The São Paulo Junior Football Cup is about to begin and the Ninho Boys are ready to begin another journey in search of the competition's great title. Embarking for Barueri, the red-black host city in the edition, this Tuesday (2), Mais Querido begins the journey in the group stage on Wednesday, against Ji-Paraná.

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The São Paulo Cup regulations divide the 128 participating teams into 32 groups of four teams each. Two clubs from each group qualify and advance to the second round. The remaining teams then advance to the third round, the round of XNUMX, the quarterfinals, the semifinals, and finally the final.

 

If they qualify from the group stage, Flamengo will face whoever advances from Group 22. Atlântico, Comercial-MS, Coritiba or Elosport, whose home city is Capão Bonito, could be in the red-black's path.

 

Ninho Boys seek fourth championship

The Red-Black team has won the Copinha on three occasions. In 1990, Mengo was led by Djalminha, a midfielder who shone and was instrumental in the victory. Besides him, defender Júnior Baiano, who scored the winning goal against Juventus and is one of the greatest scorers in his position in the club's history, Marcelinho Carioca, and Paulo Nunes were also part of that generation.

 

In 2011, Mengão returned to Pacaembu Stadium to lift the trophy once again. Facing Bahia, goalkeeper César's team defeated Bahia 2-1, with goals from Frauches and Negueba, and won the title for the second time.

 

The last time they won the trophy was in 2016. The squad, which included several players from the current red-and-black team, such as Thiago, Léo Duarte, Matheus Savio, Lucas Paquetá, and Felipe Vizeu, defeated then-champion Corinthians on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time, with goals from Trindade and Savio. With the goalkeeper saving three penalties, Patrick scored the penalty that secured the title.

 

Last campaign

In 2017, Flamengo entered the competition hoping to defend the title they won the previous year. In the group stage, Flamengo led with two wins and a draw, advancing easily. Flamengo then thrashed Nacional (SP) 6-0 and defeated the team from the interior of São Paulo. They then defeated São Caetano 3-0. In the round of 2, the thrilling 1-46 victory in the XNUMXth minute of the second half was a goal by Vinicius Junior against Cruzeiro.

 

In the quarterfinals, the Ninho Boys faced Corinthians in Barueri, a repeat of the previous year's final. Despite taking the lead with a goal from Dener, Flamengo ended up losing 2-1 and being eliminated from the São Paulo Cup.

 

The opponents

Group 21 of the Copinha is made up of Ji-Paraná, Aimoré and Oeste, in addition to Flamengo.

 

This will be the first time Oeste's youth team has participated in the Copa São Paulo. Based in Barueri, the club will be led by coach Alan Dotti as they battle for a spot in the tournament's second round.

 

The reigning champion of the Rondônia Junior Football Championship, Ji-Paraná, arrives in Barueri with the same core team as last year. Coached by Giovanny Siqueira, the Rondônia club played friendlies in São Paulo in preparation for the Copinha tournament in December. The team's last appearance in the tournament was in 2014, when they fell in the first round with one win and two losses.

 

Aimoré will be competing in the competition for the second time under Luiz Felipe. In its last appearance, the Rio Grande do Sul team fell in the first round with two draws and one loss.

 

Cast

Last Monday (1), coach Maurício Souza released the list of 25 names that will defend Mais Querido in the São Paulo Cup. Integrated into the professional football squad and already beginning preparations for the season, Gabriel Batista, Klebinho, Matheus Thuler, Jean Lucas, Vinicius Junior and Lincoln are not in the final call-up for the competition.

 

Goalkeepers: Hugo Souza, Pedro Caracoci, Victor Hugo and Yago Darub.

 

Fullbacks: Michael, Ramon, Wesley and Pablo.

 

Defenders: Aderlan, Bernardo, Matheus Dantas and Patrick.

 

Defensive midfielders: Hugo Moura, Matheus Alves, Theo and Vinicius Souza

 

Midfielders: Luiz Henrique, Patrick Valverde, Pepê and Yuri

 

Attackers: Bill, Lucas Silva, Samuel, Vitor Gabriel and Wendel

 

Match dates

Based in Barueri (SP), Rubro-Negro will play all of its first phase matches at Arena Barueri.

 

03/01, Wednesday: Flamengo x Ji-Paraná, at 21:30 pm.

 

06/01, Saturday: Aimoré x Flamengo, at 19pm.

 

09/01, Tuesday: Oeste x Flamengo, at 19:15 pm.

 

Curiosities 

Three players are already experienced when it comes to Copinha. Midfielders Pepê and Patrick, as well as left-back Michael, are making their third appearance in the youth competition.

 

For seven youngsters, this will be their first time in the country's premier U20 tournament. Last season's state champions, goalkeeper Victor Hugo, left-back Ramon, defender Patrick, defensive midfielder Matheus Alves, midfielder Yuri, and forwards Wendel and Vitor Gabriel were promoted from the U17 squad and are on Maurício Souza's roster for the Copa São Paulo.

 

Flamengo is the club with the best record in finals, winning the three finals it has played in (1990, 2011 and 2016).