A young team is one of Luxembourg's trump cards.
Flamengo faces Santos this Sunday with a team that has an average age of 22.
By From the official website team - in
In modern football, it's important for a team to blend the experience of seasoned players with the potential of new talents. This is what coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo believes in, and it's based on this philosophy that Flamengo's team was selected for this final round of the Brazilian Championship. Already thinking ahead to 2011, the coach is giving younger players a chance in the starting lineup.
In goal, there's no difference. Marcelo Lomba and Paulo Victor are the same age, 23. The full-backs will be the same, Leo Moura and Juan. In central defense, however, the first change: Ronaldo Angelim, 35, gives way to David Braz, 23, who should play alongside Welinton, 21, or Jean, 31.
In midfield, 30-year-old Maldonado partners with 23-year-old Fernando, who replaces Willians, also 23, in the holding midfield position. Further forward, 27-year-old Fierro comes in for 31-year-old Kleberson. 32-year-old Renato remains a starter. The most significant changes are in attack: 23-year-old Diogo is suspended, and 31-year-old Deivid is injured, replaced by 18-year-old Negueba and 19-year-old Diego Maurício.
"We have to take what went wrong this year and use it as a learning experience, work hard in the preseason, try to do everything differently, and make Flamengo fight for titles again. We, the younger players, will try to use our youth to help," explains defender David Braz.
With these changes, Flamengo's average age for the match is 22 years, three and a half years less than the usual starting lineup for the Rubro-Negro. The team is expected to take the field with Paulo Victor, Leo Moura, Welinton (Jean), David and Juan; Maldonado, Fernando, Fierro and Renato; Negueba (Val Baiano) and Diego Maurício.
In goal, there's no difference. Marcelo Lomba and Paulo Victor are the same age, 23. The full-backs will be the same, Leo Moura and Juan. In central defense, however, the first change: Ronaldo Angelim, 35, gives way to David Braz, 23, who should play alongside Welinton, 21, or Jean, 31.
In midfield, 30-year-old Maldonado partners with 23-year-old Fernando, who replaces Willians, also 23, in the holding midfield position. Further forward, 27-year-old Fierro comes in for 31-year-old Kleberson. 32-year-old Renato remains a starter. The most significant changes are in attack: 23-year-old Diogo is suspended, and 31-year-old Deivid is injured, replaced by 18-year-old Negueba and 19-year-old Diego Maurício.
"We have to take what went wrong this year and use it as a learning experience, work hard in the preseason, try to do everything differently, and make Flamengo fight for titles again. We, the younger players, will try to use our youth to help," explains defender David Braz.
With these changes, Flamengo's average age for the match is 22 years, three and a half years less than the usual starting lineup for the Rubro-Negro. The team is expected to take the field with Paulo Victor, Leo Moura, Welinton (Jean), David and Juan; Maldonado, Fernando, Fierro and Renato; Negueba (Val Baiano) and Diego Maurício.
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