Flamengo, Gremio and Internacional are three teams that didn’t do well last year and had an irregular start of the season, but they are still serious challenger for the title.
Flamengo:
Hard to say what Flamengo is made of this year. In the first part of the season Ronaldinho’s arrival brought some expectative to the fans but the results are still inconsistent.
Even if they won the Carioca League, their elimination in the Copa do Brazil against Ceara revealed their weaknesses and showed their lack of consistency.
On the pitch, Ronaldinho hasn’t convinced but he has the support of his team mates and coach. In the shadow of the big name, some younger and less well known players have managed to become key players for the team. It is the case of Thiago Neves, whose efforts have been recognize by Mano Menezes who called him in the National Team.
Last year was a difficult season for Flamengo who nearly got relegated and only managed to secure its seat in the serie A during the last 2 games of the League. This year the coach, Luxemburgo, wants to avoid the same scenario and wants Flamengo to be a solid challenger for the title.
Gremio:
It is nearly the same team as last year who is going to play the 2011 Brasileirao. Except for Paulão, Fabio Santos and Jonas who left the club, the team is the same.
Because of their poor start of the season, the pressure will be big for Gremio in the Brasileirao. First they were kicked out of the Copa Libertadores in the round of 16, and then they lost the final of the Gaucho League against Internacional, their historical rivals.
Gremio’s first objective is to be in the Copa Libertadores next year. And to achieve it they will count on their star player, the goalkeeper Victor, whose also playing for the National Team.
Internacional:
Despite their elimination in the Copa Libertadores, Internacional has had a good start of the season. They won the Gaucho League winning the final against their historical rivals, Gremio.
Internacional hasn’t won the Brasileirao since 1979. The club is angry for titles and 2011 might be their year.
They will start the season with the same team that won the Copa Libertadores last year, only stronger with the arrivals of important players such as Bolatti, Zé Roberto and Cavenaghi.
Also to reach their objectives the direction of the club changed manager, and contracted Paulo Roberto Falcão, he used to be Internacional’s idol when they won their last title in 1979.
