Adriano's Adventure

A little disappointing to be held but the main thing is that Vasco don't gain the bragging rights for now.

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Against River Plate in the Copa Libertadores it was another goalless draw, both goalkeepers played well to prevent either side from losing the match. Adriano experimented in the game and started with a 4-3-3 DM formation. Adriano is still looking to get the best out of his players and is hoping soon to find the perfect balance of attacking threat and controlled possession.

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After a dull affair against River Plate, Flamengo face Cabofriense in their next match. Adriano changed the shape again and reverted to a 4-2-4 formation. It worked brilliantly as Flamengo banged in 8 goals to win the game 8-1. De Arrasceata scored a hat-trick, but Gabigol was even better scoring four goals. Barbosa now has 9 goals in 7 games this season, and that was Flamengo’s first win in the second group stage of the Rio State Championship.

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ScottT - You are spot on, at least we didn't lose, and I am still unbeaten as Flamengo manager, not a bad start to my managerial career hey?

Two hat-tricks in one game. Impressive!

Adriano is one of the last players I would ever see going into management, lets see how this plays out haha

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Flamengo returned to the Copa Libertadores group stage to face Uruguayan side Nacional. Bruno Henrique gave Adriano’s side the lead after 41 minutes with a good header, and Nacional player, Mathias Suarez was sent off just before half time for his second bookable offence. Flamengo dominated the second half but couldn’t score again but earned an important 3 points away from home.

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After beating Nacional, Flamengo went on to beat Boavista 5-0 away from home. That man Gabigol, was the star again, scoring another hat-trick. Everton Ribeiro also played well scoring a double and scoring the best goal of the game. Adriano really is starting to get the best out of his players, especially Gabriel Barbosa.

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ScottT - We are starting to bang in the goals now and Gabigol is in red hot form!

Griffo - I have recovered from my addiction and football is what brings me the most happiness in life. I am lucky Flamengo have given me this opportunity, so I am giving it my all. It is going well so far, and I am aiming to be one of the best managers, not just in Brazil, but in world football! Watch me prove the haters wrong!

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Adriano has really found success when setting the team up in a 4-2-4 formation. Against Macae it was a goal fest again. Everton Ribeiro was the star of the game. The winger scored a hat-trick and could have scored four if he didn’t miss a penalty in the second half. His third goal was an amazing free kick golazo. Midfielder, Willian Arao played well scoring a brace, and Leo Pereira also got on the scoresheet to cap off a 6-0 win. A superb victory for Adriano’s team who are looking like certain favourites to win the Rio State Championship.



First choice goalkeeper Diego Alves picked up an injury in training following the match against Macae, that will see him miss 3-4 weeks of action. 27 year old, Cesar will step up and play in goal for the next few matches.

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Flamengo faced a tough game against another rival, Botafogo, in the Rio State Championship. Adriano decided to stick with the 4-2-4 that was working well in the last few games. To Adriano’s frustration, Botafogo took the lead through Pedro Raul and were leading the game 1-0 at half-time. Adriano demanded more from his players and bought on Diego to play CAM, changing to a 4-2-3-1. This tactical change seemed to shift dominance in Flamengo’s favour. Defender Rodrigo Caio equalised in the 74th minte. Gabigol scored a header in the 82nd minute to give Adriano and Flamengo a 2-1 lead. Ribeiro capped off the win with another goal in the 84th minute to seal a 3-1 win, a very good comeback, and Adriano remains undefeated as a manager.

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Adriano’s side travelled to Paraguay to face Cerro Porteño. Adriano set up the side in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and keeps switching up his tactics, to keep his opponents guessing. Flamengo took the lead through Willian Arão in the 13th minute and Gabigol made the score 2-0 after 21 minutes, but Porteño bought one back just before half-time with their first shot of the game. In the second half Flamengo continued to dominate and Willian Arão scored his second of the game, with one of his trademark long distance bullets. Adriano’s side are really on a good run of form, that is 6 consecutive wins now in all competitions.

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After beating Cerro Porteño, Flamengo faced Bangu in the Rio State Championship. Bangu are bottom of the group, so it should have been a comfortable win for Adriano’s side. He decided to rotate the team, but the players still performed well. Flamengo were 4-0 up after 31 minutes, but in the second half Bangu fought back scoring two goals. The game ended 4-2, Flamengo the winners. Willian Arão scored a brace, Ribeiro scored again, and experienced full-back Rafinha scored from the penalty spot. Flamengo will face Cerro Porteño at home in their next match in the Copa Libertadores.

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In the return fixture against Cerro Porteño, Flamengo played well but couldn’t break down the Paraguayan defence. Flamengo dominated the match with 68% possession and 28 shots but just couldn’t score one goal. Flamengo are still top of the group with 8 points. Just two games left in the group and Cerro Porteño and River Plate have 5 points each, so the group is still wide open. One more win should be enough to see Adriano’s side top their group and progress into the knockout stages.

