Flamengo will face a tough challenge in Caracas
Venezuelan team unbeaten at home in 12 Libertadores games
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
It's becoming commonplace for the phrase "There are no more fools in football" to be used in commentary and even interviews. However, the cliché is once again applicable in the match between Flamengo and Caracas, which will be held this Wednesday (March 10.03th) at 22 pm (Brasília time) in Caracas, Venezuela. If previously Venezuelan clubs only entered the Copa Santander Libertadores to make up the numbers, now they are fighting for significant results.
Leader of Venezuela's Clausura Tournament, Caracas is unbeaten in seven games (four wins and three draws). Last Saturday, the Venezuelan team beat Aragua 1-0 away from home and remained atop the standings. However, they face challenges facing the six-time Brazilian champions. The team will be without midfielder Luis Vera, the team captain, and defender José Manuel Rey, both injured. Argentine midfielder Darío Figueroa is also doubtful.
According to reporter José Manuel Valladares, from Diário Líder en Deportes, Caracas will not be easy prey for Flamengo, even if the Brazilian champion has a stronger team.
"Caracas has gone 12 home matches unbeaten in the Copa Libertadores. Nine of those matches were played at the Olympic Stadium, where Wednesday's match will be played. The team, led by coach Noel Sanvicente, has a good goalkeeper, Renny Vega, from the Venezuelan national team, two good defenders, Alejandro and Gabriel Cichero, and a very experienced striker, Rafael Castellín. It will be a good game and it won't be easy for Flamengo to win, even though they are one of the best teams in the competition," said the Venezuelan journalist.
In the last Libertadores Cup (2009), Caracas reached the quarterfinals, where they lost to Grêmio. However, the Venezuelan team remained unbeaten against the Brazilians. They drew twice (1-1 and 0-0), and qualified for the competition using the away goals tiebreaker.
Playing at home, Caracas won all four games and drew one in the 2009 Libertadores. The Venezuelans faced Chivas (Mexico), Lanús (Argentina) and Everton (Chile), in the first phase, Deportivo Cuenca (Ecuador), in the round of XNUMX, as well as Grêmio, in the quarter-finals.
Retrospect against Venezuelans
Flamengo has faced Venezuelan opponents on four occasions in the Copa Libertadores and maintained a 100% record. The last time Flamengo faced a Venezuelan club was in 2007, when they beat Unión Maracaibo 2-1 and 3-1. Previously, in 1993, they beat Minerven 8-2 and 1-0. In 1991, they beat Deportivo Tachira 3-2 and 5-0, and in 1984, they defeated Ula 3-0 and 2-1.
Leader of Venezuela's Clausura Tournament, Caracas is unbeaten in seven games (four wins and three draws). Last Saturday, the Venezuelan team beat Aragua 1-0 away from home and remained atop the standings. However, they face challenges facing the six-time Brazilian champions. The team will be without midfielder Luis Vera, the team captain, and defender José Manuel Rey, both injured. Argentine midfielder Darío Figueroa is also doubtful.
According to reporter José Manuel Valladares, from Diário Líder en Deportes, Caracas will not be easy prey for Flamengo, even if the Brazilian champion has a stronger team.
"Caracas has gone 12 home matches unbeaten in the Copa Libertadores. Nine of those matches were played at the Olympic Stadium, where Wednesday's match will be played. The team, led by coach Noel Sanvicente, has a good goalkeeper, Renny Vega, from the Venezuelan national team, two good defenders, Alejandro and Gabriel Cichero, and a very experienced striker, Rafael Castellín. It will be a good game and it won't be easy for Flamengo to win, even though they are one of the best teams in the competition," said the Venezuelan journalist.
In the last Libertadores Cup (2009), Caracas reached the quarterfinals, where they lost to Grêmio. However, the Venezuelan team remained unbeaten against the Brazilians. They drew twice (1-1 and 0-0), and qualified for the competition using the away goals tiebreaker.
Playing at home, Caracas won all four games and drew one in the 2009 Libertadores. The Venezuelans faced Chivas (Mexico), Lanús (Argentina) and Everton (Chile), in the first phase, Deportivo Cuenca (Ecuador), in the round of XNUMX, as well as Grêmio, in the quarter-finals.
Retrospect against Venezuelans
Flamengo has faced Venezuelan opponents on four occasions in the Copa Libertadores and maintained a 100% record. The last time Flamengo faced a Venezuelan club was in 2007, when they beat Unión Maracaibo 2-1 and 3-1. Previously, in 1993, they beat Minerven 8-2 and 1-0. In 1991, they beat Deportivo Tachira 3-2 and 5-0, and in 1984, they defeated Ula 3-0 and 2-1.