After the euphoria of the carnival, football returned with a vengeance on Ash Wednesday. Guanabara Cup semifinal in Rio and another round of State Championship in the Land of Drizzle.

Starting with the classic Carioca between Flamengo and Botafogo. Maracana with a reasonable public, the alvinegro just dropping the favoritism of her rival. The Fla., who coached light during the Carnival, was overcome by a more determined adversary. I do not think this has been the determining factor in defining the game. Flamengo played well, lost a lot of goals. Vagner Love missed three clear chances. Botafogo just came to attack, but was much more efficient. His attackers able to take advantage of the errors of placement of defense and red-black boy Billy, who entered the second half ended up being the hero of the game.

Now alvinegro will compete in Guanabara Cup final against Vasco, next Sunday at the Maracana. The trend is that the public is better. The two teams have met in this first round of the Carioca championship, and gave Vasco. With the right historical thrashed 6-0 by the stadium's rival, Engenhão. But that was another time. Botafogo, directed by Esteban at the time Smith was a team adrift, searching for an identity. Such identity found on the command of new coach Joel Santana.

Muricy in the spotlight

The Palms can not meet since he lost, so, amazing, the Brazilian title last season, and finished off even the Copa Libertadores. The year 2010 has barely begun and alviverde remains in his astral hell. The surf carnival was increased with the rout suffered by the Sao Caetano 4-1 in full Palestra Italia.

Coach Muricy Ramalho, who tried to solve the problem of its defensive sector populating the team with three wheels, balance in office. The demanding fans palmeirense not take it anymore to see the team playing football bureaucratic preached by coach. If the results were showing, surely the critics would be reduced. The problem is that the opposite is happening and Palmeiras have threatened its qualification for the semifinal of the Paulistão.

Pato Colorado

The International announced the signing of Argentine goalkeeper Abbondanzieri, who was at Boca Juniors, and took passage in European football playing for Getafe, Spain. Currently, the Duck, who was being challenged in his last club, was not even being cast in the starting lineup. The reason: The failures followed, especially in shots from distance.

Abbondanzieri was hired at the request of coach Jorge Fossati. The Uruguayan asked a more experienced goalkeeper to dispute the Libertadores. But it would be the ideal name Abbondanzieri? I think not, because Inter have had a good goalkeeper Lauro. Much better in my personal analysis that almost retired Abbondanzieri.

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