Welcome 2008!

By: Bruno Romani | January 16th, 2008

The Brazilian season is about to kick-off with the traditional state championships. In the past, these were the most important tournaments in Brazil, specially the ones from Rio and São Paulo. It was in the state championships that Garrincha, Pelé, Didi, Djalma Santos, Rivellino, Zito, Vavá, Gilmar, Leônidas, Domingos da Guia and others made memorable matches. Today, the state championships lost a great deal of their status and are generally used by the big clubs as preparation for more important tournaments, such as Copa Libertadores, Copa do Brasil and Campeonato Brasileiro. But the state leagues have always been very charming, with lots of clubs and bizarre stories. This is the time of the year which you will hear more about oddities in Brazil. Besides that, the state leagues keep alive many traditional clubs who are responsible for forming new players and who serve as the last shelter for many veterans, such as striker Viola, 39, who will play the state championship from Rio at Duque de Caxias. Welcome 2008!

Big Clubs and the new season

As the season starts, clubs brought new players, got ride of old players, and set their goals for 2008. Below you see who looks good and who looks bad as the new season approaches. Considering pasts guesses of this blog, pay attention to this.

Looking Good
-São Paulo: Lost only 2 players and added Adriano, Fábio Santos and Carlos Alberto to a winner roster.

Flamengo: Added Kléberson, Rodrigo and Jônatas to a roster that had Ibson, Juan and Fábio Luciano.

Fluminense: Besides keeping Thiago Silva and Thiago Neves, the club hired Washington and Leandro Amaral.

Palmeiras: Brought coach Vanderley Luxemburgo, and lost only one player, Caio, from last season. Hired Diego Souza, Élder Granja and Alex Mineiro.

Internacional: A roster that has Fernandão, Nilmar, Alex, Iarley, Magrão and Guinazu must be respected.

Looking Bad

Vasco: Lost many important players from last season, Romário is the coach, and brought no one at the level of those who left.

Santos: Same as Vasco Despite keeping Rodrigo Souto, Kléber and Kléber Pereira, the club lost important players, such as Maldonado and Adaílton, and brought no one

Cruzeiro: Lost Roni and Alecssandro and hired cheaply, bringing people such as Jadilson.

Atlético-MG: Never hired well This time is no different.

Grêmio: Lost key players such as Diego Souza and Saja, and brought no one at the same level.

Looking Weird

Corinthians: Hired 13 players and coach Mano Meneses, fired most of the people who relegated the club in the Brazilian league, but it still is the question mark of the season.