For a worthy farewell to Maracanã
Fla plays with Vasco what should be the last derby at the stadium before renovations for the 2014 World Cup this Sunday
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Flamengo and Vasco will take the field this Sunday (August 01.08st) at 18:30 p.m. to fight for more than just three points in the Brazilian Championship standings. With the Maracanã stadium scheduled to close between August and September, this match could be marked as the last derby between the "Biggest in the World" before renovations for the 2014 World Cup. As if the usual reasons to fuel this dispute weren't enough, this new development promises to add a special touch to the million-dollar derby.
While the debut of many Vasco da Gama reinforcements was widely reported throughout the week, Flamengo's focus is on one thing: dedication to giving fans a grand farewell to their "home." If the team maintains its winning streak in matches against its Cruzmaltino rival, Flamengo fans will have a happy Sunday. In 244 matches at Maracanã, the "Most Beloved" has won 98 times and lost only 72.
"We know that Maracanã will close for the World Cup and it's important to come away from the last derby with a victory. It will be important for Flamengo to fight at the top of the table and for the fans to have a good memory of this closing match. And there's no better way to bid farewell to the derby at Maracanã than with a victory against Vasco. We want to definitely enter the top four and a victory would help us a lot," said goalkeeper Marcelo Lomba.
Accustomed to experiencing this classic, defender Ronaldo Angelim may also be saying goodbye to Flamengo and Vasco at Maracanã. At 34, he doesn't yet know if he'll play this game at the same venue again in his career, and that's why he's even more motivated.
"We know this could be the last derby at Maracanã and we're going to give it our all, because it's going to be hard to miss it later. It's a really good stadium, with a pitch that I really like and a good place for Flamengo to play. I hope we can say goodbye with a victory and please the fans, which is very important," he said.
Debut at the farewell - While he could be saying goodbye to Flamengo and Vasco at the Maracanã for the next two years, Val Baiano will be making his derby debut this Sunday. The striker will be making his first start for Flamengo and hopes to make a good impression on the Flamengo fans.
"This could be Flamengo's last derby at Maracanã, and regardless of whether I score, I'm hoping to help the team. But if an opportunity arises, I'll do my best to score and get off to a good start," he added.
With 16 points from 11 matches, Flamengo is in seventh place, level with Avaí and Cruzeiro, who occupy fifth and sixth place, respectively. Internacional, the last member of the top four, has 4. In other words, a combination of results could put Flamengo back in the Libertadores qualifying zone this Sunday. Vasco, meanwhile, has 19 points and is in fourteenth place.
Flamengo vs Vasco
Stadium: Maracanã
Date: 01 August 2010
Time: 18h30
Referee: Pericles Bassolz (RJ/FIFA)
Assisted by: Hilton Moutinho (RJ/FIFA) and Marco Aurelio Pessanha (RJ)
Flamengo: Marcelo Lomba, Leonardo Moura, Jean, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Correa, Willians, Kleberson and Petkovic; Cristian Borja and Val Baiano. Coach: Rogério Lourenço.
VascoCoach: PC Gusmão.
Check out the photo gallery on Flamengo's Official Website
While the debut of many Vasco da Gama reinforcements was widely reported throughout the week, Flamengo's focus is on one thing: dedication to giving fans a grand farewell to their "home." If the team maintains its winning streak in matches against its Cruzmaltino rival, Flamengo fans will have a happy Sunday. In 244 matches at Maracanã, the "Most Beloved" has won 98 times and lost only 72.
"We know that Maracanã will close for the World Cup and it's important to come away from the last derby with a victory. It will be important for Flamengo to fight at the top of the table and for the fans to have a good memory of this closing match. And there's no better way to bid farewell to the derby at Maracanã than with a victory against Vasco. We want to definitely enter the top four and a victory would help us a lot," said goalkeeper Marcelo Lomba.
Accustomed to experiencing this classic, defender Ronaldo Angelim may also be saying goodbye to Flamengo and Vasco at Maracanã. At 34, he doesn't yet know if he'll play this game at the same venue again in his career, and that's why he's even more motivated.
"We know this could be the last derby at Maracanã and we're going to give it our all, because it's going to be hard to miss it later. It's a really good stadium, with a pitch that I really like and a good place for Flamengo to play. I hope we can say goodbye with a victory and please the fans, which is very important," he said.
Debut at the farewell - While he could be saying goodbye to Flamengo and Vasco at the Maracanã for the next two years, Val Baiano will be making his derby debut this Sunday. The striker will be making his first start for Flamengo and hopes to make a good impression on the Flamengo fans.
"This could be Flamengo's last derby at Maracanã, and regardless of whether I score, I'm hoping to help the team. But if an opportunity arises, I'll do my best to score and get off to a good start," he added.
With 16 points from 11 matches, Flamengo is in seventh place, level with Avaí and Cruzeiro, who occupy fifth and sixth place, respectively. Internacional, the last member of the top four, has 4. In other words, a combination of results could put Flamengo back in the Libertadores qualifying zone this Sunday. Vasco, meanwhile, has 19 points and is in fourteenth place.
Flamengo vs Vasco
Stadium: Maracanã
Date: 01 August 2010
Time: 18h30
Referee: Pericles Bassolz (RJ/FIFA)
Assisted by: Hilton Moutinho (RJ/FIFA) and Marco Aurelio Pessanha (RJ)
Flamengo: Marcelo Lomba, Leonardo Moura, Jean, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Correa, Willians, Kleberson and Petkovic; Cristian Borja and Val Baiano. Coach: Rogério Lourenço.
VascoCoach: PC Gusmão.
Check out the photo gallery on Flamengo's Official Website
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Check out the audio gallery on Flamengo's Official Website
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