After this morning's tactical training session in Gávea, coach Caio Júnior expressed confidence in a strong performance from Flamengo on Sunday against Goiás at Maracanã. Even without Fábio Luciano and likely Léo Moura, who again missed training, the Flamengo manager believes Flamengo is ready to overcome Hélio dos Anjos' team.

"Our team is a little different without Fábio Luciano and Léo, who are two leaders. With Airton and Toró, we already beat Coritiba and performed very well in other games. The only time we didn't perform well was when we lost players and were severely shorthanded. I think losing to Cruzeiro like we did, and our performance against Palmeiras, leaves us satisfied with the campaign. We're frustrated about not winning the title, but still fighting for the Libertadores. São Paulo is perhaps the most consistent team, which is why they're close to being champions."

For Caio Júnior, Flamengo cannot think of any other result other than victory on Sunday.

"It's a high-stakes game because it's the second-to-last in the championship. If we don't win, we won't have a chance to turn things around in the Libertadores. It's a crucial game, and we'll fight hard to win. It's a match against an opponent who has nothing to lose, and we need to beat them no matter what."

The red-black coach praised Fla's campaign in this 2008 Brasileirão and said that the planning for the next season will only be discussed after the last two games of the year.

"After the next two games, we'll outline our plans for 2009. At the management's request, I've been observing the young players in the youth academy, which is part of next year's plans. What I see today is that it was a calm Brazilian Championship; we never ran the risk of relegation and fought for the title until the third-to-last round. We still have a chance of winning the Libertadores. That's how São Paulo wins the championship: always being ahead. That's how our chances of winning increase."