Finally, coach Andrade will have the full strength of his squad at his disposal in 2010. Next Wednesday, Flamengo faces Botafogo in the Guanabara Cup semifinals at the Maracanã, and the coach will be able to count on his best players. There are no injury or suspension concerns, so the team he's been training is already very close to the ideal lineup for the rest of the season.

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Bruno, Léo Moura, Álvaro, Ronaldo Angelim, and Juan; Willians, Toró, Kleberson, and Vinicius Pacheco; Vagner Love and Adriano. This is the lineup the team from Gávea will field against Botafogo, and likely for much of the rest of the year. That's why striker Vagner Love celebrated the fact that this was the team coach Andrade fielded for training this Thursday afternoon at Ninho do Urubu.

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"The eleven who trained today know they're playing against Botafogo and are aware of the responsibility of the match. It's important to know the core of the team so we can gain confidence and build rapport for the game. This helps a lot. There are still a few days left, and we'll have time to iron out some details and be ready for the semifinal," analyzed Love.

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Ronaldo Angelim agrees. For the experienced Flamengo defender, maintaining a foundation is also important for the fans, who will be able to familiarize themselves with the team that will compete in the Copa Libertadores, for example. The player believes the team is close to its ideal form and believes that, in a few games, the team will be showing its best football.

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"We're working on what we'll do in the game. It's good to have this team available, with the fans also knowing which team will be playing, and that makes things easier for everyone. By improving our technique and physical skills, we'll be 100%," he noted.

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Flamengo and Botafogo face off next Wednesday at 21:50 p.m. at the Maracanã stadium. The winner will face the winner of Saturday's match between Fluminense and Vasco in the grand final of the first round of the Campeonato Carioca.