Fluminense and Santos: Relegation Lies Ahead?

By: Bruno Romani | August 4th, 2008

Before reaching the final of Copa Libertadores coach Renato Gaúcho said, “if Fluminense wins it (Copa Libertadores), we’re just going to play in the Campeonato Brasileiro.” It seems that his players are following these instructions (even with Fluminense not winning the continental competition). Fluminense is in the relegation zone and the situation looks pretty bad. This weekend Fluminense was visited by Inter. The visitors won with two goals by Nilmar Will the dream of a Libertadores title turn into a nightmare of relegation in the Brazilian league.

Santos is following the same path. Despite the bright youngster Maikon Leite, the club from Vila Belmiro was defeated at home again. The winner side this time was Coritiba, who had a had-trick of forward Keirrison (remember, you heard about him here first). 3-1 and Santos has parked in the relegation zone.

However, the biggest inferno of the league belongs to Flamengo. For the sixth match in a row, no victory. The club went from the first spot to the sixth. And the match of this Sunday was another “final,” against Cruzeiro at Maracanã. It seemed that things were going to be different. Forward Vandinho scored in his debut for the locals in the second-half. 12 minutes later, Cruzeiro had comeback with goals by Guilherme (10 goals in the season) and Rômulo. To finish off the day, forward Diego Tardelli broke his arm and will be out for 3 months. Cruzeiro now seats in the second spot.

The first spot still belongs to Grêmio. The match against Vitória was another “final.” The match was very equal, and Vitória justified its position in the table. But Grêmio was better all the time and the 2-0 was fair. Willian Magrão and Reinaldo scored the goals.

Two clubs took advantage of the defeats of Flamengo and Vitória to join the top 4. Palmeiras did not play brilliant football against Ipatinga, last in the table, but played enough. Midfielder Valdivia, who had been thrashed in the media by his own coach last week, scored the two goals in the 2-1 victory.

The other club is São Paulo. This Sunday the club thrashed Vasco 4-0. Forward André Lima debuted and scored twice. Goalkeeper Rogério Ceni scored another two: One from the spot and one from a free-kick. Vasco is walks firmly towards relegation. And President Roberto Dinamite says the club has no money to make huge investments to escape relegation.

The other club who joined the relegation zone this weekend is Atlético-PR. This Sunday the club from Curitiba was visited by Botafogo and humiliated 3-0.

Naútico added the 7th match without a victory. The defeat was at home against Figueirense 2-1. Goiás distanced itself from the relegation zone with a 4-0 victory over Portuguesa. Júlio César (2), Iarley and Romerito scored the goals.

Atlético-MG also found some distance from the relegation zone with a comeback victory over Sport. In the first match without coach Gallo, the club got a 2-1 victory. Veteran Marques and Gedeon scored.