Mengão's U-15 team finished its preparation for the grand final of the Campeonato Carioca in the category, against Fluminense. Rubro-Negro plays the first match in Gávea, this Saturday (18) at 09 am, and decides away from home.

It was a busy week at the George Helal Training Center, known as Ninho do Urubu. On Field 5, coach Vinicius Durante prepared for the first leg of the match. The U-15 coach spoke about what he expects from Mengão in the decisive Fla-Flu match.

"Well, first about our opponent, an opponent we've already faced twice this year. We know their quality, their competitiveness, especially when playing at home. This first match is at home, so we have to try to play our game, set our own pace. We're studying the opponent, but I think we're also at the best moment of the year. The guys are fulfilling their roles, they're taking on their responsibilities, everyone knows what they're doing, and from that, obviously, many players are performing at their best individually," said the coach.

For the Guanabara Cup, Flamengo and Fluminense faced each other in Xerém in the 10th round, and drew 3-3. The extra point won on penalties by the opponent ended up defining the title of the Guanabara Cup, as the pair had equal campaigns (9 wins and 2 draws), but Rubro-Negro had a better goal difference, 29, due to the best attack (36 goals) and best defense (only 7 conceded) in the competition.

Mengão U-15 is aiming for its 10th Campeonato Carioca title. The last trophy the Garotos do Ninho lifted in the competition was in 2018. Last year, the team won the Taça Guanabara but ended up finishing second in the Campeonato Carioca. But the athletes have different expectations for 2023, as is the case with forward Davi Waisman, who has recently been called up to the national team.

We've been training for moments like this. I'm sure our team is ready, and that's it. Let's go for it, because this is Flamengo," he concluded!

Flamengo and Fluminense face each other at 09 am (Brasília time), in Gávea with broadcast on FlaTV!