Bayer 04 Brazil Tour – Werkself at Brazil's biggest derby

The colours black and red dominate the streets in Rio de Janeiro. Bayer 04, currently at the training camp in the Brazilian metropolis, play a smaller part in that although the banners of the ESQUENTA Bayer 04 Brazil Tour are and have been clearly visible at the hotel in Barra da Tijuca, at the the friendly against the CR Flamengo U20s at the Estádio da Gávea and on Ipanema Beach. The Leverkusen club colours belong in Rio to the club who have made part of their training ground available to Bayer 04: CR Flamengo, the most popular club in the city. You can see people in Flamengo jerseys everywhere: vendors on the beach, taxi drivers, restaurant guests. Fluminense also have a big fan base in the perfectly beautiful coastal city. The green and red shirts of the big rivals are also to be seen – albeit in a minority.

clash between two club world cup participants

As so often with football rivalries, Flamengo and Fluminense do have similarities. In addition to the obvious ones – the hometown and the shared use of the Maracanã – there are also other parallels: Both teams impressed at the Club World Cup: Flamengo beat the eventual winners Chelsea who knocked out Fluminense at the semi-final stage: A special joy for fans of the Black and Reds who can maintain they were the better team although they went out at the quarter-final stage. The two top clubs also have another similarity: After returning from the big stage of world football they suffered defeats in the Brazilian league. Nevertheless there is huge anticipation on both sides and a few things are on the line: The Urubu (vultures) can go ten points ahead of Fluminense who have played one game less.

For many people in Rio a defeat for their favourite club in the ‘Dérbi’ can lead to a long period of pain regardless of the position in the table. There is a lot of banter and in the event of a defeat – skits and jibes rain down whether that's at work, on the streets or in the family. The rivalry of the two clubs goes far beyond the usual bounds and goes back to 1911 when Flamengo founded their football section – because eleven players from Fluminense were looking for a new home.

Flamengo's special victory battle cry

The former regatta club has now overtaken their arch rivals with more national and international titles won and fans in every level of society. Fluminense can also claim the latter although 'Flu' are considered to be more of a middle and upper-class club. Flamengo celebrate their home wins at the Maracanã with the battle cry: ‘Festa na favela’ (It's a favela party).

Both fan groups are considered to be extremely passionate so the Werkself players can look forward to a special experience at one of the most tradition-rich venues in world football where Exequiel Palacios won the Copa América with Argentina in 2021 (the interview with Pala is here).

Last world cup win for Germany at the Maracanã

Arthur has already been on the pitch and knows the Maracanã really well albeit without making an appearance: "I was on the subs bench. It's great to be back again. It's a stadium with a big history and the atmosphere is incredibly good. As I played for Flamengo as a teenager I'm more inclined to support Flamengo of course."

Robert Andrich, whose path from the Regional League to the Champions League and a berth in the Germany team has taken in a wide variety of venues, is also looking forward to going to the venue for the 2014 World Cup final: "I think it's really brilliant when you learn a bit about the South American football culture. It's enthusiasm for football through and through so it’s very interesting to experience the derby. I hope everyone behaves on and off the pitch.”

The Leverkusen delegation includes somebody who wore a Flamengo jersey as a child and for whom the visit to the biggest derby in Brazil and the venue for the last Germany World Cup win closes a circle: Simon Rolfes. The managing director sport has a special connection to Flamengo: "It was the first football jersey I had. I got it as a young child at Christmas. So there is a certain connection."