Coach says the group will seek the title in everything they compete in

GLOBOESPORTE.COM Rio de Janeiro

With Flamengo's preseason countdown to the start, coach Cuca will have the opportunity to start from scratch without the pressure of results—at least until January 25th, when the club debuts in the Campeonato Carioca against Friburguense at the Maracanã. The coach arrives with the mission of restoring the team's self-esteem, having lost its spot in the Copa Libertadores in the final rounds of the Campeonato Brasileiro. "We're going to go after the title in all four competitions (State Championship, Copa do Brasil, Copa Sudamericana, and Campeonato Brasileiro) that the club will compete in. We're not going to prioritize anything. We need a little more balance and more drive in the Brasileirão to secure a spot in the Libertadores," analyzed the Flamengo coach in an interview with Globo Esporte.

For players who don't know him well, Cuca gave some clues about how his work should be guided. "Based on loyalty, equal rights and duties for all, and discipline, without a doubt. Whenever possible, I'm a friend alongside them (those under his command)," said the former coach of Santos, Fluminense, Botafogo, São Paulo, Grêmio, and Coritiba.

Although the players and coach are scheduled to be introduced next Wednesday, Cuca doesn't hesitate to give his opinion on the 2009 State Championship. He predicts a more difficult competition compared to last year's edition. "The big three are our main competitors, without discounting the teams from the interior. The difficulty (in 2009) will be greater because the smaller clubs will be able to play outside the capital," argued Alexi Stival.

The red-and-black squad will rejoin the team on January 7th in Gávea, and travel on Friday to Teresópolis, where they will conduct preseason training at Granja Comary. The team will remain in the mountain town until the 22nd.