Coming off a six-game unbeaten streak in the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo faces São Paulo on Sunday at Morumbi Stadium in a match considered extremely important, as the São Paulo team is one of Flamengo's direct competitors in the fight for a spot in the Libertadores Cup and the Brazilian Championship title.

After tactical training this morning at Gávea, coach Caio Júnior confirmed the debut of striker Josiel in the Flamengo attack, alongside Marcelinho Paraíba. According to the coach, Flamengo is one of the teams that stands out for its great offensive power. Now, with the new attacking duo, the coach hopes that the good goal average will be maintained, since Flamengo is the team that has scored the most goals in this Brazilian Championship.

"Anyone who has watched Flamengo's games isn't disappointed. The team plays offensively and seeks victory until the end. That's what happened against Fluminense and Figueirense, for example. We're going to play to win against São Paulo. Flamengo has the best attack in the championship, and the top scorer is still Marcinho, who is no longer with the club. With the options we have now and with 14 games ahead, the expectation is very good for the rest of the championship."

For Caio Júnior, the inclusion of Josiel, who was the top scorer in the last Brazilian Championship, will greatly help the movement of the Flamengo attack. According to the coach, the new number 9 will not feel the pressure of debuting against São Paulo at Morumbi.

"Now we have another reference point man, and with the help of the full-backs, as always happens, the tendency is for us to improve even more. Any player who suffers greater pressure is because they have already proven something. If Josiel was the top scorer, it's because he knows how to score goals."

The Flamengo coach stated that the winner of Sunday's match will take a big step towards the top positions in the standings.

"I don't know if the result of the match will completely influence the championship. But it's clear that whoever wins takes a big step closer to the top, because it's a direct confrontation. A draw there is better for Flamengo than for São Paulo, because they are playing at home," said Caio Júnior.