Brazilian football digest: May

It was a busy month in Brazil, what with Neymar's future being decided and the Série A season finally getting underway.

In my latest Betting Expert column, I pick out the key stories from May, touching on Vitória, the Maracanã and a fine goal from João Vitor. Click here to read it.

Family values: Lionel Messi's cousin shines for Vitória

It's not easy growing up in someone else's shadow. Just ask Maxi Biancucchi. The pint-sized Argentine striker has spent his whole career playing second fiddle to his cousin (and the best pint-sized Argentine striker of the lot), Lionel Messi.

But after a semi-nomadic trawl round South America, Biancucchi appears to have settled in Salvador, where his early-season performances have helped Vitória establish themselves as the surprise package of the Brasileirão. In my latest piece for WhoScored, I profile Biancucchi and take a look at his contribution to the Leão's form. Read the article here.

The week(end) that was - #5

Reborn Uruguayans, dressing room pacts, stories of redemption and mysterious masked fans: all in a few days' work for Brazilian football. Here are the stories of the weekend...

Lodeiro stakes his claim

Leggy forward Vitinho caught the eye in Botafogo's 3-0 win over Olária, climbing off the bench to score two fabulous goals in the final stages. But the game's true standout performer was Nicolás Lodeiro. With Clarence Seedorf given the evening off by Oswaldo de Oliveira, the Uruguayan made the most of a rare chance to assume centre stage, buzzing around nefariously behind the forwards and threatening with his dead-ball delivery. 

His goal, which arrived just after the interval, was a thing of beauty. Seizing upon a defensive slip-up, he surged towards the edge of the penalty area before cutting back onto his favoured left foot. With goalkeeper and centre-back (reasonably) expecting a shot, he then shifted the ball back to his right, taking them out of the game completely before clipping into the empty net. It was the kind of subtle, intelligent play that earnt him a move to Ajax as a 20-year-old and a place in Uruguay's 2010 World Cup squad. Botafogo may not be where he imagined himself playing at the age of 24, but the signs are that he's coming into his own in Brazil.

Público zero (almost)

Vasco da Gama's game against Friburguense on Sunday was played out in front of just paying 546 spectators at the São Januário. But this wasn't just another example of the occasionally fair-weather nature of Brazilian fandom. Rather, it was the result of a protest by the club's supporters' groups at the chaotic administration of president Roberto Dinamite. Barely a week seems to go by at Vasco without infighting or financial mismanagement coming to light, prompting the influential Força Jovem group to call for público zero this weekend. 

A few hundred picket-line crossers diminished the force of the protest slightly, but the presence of fans outside the stadium before kick-off was enough to dissuade Dinamite from attending. The anger is entirely understandable but Vasco fans must be careful what they wish for; portions of the crowd were calling for the return of Eurico Miranda, a man most famous for his and callous reaction to a stadium accident that left over 150 people injured at a Vasco match in 2000.*

(Another curiosity at the São Januário was the reappearance of the creepily-masked supporter known as Mister M. Could Mister M have anything to do with Mr Miranda? Conspiracy theories abound.)

Palmeiras pact pays off

Last month's 6-2 mauling at the hands of minnows Mirassol was always likely to go down as a key moment in Palmeiras' season. After the travails of 2012 and unedifying (read: despicable) scuffles between idiotic fans and players in March, you would have been forgiven for expecting total meltdown as the club prepares for life in Série B.

But things have panned out rather differently. Coach Gilson Kleina kept his job and has led the Verdão to three consecutive wins. This weekend a goal from in-form Leandro (who also scored on debut for Brazil in the non-event friendly with Bolivia just 24 hours earlier) saw them condemn early-season flyers Ponte Preta to their first defeat in 17 Paulistão games.

The key to this turnaround? Crisis talks in the dressing room following the Mirassol match. "We made a pact to overcome adversity," said defender Wendel. Fluffy-haired creator Tiago Real chimed in: "We said that we had to start from scratch. The results show that we've done that." These remain early days, but one senses that better times lie ahead for Palmeiras.

