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.