The Mais Querido U-20 team returned to the field on Saturday afternoon (07), in Gávea, to face Itaboraí in a match valid for the first round of the Otávio Pinto Guimarães Tournament. In the almost two-month interval between the final of the State Championship and the debut in the OPG Tournament, the team was on vacation and returned on September 22 for an interseason of just over two weeks at Ninho do Urubu, with training led by coach Maurício Souza already aiming at the beginning of preparation for the OPG Tournament, for the RS Cup, in December, and for the São Paulo Cup, in January. 

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Rubro-Negro's first chance came in the 9th minute. After a rebound, the ball fell to Jean Lucas, who fired a shot from the edge of the box, leaving goalkeeper Lucas Renan with no chance. But defender Gabriel chested down and saved it on the line. With Itaboraí playing very defensively, the game was tight, with few scoring chances during the first half. In the 42nd minute, Moraes took a corner kick; the ball nearly surprised the goalkeeper and hit the crossbar. Loran then received the ball at the edge of the box and turned toward the defender, but his shot was weak and harmless to Lucas Renan. The teams went into halftime unchanged.

Flamengo came back pressing for a goal from the first minute of the second half. In the second minute, Loran fired a shot from the edge of the box, and the ball went just wide of Lucas Renan's right post. In the 2th minute, Kleber took a corner kick, Loran deflected it at the near post, and the ball flew millimeters past Lucas Silva, who narrowly missed scoring the first. In the 14st minute, Bill was fouled at the edge of the box, and Jean Lucas performed a stunning shot, perfectly curling it into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance, and finally opening the scoring for the Ninho Boys.  

In the 31st minute, Rubro-Negro missed an incredible chance to extend their lead. After a long shot from Yago, two Itaboraí players collided in the center of the field, and the ball fell to Lucas Silva. With the attack outnumbered the defense, he passed to Loran, who rolled it perfectly to Jean Lucas. But, without a goalkeeper, he misplaced the ball and missed an unbelievable goal. In the 37th minute, Itaboraí created a threat. After a rocket from outside the box, Yago appeared well and made a great save, palming the ball away for a corner and securing the victory for Mais Querido in their competition debut.

"It was a very difficult game against a qualified opponent. It's the beginning of a new project, and the team felt the physical impact of the long period without playing. But being able to give this victory to Professor Maurício in his debut in charge of the category was very important for gaining confidence for all of us," said Jean Lucas, who added: "I'm very happy with the goal, my first from a free kick in a Flamengo shirt. It's the result of a lot of work and daily training, and I hope to be able to score many more from now on," Jean concluded.

The U-20 team returns to the field for the second round of the OPG Tournament next Wednesday (11) when they face Bangu, in Moça Bonita, at 15 pm.

Flamengo took to the field to face Itaboraí with Yago, Kleber, Bernardo, Dantas, Moraes (Ruan), Hugo Moura, Vinicius Souza, Jean Lucas, Lucas Silva, Bill (Patrick) and Loran (Jardeu). Coach: Maurício Souza.