Match review — Flamengo 2-0 Botafogo

As I said last Friday, this game against Botafogo should not frighten us, as both teams are living opposite moments with Flamengo in a 21 matches unbeaten run and Botafogo struggling against small sides in the Copa do Brasil. The final score? 2-0 Flamengo — both goals scored by Thiago Neves who’s living a great moment (probably his best since he joined Fla).

I must be honest though and say that Flamengo didn’t play very well (something that has been a constant for us) and as we all know, Botafogo have a terrible squad (they crossed 36 balls inside our box, and that doesn’t sound very Brazilian, does it?). Put both things together and what will you have? A poor game, mainly during the second half, when during the first 20 minutes there were only fouls and bad passes.

Having said that, it’s obvious that I don’t have much to say about this game. A few complaints though. First, Maldonado isn’t the same anymore and Fla must find someone to sub him. He’s been poor since the day he got injured playing for the Chilean national team. Another thing is the problem we have in our defense. Welinton can’t be our CB option and we still don’t have a LB. The last problem is Deivid. The man is not living his best moment and I really hope that Vagner Love comes back.

To finish this post, I must say that Flamengo is making me proud in the social field. If you don’t know, we lived a tragedy this week here in Brazil. The boy who found a police officer after being shout three times, and saved lives, is still in the hospital and said to his doctors that he is rubronegro. They called Patrícia Amorim and the president spent some time with the boy. Today, before the match, another survivor waited for the players to arrive at the Engenhão and they talked to him. Every support these kids have is very important right now, and seeing Flamengo doing that is great. The moment of silence before every game in Brazil this weekend was really moving and I hope other clubs give the same emotional assistance Flamengo have been giving them.

Category: 2011, Rio State Championship, carioca, taça rio