After finishing the group stage of the São Paulo Junior Football Cup as the leader of Group 23 with seven points, Flamengo, the current champion of the country's most important youth football competition, finished its preparations for the match against Nacional (SP), already valid for the knockout stage of the tournament, in a training session held on Tuesday afternoon (10.01) at Academia 2, the Palmeiras youth football training center, in Guarulhos. On Wednesday night (11.01), the Garotos do Ninho face Nacional at Anacleto Campanella Stadium, in São Caetano do Sul, at 21 pm, with live broadcast on SporTV and ESPN Brasil. Whoever advances will face the winner of the match between Goiás and São Caetano in the next stage.

"I'm very happy to have the opportunity to be a starter in such an important competition as the Copa São Paulo, especially wearing the Manto Sagrado. Unfortunately, I had lost my spot before we went to the Copa RS Internacional, but thanks to God, my hard work, and the confidence of coach Gilmar Popoca, I was able to regain my spot during the competition and remained in the team for the Copinha. I want to thank our fans, who have been showing up in large numbers to all our games and supporting us immensely. I have no doubt that against Nacional this will happen again. Our team is very focused, focused on playing a great match and advancing in the competition," said midfielder Theo.

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Left-back Moraes experienced a curious situation last weekend. Registered for the competition, he didn't travel with the group and remained in Rio de Janeiro training, on standby. Due to the injury Michael suffered in the match against São Bento, he was called up and reported to the team's training camp in São Caetano on the day of the match against Azulão, where he started and performed well. He spoke about it:

"I really knew I was registered and that I could be called up at any moment. So I stayed focused and trained hard. But when it actually happens, you always get a shock. I was at home with my girlfriend and received a message from our coordinator. I told her I'd been called up to play in the Copinha, and she couldn't believe it. Unfortunately, it was due to Michael's injury, but I was very happy with the opportunity. On Sunday, despite having traveled, I was able to rest at the hotel and felt great on the field. I was very well received by the entire group, and that helped me a lot. The group is very united and focused on going far in this Copinha," revealed Moraes.