Sport has a history of being kind to the teams languishing at the bottom of the standings. Sport gave two goals to Vasco da Gama when Vasco last came to Recife, couldn't manage to put Náutico away, and today went to São Paulo to play Portuguesa. Sport scored first, fell behind 2-1, and then tied it -- a result that sends Portuguesa back to the Série B.
Globo decided that all of us in Recife would prefer to watch Fluminense play against São Paulo, and nobody was streaming the game, so I have no idea what it was like. All I know is that Sport finally did the minimum necessary against a team that was struggling for its life: Sport put a foot on Portuguesa's neck. I have no particular ill will toward Portuguesa, so today's result represented no particular happiness. I do, however, wish ill upon Vasco da Gama, and fervently hope that the point Vasco managed in Recife won't save them. Today's results look good -- Náutico is all but assured of survival, and Vasco needs to win and then hope for favorable results. It looks like all of the relegated teams will be from the South and Southeast -- as are all of the teams moving up from the Série B, so it's important that no teams from the Northeast fall.
domingo, 30 de novembro de 2008
Sport - Portuguesa Preview
Once again, Sport has nothing to play for. Portuguesa has a slim chance of avoiding relegation -- if Portuguesa beats Sport today, beats Cruzeiro next week in Minas, and the three teams in front of Portuguesa all drop points, then Portuguesa will be in next year's Série A. Some of Sport's players are playing for their positions next year, and that's all we can hope for as far as motivation.
Nelsinho hasn't announced the starting lineup, although he will stick with the 3-5-2. Magrão, Cléber, Sidny, Dutra, Márcio Goiano, César, Durval, Elias, Sandro Goiano, Fábio Gomes, Júnior Maranhão, Moacir, Fumagalli, Kássio, Roger, Carlinhos Bala, Ciro, and Wilson have made the trip. Igor is suspended, so we will get our first look at Elias since January. He is 20 and looked decent when he played in the early stages of the Campeonato Pernambucano. Nelsinho tried Márcio Goiano as a midfielder in traning this week, but I hope Kássio gets to play. The game is meaningless, so it would be nice to see the younger players get a chance to play the entire game. Nonetheless, Ciro will almost certainly start on the bench, probably right next to Kássio.
This probably won't be a very good game, and it doesn't look like Globo will show it here. I'd like to criticize Globo, but the evil network has probably made the right decision regarding today's games -- of the ten games, almost all will probably be more interesting than this one.
Nelsinho hasn't announced the starting lineup, although he will stick with the 3-5-2. Magrão, Cléber, Sidny, Dutra, Márcio Goiano, César, Durval, Elias, Sandro Goiano, Fábio Gomes, Júnior Maranhão, Moacir, Fumagalli, Kássio, Roger, Carlinhos Bala, Ciro, and Wilson have made the trip. Igor is suspended, so we will get our first look at Elias since January. He is 20 and looked decent when he played in the early stages of the Campeonato Pernambucano. Nelsinho tried Márcio Goiano as a midfielder in traning this week, but I hope Kássio gets to play. The game is meaningless, so it would be nice to see the younger players get a chance to play the entire game. Nonetheless, Ciro will almost certainly start on the bench, probably right next to Kássio.
This probably won't be a very good game, and it doesn't look like Globo will show it here. I'd like to criticize Globo, but the evil network has probably made the right decision regarding today's games -- of the ten games, almost all will probably be more interesting than this one.
Last Sunday's Goals
For some reason, Globo wouldn't show Durval's goal in full. Here you can see Durval dribble past two defenders before scoring with his right foot (Durval is a lefty). Ciro's second is impressive, too. The way he got away from the defenders to receive the ball is important -- it's been a few years since Sport has had a forward who knows how to do this. The future is looking good, until some European team buys him.
sábado, 29 de novembro de 2008
Rapid Bucharest Pays Daniel Paulista
Daniel Paulista has received his salary for September and October, so he will not be returning to Sport on a free transfer. Apparently he is still unhappy with the situation in Bucharest, and one of Sport's directors (Álvaro Figueira) will meet with the player's agent this afternoon to discuss a possible loan deal.
It's a shame that his return would be only temporary, but however it may happen it would be the best possible addition for Sport's Libertadores campaign. His departure left a void in the midfield that still hasn't been filled, and his return would make everyone else on the team a better player.
It's a shame that his return would be only temporary, but however it may happen it would be the best possible addition for Sport's Libertadores campaign. His departure left a void in the midfield that still hasn't been filled, and his return would make everyone else on the team a better player.
Carlinhos Bala Argues With Ciro
Carlinhos Bala lost his temper with Ciro during yesterday's training session. Carlinhos has expressed his desire to stay with Sport, but Sport hasn't given any indication whether or not the club will negotiate with Cruzeiro to extend his stay, and the supporters have largely lost patience with him. He doesn't have the speed that he had last year -- maybe because he needs a rest, maybe because it's gone for good. He is a useful player, willing to do anything to help the team, but he doesn't score goals like he used to and he hasn't done anything impressive in since scoring against Corinthians back in June.
Carlinhos Bala is surely feeling pressure to deliver in the last two games. Ciro has been scoring and is beloved by the supporters and Carlinhos was Ciro's reserve in the training game. Rumors have circulated for some time regarding the difficult personality of Carlinhos Bala -- supposedly he tries to intimidate the less established players on the team to better secure his position as one of the team's leaders. It's difficult to believe that Nelsinho and the club's directors are unaware of this, and it will factor in their decision to negotiate Carlinhos Bala's return.
