Flamengo U-20 will face another challenge in the Brazilian Championship of the category. The Garotos do Ninho face Palmeiras in the 3rd round of the competition, this Wednesday (17), at 15:15 pm in Gávea, with broadcast on SporTV. It will be the reunion of the opponents of the only final of the last edition of the Brasileirão, with Mengão being crowned two-time champion. 

After the final whistle at Raulino de Oliveira Stadium in Volta Redonda on September 7, 2023, emotions filled the stadium that last hosted Flamengo and Palmeiras' U-20 matches. It was the Brasileirão final in that category, and Mengão, with the better record, had the advantage of hosting the match. The 0-0 draw in regulation time led to a penalty shootout, and with a strong mentality and the overwhelming support of the nation that was present, the Garotos do Ninho won 3-2 on penalties. This Wednesday (17), seven months later, the teams meet again in the first phase with a decisive atmosphere, with every point counting in the championship. 

However, the similarities end there. Of the starting lineup for the last match between the teams, only ten players were selected for this Wednesday's. A different generation, mostly formed by players born in 2005 and 2006, but who are already demonstrating what it means to be Flamengo on the field. Race, love, and passion were part of the journey of these "Garotos do Ninho" (Ninho Boys), who reached the semifinals of the São Paulo Junior Football Cup in January and, in March, lifted and brought home the unprecedented U-20 Libertadores Cup, which was contested thanks to the Brazilian title in 2023. 

Consistently reaching finals and competing for major titles are part of Flamengo's youth development process. It's in Flamengo's DNA, and the players know it. Whether they're in the U-20A or the U-20B, created in 2019, they're two teams in the same category, each with their own coaching staff, working collaboratively to meet the needs of both the category's competitions and professional football. Furthermore, it helps with the transition and adaptation of the youngsters recently promoted from the U-17s. 

It was through the 20B team, for example, that the competitive level was maintained even with changes in the current U-20 squad, which saw players promoted to the professional ranks, traded, or exceeding the age limit for the category. Technique and skill spoke louder, the backbone formed in the Copinha and subsequently won the Libertadores. Today, the 20B team is led by Raphael Bahia and is competing in the Copa Rio while, at the same time, Mario Jorge leads the U-20 team in the Brasileirão. 

Last Sunday (14), the 1-0 away victory over Fluminense, qualifying for the cup final, proves this. The opponent played with the main team formed by athletes from 2004 and 2005, while Mengão had a younger team, and they were just as competitive, dueling at the same level of physical intensity and creating many goal chances. Mario Jorge knows he will be able to count on them throughout the season, which has a full calendar (after Copinha and Libertadores, the category still has Brasileirão, Copa Rio, Mundial, Carioca and Copa do Brasil in dispute) 

This is the type of athlete Flamengo has been developing in its youth soccer program. It's always striving to bring more "Garotos do Ninho" (Ninho Boys) into professional football, capable of withstanding the pressure, intensity, and high level of football that Tite's squad boasts. And to achieve this, major challenges are part of this process. Flamengo and Palmeiras, who consistently meet in the decisive stages of competitions, are part of this, as is the Brasileirão, which pits the top schools of Brazilian soccer against each other. Go for it, "Garotos do Ninho" (Ninho Boys)!