Fonte Nova opens with a bang

Another of Brazil's World Cup stadiums was unveiled on Sunday, when the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador hosted the Campeonato Baiano game between Bahia and Vitória. The 55,000-seat stadium, built as a replacement for the Estádio Octávio Mangabeira, will host six games in 2014, as well as three at this summer's Confederations Cup. 

No serious issues were reported at the inauguration, meaning fans were able to fully enjoy the Ba-Vi, one of Brazil's most historic clássicos. Not that 'enjoy' was the right word for Bahia fans, who watched their side slump to a galling 5-1 defeat at the hands of the Ruby-and-Blacks. Among the scorers for Vitória was Maxi Biancucchi, the cousin of one Lionel Messi. Brazilians will be hoping that success doesn't run in the family if Argentina show up at the Fonte Nova in 2014.

Redemption for Rhayner

There are dry spells and then there are dry spells. Just ask Fluminense forward Rhayner. Before this weekend the 22-year-old had failed to register for the Tricolor, whom he joined at the start of the year. That would have be fine, except for the fact that he hadn't managed to find the net in 34 games for former club Náutico either. And for the three clubs he represented before them (Figueirense, Linense, Tombense)? You guessed it: zero goals. His last strike had come back in January 2011.

It wasn't for lack of trying; Rhayner did well enough at Náutico to earn a move to Flu, and had been lively in the latter's early Campeonato Carioca games. When the reigning Brazilian champions were awarded a penalty against Macaé last month, there was only one logical candidate to take it. Rhayner duly missed.

So when the youngster fortuitously found the net with a cross-shot against Resende on Saturday, the relief was almost palpable. After two years and 83 games without a goal, even a subsequent injury couldn't quite take the smile off his face; he left the pitch visibly buoyed by the cheers of the crowd at the Raulino de Oliveira stadium. Perhaps now the floodgates will open.

*For more on this story, read chapter thirteen of Alex Bellos' excellent Futebol.

A version of this article was published by The Guardian here.

(Photo credits: (1) Paulo Sergio, (2) Vanderlei Almeida/AFP.)

Bleed for Victory: Leão Start Pioneering Donation Drive

In the über-branded football world of today, it has become all too rare for a club exploit its image for good. How heartwarming, then, to see the trend being bucked in the Brazilian second division this week.

Esporte Clube Vitória - a club whose size and popularity are belied by their Série B status - have come up with an ingenious way to encourage their fans to give blood. The club are temporarily removing the colour red from their famous rubro-negro jerseys - quite a big deal, given that teams are often referred to colloquially by the colours of their strip in Brazil.  The Leão da Barra will then 'refill' the shirts one hoop at a time as blood donations are made over the course of the season. (See 0:50 in the video below.)

The campaign, launched in partnership with Hemoba, the Bahia state blood foundation, is entitled Meu Sange é Rubro-Negro (My Blood is Red and Black). "Vitória has always bled for you," urges the video. "Now it's time to give back."

Here's to other clubs following in Vitória's pioneering footsteps.

A version of this article appeared in FourFourTwo magazine. Hat-tip to André Savastano for alerting me to the campaign.

Palmeiras and Avaí Through to Last 16 of Copa Sul-Americana

South America's secondary football competition slipped under the radar slightly this week, with the final of the Copa Libertadores understandably hogging the headlines. There were, however, two all-Brazilian second-leg clashes, from which Avaí and Palmeiras progressed to the round of sixteen.

Avaí 0-1 Santos (3-2 on aggregate)
Despite losing on the night to Santos, Avaí's impressive first leg performance proved to be enough to see them through to the next round. The Florianópolis side have rivalled Santos for attacking flair in recent weeks, and lined up at the Ressacada with their in-form attacking quartet of Davi, Robinho (formerly of Santos...no, not that Robinho), Vandinho and Caio. The Peixe, in the wake of the departures of Robinho (that Robinho), André, and Wesley, fielded what is now their strongest XI, hoping to stay in contention for their third title of 2010.