Carlinhos Bala is surely feeling pressure to deliver in the last two games. Ciro has been scoring and is beloved by the supporters and Carlinhos was Ciro's reserve in the training game. Rumors have circulated for some time regarding the difficult personality of Carlinhos Bala -- supposedly he tries to intimidate the less established players on the team to better secure his position as one of the team's leaders. It's difficult to believe that Nelsinho and the club's directors are unaware of this, and it will factor in their decision to negotiate Carlinhos Bala's return.
quarta-feira, 26 de novembro de 2008
Sport's Group in the Libertadores
Yesterday CONMEBOL held the drawing for next year's Libertadores, and Sport didn't get an easy group. Sport's group will include LDU, the defending champions, the eventual champion of Chile's Torneo Clausura, and the winner of a play-in match between the fourth-placed team in this year's Brasileirão (either Flamengo, Palmeiras, or Cruzeiro) and a Bolivian team. Sure, things could be more worse, but the group certainly could have been easier.
Nelsinho Batista commented, "Even without knowing who the specific teams will be, it's possible to analyse the group we will confront. LDU is a known quantity, and Chilean teams are fast, technically skilled, and don't play violent football. And we could have a Brazilian opponent, who will play against a team from Bolivia."
Nelsinho continued, "In a group like this, we will need to win all nine points at home and look for points away to classify for the second round. We are thinking about bringing quality players [to Sport], but above all athletes in good physical condition. We need to maintain balance between these characteristics."
Nelsinho Batista commented, "Even without knowing who the specific teams will be, it's possible to analyse the group we will confront. LDU is a known quantity, and Chilean teams are fast, technically skilled, and don't play violent football. And we could have a Brazilian opponent, who will play against a team from Bolivia."
Nelsinho continued, "In a group like this, we will need to win all nine points at home and look for points away to classify for the second round. We are thinking about bringing quality players [to Sport], but above all athletes in good physical condition. We need to maintain balance between these characteristics."
Early Vacationers Announced
Sport has announced the list of twelve players who will begin their vacations early -- after Sunday's game against Portuguesa. Originally the club had suggested that the players would begin their vacations after last Sunday's game against Atlético Mineiro.
Some of the names, like Magrão, Igor, Durval, Dutra, and Sandro Goiano, are unsurprising. Others are extremely surprising. Why would Sport send Enílton, whose loan ends at the end of the year, on an early vacation? The only possible answer is that the team intends to bring him back. That's a depressing thought -- he doesn't belong anywhere near a Libertadores team. Francisco Alex will also start his vacation early-- he has played in nine games out of seventy this year. He has barely played, so why would Sport be interested in renewing his loan deal? Luciano Henrique is on loan with Sport until the end of December. He also has a contract with Santos until the end of December. He will be a free agent at the end of the year, he is good when healthy but almost always hurt, and there has been no news of negotiations with Sport. Carlinhos Bala, too, will start his vacation early. Does this mean that he and Sport have reached a deal regarding his return to the team? He said that he would only accept an early release once he knew what his situation would be next year, but there has yet to be an announcement regarding his possible return.
The full list:
Magrão (goalie)
Igor (central defender)
Durval (central defender)
Dutra (left fullback)
Bia (volante)
Sandro Goiano (volante)
Fumagalli (midfielder)
Luciano Henrique (midfielder)
Francisco Alex (midfielder)
Enílton (forward)
Carlinhos Bala (forward)
Wilson (forward)
Some of the names, like Magrão, Igor, Durval, Dutra, and Sandro Goiano, are unsurprising. Others are extremely surprising. Why would Sport send Enílton, whose loan ends at the end of the year, on an early vacation? The only possible answer is that the team intends to bring him back. That's a depressing thought -- he doesn't belong anywhere near a Libertadores team. Francisco Alex will also start his vacation early-- he has played in nine games out of seventy this year. He has barely played, so why would Sport be interested in renewing his loan deal? Luciano Henrique is on loan with Sport until the end of December. He also has a contract with Santos until the end of December. He will be a free agent at the end of the year, he is good when healthy but almost always hurt, and there has been no news of negotiations with Sport. Carlinhos Bala, too, will start his vacation early. Does this mean that he and Sport have reached a deal regarding his return to the team? He said that he would only accept an early release once he knew what his situation would be next year, but there has yet to be an announcement regarding his possible return.
The full list:
Magrão (goalie)
Igor (central defender)
Durval (central defender)
Dutra (left fullback)
Bia (volante)
Sandro Goiano (volante)
Fumagalli (midfielder)
Luciano Henrique (midfielder)
Francisco Alex (midfielder)
Enílton (forward)
Carlinhos Bala (forward)
Wilson (forward)
domingo, 23 de novembro de 2008
Sleepwalking and the Complete Failure of the Marketing Department
Friday a guy at my gym asked me if I was planning on going to today's game. I said that yes, I was, because there were only two games left and I had no reason to save my money. He said that he was going, too, but only to "maintain his anger at the team." That's about right. Sport's apathetic play has made all of us angry, and there was no reason to think that today's game would be different.
