May the history of 2009 repeat itself...
This Thursday, Fla hosts Atlético-MG, an opponent against whom they achieved important victories in the campaign for the sixth time.
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Statistics, numbers, and coincidences are all part of the world of soccer. In the match between Flamengo and Atlético Mineiro this Thursday (August 26.08th) at 21 p.m. at Maracanã, these superstitions may resurface for fans who like to cling to their beliefs as extra motivation in the pursuit of results. Last year, the two teams faced each other in a match valid for the 15th round of the Brasileirão, and the Rubro-Negro came away with a 3-1 victory, with goals from Leo Moura, Kleberson, and Everton.
The coincidences don't stop there. At the time, Flamengo was also experiencing a period of skepticism among fans. Coach Cuca had just been fired on July 23, and a week later, there was Flamengo facing Galo, still in 10th place and with the same 20 points. With another win, the team gained momentum, reaching 23 and rising to seventh place, beginning its push toward the top four.
"Last year, Atlético was a key opponent in both games. The first was due to the lack of confidence we were experiencing, as we were trying to find our best form, and the second was due to the surge, as it was a head-to-head match. They were tough matches and we achieved important victories. I hope that happens again this year," said full-back Leonardo Moura.
The other matchup between Flamengo and Atlético Mineiro in the 2009 season also brings back fond memories for the red-and-blacks. The team from Gávea defeated their opponents by the same score of 3-1, in a packed Mineirão stadium, with goals from Petkovic, Adriano, and Maldonado. Pet remembers the match well and believes the team can achieve another positive result against the Minas Gerais team this Thursday.
"It was a very important game. In fact, we've always had crucial games in that run. Against São Paulo, Palmeiras, Atlético... And we managed to win them all. We got going with the fans pushing us forward, and Flamengo is like that: they're that team that comes into their own. When they get going, the atmosphere is good, and I hope we have that again in the second half of the season. We're very strong, and the tendency is to just win. We're growing in every aspect and we're going to aim for the top spots," he said.
Debut surrounded by expectations – One of Flamengo's goalscoring hopes for this Thursday's match is center forward Diogo. Revealed by Portuguesa and signed on loan from Olympiacos in Greece, the new number 43 is expected to make his first appearance for Flamengo this Thursday. Interestingly, the game will also be the striker's first at Maracanã.
"When I was going to play my first game at Maracanã, I think against Fluminense, I was traded, so I never played there. Playing with the fans is always better. The motivation is even greater with the fans supporting you," he added.
CREDITS:
FLAMENGO X ATLÉTICO-MG
Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Date/Time: 26/8/2010 - 21:XNUMX PM (Brasília time)
Referee: Salvio Spinola Fagundes/SP (FIFA)
Auxiliaries: Alessandro Alvaro Rocha de Mattos/BA (FIFA) and Carlos Berkenbrock/SC (FIFA)
FLAMENGO: Marcelo Lomba, Leonardo Moura, Jean, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Correa, Willians, Petkovic and Renato; and Diogo and Leandro Amaral (David). Technical: Rogerio Lourenço
ATLÉTICO: Fabio Costa, Réver, Lima and Werley; Rafael Cruz, Jataí, Serginho, Ricardinho and Eron; Diego Souza and Diego Tardelli.Technical: Vanderlei Luxemburgo
The coincidences don't stop there. At the time, Flamengo was also experiencing a period of skepticism among fans. Coach Cuca had just been fired on July 23, and a week later, there was Flamengo facing Galo, still in 10th place and with the same 20 points. With another win, the team gained momentum, reaching 23 and rising to seventh place, beginning its push toward the top four.
"Last year, Atlético was a key opponent in both games. The first was due to the lack of confidence we were experiencing, as we were trying to find our best form, and the second was due to the surge, as it was a head-to-head match. They were tough matches and we achieved important victories. I hope that happens again this year," said full-back Leonardo Moura.
The other matchup between Flamengo and Atlético Mineiro in the 2009 season also brings back fond memories for the red-and-blacks. The team from Gávea defeated their opponents by the same score of 3-1, in a packed Mineirão stadium, with goals from Petkovic, Adriano, and Maldonado. Pet remembers the match well and believes the team can achieve another positive result against the Minas Gerais team this Thursday.
"It was a very important game. In fact, we've always had crucial games in that run. Against São Paulo, Palmeiras, Atlético... And we managed to win them all. We got going with the fans pushing us forward, and Flamengo is like that: they're that team that comes into their own. When they get going, the atmosphere is good, and I hope we have that again in the second half of the season. We're very strong, and the tendency is to just win. We're growing in every aspect and we're going to aim for the top spots," he said.
Debut surrounded by expectations – One of Flamengo's goalscoring hopes for this Thursday's match is center forward Diogo. Revealed by Portuguesa and signed on loan from Olympiacos in Greece, the new number 43 is expected to make his first appearance for Flamengo this Thursday. Interestingly, the game will also be the striker's first at Maracanã.
"When I was going to play my first game at Maracanã, I think against Fluminense, I was traded, so I never played there. Playing with the fans is always better. The motivation is even greater with the fans supporting you," he added.
CREDITS:
FLAMENGO X ATLÉTICO-MG
Stadium: Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Date/Time: 26/8/2010 - 21:XNUMX PM (Brasília time)
Referee: Salvio Spinola Fagundes/SP (FIFA)
Auxiliaries: Alessandro Alvaro Rocha de Mattos/BA (FIFA) and Carlos Berkenbrock/SC (FIFA)
FLAMENGO: Marcelo Lomba, Leonardo Moura, Jean, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Correa, Willians, Petkovic and Renato; and Diogo and Leandro Amaral (David). Technical: Rogerio Lourenço
ATLÉTICO: Fabio Costa, Réver, Lima and Werley; Rafael Cruz, Jataí, Serginho, Ricardinho and Eron; Diego Souza and Diego Tardelli.Technical: Vanderlei Luxemburgo
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