"Playing with 12", Fla wins "final" against Guarani
Supported by the fans and with a lot of energy, the team beats Bugre 2-1 and breathes easy in the Brasileirão
By From the official website team - inFlamengo's great Bussunda used to say that Flamengo fans are stuck up, and rightly so. Chilean Maldonado, in a press conference before the match against Guarani, said that the Flamengo Nation does win games. And this Saturday's (November 20.11) 2-1 victory over Bugre at the Engenhão stadium is another one that could go to the twelfth man. Once again, Flamengo played with 12 men and won for 33 million.
Renato opened the scoring early, Baiano equalized soon after, but the fans didn't stop cheering. It worked. Diego Maurício scored the second in the first half, and Flamengo secured the victory. With the so-called "Flamengo face," as the red-and-blacks say. But what's more Flamengo-like than the tens of millions of fans spread around the world, represented by the nearly 35 paying fans at the Engenhão stadium?
They, who never stopped pushing the team for a minute, were fundamental and helped the team climb to 43 points in the table, leaving the relegation zone behind and establishing themselves in the fight for a place in the 2011 South American. For the rivals, the thought remains of what Claudio Lampert, a tricolor fan, said in a famous text written after Fla's historic comeback against Flu, 4-3, in the 2004 State Championship: "Playing with 12 players should be prohibited."
"Mengão fans get off the ground"
A large flag, confetti, and the promise that Flamengo could "count on them." That's how the Flamengo fans welcomed the team at the Engenhão stadium. With celebration, encouragement, and support. The message was immediately understood. Just three minutes in, a free kick was awarded just outside Guarani's penalty area. As if anticipating what was to come, the nation celebrated and called for Renato to take the penalty. He listened, firing a well-placed shot into the top corner, giving Emerson no chance: 1-0, sending the fans "off their feet."
The result lifted the spirits of the team and the fans, who "stood by their side." Even after the cold shoulder that came in the 12th minute, when Baiano equalized with a free kick. After all, "once a Flamengo, always a Flamengo." A slight sense of concern gripped the João Havelange Stadium, but no discouragement. Heads held high, the team pushed forward, and the same determination as when the game was 0-0. And with "grit, love, and passion," apprehension turned to euphoria once again.
The second goal for the red-and-blacks seemed only a matter of time. The team hammered Guarani in their own half. First with Kleberson, then Leo Moura, and finally Diego Maurício, who replaced the injured Deivid. And it was from the feet of the number 49 that the goal came. He burst into the box after a good play by Diogo and struck hard, bulging the net: 2-1. In celebration, they raised their hands to the sky, thanking God, and then to the nation, which never stopped believing in their football.
"Team of tradition, race, love and passion"
The second half started a bit slow, and so did the red-and-black fans. Seeking to give the team more movement, coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo replaced Kleberson in midfield to help launch counterattacks, as Guarani, needing a result, would have to open up a bit more. The game then picked up pace and excitement. And the number 12 returned to the game, supporting his "greatest passion."
And when Petkovic entered the field in place of Diogo, Engenhão came crashing down. A national idol, with his first touch of the ball, in the 28th minute, he drove through the Guarani defense and nearly scored a memorable goal, receiving a standing ovation from the fans. With each passing minute, the celebration grew louder. There were even chances to score a third, but it wasn't necessary. Controlling the game, the team remained unthreatened and controlled the result until the final whistle.
"A team with tradition," Flamengo "can never lose." This Saturday, they could do even less. And they knew it. That's why they fought back, were brave, fought, and won. They overcame their distrust, overcame their apprehension, and beat Guarani, their direct rival in the fight against the bottom of the table. After all, it's hard to lose when you play with 12 men.
FLAMENGO 1 X 2 GUARANI
\Location: Engenhão, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Date-Time: 20/11/2010 - 19:30 PM (Brasília time)
Referee: Wilton Pereira Sampaio (DF)
Auxiliaries: Cesar Augusto de Oliveira Vaz (DF) and João Antonio Paulo Neto (DF)
Income/audience: R$ 387.940,00/ 34.944 (paying)
Goals: Renato (2'/1st half), Diego Maurício (33'/1st half) and Baiano (12'/1st half)
Yellow cards: Léo Moura (41'/1st half), Willians (17'/2nd half), Juan (19'/2nd half), Diego Maurício (21'/2nd half) and Preto (22'/1st half)
\FLAMENGO: Marcelo Lomba, Léo Moura, Welinton, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Maldonado, Willians, Kleberson (Marquinhos 17'/2nd half) and Renato; Diogo (Petkovic 27'/2nd half) and Deivid (Diego Maurício - 21'/1st half). Technical: Vanderlei Luxembourg.
GUARANI: Emerson, Apodi, Aislan, Ailson and Márcio Careca; Maycon, Baiano, Preto (Paulinho) and Barboza (Mario Lucio - half-time); Mazola and Geovane. Technical: Wagner Mancini.
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