Avaí started with the bit between their teeth, and could twice have taken the lead through Patric and Rudinei. The opening goal, however, would go to Santos, and in some style. Marquinhos, regaining his starting spot (in my opinion, he's a far more useful player than Wesley, the midfielder who was keeping him out of the side) somehow produced an overhead-backheel-throughball (yes, you read that right), sending Zé Éduardo clear to slot past the goalkeeper. It looked as if a Santos comeback was on the cards, but the seasiders were frustrated for the rest of the tie, seeing chance after chance pass them by, and allowing Avaí to hold on for a narrow aggregate win.

Palmeiras fans salute goalkeeper Marcos on his 500th game for the club.

Palmeiras 3-0 Vitória (3-2 on aggregate)
Luiz Felipe Scolari, after a frustrating start as Palmeiras coach, guided his side to a second straight win, one which sees the Verdão through to the last sixteen of the competition. Despite resting a number of his star players (Kléber, Ewerton, Lincoln), the home side turning in a strong performance to knock out visiting Vitória.

In front of a packed Pacaembu (due largely to it being the 500th game of goalkeeping legend Marcos), Palmeiras took the lead on the stroke of half time. Marcos Assunção found Tadeu with a terrific pass, and the forward's finish bounced into the net despite a touch from Viáfara in the visitors' goal. Tadeu would go on to grab his second just after the interval, drilling home after Márcio Araújo's skewed shot. The scoring was completed in the final seconds when deadball specialist Marcos Assunção bent home a glorious free-kick from thirty yards.

(Photo credit; Tom Dib.)

Santos Win Copa do Brasil

Despite losing on the evening to a brave Vitória side, Santos were last night crowned Copa do Brasil champions for the first time in their history. Celebrations in Salvador were tinged with melancholy, however; this was probably the curtain call for the current crop of Meninos da Vila.


Vitória 2-1 Santos (2-3 on aggregate)
Santos travelled to Salvador with a two goal advantage from the first leg, but any complacency on their part would have evapourated with a quick glance at the pitch at the Barradão. Resembling a bog in a couple of areas, the turf was always likely to favour Vitória's more direct approach; the Leão, with both Schwenk and Júnior (remember him, Walsall/Derby fans?!) in attack, were set up to bombard Santos with long-balls and crosses into the area. The Peixe, on the other hand, normally so devastating on the break, had some problems finding their rhythm.

The first chance of the game fell to Vitória; Schwenk crossed from the right for Júnior, who really should have done better with a free header. Soon after, Schwenk had a chance of his own, but couldn't find a way past Santos goalkeeper Rafael. The home side would be made to regret their profligacy, as Santos gained control of the game towards the end of the half. Spurred on by the ever-excellent Arouca, the seasiders began to have some joy with attacks down the flanks; Alex Sandro and Neymar doubled up down the left, and Pará and Robinho did likewise on the right. It was from a dead ball, however, that Santos would open the scoring. Neymar's free-kick was initially blocked, but the youngster took advantage of a kind rebound to curl a delightful cross into the area. Centre-back Edu Dracena, in a yard of space, glanced the ball in off the near post.

Edu Dracena celebrates his crucial goal.

Returning from their half-time break, Vitória needed no fewer than four goals to turn the tie around. It was always going to be an uphill struggle, but to their credit they made a game of it in the second period. The equaliser came from defender Wallace, who volleyed home with some aplomb after a knock-down by veteran Rámon. Further chances came and went for the Leão; Júnior again missed his header when it looked easier to score, and substitute Renato saw his effort come back off the bar. At the other end, the introduction of Marquinhos gave Santos more cutting edge, but the seasiders couldn't find a way past Julián Viáfara. Just when it looked like the game was petering out, Vitória snatched a second. Júnior, fed by the impressive Elkeson, finally found the net; lifting a sumptuous chip over Rafael to give the home side the lead. The goal would prove to be too little, too late; Santos held on for a 3-2 aggregate win.

