Twins Alex and Anderson's mission was far from easy at the start of the U-20 Carioca Championship. The two full-backs were tasked with replacing Rafael Galhardo and Jorbison, two of the club's players who had played for the senior team. However, with strong performances, the twins ensured that coach Armênio Moura felt less of a burden for the duo, who were ruled out by the medical department, and saw his team reach a seven-match unbeaten streak in the competition.

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Anderson believes the example isn't just his and his brother's. The Flamengo team's number six believes the entire squad is very strong and says all the players coming in are meeting the expectations of the coaching staff and their teammates. Flamengo hasn't repeated its starting lineup even once since the Carioca began, but they've still won six of their seven matches.

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"It's super important to have a good squad in a points-based championship, and our group is showing that it has a good squad. Not only my brother and I are showing that we're starting well in games, but everyone who's joined the team has done their job. We haven't repeated any lineups yet; we're always changing someone, and the team is doing well and showing that it has a good squad," he said.

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Alex, in turn, reveals a conversation with the red-and-black coach, Armênio Moura, about the strength of the red-and-black squad. According to the right-back, the Gávea team's manager talks extensively about the importance of having a strong squad in the Carioca championship.

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"The squad is indeed very important. Our coach talked about this with us, that we are forming a group, that even if one leaves and another comes in, everyone is playing seriously, performing well, and this is fundamental for a team that wants to be champion, as is the case with ours," he said.

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Flamengo is training normally this week, but will only return to action on the 27th, when they face Macaé away from home. On Monday, the players underwent medical examinations at Ninho do Urubu.