The life of a backup goalkeeper isn't easy. Often, you train hard and get few, if any, opportunities. And when they do come, the pressure is enormous. But Marcelo Lomba didn't care. A young goalkeeper, just 23 years old, but with a strong personality and rooted in Gávea, he's always worked hard since the youth teams, waiting for his moment to arrive. And he couldn't have arrived in a better way: in the debut of a Copa Santander Libertadores.

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He's been part of winning teams, including the 2006 Copa do Brasil, the 2007-2009 Carioca Championship, and last year's sixth Brazilian title. He also played three other games for Flamengo as a professional—two in 2006 and one in 2008. However, Marcelo Lomba has never had an opportunity like this: starting the Rubro-Negro's first game in the year's most important competition. He performed well, earning praise from Bruno, the captain and starting center.

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"He's a calm goalkeeper who's working very well, and I work with him every day, and I have a lot of confidence in his potential, as does the entire group. He's looking for his place and is seizing this opportunity firmly, because not just anyone can wear this shirt," he said.

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Next Saturday, Marcelo Lomba may have another chance to prove his worth. Bruno felt pain in the adductor muscle of his right thigh after training last Tuesday, underwent a re-evaluation before Wednesday's game, and was ruled out of the team's Copa Libertadores debut. Therefore, the number 1 still doesn't know if he'll be fit to face Macaé at 19:30 pm in Volta Redonda, in the first round of the Taça Rio.

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"I felt a strong pain, and I still don't know if I'll play. If I'm already recovered, without pain, yes, but let's wait," he added.