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Adriano’s first chance at silverware came in the Rio State Championship Group 2 Final against Fluminense. Diego Alves was fit to play so started the game in goal. Left back, Filipe Luis had a knock so couldn’t start, but the rest of the team was at full strength. Adriano was bold and went out attacking from the off, and really wanted to get revenge after Nene spoiled the victory last time the two teams met. Fluminense had conceded the least amount of goals in the competitions, but Gabigol couldn’t be stopped and scored a double for Flamengo giving Adriano’s side a 2-0 lead after 49 minutes. Fluminense pushed and created some good chances, but Diego Alves was tough to beat. Near the end of the game, Giorgian De Arrascaeta sealed the win with a great strike in the 84th minute to seal the first piece of silverware for Adriano.

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Flamengo are the Rio State Championship Group 2 Winners, and Adriano has begun his life in management with a trophy at the first opportunity. Although it was a trophy won, it doesn’t count as a major award, and Flamengo must win their next match to be awarded a major trophy.

Flamengo will now face Vasco De Gama in the Rio State Championship Champions Final.

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Flamengo faced Vasco de Gama in the Rio State Final Championship. Flamengo were the heavy favourites going into the match. Adriano hadn’t lost a game yet as manager. Flamengo were at full strength going into the match and Adriano decided to go with the 4-2-3-1 tactic that got them a good win over Fluminense.

German Cano gave Vasco de Gama a 1-0 lead after 15 minutes, it was hard for Flamengo to take as they had been playing well early in the game. Flamengo continued to dominate and play well, but in the 56th minute defender Gustavo Henrique made a terrible mistake allowing Vasco striker Cano to score his second goal of the game. Flamengo continued to throw players forward but couldn’t break through the Vasco de Gama defence and lost the game 2-0. Adriano failed to deliver when it really mattered and suffered his first defeat as Flamengo manager. He will have to reflect on the performance so that they do not face the same issues in the League and Copa Libertadores.

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After suffering his first defeat as a manager, Adriano was determined to get back to winning ways in the next match, a home fixture against Nacional in the Copa Libertadores. Thiago Maia was bought into the starting line up as well as defender Gustavo Henrique. He decided to change to 4-2-4 and play Bruno Henrique up front alongside Gabigol. It was that man, Gabriel Barbosa who gave Flamengo a 1-0 lead after 5 minutes into the game. In the second half goals from Bruno Henrique and Thiago Maia sealed a solid 3-1 win. Carballo scored late for Nacional. Flamengo remain top of their group with 11 points, just one game left to play in the group stages against River Plate. The next match was the first game of the Brazilian Serie A league season.

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Adriano’s first taste of Brasileiro Série A action was against Fortaleza. Adriano face off against former goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni in the dugout. Adriano opted to stick with the 4-2-4 that worked well in the last game.

The first league game proved a tougher challenge than expected. David gave Fortaleza the lead after 18 minutes and at half-time Flamengo were 1-0 down. Adriano then decided to change to 4-2-3-1 and in the 84th minute of the match his side were awarded a penalty. Gabigol stepped up and converted to equalise and the game ended 1-1. A disappointing start to the league campaign and Adriano will be expecting more from his players for the rest of the season.

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After dropping points in their first league game of the season, Flamengo needed a win to ensure their title challenge wasn’t over before it even began. Adriano would face Corinthians in the first home league game of the season. In just the 2nd minute of the match, Flamengo were awarded a penalty, and Gabigol converted to score his 20th goal in all competitions already this season. Bruno Henrique scored to give Flamengo a 2-0 lead right before half time. In the second half Flamengo continued to dominate and Gabigol scored a second to complete a fantastic 3-0 victory. Adriano was delighted with his team after the game and ran onto the pitch to celebrate with his players, especially the star of the team, Gabigol.

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The final Copa Libertadores group stage game for Flamengo was away against River Plate. If River Plate won the game, they would have the chance to jump ahead of Flamengo and qualify top of the group. Adriano knew that a draw would be enough, but he wanted to make a statement and win the match. Flamengo’s goal difference before the match was +5 and River Plates was +1, therefore River Plate would have to beat Flamengo by 4 goals at least to progress top of the group.

Lucas Pratto gave River Plate a 1-0 lead with a good header after 20 minutes. The was a sense of fear from the Flamengo players, but Gabigol managed to pull a goal back for Flamengo, finishing off a quick counterattack in the 59th minute. His goal was enough to earn a point for Flamengo, meaning they progress top of their group and into the knockout stage of the Copa Libertadores.

Adriano has tasted success pretty early on into his managerial career. Congratulations to him. It was a shame that his unbeaten record came unstuck against Vasco, typical that it comes against perhaps the one team you don't want to lose against most! Not an ideal start to the league season but nothing to get too upset about. It's only one game.

Finishing top of the group lays down a marker of intent.

Good start to life as a manager for Adriano, with Gabigol in the line-up it seems Flamengo are a really strong team. Hope you can win the title immediately in the first season!

2 ties against River, that's predictable

and keep your attention and spirit levels high during clássicos, logic won't play a big part at them