The Rio de Janeiro junior title is a major ambition for Flamengo this season. Since 2007, the red-and-blacks, accustomed to winning numerous trophies at the youth level, haven't won the competition. Therefore, the team remains hopeful of winning the Guanabara Cup, the first round of the state championship. To keep this dream alive, coach Armênio Moura's team must beat América this Wednesday at 15:30 pm in Gávea.

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Flamengo's situation, however, isn't quite that simple. Besides doing its part and defeating Alvirubro at home and Friburguense away, the Gávea team still needs to hope for an unlikely Fluminense slip-up against Macaé in the final round to be crowned champion.

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"We know it's difficult, but we have to keep believing until the end. If we beat América, we'll be one point behind Fluminense. Then, in the last round, we have to get past Friburguense and hope they can at least draw against Macaé. It's tough, but not impossible," said right-back Rafael Galhardo.

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With the return of striker Diego Maurício, who missed the last two rounds while traveling with the Brazilian U-19 national team, coach Armênio Moura will have a full complement of players for the match. The likely starting lineup for the red-and-black team is Marcelo Carné, Galhardo, Marlon, Christianno, and Jorbison; João Vitor, Luis Antônio, Guilherme (Saba), and Dieguinho; Paquetá and Diego Maurício.

"Diego is a great reinforcement, but the whole team is training well, is motivated and knows the importance of getting a good result in this game," said the coach.

Unlike the professional tournament, there is no knockout stage in the Junior State Championship. Both the Guanabara Cup and the Rio Cup are played on a points-based basis. All teams play each other. Flu leads the first-round standings with 33 points. Vasco has 31 and Botafogo 32. With a game in hand, Fla is fourth with 29.