It's been a long time since Sport has had anything to play for. The team secured itself against relegation a week or two ago, but there was never any question that the team wouldn't stay in the Série A. Sport never really had a shot at winning the Brasileirão, either. The last two months have been full of meaningless games. So, of course, Sport has kept ticket prices as high as they were immediately after the Copa do Brasil victory. What kind of an idiot (other than me, of course) would pay R$30 to watch a disinterested team play because the game is on the schedule and the players are obligated to take the field? Whatever kind of idiot (other than me) that is, there aren't many in the category. Only 13,000 people went to see Sport play Atlético Mineiro this afternoon, down from the 25,000 to 30,000 that were going to games back when they meant something. It doesn't take a genius to see that Sport plays better when the stadium is full, and the same non-genius can also easily perceive that it's easier to fill a stadium for an unimportant game if the tickets are cheap. So why would Sport's marketing department (this is what marketing departments do, right?) decide to price the tickets as if the game were important? In general, Sport is a very well-run team, but this was a real failure on the part of the management.
Sport made some half-hearted attempts at attacking in the first half. The players didn't seem very interested, and Atlético never looked threatening. Sport left the field to well-deserved jeers and whistles. Ciro came on for Carlinhos Bala when the teams came back onto the field. The second half started the way the first ended, and then got worse. Sport couldn't do anything right. Ciro, the young forward who is going to conquer the world, was a joke. When he wasn't offside, he was dribbling the ball straight to a defender, or kicking it out of bounds when there was a teammate open. I was ready to come home and write that Ciro isn't the future star that I had thought he was, and then he scored two goals. First, in the 37th minute of the second half, Durval dribbled past a defender and scored on a low shot into the corner. Durval! He looked like an assured forward, not a central defender. Then Ciro scored on a rebound from Roger's shot, and then again when Roger gave him a good pass. Maybe Ciro is a future star after all. Sport certainly didn't deserve a 3-0 score, and probably didn't even deserve the win, but Atlético didn't play well enough to deserve a tie, either, so I can't can't complain about the result.
Sandro Goiano returned to the lineup and played with purpose. The three defenders, Durval, Igor, and César, all played well, even if they didn't have a whole lot to do. Fábio Gomes was his normal self -- present but nothing extraordinary on defense, and always ready to pass the ball sideways or backwards. Márcio Goiano was a revelation on the left side. Objectively speaking, he wasn't spectacular, but he had never impressed me before and this afternoon he was good. Sidny, on the right, was nothing short of rancid. He was bad in every way possible, and if there was any error he didn't make it was only because he didn't get the chance. His contract with Sport runs until July of 2009, but I hope Sport can find someone to take him off their hands. He played like a man who did not want to remain with the team.
Fumagalli was the supporters' hero when he left in June of 2007. He had helped Sport win two consecutive state championships and promotion to the Série A. Sport sold him to a team in Qatar for a nice amount, and it looked like his 18-month passage with Sport had been beneficial for both. Since his return (for free), he hasn't shown much of anything, and the supporters are losing patience with him. He hurt his back while training with the team, and it seems like he hasn't played much. Looking at his statistics, he has actually appeared 16 times this year, but none of those appearances were memorable. Usually he has been competent, but not the star that people expected. Today he was atrocious. I have heard whispers that his back injury is worse than he and the team are letting on. Something is wrong, and he needs to work it out quickly. This has not been a happy homecoming for him.
Carlinhos Bala wasn't particularly bad, but he wasn't particularly good, either. He needs a rest. He doesn't have the speed, or the acceleration, that he used to have. He can't get free of the defense to get his shot off, and he hasn't offered the team anything in the last two months. He is still better than Enílton (which isn't a compliment), but that might not be enough to stay with the team. His loan ends at the end of the season, and Sport might not be interested in renewing with him. Roger was decent today. Nothing extraordinary, he still hasn't learned how to trap the ball, but he dribbled better than I knew he could, passed well, and helped the team. He'll never be anything special, but competent is better than Sport has had in a while.
Kássio took Fumagalli's place in the second half, and the improvement was dramatic. Kássio is good and getting better, and he and Ciro will play a large part in Sport's future (until some European team buys them for peanutes). Kássio is still slow, but he is creative and his passes created chances, something that cannot be said for anything that Fumagalli did this afternoon. Júnior Maranhão also made an appearance, but he didn't distinguish himself.
It was nice to see a 3-0 win, but saving the money and staying home would have been nicer. There's one more home game left this year, and I'll be there. It will be expensive, and meaningless, but I'll be there. Sport can count on suckers like me.
It's been a long time since Sport has had anything to play for. The team secured itself against relegation a week or two ago, but there was never any question that the team wouldn't stay in the Série A. Sport never really had a shot at winning the Brasileirão, either. The last two months have been full of meaningless games. So, of course, Sport has kept ticket prices as high as they were immediately after the Copa do Brasil victory. What kind of an idiot (other than me, of course) would pay R$30 to watch a disinterested team play because the game is on the schedule and the players are obligated to take the field? Whatever kind of idiot (other than me) that is, there aren't many in the category. Only 13,000 people went to see Sport play Atlético Mineiro this afternoon, down from the 25,000 to 30,000 that were going to games back when they meant something. It doesn't take a genius to see that Sport plays better when the stadium is full, and the same non-genius can also easily perceive that it's easier to fill a stadium for an unimportant game if the tickets are cheap. So why would Sport's marketing department (this is what marketing departments do, right?) decide to price the tickets as if the game were important? In general, Sport is a very well-run team, but this was a real failure on the part of the management.
