The present must be for the Nation

Adriano's birthday is coming and fans are hoping for goals to celebrate at Maracanã

By Press Office and Official Website Team - in 17/02/2010 às 09:00

The Flamengo Emperor turns 28 this Wednesday. Two and a half decades of ups and downs in a career marked by some controversy, but also by many titles, goals, and above all, love for Clube de Regatas do Flamengo. A product of the Vila Cruzeiro pitches and the Flamengo youth academy, Adriano Leite Ribeiro is now enjoying a honeymoon with the fans and the club, and on his birthday, he has the chance to give the Flamengo Nation a gift: helping the team reach another Taça Guanabara final.

Later today, at 21:50 p.m., Imperador and Flamengo face Botafogo in a semifinal match of the first round of the 2010 Campeonato Carioca. Alongside Vagner Love, the number 10 is the main offensive weapon for coach Andrade's team, aiming to once again overcome their black and white rivals, as they did in the last three state championships and two first-round matches against the team from General Severiano. For the red and black coach, Adriano could be crucial in the match later today.

"There's no better gift than a derby victory. He wants that too, he's motivated, and he wants to decide this game in our favor so we can face Vasco in the final," said the coach.

In the last meeting between the two teams, the Emperor did his part. He was decisive in the Brazilian Championship clash: he scored the winning goal in the red-and-black team's 1-0 victory over Botafogo. This time, midfielder Kleberson hopes Adriano can repeat his success. The five-time world champion hopes to receive a great gift from Adriano: a spot in the final. After all, the Emperor already has five goals and three assists in just four matches this year.

"It's his birthday, but he has to give Flamengo a gift with his goals. He's a great player, a star, used to winning and essential to our group," he said.

In addition to Adriano, Andrade will have midfielder Petkovic, who served a suspension in recent days training separately from the group at Gávea, and defensive midfielder Willians, recovered from a right ankle injury he sustained in the first game of the year. For the first time this season, he will have a full-strength squad under his command in red and black. Therefore, Flamengo will face Botafogo with Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Álvaro, Ronaldo Angelim, and Juan; Willians, Toró, Kleberson, and Vinícius Pacheco (Petkovic); Vagner Love and Adriano.

CREDITS:
FLAMENGO X BOTAFOGO

Location: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Date/Time: 17/02/10 - 21:50 p.m.
Referee: Luis Antonio Silva dos Santos (RJ)
Assistants: Ediney Guerreiro Mascarenhas (RJ) and Marco Aurelio dos Santos Pessanha (RJ)

FLAMENGO: Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Álvaro, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Willians, Toró, Kleberson and Vinícius Pacheco (Petkovic); Adriano and Vagner Love. Coach: Andrade.

BOTAFOGO: Jefferson, Alessandro, Fabio Ferreira, Antonio Carlos and Marcelo Cordeiro; Leandro Guerreiro, Fahel, Somalia and Lucio Flavio; Herrera and Abreu. Coach: Joel Santana