Unity, hard work, and intelligence: these are the ingredients in Flamengo's recipe for success in the Copa Libertadores. Considered the most important competition of the season, the Libertadores begins on Wednesday, the 24th, for Flamengo. Coach Andrade's team hosts Universidad Católica, from Chile, at the Maracanã stadium. And, on the eve of their first international tournament match, Flamengo's players already know how to excel in the competition.

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Experienced Kleberson, who has played in the Libertadores for Atlético Paranaense and Flamengo, is well aware of the differences between the Libertadores and the Campeonato Carioca and the Brasileirão. According to him, one of the key factors for a strong campaign is not dropping points at home.

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"Without a doubt, the Libertadores is a different kind of championship, with a lot of fighting, and I believe the main difference is knowing how to use experience. The team has the quality to be champions, they just need to be calm and play intelligently. I've played in this competition before and had difficult experiences in away games. I believe we have to win all the points we can at home to make a difference in our opponents' stadiums," he said.

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David, who will be making his debut in the competition, believes the red-and-black team needs to have the same spirit it had in the final stretch of the last Brasileirão. According to him, the squad, already strong, is even stronger and has everything it needs to do well in the competition.

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"I think the key is to work hard and unite the group even more, because that's how we won the Brazilian title last year. Everyone will try to do their best on the field so we can win this title. We know it won't be easy, but we'll fight for it. Flamengo's squad is strong, players were signed to improve the team, and we have every chance of getting there," he said.

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It's worth remembering that Flamengo won the Copa Libertadores in 1981, when it was managed by Zico, Adílio, Júnior, and company. That team made history by also winning the Campeonato Carioca and the Interclub World Cup in the same year. The current generation of Flamengo has already competed in the competition twice, in 2007 and 2008, but was eliminated in the quarterfinals both times, at the Maracanã stadium.