Sport made some half-hearted attempts at attacking in the first half. The players didn't seem very interested, and Atlético never looked threatening. Sport left the field to well-deserved jeers and whistles. Ciro came on for Carlinhos Bala when the teams came back onto the field. The second half started the way the first ended, and then got worse. Sport couldn't do anything right. Ciro, the young forward who is going to conquer the world, was a joke. When he wasn't offside, he was dribbling the ball straight to a defender, or kicking it out of bounds when there was a teammate open. I was ready to come home and write that Ciro isn't the future star that I had thought he was, and then he scored two goals. First, in the 37th minute of the second half, Durval dribbled past a defender and scored on a low shot into the corner. Durval! He looked like an assured forward, not a central defender. Then Ciro scored on a rebound from Roger's shot, and then again when Roger gave him a good pass. Maybe Ciro is a future star after all. Sport certainly didn't deserve a 3-0 score, and probably didn't even deserve the win, but Atlético didn't play well enough to deserve a tie, either, so I can't can't complain about the result.
Sandro Goiano returned to the lineup and played with purpose. The three defenders, Durval, Igor, and César, all played well, even if they didn't have a whole lot to do. Fábio Gomes was his normal self -- present but nothing extraordinary on defense, and always ready to pass the ball sideways or backwards. Márcio Goiano was a revelation on the left side. Objectively speaking, he wasn't spectacular, but he had never impressed me before and this afternoon he was good. Sidny, on the right, was nothing short of rancid. He was bad in every way possible, and if there was any error he didn't make it was only because he didn't get the chance. His contract with Sport runs until July of 2009, but I hope Sport can find someone to take him off their hands. He played like a man who did not want to remain with the team.
Fumagalli was the supporters' hero when he left in June of 2007. He had helped Sport win two consecutive state championships and promotion to the Série A. Sport sold him to a team in Qatar for a nice amount, and it looked like his 18-month passage with Sport had been beneficial for both. Since his return (for free), he hasn't shown much of anything, and the supporters are losing patience with him. He hurt his back while training with the team, and it seems like he hasn't played much. Looking at his statistics, he has actually appeared 16 times this year, but none of those appearances were memorable. Usually he has been competent, but not the star that people expected. Today he was atrocious. I have heard whispers that his back injury is worse than he and the team are letting on. Something is wrong, and he needs to work it out quickly. This has not been a happy homecoming for him.
Carlinhos Bala wasn't particularly bad, but he wasn't particularly good, either. He needs a rest. He doesn't have the speed, or the acceleration, that he used to have. He can't get free of the defense to get his shot off, and he hasn't offered the team anything in the last two months. He is still better than Enílton (which isn't a compliment), but that might not be enough to stay with the team. His loan ends at the end of the season, and Sport might not be interested in renewing with him. Roger was decent today. Nothing extraordinary, he still hasn't learned how to trap the ball, but he dribbled better than I knew he could, passed well, and helped the team. He'll never be anything special, but competent is better than Sport has had in a while.
Kássio took Fumagalli's place in the second half, and the improvement was dramatic. Kássio is good and getting better, and he and Ciro will play a large part in Sport's future (until some European team buys them for peanutes). Kássio is still slow, but he is creative and his passes created chances, something that cannot be said for anything that Fumagalli did this afternoon. Júnior Maranhão also made an appearance, but he didn't distinguish himself.
It was nice to see a 3-0 win, but saving the money and staying home would have been nicer. There's one more home game left this year, and I'll be there. It will be expensive, and meaningless, but I'll be there. Sport can count on suckers like me.
O Galo Comes to Town
Today Atlético Mineiro (O Galo -- the rooster -- to the team's supporters) plays Sport in Recife. Atlético Mineiro won the Série B in 2006, when Sport finished second. Both teams have won the Série A (Atlético won the first edition, in 1971, and Sport won it in 1987), and Dadá Maravilha played for both teams.
Rumor has it that Atlético hasn't paid the players in four months (a sadly common occurence in Brazil), so the visiting players probably won't be particularly motivated. Rumor also has it that Ciro will be on the bench for Sport this afternoon, and that is a good thing. He has had problems with his ankle in the last month (although some people believe that this is an excuse to bring him along slowly) and has featured sparingly since debuting with a goal against Ipatinga on July 31. Fábio Gomes will be a starter, and that is a bad thing. He is a defensive midfielder who isn't very good at defense, nor offense, nor does he dribble, or shoot, or do much of anything very well. Sandro Goiano will be a starter, and that is a wonderful thing. He wins, that's all he does. Sport should get the three points today.
Rumor has it that Atlético hasn't paid the players in four months (a sadly common occurence in Brazil), so the visiting players probably won't be particularly motivated. Rumor also has it that Ciro will be on the bench for Sport this afternoon, and that is a good thing. He has had problems with his ankle in the last month (although some people believe that this is an excuse to bring him along slowly) and has featured sparingly since debuting with a goal against Ipatinga on July 31. Fábio Gomes will be a starter, and that is a bad thing. He is a defensive midfielder who isn't very good at defense, nor offense, nor does he dribble, or shoot, or do much of anything very well. Sandro Goiano will be a starter, and that is a wonderful thing. He wins, that's all he does. Sport should get the three points today.
quinta-feira, 20 de novembro de 2008
The Case of the Can
Sport has been absolved by the STJD, after the referee in the October 8 game against Vasco da Gama charged that a supporter threw a can of soda onto the field. Absolutely no one in the stadium saw this can except for the referee, who was supposed to be watching the game. The STJD's decision surprises no one, but it's a shame the referee in question (Wilson Luiz Seneme) hasn't had to answer for his bizarre accusation.
terça-feira, 18 de novembro de 2008
Nothing Happening
How meaningless are these last few games for Sport?
