Corinthians Paulista::The Phenomenon Returns

[Chelsea11]

are you taking Edixon Perea out of the Gremio side as well?

[chiboygeorge]

Ryan get on 360

[Steve]

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►SEASON PREVIEW 2008
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Key Dates::
Season Commences::9th May 2008
Season Finishes::6th December 2008
Transfer Window::2nd July 2008

Disclaimer:: Hello, I will be doing this 2008 season on fifa 09 by playing friendly matches with those clubs which are available, I have included clubs which aren’t in the game in my preview for fictional purposes. I plan to continue this manager mode into fifa 10. I am going for minimal graphics and simplicity with solid and good writing, I hope you enjoy.

Sao Paulo:: After winning six titles, three of which are consecutive, hopes of a seventh look dim as skipper and key keeper Rogerio Ceni broke an ankle during a training session and is more than likely to miss playing with his squad for the season. If Hernanes moves abroad to European soil during the transfer window, it will only create more problems for Muricy Ramalho. He has overcome some difficult times within the past three years and maintained his ability to take his club to title winning form. A fourth title may be out of Paulo’s reach, but they club will be disappointed if they happen to miss out on a placing the Libertadores Cup.

Gremio:: Gremio have been hailed champions twice, with the latest being in 1996. They were relegated after a collapse in club assets in 2004, but came straight back into the Serie A with high ambitions. They were runners up in the Libertadores Cup in 2007 and last years championship. There has been talk of sacking coach Celso Roth, but good form makes the issue somewhat of a mystery. They have a potential star in Douglas Costa, who looks promising and strong performers in Leo and Rever.

Cruizeiro:: Champions in 2003, Cruzeiro are a firmly established club with one of the best structures in the country. The squad looks strong on paper, with names such as Fabio, Fabricio, Ramires and Wanger, not to mention to striker Kleber. Their defence remains weak, with no real depth or strength which is mercurial Brazilian. They have finished third and fifth in the past two years.

Palmeiras:: Palmeiras are traditionally a club for Sao Paulos Italian community. They have snatched the title a total of four times, both in the 70’s and 1990’s. With 2002 world cup winning goalkeeper Marcos to prevent conceding any basic goals and very strong centre forward Keirrison to score them, Palmeiras could look like strong contendors.

Flamengo:: An institution of youth academy, Flamengo have won the titles a total of five times, but not since 1992. The club lives in turmoil, and is disestablished by unpaid salaries or political biffs. After a series of very poor seasons, they have come out well in the past two seasons, finishing third and fifth. Coach Cuca will have to find a much improved system and formula under pressure.

Internacional:: Internacional finished sixth last year, but should have finished a lot higher, the club has a charismatic coach in Tite. The club also boasts one of the countries best youth policies and one of the strongest squads in the country. Stand outs in the squad include Argentine Pablo Guinazu and Andres D’Alessandro. The front pair of Nilmar and rapid Taison are deadly for any keeper. The club are celebrating thei centenary year, so big things are expected of them.

Botafogo:: Botafogo were champions in 1995 and most are optimistic for a repeated performance. Based on the coach Ney Franco and attack prowess of Maicosuel, Reinaldo and Victor. One thing holding the club back is that they need to cut costs, high costs have led the club to produce a squad for the 2008 season lacking in depth and strength of a challenge.

Goias:: A provincial club that fly between the first and second division leagues of the competition, but are reputedly known for playing some very attractive football, which does not get them results. Their best performance was third in 2005.

Coritiba:: They were crowned champions in 1985 in a shock victory, and finished a wholesome ninth last year after spending two seasons in Serie B. Coach Ivo Wortmann may have problems after losing key striker Keirisson. High hopes rest on striking duo of Ariel and Marcelinho.

Vitoria:: A traditional club fro El Salvador, whose best ever performance was second in 1993. They challenged early last year but dribbled away to tenth and have lost coach Vagner Mancini and starlets Marquinhos and Williams to clubs abroad. Newly appointed manager Paulo Cesar, a coach who bounds for greatness, but has done nothing notable in recent years.

Sport Recife:: Lions of the north as they are known, they snatched the title in 1987. They did stage a breakaway league that season, their best performance has been 5th. They dropped out of first division for fdour years from 2002-2006, but pulled off a trick and won the Brazilian Cup last year.

Atletico Mineiro:: Won the competition in 1971, but waiting for a second title. Their performances are often very consistent but financial problems led to a difficult couple of years, with their club spending a year in the second division in 2006. Coach Geninho who uses a three centre back rule, has been a hit with the youngsters. This could be their year to make some serious cash by training their youth and moving them abroad.

Atletico Paranaense:: Champions in 2001, the ambitious club of Paranaense an eager to be more than relegation contenders. They rely on a solid home record in their stadium. But do thye have even enougn quality to do well away from home without the support of fans?