As the celebrations ensued, all questions about disharmony in the Santos camp (in wake of an amusing story about a Twitter webcast that went rather awry) were dispelled; Dorival Júnior and his men looked the picture of unity as they lifted their second title in six months. There was, however, a undercurrent of mourning to the proceedings; the days of this group of Meninos da Vila look numbered. This week, André will jet off to the Ukraine to join up with Dynamo Kiev, and with interest in Neymar and Paulo Henrique Ganso ever-growing, the fans of the Peixe could see their team decimated before the midway point of the Brasileirão. The prize of a place in next year's Libertadores, while substantial, will surely arrive far too late for many of the current side.

Robinho and Neymar are raised aloft by club staff.

A message of hope, though, was offered by Robinho. The forward, who has now won the Brasileirão, the Campeonato Paulista, and the Copa do Brasil with Santos, promised to do all in his power to return to the club on a permanent basis. While acknowledging his contractual obligation with Manchester City, the seleção star affirmed that his heart remains at the Vila Belmiro.

(Photo credits; (1)& (3) Marcos Ribolli/Globoesporte.com, (2) Tom Dib.)

Advantage Santos in Cup Final; Inter Gain Narrow Libertadores Lead

Wednesday night was a huge one in Brazilian football, with the first legs of both the Copa do Brasil final and the all-Brazilian Copa Libertadores semi-final. A pity, then, that the games were on at exactly the same time; you can't beat some sound South American logic.

Santos 2-0 Vitória (Copa do Brasil)
Santos continued their superb home record in the cup by claiming a deserved 2-0 win over Vitória at the Vila Belmiro. The Peixe's post World-Cup form has been ropey, but the potential reward of a Libertadores spot for next season seemed to spark a number of their players into life; they could easily have won this game by five or six. Dorival Júnior lined up with all four of the attackers who received recent call-ups to the seleção; Paulo Henrique Ganso prompting from deep behind a flexible front three of Neymar, Robinho, and André. Vitória, on the other hand, were set up to counter attack, with the pacy Elkeson supporting Schwenk in attack.

The home side nearly took the lead within the first ten minutes, but Ganso's precise free-kick came back off the post with the 'keeper beaten. The opener, though, was not long in coming. Robinho found Pará down the right, and the full-back's low cross was chested (yes, chested) home by Neymar at the far post. It was the young forward's eleventh goal of the competition. Further chances were scarce before the break; the best fell to André, who ballooned over with the net beckoning.

Neymar; chested finishes and chipped penalty catastrophes all in a day's work.

The second period saw Santos dominate yet further, and create a flood of chances to extend their lead. Paulo Henrique and Robinho were both guilty of some wasteful finishing, but the biggest culprit was Neymar. Having won a spot-kick with a fabulous bit of trickery, the youngster attempted a 'Loco' Abreu-style cavadinha - a delicate chip over the diving goalkeeper. Unfortunately, however, Vitória stopper Lee stood rooted on the line and gratefully plucked the ball out of the air. Neymar looked understandably crestfallen.

Dorival Júnior threw on Marquinhos and Zé Eduardo (who look like a father and son combo) in search of a second goal, a move which paid off almost instantly. Zé Eduardo was felled outside the box, and Marquinhos bent a stunning free-kick in off the post. It was no more than Santos deserved, and puts the Peixe in the driving seat ahead of the second leg next week. Vitória, though, will be a different prospect at the Barradão.

Internacional 1-0 São Paulo (Copa Libertadores)
São Paulo travelled to Porto Alegre off the back of some truly horrible league form, and will surely be happy to tackle the home leg with only a one goal deficit. They were outplayed by Inter for long periods at the Beira-Rio, and frequently needed Rogério Ceni to rescue them.