So meaningless that Sport's page at globo.com has more links regarding women in bikinis than regarding the team itself.
January isn't too far off...
So meaningless that Sport's page at globo.com has more links regarding women in bikinis than regarding the team itself.
January isn't too far off...
Weldon Again?
Globo reports that Cruzeiro has denied that Weldon will be joining Sport for next year's Libertadores. Weldon has already played for, and left, Sport twice. He isn't as good as Leandro Amaral (who may or may not come to Sport), but he's far better than Roger and Enílton. His contract ends on February 28 of next year, and negotiations regarding a contract extension with Cruzeiro have broken down. According to Globo, Weldon has decided to wait until this season ends before reopening negotiations.
If the negotiations fail, Cruzeiro will possibly look to sell him. Sport might pay R$100,000 or so to get him at the beginning of the year rather than wait, and Cruzeiro might prefer that small amount of money to losing a decent forward for free.
Weldon has performed well for Sport in his two spells in the Ilha. He is a tall forward capable of playing in the area and out of it. There are questions regarding his attitude -- last time he was with Sport he was asked by a reporter if he intended to be the leading scorer in the championship and he replied, "No, I just want to score a few goals and move on to a bigger team."
I didn't witness this exchange, and to me this sounds like sarcasm, but it did alienate the supporters. No doubt he would be welcomed back, because he would be a significant improvement over the present attack, but the supporters will be quick to criticise him if he doesn't perform to expectations.
If the negotiations fail, Cruzeiro will possibly look to sell him. Sport might pay R$100,000 or so to get him at the beginning of the year rather than wait, and Cruzeiro might prefer that small amount of money to losing a decent forward for free.
Weldon has performed well for Sport in his two spells in the Ilha. He is a tall forward capable of playing in the area and out of it. There are questions regarding his attitude -- last time he was with Sport he was asked by a reporter if he intended to be the leading scorer in the championship and he replied, "No, I just want to score a few goals and move on to a bigger team."
I didn't witness this exchange, and to me this sounds like sarcasm, but it did alienate the supporters. No doubt he would be welcomed back, because he would be a significant improvement over the present attack, but the supporters will be quick to criticise him if he doesn't perform to expectations.
segunda-feira, 17 de novembro de 2008
Embarrassment
I would prefer not to write about Saturday's game, but my sense of responsibility cannot be overcome. Ipatinga will play in the Série B next year. This is not a mathematical certainty, yet, but it will happen. Sport will play in the Libertadores next year. Sport has no excuse for losing to Ipatinga. It was obvious to all informed observers that Sport would have trouble scoring goals, but not that the defense would fail so completely.
The game was not broadcast on open TV, I have no cable, and the internet feed wasn't working, so I didn't see the game. I saw highlights last night, and it looked like the game was all Ipatinga. Sport had a goal by Fumagalli ruled offside (the replay that I saw looked like Fumagalli was onside when the ball was played), but that would have tied the game at 1-1. Sport had already started poorly, and didn't create many more chances. Maybe the players are already looking forward to Nelsinho's promise of early holidays.
Sport is in twelfth place, six points behind Goiás. If Sport had shown the necessary concentration against Vasco and Ipatinga, a little bit of luck at home against Santos, and Sport would have six more points. That's a bigger problem than the forwards (and the forwards are a big problem), and it's something that Nelsinho will have to address. Maybe the problem is that Sport has nothing to play for at this point, and really hasn't had anything to play for since June. Part of the problem is that Sport hasn't found a replacement for Daniel Paulista. In any case, the excuses don't matter -- this weekend was an embarrassment.
The game was not broadcast on open TV, I have no cable, and the internet feed wasn't working, so I didn't see the game. I saw highlights last night, and it looked like the game was all Ipatinga. Sport had a goal by Fumagalli ruled offside (the replay that I saw looked like Fumagalli was onside when the ball was played), but that would have tied the game at 1-1. Sport had already started poorly, and didn't create many more chances. Maybe the players are already looking forward to Nelsinho's promise of early holidays.
Sport is in twelfth place, six points behind Goiás. If Sport had shown the necessary concentration against Vasco and Ipatinga, a little bit of luck at home against Santos, and Sport would have six more points. That's a bigger problem than the forwards (and the forwards are a big problem), and it's something that Nelsinho will have to address. Maybe the problem is that Sport has nothing to play for at this point, and really hasn't had anything to play for since June. Part of the problem is that Sport hasn't found a replacement for Daniel Paulista. In any case, the excuses don't matter -- this weekend was an embarrassment.
sexta-feira, 14 de novembro de 2008
Carlinhos Bala's Possible Early Vacation
Carlinhos Bala has expressed his support for Nelsinho's early vacation plans, but has said that he will refuse an early vacation until he knows what his future holds. Carlinhos has a contract with Cruzeiro until May of next year, and both Corinthians and Palmeiras have expressed interest in his services. In January he said that he wanted to finish his career with Sport, and my understanding was that Sport had agreed to terms with Cruzeiro to buy the player, but apparently not. He is an important player, even if he doesn't score goals like he used to. He keeps himself in perfect physical condition, he does whatever it takes to help the team (including playing fairly well as a right fullback in a couple of games), and his interviews are the source of merriment. Finding a way to keep him on the team would be an excellent start to Sport's Libertadores preparations.
quinta-feira, 13 de novembro de 2008
Trouble on Saturday
Carlinhos Bala is suspended. Ciro is hurt (at least that's the excuse the team has given). That means that Roger and Enílton will start against Ipatinga on Saturday. And it seems like a good reason to discuss the two, as promised.
