Botafogo FR - Eternal Flames

2013-11-17 00:17#144357 ebEliminator : What a great set of results, and Lodeiro scoring in 3 straight games is straight class!

Lodeiro was on fire. I realised some way through the month he was left footed and I play with inside forwards.. so I put him on the right and the difference he made! All his goals were brilliant, too

2013-11-17 01:04#144360 edu1878 : Great Results. Good to see the manager scoring, even though that is kinda weird. Lodeiro with his boot phone?

Yeah.. and after the game I had to praise myself I seemed like such an arrogant dick in the press conference!

2013-11-17 01:58#144366 Arvind : Look at Flumi go! +40 Goal difference!

What am I going to do about you Arvind

Seedorf's Diary: Alvinegro Aftermath

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One of the best things to see as a player is your fans behind you. Jumping up and down, creating a vibe that motivates you to keep going. You want to do it for them, you want to make them proud and become a hero in their eyes. It was one of those days at the Maracanã against Vasco, and we made the O Glorioso fans proud!

In a country where fans are known to be fickle, turning on their side during games if they go down, only to raise a flag back up high when their team scores a couple of minutes later, this was a remarkable turnout from the Fogão fans.

From the very first minute I was nervous. But these nerves were calmed by the confidence of the fans. The beat and the movement to create the atmosphere they did was spectacular. No doubt, this spurred on the boys - me especially.

What was also brilliant was when Vasco da Gama went ahead. No, not that they did go ahead, but that our loyal supporters were still there, from each corner of the stand, cheering and encouraging us on, not turning their backs on us.

That was no doubt the catalyst for us winning, as much as the whole team played like a team worthy of winning the World Cup, and the players showed enormous character.. the fans were the ones who got us over the line. When it became edgy towards the end of the game, they were still there, watching us cross the line.

One of the best sites I have seen in my time in Brazil, though, was after the final whistle. Not only was the Botafogo section full - but the Vasco one empty. Their supporters had emptied their seats as early as 70 minutes in and the flash of cameras poiinting towards the vacant seats was a sight to see.

Half an hour later, guess who was still there? Of course, the fans. We clapped them off the field and praised their spirit, while they partied long into the night.

Inspirational and moving :') Love your updates Walter.

Great update pal :')

Brilliant update Walter and great win!

2013-11-17 13:51#144550 AaronHJFT96 : Inspirational and moving :') Love your updates Walter.

Thanks Aaron, that was the aim

2013-11-17 14:26#144563 Lucas : Great update pal :')

Thanks Lucas.

2013-11-17 14:37#144571 The Madridista : Brilliant update Walter and great win!

Thanks Madridista.

Excellent! I wish I could write an update like that. Whenever my teams do really well, like win a promotion or championship, I feel really moved. That's why I love FM.

2013-11-17 23:41#144672 ebEliminator : Excellent! I wish I could write an update like that. Whenever my teams do really well, like win a promotion or championship, I feel really moved. That's why I love FM.

Thanks mate That's exactly how I felt after the game, partly inspired the update

Botafogo Turn Down Rival Bid

Andre Bahia's recent form has caught the eyes of several club sides - with reported interest from city rivals Vasco da Gama and Portuguese juggernauts Sporting CP. Both bids have been rejected, the club can confirm.

The 30 year old has earned praise for his recent performances, and looks to be forming a solid partnership with young ball playing defender Doria, who has also captured the attention of some of Europe's elite.

Bahia didn't seem to disheartened about the bid being rejected, as the morale inside the Fogo camp is superb after going six games unbeaten. Botafogo find themselves second in the table in the Carioca State Championships, with players like Nicolas Lodeiro being on top form over the last month.

And this form has been enough to earn the Uruguayan winger a call up to Óscar Tabárez's side. Under 20's midfielder Marcelo Martinez also earned a call up to the national set up. Goalkeeper Jefferson and young defender Doria also got themselves in the running for their first caps, as Luiz Felipe Scolari called them up to his squad to face France.



Another inclusion was iconic midfielder Ronaldinho, whose form for Atletico Mineiro was enough to book himself a place in the former Chelsea manager's friendly squad to replace the injured Oscar, of Chelsea.

Seedorf's Diary: 'The A Team'

After going into the third month, I realised how comprehensively under-armed our youth setup was. An U20s manager and a couple of other coaches were all we had. So with the spare $111K (Brazilian Real) I had in the wage budget, I went out to find seven coaches who could revolutionise our Under 20s, and also our reserves.

First thing was first: Under 20's Coaches. I had seven spots available and a hell of a lot of money to burn. I was going to give my Youth Manager Julio Tolezo the best in the business. The coaches I gave him must be determined and adaptable to their new environment. They must never lack discipline to them but know how to manage them well.

I signed Jacinto Ribeiro to be our Reserves manager, as he possesses some fine experience and skill in this job. ALthough I don't agree with how he likes to play the game, I think his experience can rub off on the youngsters.


Secondly, we needed coaches. I wanted ones who specialised in each area so we could have intense and individual coaching. I wanted defensive coaches and attacking coaches plus maybe a technical coach. I signed 45 year old Paulo Cesar. He knows how to defend, and that is why he is here.


The other coaches were mainly divided between defensive, attacking or technical. Glauco Guabuenzi is talented all over and should provide extra attacking help with lots of the youngsters. He's pretty young, so he gets on with the youngsters pretty well. The other coach I signed was Valter Mendes - who will be focusing on the youngsters techniques. This is a vital part of their development, meaning an important deal has been done.


The last piece of the puzzle is fitness. It is vital and beneficial for their development that they stay clear of injury. These two coaches: Claudio Creattoand Rodolfo Rocha, will be assigned with this job. Both are some of the highest quality fitness coaches around - and we have them both!


This is my A Team. It's not complete, but these people are part of a system designed to make Botafogo one of the best youth factories in the world. I want a conveyor belt of youth being delivered to the first team door every single year and that is these people's jobs.

And no...


They're not for sale.

I hope it works out, I've always struggled to make a youth setup, but being in a hotbed of talent like Brazil should help.

I don't care about the update. All that sponsorship on the kits... IT'S JUST THE TRAINING STUFF FOR GOD'S SAKE! Why do you need to sponsor training kits so much?

2013-11-18 14:24#144794 ebEliminator : I hope it works out, I've always struggled to make a youth setup, but being in a hotbed of talent like Brazil should help.

Yeah that is the aim

2013-11-18 14:26#144796 Louis O. : I don't care about the update. All that sponsorship on the kits... IT'S JUST THE TRAINING STUFF FOR GOD'S SAKE! Why do you need to sponsor training kits so much?

Great updates. Glad to see this still going strong.

2013-11-18 15:27#144813 BayernAmerica : Great updates. Glad to see this still going strong.

Thanks Bayern