bebeto and Romário. Playing for Flamengo, Bebeto was still on the path to success and was already the main striker on Zagallo's team. And Bebeto didn't let up in the final.
Just 18 minutes in, Baianinho scored a stunning free kick, in true Baianinho fashion, opening the scoring. Romário, also as usual, equalized for Vasco, and Roberto Dinamite turned the game around. Flamengo, with the better campaign, was playing for a draw and went all out. However, with just nine minutes remaining, Bebeto had the chance to equalize with a penalty kick, and he made no mistake. With the nation on their side, Julio Cesar turned the game around three minutes later, and Flamengo celebrated the victory. At the end of the State Championship that year, the Flamengo-Vasco match was repeated, with two 0-0 draws in the first two games, forcing another match. In the final match, Flamengo won 2-0 (again, goals from Bebeto and Julio Cesar) and was crowned Rio de Janeiro champion.
Ten years later, Romário switched sides, and Flamengo faced Vasco again in the Taça Rio final. It wasn't actually a final, as the groups and points were played. Flamengo had the advantage of a draw to win the title. Flamengo reached the "final" with 26 points, compared to Vasco's 23, who, in addition to needing a win, had to make up a significant goal difference.
But it didn't work out. Aware of their advantage, Mengão controlled the match and didn't even need to score to complete the victory lap. The 0-0 draw secured not only the Taça Rio title but also the undefeated Carioca Championship that year. Romário didn't score, but he finished the competition as the top scorer with 26 goals.
The double was repeated in 2011, the year of the last Rio Cup title for Flamengo. After winning the Guanabara Cup against Boavista (just like in 2018), Flamengo faced Vasco in the second-round final. Once again, they were undefeated (as in 1996), and the match ended in another 0-0 draw. This time, the decision went to penalties. Vanderlei Luxemburgo's team had stars like Thiago Neves and Ronaldinho Gaúcho on the field, but they couldn't secure the victory in regulation time. No problem.
Alecssandro scored Vasco's first. Renato Abreu equalized. Bernardo sent a pass over the bar. Flamengo would have had the advantage, but Fierro missed, and the score was level. Fellipe Bastos also shot wide of the goal. Fernando made no mistake, putting Mengão ahead. Elton, another Vasco player, also hit wide. Then Thiago Neves stepped up and scored, giving Flamengo their 32nd state title and their eighth Rio Cup, cementing the Mengão's unstoppable legacy.
Get your ticket for Flamengo x Madureira by clicking here!
In group B, Flamengo will face the following table:
February 21st - 02:19 pm - FLAMENGO x Madureira - Nilton Santos Stadium
24/02 - 17pm - Fluminense x FLAMENGO - Arena Pantanal
03/03 - 17pm - FLAMENGO x Botafogo - To be confirmed
07/03 - 21:45 pm - Boavista x FLAMENGO - Bacaxá
10/03 - 19:30 pm - Macaé x FLAMENGO - Moacyrzão
18/03 - 16pm - FLAMENGO x Portuguese - To be confirmed
CAST
With the 2018 Copa Libertadores da América approaching, coach Paulo César Carpegiani is expected to mix up the squad, resting some players and testing others in various positions, as he has already revealed in several interviews. One of Flamengo's highlights is expected to be Júlio Cesar's (re)debut in goal. The goalkeeper will end his career with the club and will likely play in the Taça Rio.
HISTORICAL GAMES
Many memorable matches have decided the Rio Cup. Duels between historic stars and their Rio rivals are etched in the memory of fans.
The 1986 final pitted two stars who would later shine in the 1994 World Cup and for Flamengo: Bebeto and Romário. Playing for Flamengo, Bebeto was still on the path to success and was already the main striker on Zagallo's team. And Bebeto didn't let up in the final.
Just 18 minutes in, Baianinho scored a stunning free kick, in true Baianinho fashion, opening the scoring. Romário, also as usual, equalized for Vasco, and Roberto Dinamite turned the game around. Flamengo, with the better campaign, was playing for a draw and went all out. However, with just nine minutes remaining, Bebeto had the chance to equalize with a penalty kick, and he made no mistake. With the nation on their side, Julio Cesar turned the game around three minutes later, and Flamengo celebrated the victory. At the end of the State Championship that year, the Flamengo-Vasco match was repeated, with two 0-0 draws in the first two games, forcing another match. In the final match, Flamengo won 2-0 (again, goals from Bebeto and Julio Cesar) and was crowned Rio de Janeiro champion.
Ten years later, Romário switched sides, and Flamengo faced Vasco again in the Taça Rio final. It wasn't actually a final, as the groups and points were played. Flamengo had the advantage of a draw to win the title. Flamengo reached the "final" with 26 points, compared to Vasco's 23, who, in addition to needing a win, had to make up a significant goal difference.
But it didn't work out. Aware of their advantage, Mengão controlled the match and didn't even need to score to complete the victory lap. The 0-0 draw secured not only the Taça Rio title but also the undefeated Carioca Championship that year. Romário didn't score, but he finished the competition as the top scorer with 26 goals.
The double was repeated in 2011, the year of the last Rio Cup title for Flamengo. After winning the Guanabara Cup against Boavista (just like in 2018), Flamengo faced Vasco in the second-round final. Once again, they were undefeated (as in 1996), and the match ended in another 0-0 draw. This time, the decision went to penalties. Vanderlei Luxemburgo's team had stars like Thiago Neves and Ronaldinho Gaúcho on the field, but they couldn't secure the victory in regulation time. No problem.
Alecssandro scored Vasco's first. Renato Abreu equalized. Bernardo sent a pass over the bar. Flamengo would have had the advantage, but Fierro missed, and the score was level. Fellipe Bastos also shot wide of the goal. Fernando made no mistake, putting Mengão ahead. Elton, another Vasco player, also hit wide. Then Thiago Neves stepped up and scored, giving Flamengo their 32nd state title and their eighth Rio Cup, cementing the Mengão's unstoppable legacy.