Roger was, at one time, one of the hotter properties in Brazilian soccer. He began his career with Ponte Preta, where he looked like a born goal-scorer. São Paulo bought his contract, and he has since been loaned to Palmeiras, back to Ponte Preta, and now to Sport. He has never had the same success he had his first time at Ponte Preta. He is a decent finisher as long as all he has to do is put a foot or forehead on the ball. He cannot dribble, he cannot pass, he cannot create opportunities for himself, he cannot get open to receive the ball except on counter-attacks. He also cannot trap the ball, something you would expect to be the end of a center forward's career. Not so with Roger, who receives balls to his feet by knocking them two or three meters away from him and then chasing. Unfortunately, he has been Sport's best forward this year and is the team's leading scorer. He is only 23, but if he hasn't learned basic ball skills yet then he probably never will.
Enílton is 31, so he can't use youth as an excuse. He has had a long and not particularly successful career. According to wikipedia the only season he has ever scored more than one goal every two games was in 2005, when he scored seventeen goals in twenty-five games for Juventude. In 1998 he won the Swiss championship and Swiss Cup with Sion and in this year he won the Campeonato Pernambucano and the Copa do Brasil with Sport, his only titles so far. He is a frustrating player. He is quick, and dribbles well but fruitlessly. He also makes odd mistakes at bad moments. If I had ten cents for every time I've seen him dribble past two or more defenders, only to shoot weakly at the keeper or fall down on his own when a goal looked certain then I'd have one real or so. He has scored eight goals for Sport this year, including the goal that won the Copa do Brasil (according to Carlinhos Bala), but he is one of the main reasons why Sport's attack has been so anemic this year.
This pair promises little for Saturday's game against all-but-relegated Ipatinga except to make the more interesting than it should be. The game should be a likely, if not easy, win for Sport, but Roger and Enílton will make it close. The only good news is that there are only four games left after Saturday, and then neither of these players will ever play for Sport again.
Roger was, at one time, one of the hotter properties in Brazilian soccer. He began his career with Ponte Preta, where he looked like a born goal-scorer. São Paulo bought his contract, and he has since been loaned to Palmeiras, back to Ponte Preta, and now to Sport. He has never had the same success he had his first time at Ponte Preta. He is a decent finisher as long as all he has to do is put a foot or forehead on the ball. He cannot dribble, he cannot pass, he cannot create opportunities for himself, he cannot get open to receive the ball except on counter-attacks. He also cannot trap the ball, something you would expect to be the end of a center forward's career. Not so with Roger, who receives balls to his feet by knocking them two or three meters away from him and then chasing. Unfortunately, he has been Sport's best forward this year and is the team's leading scorer. He is only 23, but if he hasn't learned basic ball skills yet then he probably never will.
Enílton is 31, so he can't use youth as an excuse. He has had a long and not particularly successful career. According to wikipedia the only season he has ever scored more than one goal every two games was in 2005, when he scored seventeen goals in twenty-five games for Juventude. In 1998 he won the Swiss championship and Swiss Cup with Sion and in this year he won the Campeonato Pernambucano and the Copa do Brasil with Sport, his only titles so far. He is a frustrating player. He is quick, and dribbles well but fruitlessly. He also makes odd mistakes at bad moments. If I had ten cents for every time I've seen him dribble past two or more defenders, only to shoot weakly at the keeper or fall down on his own when a goal looked certain then I'd have one real or so. He has scored eight goals for Sport this year, including the goal that won the Copa do Brasil (according to Carlinhos Bala), but he is one of the main reasons why Sport's attack has been so anemic this year.
This pair promises little for Saturday's game against all-but-relegated Ipatinga except to make the more interesting than it should be. The game should be a likely, if not easy, win for Sport, but Roger and Enílton will make it close. The only good news is that there are only four games left after Saturday, and then neither of these players will ever play for Sport again.
Early Vacations
Brazilian law requires that all workers receive one month of vacation each year, soccer players included. This presents a problem for Sport (and Náutico) this year, as the Série A ends December 7, and next year's Campeonato Pernambucano begins January 11. This would allow just four days of practice before the season's start. Nelsinho Batista's solution is to send some players on early vacations, before the penultimate game of the season (November 30, against Portuguesa in São Paulo). That's a good solution, since Sport's situation is already defined -- Sport has qualified for the Copa dos Libertadores through the Copa do Brasil, and can no longer be relegated. The problem is that not all areas of the team have adequate cover, so some key players won't be ready to start the next championship.
