Brasileirão In Focus: Fluminense

The reigning champions of the Campeonato Brasileiro and another of the grandes do Rio de Janeiro. Fluminense were worthy winners last year but as happens so often in Brazil, it will be very tough for them to repeat that feat this year. This is partly down to losing manager Muricy Ramalho, after poor performances in the Copa Libertadores and Campeonato Carioca led him to resign from his post. Muricy was instrumental in transforming the team into the Brasileirão winning side they were last year, and without his winning experience, they seem at a disadvantage.

Since last season, striker Emerson (nicknamed “the sheik”) left the club and has now joined Corinthians and veteran striker Washington “Coração Valente” (braveheart) hung up his boots leaving Flu a little short up front. Rafael “He-Man” Moura was signed to fill the gap, along with defensive midfielder Edinho and midfielder Souza.

Their key player comes in the shape of the club captain, striker Fred. Recently re-called to the Brazilian national team, Fred has been in fantastic form since the start of the 2010 season, scoring plenty of goals and contributing so much to the team in attack. When he is not playing, you can really see the difference amongst the Fluminense players.

Flu also have Argentine playmaker Dário Conca, the undisputed best player of the 2010 Brasileirão. A superb player, an absolute joy to watch. Superb touch, fantastic vision and bags and bags of technique. Another endearing quality to his game is that despite his slight figure, he is both strong and tenacious, you will rarely see him giving up on a loose ball. The only worry for Flu fans is that he has not quite recaptured his form of last year, but once we get in to the regular season he should be able to kick in to that rhythm.

Expected formation:

Brasileirão In Focus: Flamengo

The biggest and most supported team in Brasil. This year they were far and away best team in the Campeonato Carioca, winning both the Taça Guanabara and the Taça Rio. They recently crashed out of the Copa do Brasil after a thrilling two legs against Ceará, to the disappointment of the Mengão faithful.

They had a difficult season last year, only just avoiding relegation, but considerable squad changes during the transfer window have reinstated them as one of the favourites for the league title. There have been a few departures, unsuccessful loan signings Diogo and Michael have returned to Europe, left back Juan has gone to São Paulo, and Kleberson has been sent out on loan to Atletico PR.

The arrivals have been the more important part, Ronaldinho Gaúcho ended huge speculation about his future when he finally signed for the rubro-negro in January, and the other big arrival came in the shape of attacking midfielder and former Fluminense ídolo Thiago Neves, who signed from Al-Hilal. Besides the two big names, there have been some other very useful additions, left back Egídio returned from his loan at Vitória, goalkeeper Felipe signed from Sporting Braga in Portugal, and Argentine Dario Bottinelli arrived from Universidad Católica to provide an extra option in attack.

Flamengo's signing of Ronaldinho Gaúcho will have all eyes on the rubro-negro. Photo: AP/Felipe Dana

The squad looks strong, in defence Leo Moura is still one of the best right backs in the country, and the returning Egídio has made the left back role his own, linking up superbly with Ronaldinho Gaúcho when he goes forward. Willians is a natural Brazilian volante (defensive midfielder), great engine, great stamina and a good ball winner. Alongside him, Renato Abreu has been converted into a defensive midfielder from his favoured central attacking position. He is a hard worker who is known for his ridiculously powerful shot. In attack, if Flamengo can keep Ronaldinho and Thiago Neves fit and scoring goals, they could be very successful this year.

The opposing argument is that this team is one with too many big names, and not enough of a team spirit. If they hit a slow patch, coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo could be shown the door and a promising team could turn into a disaster.

Expected formation:

Brasileirão In Focus: Botafogo

Now we go on to the first out of the four grandes do Rio de Janeiro, Botafogo. A very traditional club with a lot of history, twice national champions, and was the home to such greats as Garrincha and Jairzinho. In recent years, the team has been performing fairly well but without reaching any grand heights. Joel Santana recently left his post as manager after 15 months in charge (a relatively long stint in Brasileirão terms) under strong pressure and criticism from the supporters, but since he took charge Botafogo have evolved in to an attractive attacking side.

Last year they ended up in sixth position after a fairly impressive campaign, during which they lost only one home match at the Engenhão. Since then there have not been very many changes in personnel, 21 year old Thiago Galhardo joined from Bangu and defensive midfielder Arévalo Rios was signed from Mexican side Monterrey, covering for the exit of Leandro Guerreiro who signed for Cruzeiro.

Botafogo have a squad with all of the makings of a title challenge, but they do not appear to be unified enough to construct such an assault. They play the traditional Brazilian 4-4-2 (shaped like 4-2-2-2), and are characterized by a strong spine, from national team goalkeeper Jefferson right through to Uruguayan talismanic forward Sebastian ‘Loco’ Abreu. Centre back Antônio Carlos provides quality in the defense, also he can be counted on for a few goals from set pieces throughout the season.

Moving in to the midfield, Marcelo Mattos and ‘Mago’ Maicosuel really give this side a great injection of quality. Marcelo Mattos is a defensive midfielder, mature, effective and a good passer of the ball, he is very valuable to the balance and tempo of the side. Maicosuel is an attacking midfielder, good dribbler, great touch, and capable of moments of real magic (which explains his nickname, mago = magician). He suffered a pretty serious knee injury in September and is only now returning to the team, and to announce his return he scored a fabulous solo goal in a recent friendly against Friburguense, giving the supporters something to look forward to this season.

Up front, the 193cm Uruguayan striker Sebastián ‘Loco’ Abreu leads the line. A truly fabulous character, he has become known worldwide after scoring the penalty kick that eliminated Ghana in the 2010 World Cup. The technique he uses to take his penalties, a gentle chip down the middle of the goal (known in Brasil as a “cavadinha”, a little dig) lead to a particularly bizarre event last season during a clássico against Fluminense, which completely defined his cult status.

In the second half of the clássico, trailing 2x1, Botafogo won a penalty which Loco Abreu took, a cavadinha as usual, but it was saved by the Fluminense goalkeeper. However, only two minutes later, Botafogo won another penalty. Loco Abreu grabbed the ball again, and with nerves of steel, hit another cavadinha, which this time beat the goalkeeper.

Alongside el Loco, they have the option of Caio and Herrera, both useful strikers who can bring something different to the attack depending on the situation.

Expected Formation: