Win to make history and return to the G4
Fla wants to break a 15-year taboo against Atlético-PR and return to the top of the table
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
It's been 15 years, or 36 games, of taboo. The last time Flamengo beat Atlético-PR at Arena da Baixada was in 1974, 2-1, with a goal from current executive director of football Zico. In other words, the team's mission at Gávea this Sunday (August 22.08nd) won't be easy. But for a squad whose core squad broke the historic taboo of never having beaten Santos at Vila Belmiro last year, the motivation is high to put an end to this negative statistic.
On July 26, 2009, Flamengo broke the mold and, against all odds, defeated Peixe, away from home, in a comeback, 2-1. A triumph marked by the tears of then-coach Andrade, who dedicated the victory to former goalkeeper Zé Carlos, who had just passed away and who motivated the red-and-black team to pursue its sixth championship title. Now, in 2010, there is nothing better than another historic result to ensure that Flamengo remains on track to defend its national title.
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"That game against Santos went down in history. Flamengo had never won there, and who knows, maybe we'll get another important result on Sunday. Taboos are made, but they can also be broken. We're going into this game to try to win not only to break the taboos, but also to continue in the Brazilian Championship. We're coming off a victory and a positive result is essential now," said captain Leonardo Moura.
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Defender Ronaldo Angelim believes that Flamengo has the conditions to return from Curitiba with the victory and remembers that in the campaign for the sixth title, the red-blacks managed a draw at Arena da Baixada, which according to him, is the most difficult stadium to play in the Brasileirão.
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"That game was important for us in the championship, for sure. Everyone came together really well there and Flamengo pulled away. Now it's another complicated game, Atlético, for me, is the hardest team to face away from home, but we have the ability to come back with a win, yes. Last year we even managed a draw, which isn't a bad result," he said.
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Taboos exist to be broken – Jean, who is expected to start alongside Ronaldo Angelim in defense, believes Flamengo can't be afraid of unfavorable numbers. For him, who will be playing his first game for the Red-Blacks against Atlético-PR, the team must defend strongly and take advantage of potential scoring opportunities to return from the South with the three points.
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"We can't think about that. Of course, there's a taboo, but one day it will be broken. The team is doing well, gaining chemistry, with a very solid defense, and we can manage to win points there. We know that Atlético is difficult to face, but we also have to play intelligently and get a positive result," said the defender, whose speech was endorsed by supporter Renato.
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"Taboos exist to be broken. With all due respect to Atlético, we have the team to win away from home. Of course it's not complicated, we have to respect the great team that Atlético is, but we trust in the squad to get a good result," he concluded.
With 20 points, Flamengo is in eighth place, but is only one point away from the top four. A combination of results could put Flamengo back in the qualifying zone for the 4 Copa Libertadores. Atlético-PR, with 2011, is in 14th place, the first team above the relegation zone, and is fighting to escape the bottom spots.
ATLÉTICO-PR X FLAMENGO\
On July 26, 2009, Flamengo broke the mold and, against all odds, defeated Peixe, away from home, in a comeback, 2-1. A triumph marked by the tears of then-coach Andrade, who dedicated the victory to former goalkeeper Zé Carlos, who had just passed away and who motivated the red-and-black team to pursue its sixth championship title. Now, in 2010, there is nothing better than another historic result to ensure that Flamengo remains on track to defend its national title.
\
"That game against Santos went down in history. Flamengo had never won there, and who knows, maybe we'll get another important result on Sunday. Taboos are made, but they can also be broken. We're going into this game to try to win not only to break the taboos, but also to continue in the Brazilian Championship. We're coming off a victory and a positive result is essential now," said captain Leonardo Moura.
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Defender Ronaldo Angelim believes that Flamengo has the conditions to return from Curitiba with the victory and remembers that in the campaign for the sixth title, the red-blacks managed a draw at Arena da Baixada, which according to him, is the most difficult stadium to play in the Brasileirão.
\
"That game was important for us in the championship, for sure. Everyone came together really well there and Flamengo pulled away. Now it's another complicated game, Atlético, for me, is the hardest team to face away from home, but we have the ability to come back with a win, yes. Last year we even managed a draw, which isn't a bad result," he said.
\
Taboos exist to be broken – Jean, who is expected to start alongside Ronaldo Angelim in defense, believes Flamengo can't be afraid of unfavorable numbers. For him, who will be playing his first game for the Red-Blacks against Atlético-PR, the team must defend strongly and take advantage of potential scoring opportunities to return from the South with the three points.
\
"We can't think about that. Of course, there's a taboo, but one day it will be broken. The team is doing well, gaining chemistry, with a very solid defense, and we can manage to win points there. We know that Atlético is difficult to face, but we also have to play intelligently and get a positive result," said the defender, whose speech was endorsed by supporter Renato.
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"Taboos exist to be broken. With all due respect to Atlético, we have the team to win away from home. Of course it's not complicated, we have to respect the great team that Atlético is, but we trust in the squad to get a good result," he concluded.
With 20 points, Flamengo is in eighth place, but is only one point away from the top four. A combination of results could put Flamengo back in the qualifying zone for the 4 Copa Libertadores. Atlético-PR, with 2011, is in 14th place, the first team above the relegation zone, and is fighting to escape the bottom spots.
ATLÉTICO-PR X FLAMENGO\
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Stadium: Baixada Arena, Curitiba (PR)
Date/Time: 22/8/2010 - 16:XNUMX PM (Brasília time)
Referee: Carlos Eugênio Simon/RS (FIFA)
Auxiliaries: Altemir Hausmann/RS (FIFA) and Paulo Ricardo Silva Conceição/RS (FIFA)
\ ATLÉTICO-PR: Neto, Wagner Diniz, Manoel (Eli Sabiá), \ Rhodolfo and Paulinho; Chico, Olberdam and Paulo Baier; Marcelo, Bruno \ Mineiro and Maikon Leite. Coach: Paulo César Carpegiani
\\ FLAMENGO: Marcelo Lomba, Leonardo Moura, Jean, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Correa, Willians, Petkovic and Renato; Leandro Amaral and Val Baiano.
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