Sport has five central defenders on the books (a sixth is on loan with a Série C team). Gabriel's loan contract with Sport ends in December, so he will surely be playing in the last game of the year. That leaves Durval, César, Igor, and Elias (at 20, a product of the youth divisions who has barely played this year). Most likely Nelsinho will send Durval and Igor on early vacations, start Gabriel and César, and put Elias on the bench.
Sport has exactly four fullbacks on the team, so if Nelsinho sends Sidny and Dutra away, he is left with Márcio Goiano (unimpressive in three appearances) on the left and Cássio Lopes (anonymous in two) on the right, and not one fullback on the bench. Volantes (defensive midfielders) are not a problem in terms of numbers (seven, and Sport normally plays with two on the field), although the quality at this position is suspect.
Sport has five offensive midfielders -- Francisco Alex (mediocre in his few chances) is on loan from São Paulo and almost certainly will not be returning next year, so Nelsinho has no reason to worry about his vacation. Luciano Henrique is on loan from Santos, and may or may not return, but he has been injured for most of the last three months, so he may not be an option. Fumagalli is one of Sport's most important players, and will surely receive an early vacation. Kássio and Juninho are young, under long-term contracts, and exactly the type of playes who should see serious playing time in the state championship, so if they leave early, Sport is left with Francisco Alex and maybe Luciano Henrique. Juninho hasn't played as much as Kássio, so maybe the last two games will be his chance, as Kássio may be considered too important to miss the start of the Campeonato Pernambucano.
Sport has seven healthy forwards. Enílton and Roger (more about them in a couple of days) are on loan from Palmeiras and São Paulo, respectively, and barring disaster neither will return to Sport next year, so they are the obvious options up front. Carlinhos Bala has played in over 90% of Sport's games this year (at times deputizing as a midfielder or right fullback), and Nelsinho will almost certainly want him to be available at the start of the year. Ciro is young, has shown a talent for scoring goals, and doesn't yet have the body of a professional soccer player, so he will surely start his vacation as early as possible, returning at the end of December to continue his physical training. Joélson, Lúcio, and Wilson are the remaining forwards, none of whom has seen much playing time.
That doesn't seem too bad -- Sport has adequate players to field a full team, but who will be the reserves for Sport's last two games? Sport has one central defender, no fullbacks, and at most one offensive midfielder for the bench. The only good news for Nelsinho is that the last two games won't matter at all to Sport, so he could fill the bench with forwards and volantes and it wouldn't really make a difference.
Sport has five central defenders on the books (a sixth is on loan with a Série C team). Gabriel's loan contract with Sport ends in December, so he will surely be playing in the last game of the year. That leaves Durval, César, Igor, and Elias (at 20, a product of the youth divisions who has barely played this year). Most likely Nelsinho will send Durval and Igor on early vacations, start Gabriel and César, and put Elias on the bench.
Sport has exactly four fullbacks on the team, so if Nelsinho sends Sidny and Dutra away, he is left with Márcio Goiano (unimpressive in three appearances) on the left and Cássio Lopes (anonymous in two) on the right, and not one fullback on the bench. Volantes (defensive midfielders) are not a problem in terms of numbers (seven, and Sport normally plays with two on the field), although the quality at this position is suspect.
Sport has five offensive midfielders -- Francisco Alex (mediocre in his few chances) is on loan from São Paulo and almost certainly will not be returning next year, so Nelsinho has no reason to worry about his vacation. Luciano Henrique is on loan from Santos, and may or may not return, but he has been injured for most of the last three months, so he may not be an option. Fumagalli is one of Sport's most important players, and will surely receive an early vacation. Kássio and Juninho are young, under long-term contracts, and exactly the type of playes who should see serious playing time in the state championship, so if they leave early, Sport is left with Francisco Alex and maybe Luciano Henrique. Juninho hasn't played as much as Kássio, so maybe the last two games will be his chance, as Kássio may be considered too important to miss the start of the Campeonato Pernambucano.
Sport has seven healthy forwards. Enílton and Roger (more about them in a couple of days) are on loan from Palmeiras and São Paulo, respectively, and barring disaster neither will return to Sport next year, so they are the obvious options up front. Carlinhos Bala has played in over 90% of Sport's games this year (at times deputizing as a midfielder or right fullback), and Nelsinho will almost certainly want him to be available at the start of the year. Ciro is young, has shown a talent for scoring goals, and doesn't yet have the body of a professional soccer player, so he will surely start his vacation as early as possible, returning at the end of December to continue his physical training. Joélson, Lúcio, and Wilson are the remaining forwards, none of whom has seen much playing time.
That doesn't seem too bad -- Sport has adequate players to field a full team, but who will be the reserves for Sport's last two games? Sport has one central defender, no fullbacks, and at most one offensive midfielder for the bench. The only good news for Nelsinho is that the last two games won't matter at all to Sport, so he could fill the bench with forwards and volantes and it wouldn't really make a difference.
terça-feira, 11 de novembro de 2008
Daniel Paulista
The latest rumors say that Daniel Paulista, who was sold to Rapid Bucharest in August, might be returning to Sport. Rapid Bucharest had 800,000 Euros to pay Sport, but Daniel alleges that he hasn't received any payment at all from his club since his move. He has petitioned FIFA to nullify his contract, which would free him to return to Sport and play in the Copa dos Libertadores.
