Campeonato Brasileiro preview round 19

Tardelli feels the pain. Flamengo down the drain?

 

We’ve reached the half-way point of the Campeonato Brasileiro and start this weekend’s coverage with another visit to the estádio Maracanã for Flamengo vs Atlético Paranaense.

Flamengo led the competition for ten rounds earlier this season. But the sale of Marcinho, Renato Augusto and Souza, combined with injuries to Kléberson, Ronaldo Angelim and now Diego Tardelli, has led to a downturn in fortunes.

Caio Júnior’s team have taken just 2 points from a possible 21 in recent matches and have gone from 1^st to 7^th. They are now 10 points behind pace setters Grêmio. Oddly enough, until the slump began this had been Fla’s best start since 2003.

During the week, Fla’s training session was interrupted by a group of irate fans, one of whom threw a firework (or ‘bomb’ according to the Brazilian press) onto the pitch.

Uruguayan forward, Richard Morales, was expected to join from Nacional but got cold feet after the incident. Fla are now being linked with CSKA’s Vagner Love (no chance), Wolfsburg’s Marcinho Paraiba (at 33 he’s too old) and Boca’s Leandro Gracián (maybe – but a deal would be complicated).

Atlético Paranaense are also a side that started well but then lost their way.

Last weekend, coach Roberto Fernandes was sacked and the club have yet to appoint a permanent replacement. Junior team coach, Tico, is filling in.

The Coritiba outfit have just one away win to their name and that came on the opening day against bottom side Ipatinga. Since then they’ve lost all 7 on the road.

The midweek victory over Náutico lifted Atlético out of the relegation zone but if they lose this one they might go straight back.

Ronaldo Angelim and Dininho should return from injury for Flamengo. But Fábio Luciano, Obina and Toró are suspended. New signing Vandinho has a thigh strain.  
Atlético’s caretaker coach, Tico, will be without the suspended Chico. Netinho, Valência, Joãozinho and Júlio César are injured.

Goal average: 2.42

Ones to watch: Fla’s Maxi Biancuchi (If he starts). Atlético’s, Alan Bahia.

Kickoff: Saturday 9^th August – 18:20 (Brasilia)  

¥ 

Our Sunday match throws together Rio’s Botafogo as they take on São Paulo’s Palmeiras and the estádio Engenhão.

After a shaky start to the campaign, Botafogo have improved with coach Ney Franco at the helm.

Botafogo are now a tough proposition at home and have won their last four in Rio.

Midweek they pulled off an impressive win away to Figueirense even though they were down to 10 men just 25 minutes into the game. Another victory on Sunday and Botafogo will be only three points behind Palmeiras. However, the Rio outfit have not beaten their opponents for six years (Torneio Rio-SP – 27/01/02) and you have to go back to November 2001 for the last time Botafogo beat Palmeiras in the league.

Vanderlei Luxemburgo’s boys could go second if they win and Cruzeiro fail to beat Portuguesa in São Paulo.

Palmeiras will have their work cut out as their form away from the Palestra Itália is still dodgy. The São Paulo side have only won twice (2-0 Vasco, 2-1 Ipatinga) on the road and have already lost 4 times.  

Palmeiras, though, are one of the league’s in-form sides having taken 13 from a possible 15 points in recent games and they should start as favourites on Sunday.  

Botafogo have Carlos Alberto missing through suspension. Wellington Paulista is doubtful. Gil is on standby-by.

Gladstone picked up a third yellow vs Vitória (which might be good news as he’s been iffy all season). Gustavo and David should be available after long-term injuries. Kléber is back from suspension. 

Goal average: 2.54

Ones to watch: Botafogo’s Túlio scored a cracker vs Figueirense midweek. Alex Mineiro and Valdívia for Palmeiras.

Kickoff: Sunday 10^th August – 16:00 (Brasilia)  

Elsewhere, the battle to finish the halfway point of the Brasileiro as leaders is between Grêmio and Cruzeiro. Frontrunners Grêmio are away at Atlético Mineiro. With signs of a recovery of confidence in Belo Horizonte, Atlético will be no walkover for Celso Roth’s men. Cruzeiro are also on the road as they travel to strugglers Portuguesa. Since the competition became points only in 2003, the team that finished the halfway stage as leaders has gone on to win the tournament. São Paulo will want to get back to winning ways against Goiás – Anderson may make his debut for the tricolor. Vitória are confident they can take maximum points against Vasco in Bahia. Vasco will have Tita in charge for the first time. Coritiba are at home to Sport. And Internacional are at home to Figueirense.

See the table and fixtures here

Advertisements