Those who start ahead don't always finish ahead. However, with Flamengo's current standings in the Copa Libertadores da América, winning their first match, this Wednesday at Maracanã, is crucial. After that, the Gávea team will have two away matches, against Universidad Católica and Caracas. Therefore, coach Andrade believes his team cannot afford to stumble against Universidad Católica.

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In an interview with SporTV's Bem Amigos program, the Flamengo coach spoke about this first challenge for Flamengo in its fight for a second continental championship. For Tromba, the Flamengo squad is tough, and the Chilean team has a strong squad, but even so, Flamengo cannot be intimidated. The coach wants his team to seek victory from the first minute of the game.

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"The anxiety is high. And Flamengo fans have the Libertadores as their dream. We have a tough group. I've heard that Universidad Católica has a good team, with three defenders. Since there are two away games after that, you start doing the math. Winning the first game is crucial. If we win, we'll put the pressure on Caracas, who lost the first game and will have to come out and play against us," he said.

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One of the players who could be crucial during the campaign is young Vinícius Pacheco. The coach only took three strikers to the tournament, focusing on the midfielder's versatility, which he believes can also play further forward. In the official list of 25 players, sent to CONMEBOL, Pacheco is listed as a striker. Regarding Maldonado, he is more cautious.

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"I consider Vinícius Pacheco a striker too. If I feel the need, I can bring him forward. Maldonado is already training with the ball, but it will take a while for him to return," he explained.

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The coach took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of also winning the Rio Cup. According to him, the elimination in the first round of the Campeonato Carioca ended up being a cold shower, but Flamengo remains focused on the fourth state title. However, Andrade already admits to prioritizing the Libertadores if necessary. Even so, he's betting on the strength of the squad to win both competitions.

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"The defeat in the Guanabara Cup made things a bit more complicated, because the idea was to manage the second half of the season. The goal was to win the first half and have peace of mind. My intention isn't to prioritize. But if I have to choose, we'll prioritize the Libertadores, which is the fans' dream. We have a great squad, so we'll be able to mix things up," he concluded.