Besides changing the lives of the world's population and establishing a "new normal" around the globe, the novel coronavirus pandemic also affected the sports calendar. Within this context, the club's youth soccer was directly impacted. In addition to the cancellation of all competitions from the U-7 to U-16 categories in the country, the U-17 and U-20 categories underwent a four-and-a-half-month suspension of in-person activities. Added to the preparation period of just over a month after the return of training at CT George Helal, there was exactly 175 days between the 4-2 rout of Friburguense in the U-20 Guanabara Cup debut in March and the 2-1 away victory over Nova Iguaçu last Wednesday (09).

With the release of the schedules for the three competitions that the U-17 and U-20 categories will each face simultaneously until February 2021, it was confirmed: the Garotos do Ninho's schedule for the season will be more demanding than ever. Games and competitions that would normally be played over ten months will take place within a reduced window of just six months. For example, the Copa do Brasil and the Campeonato Brasileiro, which are usually separated by semesters, will be held simultaneously starting in October.

The technical committees plan for the main groups in each category to play in national competitions and the most important games, such as classics and playoffs, of the Campeonato Carioca, giving the opportunity for athletes who are in their first year in the category to play in the remaining matches of the state competitions.

"We've been planning for some time to officially establish the U-18 team as a new category within our youth soccer structure. With the support of the club's management, this was implemented starting this season. With the competition period reduced to just six months and the accumulation of matches, it would be completely unfeasible to use only the U-20 squad in the three competitions, as the calendar would include weeks with up to four games, with extensive travel throughout the country. This will give our first-year athletes, who previously rarely played, more time to play and continue their development, guided daily by a successful and highly competent coaching staff led by coach Mário Jorge. Our integration and exchange of ideas and information is ongoing," explained Mauricio Souza, U-20 coach.

Isolated leader of Group A with six points won, the U-20 team takes to the field for the fourth round of the Guanabara Cup this Wednesday (16), at 10 am. The opponent will be Portuguesa, at the Luso-Brasileiro Stadium, on Ilha do Governador.