América´s president, Reginaldo Mathias faces this Guanabara Cup as a return to the big clubs for his team, after many years away from the top. The last memories were in the semi-finals of the Brazilian Championship in 1986.
But standing in their path to glory is Cabofriense. The tricolor squad from the lakes have just as much desire – To be big.
“I already talked to my group, they know we must take this opportunity. Cabofriense has a dangerous team, they are very good at marking and hard tackling. Physically,they have better condition than us, because they had a good pre-season at “Toca da Raposa” (Cruzeiro´s training center), said Jorginho, former world champion player in 1994, with Brazilian National Team and now América´s coach.
Jorginho expects to have the same starting lineup, successful in the victory against Botafogo. Chrys, Guerra and Julinho are recovered from injuries and joined the other players in the training session last morning at Gávea Stadium.
Cabofriense´s coach, Ademir Fonseca will make some changes to histactics for tonight: midfielder João Vitor will be replaced by forward Daniel Moraes. Teti, who played as forward against Fluminense, is returning for the center half. “ América has a good passing team, if we let them take the midfield,we´ll be in trouble” said Fonseca
Both teams will have large support in attendance. Cabo Frio´s city hall prepared an excursion with 20 buses for free. The places are already taken. América is going to have the presence of their most notable supporter – Romário already declared he will come with his kids and father, which is a feverous fan of the Red´s and had big influence over his famous son.
América and Cabofriense play tonight (20.30) with the winner joining Botafogo in the Guanabara Cup final.
AMÉRICA
Everton, Guerra, André, Santiago e Maciel; Válber, Argeu, Bruno Lazaroni e Robert;
Julinho e Chrys. Técnico: Jorginho
CABOFRIENSE
Flávio, Oziel, Cléberson, João Paulo e Ricardo; Daniel, Anderson, Têti e Esquerdinha;
Daniel Moraes e Sorato. Técnico: Ademir Fonseca
VENUE: Maracanã.
TIME: 20h30.
REFEREE: Fábio Dornelas Calábria