Corinthians loaned Daniel to Náutico in 2007, and he was instrumental in Náutico's survival in the Série A. His contract with Corinthians ended at the end of the year, and he signed for Sport for free. He was one of Sport's best players in the Campeonato Pernambucano and in the Copa do Brasil. When Sport received a bid from Rapid Bucharest, Daniel told the directors that he wanted to move on, so the two teams agreed to a fee and off he went.
It looked like a good deal for both teams -- Sport got nearly R$2,000,000 and Daniel got to play in Europe -- but Daniel hasn't been paid, and Sport hasn't managed to replace him. Andrade arrived and looked good for a few games, but has been terrible since then. Daniel's positioning is excellent, and he frees the segundo volante to play more offensively. Andrade has been bad enough that Sandro Goiano's action has been limited -- he can't cover enough territory to make up for Andrade's failures, so he has to spend most of the game on the bench.
When he was with Sport, Daniel was the best primeiro volante in Brazil. Andrade is obviously not the answer, and finding a quality replacement was one of Sport's most pressing needs for the upcoming Libertadores campaign. If Daniel were to return it would make Sport's Libertadores prospects much brighter than they look right now.
Corinthians loaned Daniel to Náutico in 2007, and he was instrumental in Náutico's survival in the Série A. His contract with Corinthians ended at the end of the year, and he signed for Sport for free. He was one of Sport's best players in the Campeonato Pernambucano and in the Copa do Brasil. When Sport received a bid from Rapid Bucharest, Daniel told the directors that he wanted to move on, so the two teams agreed to a fee and off he went.
It looked like a good deal for both teams -- Sport got nearly R$2,000,000 and Daniel got to play in Europe -- but Daniel hasn't been paid, and Sport hasn't managed to replace him. Andrade arrived and looked good for a few games, but has been terrible since then. Daniel's positioning is excellent, and he frees the segundo volante to play more offensively. Andrade has been bad enough that Sandro Goiano's action has been limited -- he can't cover enough territory to make up for Andrade's failures, so he has to spend most of the game on the bench.
When he was with Sport, Daniel was the best primeiro volante in Brazil. Andrade is obviously not the answer, and finding a quality replacement was one of Sport's most pressing needs for the upcoming Libertadores campaign. If Daniel were to return it would make Sport's Libertadores prospects much brighter than they look right now.
domingo, 9 de novembro de 2008
A Return to Winning (New Blog Included)
Inspired by Matt's Inter blog, I've wanted to start this for a while now. The only problem was that Sport just wouldn't cooperate. Since the 5-0 win against Figueirense (which would have been 8-0 if Sport had competent forwards) had gone eight games without a victory. It wouldn't do to start a new blog with a post about a disappointing 2-2 result against a pathetic Vasco team, would it? Today's game, a 2-1 victory over Goiás, wasn't anything to get excited about, but at least the result was positive. September 14 was the last time anyone has been able to say that.
Sport dominated the first thirty minutes of the first half, with César scoring in the 22nd minute and Roger in the 25th, and it looked like we were going to have a party in the stands. And then the team lost its edge, stopped passing with any sense of purpose, and Goiás worked their way back into the game. Goiás never looked likely to score a second goal, but neither did Sport look likely to score a third until the last ten minutes of the game.
I wish I could celebrate the glorious victory, but Sport hasn't given me anything to celebrate since that 5-0 win over Figueirense. I should have celebrated the stylish manner in which Sport dispatched Vasco to the Série B, but Sport gave Vasco two goals and may have helped Vasco stay in the first division. I should have celebrated an easy win over Náutico, but Roger missed three easy chances in the first half, and Sport only got one point. Looking back over the last few months, Sport hasn't given me much to celebrate since winning the Copa do Brasil, but maybe I have become jaded by the experience.
On their day Sport can beat any team in Brazil, and probably any team in South America. On their off day, Sport can lose to any team, anywhere. Today Sport showed maybe 40% of what they can do. Sadly, that's more than anyone has seen from them in a long time.
Lineup: Magrão; Igor, César, Durval; Sidny, Junior Maranhão, Andrade (Sandro Goiano), Fumagalli (Fábio Gomes), Dutra; Carlinhos Bala (Enílton), Roger
Sport dominated the first thirty minutes of the first half, with César scoring in the 22nd minute and Roger in the 25th, and it looked like we were going to have a party in the stands. And then the team lost its edge, stopped passing with any sense of purpose, and Goiás worked their way back into the game. Goiás never looked likely to score a second goal, but neither did Sport look likely to score a third until the last ten minutes of the game.
I wish I could celebrate the glorious victory, but Sport hasn't given me anything to celebrate since that 5-0 win over Figueirense. I should have celebrated the stylish manner in which Sport dispatched Vasco to the Série B, but Sport gave Vasco two goals and may have helped Vasco stay in the first division. I should have celebrated an easy win over Náutico, but Roger missed three easy chances in the first half, and Sport only got one point. Looking back over the last few months, Sport hasn't given me much to celebrate since winning the Copa do Brasil, but maybe I have become jaded by the experience.
On their day Sport can beat any team in Brazil, and probably any team in South America. On their off day, Sport can lose to any team, anywhere. Today Sport showed maybe 40% of what they can do. Sadly, that's more than anyone has seen from them in a long time.
Lineup: Magrão; Igor, César, Durval; Sidny, Junior Maranhão, Andrade (Sandro Goiano), Fumagalli (Fábio Gomes), Dutra; Carlinhos Bala (Enílton), Roger
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