Inter's Giuliano wheels away after his winning goal.

In a goalless first half, Inter who showed the greater attacking intent, but were largely stifled by the Tricolor's defensive tactics. Ricardo Gomes evidently set his side up to frustrate the home side; the attacking instincts of players like Marlos and Hernanes were reigned in, leaving Fernandão lacking in support up front. The approach, despite its negativity, seemed to be working. The Colorado were reduced to just a handful of half-chances; Andrés D'Alessandro went close with a free-kick, and Taison's header brought a flying save from Rogério.

It appeared that the second period would provide more frustration for Inter; Rogério Ceni denied both Andrezinho and Kléber within the first five minutes of the half. Inter's pressure finally paid off, however, with twenty minutes to play. Substitute Giuliano drifted in from the right and (fortuitously) found D'Alessandro, who lifted a delicate chip towards Taison. The ball ricocheted back into the path of Giuliano, who spun brilliantly to arrow a shot into the bottom corner. Inter, spurred on by the superb D'Alessandro, sought a second, but could not find one. The tie remains evenly balanced ahead of next week's return leg at the Morumbi.

(Photo credits; (1) Eduardo Viana, (2) EFE.)

São Paulo Slip to Second Consecutive Defeat; Pet Lifts Flamengo into Top 4

The games continue to flow thick and fast in the Brasileirão, as the league plays catch-up in the wake of the World Cup. It was a bad weekend for São Paulo, who not only lost, but saw bitter city rivals Corinthians pull away at the head of the table. Flamengo continued their good form after the break, with a 1-0 away win against Atlético-GO, which sees them sneak into the top 4.

Vitória 3-2 São Paulo
Ricardo Gomes's São Paulo, fresh from a home loss to Avaí, were looking to get their league campaign back on track against Vitória in Salvador. The Tricolor are soon to play semi-final of the Copa Libertadores, but a full-strength starting XI at the Barradão suggested that the team's focus is, for now, wholly on the league. Vitória, however, have been quietly effective at home, and proved more than a match for the visitors.

Ramon (right) celebrates his goal.

The Leão enjoyed the majority of possession in the first period, and took the lead when Elkeson rose magnificently to head home Egídio's pinpoint cross. São Paulo's attacking output was limited to the occasional ineffective counter-attack, leaving Fernandão marooned up front for long periods. Against the run of play, however, the away side equalised. Right wing-back Jean finally ventured forward, and after swapping passes with Hernanes (easily São Paulo's standout player on the night), slid his shot into the corner of the net.

The leveller was evidently an affront to Ricardo Silva's men, who came bursting out of the traps in the second period to regain control of the game. Another beautiful Egídio cross was nodded home by Schwenk to make it 2-1, and Ramon added a third soon after. Elkeson's clever ball beat the offside trap, and the veteran striker kept his cool to stroke past Rogério Ceni. By this stage, the three points looked safe, but the ball-boys clearly didn't want to take any chances; amusingly, referee Marcelo de Lima Henrique was forced to dismiss two of them for being too slow in returning the ball to São Paulo players. The Tricolor did drag themselves back into contention via a Fernandão header, but couldn't muster another equaliser. The win for Vitória sees them move above São Paulo in the standings.

Atlético-GO 0-1 Flamengo
The Rubro-Negro picked up an undeserved win at the Serra Dourada thanks to performances by men at both ends of the standard footballing lifespan. It was Dejan Petkovic who again proved the difference in attack, and who netter Flamengo's only goal from the penalty spot. But the real star was young (OK, he's actually 23, but cut me some slack) goalkeeper Marcelo Lomba, who pulled off some fine saves to keep the Dragão at bay.

