The goal is to have the best defense in the championship again

Rubro-Negros remain unbeaten in a game and highlight the importance of defensive solidity.

By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in 08/10/2010 às 12:05

Volta Redonda (RJ) - Just over a month ago, Flamengo didn't know what it was like to keep a clean sheet in a Brazilian Championship match. With the best defense in the first half of the season, Flamengo began conceding goals in almost every round of the second half of the season. But last Thursday (October 07.10th), against Atlético-GO, Marcelo Lomba and company managed to remain undefeated.

The goalkeeper celebrated this feat. Happy to have kept a clean sheet, he believes that conceding a low number of goals per game is crucial for the team to reach the qualifying zone for the 2011 Copa Sudamericana, which is the team's ultimate goal.

"That's our goal: to get back to conceding fewer goals. We know we can get back to that level. We were the best defense in the first half of the season and now we have to get back to work to repeat that," said goalkeeper Marcelo Lomba.

Since the 0-0 draw with Santos in the 19th round, played on September 5th, the red-and-black defense has not kept a clean sheet. Since then, they have played ten matches (two wins, two losses, and six draws) and conceded 14 goals. For Lomba, the credit for repeating this feat belongs to the entire team.

"I was very happy with the result. Of course, the main job of keeping goals is the goalkeeper's, but the entire group deserves congratulations. The entire defense, the defenders, the full-backs, and even the midfielders and attackers, because everyone gave their all to help, and that's how we'll achieve good things in the championship," he added.

Check out the list of games in this last red-black month:
Flamengo 0 x 0 Santos
Sao Paulo 2 x 0 Flamengo
Flamengo 2 x 2 Vitoria
Prudente 1 x 2 Flamengo
Flamengo 3 x 3 Fluminense
Gremio 2 x 2 Flamengo
Flamengo 1 x 3 Palmeiras
Goias 1 x 1 Flamengo
Flamengo 1 x 1 Botafogo
Flamengo 2 x 0 Atlético-GO