Since the match against Americano in Gávea, a trio of key players have been missing from coach Armênio Moura's team in the Campeonato Carioca de Juniores. Full-backs Jorbison and Galhardo, as well as midfielder Saba, all injured, missed the following matches—with the exception of Saba, who played in the Flamengo vs. Flu match. However, this week, as Flamengo doesn't play again until the 27th, the players are doing their best to recover.

\

The youth coaching staff is doing a great job, by the way. Coach Armênio Moura has been using the busy week as a sort of preseason training supplement, and for the past few days, the players have been doing only physical activities at Ninho do Urubu. On Friday, all the athletes will undergo a series of tests before taking time off for Carnival.

\

"It's good to have more time to train, especially for me, as I was injured. Now I believe I'm much better, with the recovery being quick, and I just need to get back into the swing of things and do the technical and tactical work to get back into the game," said Saba.

\

Galhardo also believes he can be available to Flamengo's coach for the remainder of the first round of the State Championship. The player, who played in a few professional matches last year and was also called up to the U-20 national team earlier this year, hopes to win the Rio de Janeiro junior title with Flamengo.

\

"It's really annoying to be left out, but I believe that Jorbison, Saba, and I will be playing in the next game. It's also important to say that the players who are coming in are doing their part well, and that's very important for us to achieve our goal, which is the title," he said.

\

Flamengo leads the Rio de Janeiro Under-20 Championship with 19 points. The team has played seven matches so far in the competition, winning six and drawing the other. Second-placed Botafogo is two points behind. In the next round, the team from Gávea faces Macaé away from home.