Fluminese:: Fluminese won the title in 1984 under legend Carlos Alberto, who steered the small club out of the third division and too charge again of the club this year. Back in Brazil is Fred, who should pan out to be one of the best strikers in the league following his move from Lyon. The remainder of the squad is hangs in question though.

Santos:: Their heyday with Pele, an extraordinary history for such a small town, they have won two titles within the decade and a third simply cannot be overlooked. With quality in the team such as Fabio Costa, Eller, Fabao and Leio at left back, not to mention 17 year old talent Neymar, who can only get better for his club.

Corinthians:: The giant and chaotic club return after a year out of the top flight. Menezes is a calm yet firm coach for a turbulent side and the sheer presence of Ronaldo has the clubs fanatical fans believing that the momentum of promotion can be maintained throughout the season. A fifth title in the aim in their centenary year.

Steve

[Chelsea11]

I can't My mom took my controller because I was supposed to be 'reading' for school, but I never did I just decided to make a Ronaldo sig haha

[Steve]

should i do a report saying how ive signed ronaldo? considering its the start of the 2008 season...

[Chelsea11]

Imagine if Ronaldo actually ended up at Flamengo....Ronaldo and Adriano...

[Steve]

that would have been unbelievable, omg, found a corin facepack, downloaded and opened it up, and they are stupid cut outs which are all blurry can anyone source me a facepack??

[Chelsea11]

nahh Ronaldo would've carried the attack. Adriano's fat and worthless.

[chiboygeorge]

Originally Posted by Chelsea11

I can't My mom took my controller because I was supposed to be 'reading' for school, but I never did I just decided to make a Ronaldo sig haha

Originally Posted by Chelsea11

nahh Ronaldo would've carried the attack. Adriano's fat and worthless.

Ugh....Adriano is actually doing great for Flamengo.

[Chelsea11]

he's played 5 games

[chiboygeorge]

Originally Posted by Chelsea11

he's played 5 games

Yea, there has been only 8 games in Brasileirao and he made his debut in the thrid round.

[Chelsea11]

What a bum

[Steve]

yeah brazil league starts at a different time chelsea anyway, im making the facepacks myself... so squad may be up within a couple of days problem with corinthians is they are just too good, like palmeiras, they have a young squad and it just makes it impossible to sign anybody

[Chelsea11]

Originally Posted by nottscounty

Yeah brazil league starts at a different time chelsea

no wayyyyyyyy

[Fifa09_guy]

LOL i think someone else did sao paulo for like 2 weeks but doesnt do it now LOL no supporters

[Chelsea11]

I did Sao Paulo in 08. Brought back all the legends

Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Roberto Carlos, Kaka

[Steve]

nice, yeah i expect this to be a good challenge, ill try to get people into it....hopefully... anyway, heres the facepacks im working on at the moment... just a preview..

[Steve]

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►FIXTURES ANNOUNCED

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In what is always an amazing experience, the new season of the Campeonato begins, never one team can create a monopoly. It is truly the league where anything can happen. Corinthians have recieved their draw for the season.

Corinthians have announced a tour of South America is preparation for the Copa Libertadores competition next year, they will go against four of the major south American clubs including two Argentine Clubs and two Mexican clubs. The matches will be played over the period of April in three different countries. Corinthians will host Boca Juniors and Club America of Mexico whilst they will travel to Buenos AiresMexico to take on Cruz Azul at their home stadium. to challenge River Plate and will also be travelling to Mexico to challenge Cruz Azul.

April::Pre Season
2::Boca Juniors (H)
10::Club America (H)
17::River Plate (A)
30::Cruz Azul (A)

May::
4::Coritibia (H)
16::Fluminese (A)
19::Mineiro 29 (H)
29::Palmeiras (H)

June::
9::Botafogo (A)
17::Vitoria (H)
21::Porto (A)
26::Vasco Da Gama (H)

July::
16:Cruzerio (H)
19::Gremio (H)
24::Ipatinga (H)
28::Paranaense (A)

August::
7::Coritibia (A)
20::Goiania (H)
23::Sao Paulo (H)
29::Vasco Da Gama (A)

September::
3::Nautico (H)
15::Vitoria (A)
24::Goiania (A)
27::Mineiro (A)
30::Palmeiras (A)

October::
13::Botafogo (H)
18::Flamengo (H)
23::Porto (H)
29::Paraneanse (H)

November::
19::Cruizerio (A)
24::Gremio (A)
27::Ipatinga (A)
30::Sport Recife (H)

December::
9::Nautico (A)
23::Fluminese (H)
28::Flamengo (A)
31::Sao Paulo (A)

[Liverpöol]

nice work man MSN?

[Steve]

coming on now

[Steve]

anymore feedback on the preview updates? will play the match against Boca tonight

[Thommo]

nice cant wait til 2010 should be great but can you do like an 08 season now?

[Steve]

thats what im doing, if you read the reports you would know, but oh well thanks for your comment

[digitalchaos00]

this is amazing dude, cant wait for this to get started. going to be even better than your napoli one

[LeeXD]

This is a great MM, kiu!