The first half was a timid affair, with both teams seemingly content to remain at arm's length. There was, however, one exception. Diego Maurício spent the opening period tearing around the pitch, displaying the work ethic of a man desperate to earn a more permanent role in the team. It was he who, after half an hour, burst into the box, and was felled by Gilson. The referee correctly awarded a spot-kick, which Petkovic dispatched into the corner.

'Pet' salutes the Fla fans.

The home side came to life in the second period, particularly after the introduction of Juninho and Anaílson. The pair combined to good effect down the left, and it took some dogged Flamengo defending to prevent an equaliser. Ronaldo Angleim and Welinton received protection not only from the ever energetic Willians, but from débutant Correa, who put in an assured shift in midfield. It was a fortuitous but priceless win for Flamengo, who, despite their troubles both on and off the pitch, find themselves in fourth place.

Gameweek 9 Round-up
Vasco picked up only their second win of the season, beating fellow relegation scrappers Atlético Paranaense 3-1 at the São Januário. Strikers Jonathan and Nunes both netted their first goals for the club; the former with a shot that slipped through the hands of Neto in the Furacão goal, and the latter with a penalty after Jonathan was brought down in the box. Bruno Mineiro pulled one back before half time for nine-man Atlético, but Léo Gago wrapped things up around the hour mark with a low drive from distance.

Corinthians pulled away at the top of the table with a 1-0 win against Atlético-MG, as Ceará lost to Inter. Bruno César netted the Timão's only goal with a deflected effort. Inter turned in a good performance at the Beira-Rio, and took the lead through an Alecsandro penalty after Giuliano tumbled (dived) in the area. Kléber added a second after good work by Andrés d'Alessandro, before a Pato Abbondanzieri howler gifter Michel a consolation.

Young forward Alan was again decisive for Fluminense.

Fluminense move up to second following a tight 1-0 win against stuttering Santos at the Vila Belmiro. After withstanding long periods of pressure, the Tricolor netted on the break when supersub Alan drilled home after receiving Mariano's visionary pass. Cruzeiro too picked up a 1-0 victory, at home to lowly Goiás. Playmaker Gilberto bagged the goal, finishing with aplomb after a one-two with Wellington Paulista.

Botafogo endured their sixth consecutive game without a win, this time drawing 1-1 with Guarani. A superb break-away attack from the Bugre saw Mazola leave Botafogo defender Danny Morais for dead before squaring for Ricardo Xavier to open the scoring. The Glorioso defender made amends just before half time, however, rising to powerfully head Lúcio Flávio's corner past Douglas. The Rio side now sit 15th in the table, just one point above a group that includes Grêmio, who lost away to partial namesakes Grêmio Prudente. Paulo César grabbed the first with a free kick (aided by a defensive wall which parted like the Red Sea), before Wanderley added another on the break in the final seconds.

At the Ressacada, in-form Avaí ensured that Luiz Felipe Scolari's honeymoon period with Palmeiras was short lived, inflicting a 4-2 defeat on the Verdão. It was the visitors who took the lead through Gabriel Silva, but two lovely Avaí goals put them in the driving seat at half time. Caio got the first with a lovely left-footed drive, before Robinho (not that one) finished off an incisive passing move. In the second period, Kléber levelled things with a penalty (which he'd dived theatrically to earn), but the Leão da Ilha were not to be denied. Caio bagged his second after seeing his own penalty saved by Deola, before Roberto ran clear, calmly evaded the Palmeiras keeper and steered his shot into the empty net.

(Photo credits; (1) Romildo de Jesus/Lancepress, (2) Carlos Costa, (3) Ivan Storti.)

Santos and Vitória Reach Copa do Brasil Final

The semi-finals of the Brazilian cup were settled on Wednesday evening, with Santos and Vitória earning their places in the decider.

Santos 3-1 Grêmio
After losing out 4-3 in the first leg, Santos needed a win at the Vila Belmiro to reach the final. Recognising this, coach Dorival Júnior selected an attacking line-up (with Paulo Henrique Ganso behind a front three of Neymar, André, and Robinho), but none of his stars was able to break the deadlock in a goalless first half.

