Coach Andrade can breathe a sigh of relief. He will no longer be without a player for Sunday's derby. Defender Álvaro, who was tried for a red card against Duque de Caxias in a first-round match of the Taça Guanabara, was acquitted of an extended sentence and will play next Sunday's derby against Fluminense at the Maracanã stadium.

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Álvaro was charged with a violent play under Article 254 (committing a violent play) and risked being sidelined for up to six matches. He was tried by the Rio de Janeiro Sports Court (TJD/RJ) and was suspended for just one match by the Fourth Disciplinary Committee. Thus, Álvaro is ready to return to the team, having served his automatic suspension in the second round against Volta Redonda.

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During the case review, defense attorney Michel Asseff Filho argued that a harsher punishment would be unfair, as Álvaro committed a common foul, but the plastic surgery made it appear more violent. In the end, the decision among the auditors was close, but favored the Rubro-Negro, with two votes for a two-match suspension and three for a one-match suspension.

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Training - During Thursday afternoon's training session, the starting players, led by Adriano, did only weight training at Ninho do Urubu. Meanwhile, the reserves, who didn't play in Wednesday's game, held a training session. The highlight was Maldonado, who returned to ball training after the left knee injury that forced him out late in the last Brazilian Championship. Gradually returning, the Chilean played footvolley accompanied by members of the coaching staff.