"At home," Flamengo faces Ceará at Castelão.
With massive support from Flamengo fans in Ceará, the team from Gávea seeks victory in a "six-point game".
By From the official website team - inIn his book "The Red and the Black," Ruy Castro, in one of the many passages that move Flamengo fans, aptly states that "Flamengo was born in Rio de Janeiro, but its home is Brazil." He justifies this with scenes like the one last Tuesday (November 02.11nd), when around two thousand Flamengo fans packed the Pici stadium, on All Souls' Day, to watch the team's last training session before Wednesday's (November 03.11rd) game against Ceará at the Castelão stadium.
And it's yet another expression of affection from this fanbase, which is much more than just a fanbase, but a Nation, that the players hope to achieve a positive result. Playing with this 12th player, who promises to push Flamengo forward in yet another game that journalists and rivals consider to be "away from home," they believe that victory is indeed possible. After all, the Northeast is Flamengo, and the team from Gávea never plays "away from home."
"Flamengo never plays away from home. This is very important, very cool, and our way of giving back will be on the field, trying to get the result to give a gift to this wonderful fanbase," promised midfielder Correa, who, despite having only been at Gávea for a short time, already knows the greatness of Flamengo throughout the country.
A Flamengo fan since childhood and having worn the club's jersey as a professional for five years, Leo Moura has played in the Northeast more than once and appreciates the special affection he receives from the fans in the region.
"It's always great to play in the Northeast. Flamengo doesn't usually play there, and whenever we do, the stadium is packed, with the fans showing up in droves. They really look forward to this moment to see the team play, they give us a lot of affection, and that motivates us even more for the match," he stated.
It couldn't be more at home – One member of the Flamengo squad, in particular, however, will feel more at home than his teammates. That's defender Ronaldo Angelim, of course. The number 4 will return to his hometown and will have special support from family and friends at the match. Aware that Flamengo has the largest fan base in the state, he only regrets that the stadium isn't divided equally between the two fan groups.
"If we split the tickets 50/50, the Flamengo fans would even out. I'm sure the six thousand people who will be cheering for Flamengo will support us to get the victory. Ceará will lose money, because the crowd would be bigger," he added.
Flamengo and Ceará face off this Wednesday at 22 p.m. Ceará and Flamengo are very close in the standings, and this Wednesday's matchup is crucial for both teams. Flamengo has 43 points and is in 11th place. Flamengo has 39 and is in 13th place. Both teams are aiming to qualify for the Copa Sudamericana.
TECHNICAL SHEET
Ceará vs. Flamengo
Stadium: Castelão
Date/Time: 3/11/2010 - 21:50 PM (Brasília time)
Referee: Paulo César Oliveira
Assistants: Marcio Eustáquio/MG (FIFA) and Anderson José de Moraes/SP
CEARÁ: Michel Alves; Boiadeiro, Diego Sacoman, Fabrício and Eusébio; Michel, Heleno, João Marcos and Geraldo; Magno Alves and Washington. Coach: Dimas Filgueiras
FLAMENGO: Marcelo Lomba; Léo Moura, Welinton, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Willians, Correa, Renato and Diogo; Diego Maurício and Deivid. Coach: Vanderlei Luxemburgo
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