If there were any doubts forming in the minds of the Peixe fans, they were quickly and resoundingly dispelled in the second period. Just six minutes had passed when Ganso advanced on the left and rocketed an unstoppable drive into the top corner. A glorious goal.

The 'goose' steps forward; Ganso unleashes from range to score for Santos.

It was trumped, however by Santos' second; an exemplar in ruthless counter-attacking football. A long ball was pumped out of defence, which Robinho, still in his own half, managed to win in the air. André collected the ball, resisted a Grêmio challenge, and played it back into the path of Robinho, who had made a surging run. One on one with the 'keeper, the former Real Madrid man fashioned a stunning first-time lob to send the Santistas into raptures.

Five minutes later, Grêmio provided a reminder that they could still spoil the home side's party; Rafael Marques (not that one) netting from close range after Felipe spilt a Douglas free-kick. The revival, however, would prove to be short-lived. Energetic Santos midfielder Wesley outpaced his marker, rounded Victor, and found a finish from a tight angle.

It was a second half performance that embodied Santos' rise in 2010. Theirs is not only a fluid, aesthetic football; it is a potent and effective one too. It also provides a timely reminder that skill and entertainment, those traditional hallmarks of the Brazilian game, can be compatible with success even in this age of physical conditioning and professionalism. Perhaps the seleção ought to take note.

Vitória 4-0 Atlético-GO
Even if the honeymoon appears well and truly over for Atlético Goianiense (after their first Série A loss and defeat here), they can still fall back on the joy of (bear with me...) having married a girl way out of their league. In a more literal sense, their league is probably Série B, and a cup run to the semi-finals remains a historic achievement, despite their elimination at the Barradão.

Júnior (right) celebrates his first of the night for Vitória.

Uelliton (yes, that's what Wellington looks like when spelt phonetically/really, really badly) put the home side ahead with a simple header, before Júnior bagged a brace. Injury time produced some drama, when Vitória won a spot-kick. Viáfara, the Leão's penalty-taking goalkeeper scored with a paradinha, but was promptly booked for doing so (see below), and ordered to retake. He converted his second attempt, but will now miss the first leg of the final.

News Round-up
The days of the paradinha are numbered, it seems, after FIFA confirmed it would not allow the technique at the World Cup, a decision which will also apply to competitions worldwide from the start of the tournament. Globo analysed two types of kick; the paradona (big stop), which involves a dummy when the kicking leg has already been pulled back, and the paradinha (little stop), which involves a stutter or dummy in the run-up. The former, but not the latter, will be disallowed. (Globo's labelling is a bit confusing, though, since it's precisely the former which has been going by the name of paradinha...)

Deco; Laranjeiras-bound?

A week of substantial activity in Rio has seen Vasco appoint a new coach, and Fluminense all but seal an enormous transfer coup. Celso Roth has taken the reigns at the São Januário, with Gaúcho stepping aside to take up the role of assistant. Roth led Atlético-MG with considerable success last term, and having already had a spell at Vasco, looks a decent appointment. Fluminense appear to have tied up a deal for Chelsea midfielder Deco, who has often stated his desire to return to his native Brazil. Although seemingly a declining force in the European game, Deco would undoubtedly be a superb signing for the Tricolor, and at 32, should still have a few years of football left in him. With Flu already having a talented player (Conca) behind the strikers, Muricy Ramalho might consider playing Deco as a deep-lying playmaker, a role he performed with some aplomb (albeit only occasionally) at Stamford Bridge last season.

Tonight sees two Libertadores games; Internacional travel to La Plata to face Estudiantes, and Flamengo face Universidad in Chile. Look out for a round-up of these games (plus Wednesday's game between São Paulo and Cruzeiro) tomorrow.

(Photo credits; (1) Miguel Schincariol, (2) Agência Estado, (3) Daniel Dal Zennaro.)